Book Information
Author
: John C. Maxwell
Title : How Successful People Think
Publisher
: Hachette Book Group
Year :
2009
Pages : 127 Pages
Sentence-Summary: How Successful People Think lays out eleven
specific ways of thinking you can practice to live a better, happier, more
successful life.
Last week, I
already wrote the first and second specific ways of thinking on the chapter 1 and 2. For this time, I would like
to explain the third, forth and fifth specific ways of thinking which is on the
chapter 3,4, and 5.
The Review :
Chapter 3 ; Harness Creative Thinking
“Creativity is being able to see what everybody else has
seen and think what nobody else has thought in order to do what nobody else has
done.”–John Maxwell.
Joy is in creating, not
maintaining. Creativity is the most valuable resource you bring to your
organization. Few people figure out how to use this principle in abundance.
Often, creative thinking is really dot connecting using a lot of previous
learning. But you will not be able to create or connect those dots if you don’t
understand the value of the thoughts.
Einstein held that
“Imagination is more important than intelligence.” By keeping your options open
for other ideas, you find the key to getting the best solution…not only answer.
There is a correlation between creative thinking and screwball thinking…suffer
the screwball and his ideas. To foster creativity, tolerate a little oddness.
Creativity is intelligence having fun. “Creativity is especially expressed in
the ability to make connections, to make associations, to turn things around
and express them in a new way.” If you cultivate creativity, you will become more attractive to
other people, and they will be drawn to
you.
At this point you may be saying, “Okay, I’m convinced that creative thinking is important.
But how do I find the creativity within me? How do I discover the joy of creative thought?” First,
You should remove creativity killers. If you think you have a great idea, don’t let anyone talk
you out of it even if it sounds foolish. Don’t let yourself or anyone else subject you to creativity killers. After all, you can’t do something new and exciting if you force yourself to stay in the same old rut. Don’t just work harder at the same old thing. Make a change.
Second, You should think creatively by asking the right
questions
such as Why must it be done this way? Why is it important? What happens if we don’t do it at all?, etc. Third,
you should develop a creative environment. The more creativity-friendly you can make your environment, the more potential it has
to become creative. Forth,
you should spend time
with other creative people. It’s a fact that you begin to think like the people you spend a lot of time The more time you can spend with creative people engaging in creative activities, the more creative you will become. Fifth,
you shouldf get out of your box.
The most effective way to
help yourself get out of the box is to expose yourself to new paradigms. One way you can do that is by traveling to
new places. Explore other cultures, countries, and traditions
Chapter
4 ; Employ Realistic Thinking
Reality is the difference between what you wish for and what is. It took some time for you to
evolve into a realistic thinker. So, why you should recognize the importance of realistic thinking?
If you’re a naturally optimistic person, you may not possess great desire to
become a more realistic thinker. But cultivating the ability to be realistic in your thinking will not undermine your faith in people, nor will it lessen your ability to
see and seize opportunities. Instead, it will add value to you in other ways:
Ø
Realistic thinking minimizes
downside risk
Ø
Realistic thinking gives you a target
and game
plan
Ø
Realistic thinking is
a catalyst for change
Ø
Realistic thinking provides
security
Ø
Realistic thinking gives you credibility
Ø
Realistic thinking provides
a foundation to build on
Ø
Realistic thinking gives you something concrete to
fall back on during times of trouble, which can be very reassuring. Certainty in the midst of uncertainty brings stability.
Ø
Realistic thinking helps to
pave the way for bringing any dream to
fruition.
For
Instance, The leader must define reality. To minimize downside risk, it is
imperative to plan for the best case, worst case, and probable case. Realistic
thinking will protect the game plan. Staring at reality will be a healthy
catalyst for change.
Chapter 5 ; Utilize Strategic Thinking
“Most people spend more time planning their summer vacation than planning their lives.”—Source Unknown.
Strategic thinking can make a positive impact on any area of life. The key is plan your life, live your plan. So, why we should release the power of strategic thinking? Because Strategic thinking helps us to plan, to
become more efficient, to maximize our strengths,
and to
find the most direct path toward achieving any objective. The benefits of strategic thinking are numerous including Simplifies the difficult, Prompts great questions such as (What’s next?, Who’s responsible?, How much will it cost?,
How will we know we’re on target?, Did we get there?, What’s next?,etc.), Helps fit the plan to the circumstances, Prepares You Today for an Uncertain Tomorrow, Reduces Errors, and Increases your influence
with others especially If you possess a position of leadership in an organization, strategic thinking is essential.
In
the other hand, how to release the power of strategic thinking?To become a better strategic thinker able to
formulate and implement plans that will achieve the desired objective, you can do a few tips on how to do strategic planning including Unpack the issue, Ask “Why?” before “How?”, Get to the real issue (The
issue is often not the issue), Assess your resources available in time, people,
money, etc., Come up with the plan, put the right
people
in
the right place (make your assignments
carefully with respect to skills, strengths, trust), and Repeat the process
periodically.
it's bored reading. too much lips service
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