The Way You Think Can Change Your Life (and Your Business)

I read a book recently on the plane on one of my trips (something I rarely do actually....books put me to sleep) and it was such an easy read about interesting things that I couldn't put it down. In fact, I pulled out my highlighter and made references in it so that I could remind my clients of a few things I learned (or was reminded of).

When I got back I also purchased a few copies of the book and sent them to my VIP clients before our next mastermind meeting so they could read it too and change the way they were thinking too.

The book is entitled "How Successful People Think" by John C. Maxwell; maybe you've heard of it or read it?

Having read it or not you'll want to be reminded about a few things 'we' think about on a daily or weekly basis and how that affects our personal life, our business, our clients and anyone we come in contact with.

I can't talk about all 11 ways of thinking in this article today but I'll touch on my favorite chapter and then maybe do another few in upcoming ezines.

Maxwell talks about why it's important to learn how to become a Good Thinker; mainly because Good Thinkers are always in demand. He says in the book "A person who knows how may always have a job, but the person who knows why will always be his boss."

First of all, why should you care about 'your thoughts'? Because they create your reality of course; what you think, say and do every day becomes your reality. So if you focus on not having enough money to pay the bills for example; what do you think is going to happen? You probably won't be able to pay the bills when the time comes.

Secondly, how does this guy know and why should it concern you? Because thinking in the 11 ways he suggests on a regular basis allows you more possibility, opportunity, wealth and happiness; he's studied successful people's thinking for over 40 years.

So, here is a list of the 11 Types of Thinking Maxwell talks about and how you want to:
1. Cultivate Big-Picture Thinking
2. Engage in Focused Thinking
3. Harness Creative Thinking
4. Employ Realistic Thinking
5. Utilize Strategic Thinking
6. Explore Possibility Thinking - This is one of my favorites
7. Learn from Reflective Thinking
8. Question Popular Thinking
9. Benefit from Shared Thinking
10. Practice Unselfish Thinking
11. Rely on Bottom-Line Thinking
So, today I'll just touch on exploring possibility thinking and share some of the important quotes from the book. It's important to keep this stuff on 'top of mind', even if you 'know it'. There's a reason you're reading this article TODAY, so read it with an open mind...
"People who embrace possibility are capable of accomplishing tasks that seem impossible because they believe in solutions."

Think about all the people around you who do such huge things and you have no idea how they accomplish it all? They are most likely possibility thinkers.
"Every time you remove the label of impossible from a task...and if you embrace possibility thinking, your dreams will go from molehill to mountain size and because you believe in possibilities, you put yourself in position to achieve them."

"The winners in life constantly think in terms of 'I can, I will and I am'."

"People with an it-can't-be-done mindset have two choices. They can expect the worse and continually experience it; or they can change their thinking."

"The first step in becoming a possibility thinker is to stop yourself from searching for and dwelling on what's wrong with any given situation."

Now you don't necessarily need to start going all 'Positive Penny' on everyone around you so they get sick of hearing you; instead just eliminate any negative thoughts and words you are now saying and become more aware. It becomes addicting to your friends and family...and for those who don't 'get it' or appreciate it, maybe spend less time around them while you're working on it; do that favor for yourself.

There's so much more to say but I'll save it for another day!