Are you a “great” thinker?
There is a constant conversation within our minds, yet we seldom take the time to consider how great an impact it has on our lives. Some of history’s great thinkers realized that our outward life is an expression of our inward conversations and made statements like:
“You are what you think about all day long.”
“You are the sum of your thoughts.”
“Your tomorrow is based on today’s thoughts.”
These are quotes that those who study inspiration and motivation recognize and have heard or read many times. I can’t remember who said each one of them, but I believe that they are factual. I believe that our thoughts produce our lives. Something that is not tangible (our thoughts – you cannot touch one) creates something that is tangible (our lives). Something being created from nothing. That’s a post for another time.
Can we overstate the importance of developing our thinking ability? I don’t believe that we can. But many people blindly rush through life without any idea that they can and do control their own destiny. We’ve all heard, “your future is in your own hands.” However, I think it would be more accurately stated, “your future is in your mind” or in how you choose to use your mind. Here are four ways that you can use your mind to increase your thinking skills.
1. Expose your mind to good input.
I don’t advocate watching television, but I realize that it is a fact of life and we have two in our home. I do believe that they can be used to increase your thinking skills. If you must watch TV, then watch the channels and programs that will promote your thinking. National Geographic, Animal Planet, TLC, Science, Discovery, HGTV, PBS, CNBC. business and financial programs.
Just as lying around on the couch is detrimental to your physical condition, so to does watching crap lead to mental ineptitude. Read more:
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books
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blogs
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magazines
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technical manuals
Find a topic that interests you and become an authority on it.
Ask yourself the following question. If you were at a dinner party could you participate intelligently in conversation about:
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the current political climate, political races or political policies
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your governments involvement in foreign policy
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the war in Iraq
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inflation
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unemployment
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new trends in business
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emerging technologies
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economic growth and development
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books on the best sellers list
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the current “hot” movies
Would you be able to hold up your end of an interesting and stimulating conversation or would you be relegated to nodding and smiling, while hoping that no one asks for your opinion?
Excluding the networks that I have mentioned above and a few news programs, television seldom provides the subject matter for a stimulating and intelligent conversation.
2. Get out of your comfort zone.
Visit a museum, then visit another. Take your children to the zoo, a planetarium or an aquarium. Discus science, technology, politics or religion with your family. Set aside a specific time each week for all family members to present something new they learned during the past week. Then discuss that “new” idea or concept in detail. Ask questions.
Show your children that you are a multi-faceted individual who has thoughts, ideas and great thinking skills. Children emulate what they see and who knows, you may inspire a future Nobel prize winner.
Show your child that there are no benefits in being ignorant. It may look cool on TV, but in “real life”, it’s just sad and economically depressing.
3. Spend some time with good thinkers.
This is almost a no-brainer. You become like the people you hang around. How many times did you hear your mother say that? Guess what? She was right.
I am fortunate in that I am part of a group of thinkers who constantly force me to keep up or get left behind. These are my inner circle and they poke, prod and test my thinking. Each one is very intelligent and each has their own special interests and areas of expertise. But we all make it a point to expect great thinking from each other and typically, you get exactly what you expect.
Good thinkers provoke good thinking. They don’t just ask for your opinion, they expect you to justify and defend it. They test you. Because of my group, I am a better thinker.
Look at the people who occupy space in your life. Do they encourage progressive thinking? If not, you don’t need to get rid of them, but you do need to seek out people who will stimulate your mind and add them to the people you associate with.
4. To stimulate creative thinking, get out of your rut.
By rut, I mean your unconscious, habitual ways of drifting through your daily life. If you stop to think about it, I’ll bet:
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you get dressed in the same way everyday
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you brush your teeth and comb your hair with one or the other hand, but always the same one
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you take the same path to work
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you arrive at about the same time everyday
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…you get the picture.
Being habitual is not conducive to creative thinking. Being different is. Make it a point to do anything and everything differently. This forces your brain to get off of autopilot. Do you remember the act of brushing your teeth this morning? What were you thinking? Chances are, you don’t remember because you were on autopilot.
Anytime that you do things differently, you force your brain into action. It has to adapt. Create new neural pathways. Validate new actions and make adjustments. Doing things differently forces you to “see” things differently. Seeing things differently leads to new and creative insights.
Brush your hair with your less dominant hand ( you can go back over it with the other one later ), change priorities, change pathways, change your life.
Your mind is your most powerful tool for creating the life you desire
It has been estimated that we have about 60,000 thoughts a day. How many do you remember? How many were remarkable? Isn’t it amazing how our mind transitions smoothly from one thought to the next? Each new thought is seamlessly and effortlessly tied to the previous thought and provides the springboard for our next thought.
Take a moment to think about your thinking skills and realize that it is your greatest asset. Your thoughts today will produce your life tomorrow therefore, mediocre thinking today will produce a mediocre tomorrow.
Mediocrity is not acceptable!
Life is change and change is life
Change is inevitable. Change is necessary – most of the time. Change can occur in the blink of an eye. Whether you react or respond to change determines whether change is good for you.
Michael Segal’s life was changed in the blink of an eye by the twitch of a finger on a trigger. Michael Segal’s body was affected, but his spirit, his drive and his determination was not. He adapted, he overcame and he flourished. Watch this video and be inspired to be all you can be.
Tags: change, Michael+Segal, inspiration, motivation
Do you have what it takes to succeed?
To hear people talk, you would think that success is a mythological term – something that other people can get, have or acquire, but not themselves. Why not? Why can’t everyone succeed?
While we’re at it, let’s go ahead and admit that we are talking about financial success – that just-out-of-our-reach condition of financial security. The place where income exceeds expenses and results in a surplus of money that provides you with options like:
- driving the type of vehicle you would choose if money was not object
- vacationing when and where you want to
- providing your children with an education that is free of many of the public school distractions
- becoming involved in the community
- living in the neighborhood / city / country of your choice
- sharing your skills
Do you have what it takes to be successful? Ask yourself the following questions, be honest and then decide if you have what it takes.
1. Are you a self-starter?
Successful people take the bull by the horns. They:
- get to work on time (but early is better)
- volunteer to take on the “hard” jobs
- don’t give a crap what everyone else thinks about their desire to “get ahead”
- produce well developed ideas and the plans for implementing them
- don’t stand around the shop / water cooler / coffee machine wasting time discussing their latest dating escapades, the current “hot” sitcom, plans for the weekend or the latest office / shop gossip
- pay attention and they take notes – lots of notes
- are focused on achieving the goal or objective
2. Are you a visionary?
Successful people have a vision and they project a mental picture of the future they desire. When you create a vision of what you want, you automatically begin to formulate the plans to make your vision happen
The difference between the “average joe” and those who acquire financial security is that:
- for the “average joe” this is just a daydream and it is discussed in day-dreamy terms. One day – someday – hopefully – if everything comes together – when my ship comes in – when the kids are gone to college – when I have more time – yada, yada, yada. Let face it, for the “average joe” it “ain’t gonna happen”. That’s why he / she is the “average joe”.
- for the successful person their vision is a destination that they are on the road to arriving at. They complement their vision by have props that continually keep their goal in sight. These are the people who plaster their office / work area with pictures of their dreams. They post encouraging quotes. They read about other successful people. They attempt to motivate others, because in doing so, they keep themselves motivated.
3. Do you have the needed “people skills”?
Successful people understand that “it ain’t about themselves”. Like Zig Ziglar says, “You can have anything in life that you want, if you will help enough other people get what they want”.
Its called the Law of Reciprocity. When you help someone else, this creates a desire in the other person to do something to help you and “even the score”. This desire is not an overt one – it is more of a subconscious emotion. But all successful people recognize that by helping others, you are helping yourself.
Look at all the successful people that you know. How do they interact with others. Do they stand around and wait for other people to “pay homage” to them? I doubt it.
- They are the people you see approaching with their hand out ready to firmly shake your hand.
- They look you in the eye and “lock” on to what you are saying.
- When they speak with you, you get the feeling that you are the most important person in the room.
- They “listen” actively, hear what you are saying and they understand.
- They follow-up. This says that you are important and it demonstrates your importance to them.
- They are open to intelligent input / ideas.
4. Do you think on paper?
This simple concept is probably the most important. All successful people take notes because they are not vain enough to think that they can remember everything. Making notes:
- keeps your eye on the ball – you stay focused on the important stuff and are not sidetracked by the immediate emergency
- allows you to record your ideas
- allows you to schedule your day
- keeps the project moving in the right direction
- allows for follow-up
Is this all that there is to being successful? No way, but it’s a start. If you have these characteristics, then you are on your way. If you don’t have these traits, then I suggest that you begin to acquire them – IF YOU DESIRE FINANCIAL SECURITY!
Get a clue - you are responsible for your life!
Do you remember the little old lady in the Wendy’s commercial? The one that was always asking everyone, “Where’s the beef?” Well, I’m going to tell you! Are you ready? O.K. Here’s the beef – you are responsible for your life!
You choose your life and how it will be lived
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You choose your physical condition – yes, I know that some people are genetically blessed or cursed, depending on your viewpoint. But your genetics are not an excuse to wallow in self-pity while wishing and hoping your were in better shape. I have found that people will remain in whatever condition that they are currently in until that condition becomes so uncomfortable either mentally, physically, financially, emotionally or spiritually that they can no longer tolerate it. I am not saying that you will ever be a world-class athlete, but is that your ultimate goal? Or do you wish to be able to extend your life and the quality of it? Get off the couch, get out of the kitchen, turn the TV off – exercise, play, garden, walk, jog, play a sport, take up a hobby, play with your kids/grandkids – but do something! You are not a human-being, you are a human-doing.
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You choose your level of financial prosperity – if you don’t like your financial situation, then go to the bathroom and scream at the person staring back at you in the mirror. Edison said, and I am paraphrasing, “If a man did all that he was capable of, then he would literally astound himself.” Are you astonished with your accomplishments? The sad thing is that even though we are all capable of “astounding ourselves”, we don’t because it looks like work and effort will be involved.
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You choose your outlook on life – are you a grump, grouch or nay-sayer? You can change, if you want to. How many financially successful people, who did not inherit their money, do you know who have a pessimistic attitude? For me, the answer is zero. You simply cannot be inspiring and motivating to others while bemoaning your condition in life. People will not buy anything from this kind of person. Not products – Not services – Not ideas. Read about people who have overcome hardships and obstacles to achieve success in their lives. Fill your mind with quality information and knowledge. Sometimes changing your friends, associates or surroundings is the answer. But do something different if you want things to be different. You cannot progress and remain the same. Change requires effort.
Bad things happen to everyone
I know for a fact that “bad” things have occurred in your life. Well guess what, I know this because “bad” things happen in everyone’s life. It’s called LIFE – and it requires your active participation.
Most people spend their lives blaming someone else for their lot in life. Maybe we should all have a “pity” party and moan and groan to each other about how bad, hard or difficult our situation is.
The fact is that if there is one person who has faced the same hardships (or even worse hardships) as the ones that you face and they were able to overcome those trials, then you do not have a valid argument for wallowing in self-pity. If they succeeded then you can too. How?
- Make up your mind to overcome – the first step is the hardest step, but you only have to take it one time. It is also the most rewarding step because with that step, you realize that you can accomplish the next step. You will begin to rebuild your life into the kind of life you want, one step at a time. The key is to make progress daily. No matter how small that progress is. Eventually you will be where you want to be.
- Establish or find a support system – find a group of like-minded individuals (people who share the same issues as you). Learn when and where they meet. Go to their meetings. Sit in. Become accustomed and participate. Tortured souls typically find peace with each other because they can relate. Allow yourself to be helped, then in turn help another.
- Share your experience – Once you’ve crossed the abyss, give something back. Record your thoughts and share them. Look for opportunities to listen and be available to those who remind you of your former self. It is when we are giving that we are truly human.
The potential of creating better habits
Daylle Deanna Schwartz doesn’t take any crap – not anymore. She decided to create better habits for herself and has parlayed that decision into a successful writing career. Her blog, lessons from a recovering doormat, is inspiring, motivating and empowering. If you need to kick-start your life, then take a look at some of her articles. You’ll probably want to buy one of her books as well.
Daylle tagged me to participate in her “Creating Better Habits” challenge. I am honored that she asked and the following is my contribution.
The Rut
A little over a year ago (Oct. 14. 2006, to be exact), I decided to create a better life for myself. It’s amazing how a pivotal date can stick in your mind, isn’t it? Don’t get me wrong, I had and still have a good life, but I was wallowing in the rut of a high-paying union job. Great pay, fantastic benefits, okay work, NO CHALLENGE – NO FULFILLMENT. Plants can’t live in a rut and neither will you – you die on the inside.
The “Aha” moment
My good friend, Scott Kay and I were discussing the then-recent purchase of Myspace for an amount in excess of half a billion dollars, when I asked Scott, “Why don’t we do something like that?” He responded, “Okay”. That moment will be burned in my mind forever, because it changed my life.
We had an idea
Scott and I came up with an idea for an internet business. The strange thing was that neither of us knew anything about the internet. In fact, I had only recently bought a computer and had not even been on the internet in over six years. I guess that we are “intelligently ignorant” as Zig Ziglar would call it. We are like the bumble bee who doesn’t know that he’s not supposed to be able to fly.
The changes
Having a life-altering thought is easy. Changing your life is not. It requires changing yourself, which is something that people naturally avoid. I began by creating better habits, like:
- changing my mind – I spend every spare minute reading. Internet technology, blogs, internet commerce, motivation, business, legal information, SEO, social networking, marketing, promotion, packaging, networking and much more – believe me, YOU CAN TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS
- attempting new things – I had no idea how to create a web site or what a blog was, but I kept reading about how I needed one, so I started a blog on one of the free hosted platforms in order to get the feel of it. It felt good – Yes, I am addicted.
- avoiding negative people – when we started, it was all a big joke to the people that we worked with. We would hear comments like, “How’s that little internet thing coming along?” or “How’s that shoulder thing working out for you?” Now, it’s a different story, we are getting a lot of press and lot more orders. Now, people stop us and ask, “Are you selling stock in your company yet?” or “When you start hiring, remember me”.
- testing myself – it is amazing when you realize how much you can accomplish when you are passionate about something. Sleep is for sissies – at least that is what I keep telling myself. We’ve had so many orders for the Rotater lately that we don’t have the luxury to sleep. That is, if we expect to maintain excellent customer service. And we do!
- not taking “No” personally – some people don’t understand the concept of the Rotater or how it can help them. That’s not a problem for me, because those who reject it are in the minority and I know that it is not an indictment of me or my abilities. I just keep plugging along because I know that we are helping people regain their quality of life.
The result
I am tired, overworked, excited, stressed, stretched, learning, growing – and I absolutely love it. I am having the time of my life. How long will it last? As long as I am willing to maintain good habits.
Thanks
Thanks again, Daylle. I didn’t realize until I began, how much I needed to write this article. What a release.
Tag, your it
I would like to tag:
- Brad Baggett – my good friend and a phenomenal connector. He “knows” people and can put you in touch with people that can help you – a networker “par excellence”.
- Eric Sanders – another good friend with a sense of humor that is so similar to mine, that it is scary. Strong opinions and willing to share as well as defend them. A real “idea” man.
- Tristan Loo – I’ve read some of Tristan’s writings and have been impressed with his style and substance. Recently, I had the pleasure to read “Lucky You!”, an article that he had published in a sweet self-help magazine entitled GOING BONKERS. As usual, it was great.
- Stephen Hopson - a good friend and constant inspiration. He is one of the best networkers that I’ve had the pleasure of knowing
Tell us all how you’ve created better habits. Anyone who feel compelled to share, go to Daylle’s site and check out the rules and join the fun. The more the merrier.
Meet Scott Kay: inventor of the Rotater
While Scott Kay and I were being interviewed by Kym Klass of the Montgomery Advertiser and being photographed by Lloyd Gallman, Shannon Heupel shot about thirty minutes of video as Scott answered questions and demonstrated the Rotater.
Shannon edited the footage and the resulting video is about 2 minutes long. Take a look and meet a brilliant man.
Meet the inventor of the Rotater
The Rotater is in the news with pictures
I am exhausted. We (Joint Mechanix) did our second interview/photo shoot in three days – after working all night. But, you’ve got to ride the media while you are hot.
The Montgomery Advertiser article
Kym Klass, a reporter from the Montgomery Advertiser in Montgomery Alabama, contacted us on Monday about doing a feature article on the Rotater.
On Tuesday, we traveled to Montgomery after working all night to take pictures and answer questions. The whole process took about 4 hours, including drive time, but was worth it.
The article is titled “Pair hope patients in rehab turn to Rotater” and appeared in the paper yesterday. I am not sure how long this link will be good, but it is good right now.
A number of people have contacted me about posting a picture of myself on this site. I am trying to get it done, but right now, it’s not a huge priority. However, there are a number of pictures of me and Scott with this article ( I am the bald guy ).
The Auburn Opelika News
We were contacted by Bob Prater, a features reporter for the Auburn Opelika News yesterday. We met with him today ( again, after working all night) and spent about an hour taking pictures and answering questions.
An article about the us (Joint Mechanix) and the Rotater is supposed to be published in this coming Sunday edition.
UPDATE! 12-7-07 The Auburn Opelika News featured an article about us on the front page today!
“Local inventor revolutionizes rehab”
Hard work is paying dividends
As a personal development writer, I am living what I write. My life is a whirlwind at times, because of the time and effort involved in living the ideas that you espouse. However, it is never dull, boring or uneventful. I’m having a blast.
Juicy tidbit
On top of all this excitement, we were contacted yesterday by someone from the “Big Idea” with Donny Deutsch. She spoke with Scott for about a half hour and said that they would be back in touch with us. Maybe we’ll be on TV.
Define success or excuse failure - it’s up to you
Everyone wants to be successful, but if you ask 100 people to define success, most of the time, 95–97 percent of those who answer, will give you extremely vague definitions. This isn’t unusual since studies have shown time and again that only about three to five percent of the population will take the time to define what success means to them. These select few will proceed to map out a goals program along with the a strategy for attaining their goals.
1. How do you define success?
Success is unique to you. How you define success is based on:
- your dreams
- your hopes
- your present situation
- your past experiences
- your knowledge
- your passion
- your drive to do or be
- your family situation
- your age
- your belief system
…and there are probably a host of other things that can and will influence your definition of success. The point is for you to begin to think about what you want. It is very important that you determine what you want as opposed to what others want for you.
Make notes when a thought “pops” into your head. Then, set aside a quiet time to go through your thoughts, taking into account your unique situation, and then develop a definition of success that suits you.
2. Develop a plan to achieve your definition of success.
Since your definition of success is unique to you and your situation, then your plan must be unique. Points to consider:
- do you need more education?
- is it formal or informal education? (do you need to return to school or do you need to do research?)
- is your spouse/family on board with your new goals? (if so, great. if not, how will you deal with the situation?)
- are you willing to devote the time needed to grow? (growth requires change – you can’t grow and stay the same)
- can you see problems? (how will/can you deal with them?)
- can you live in the minute? (what can you do “right now”, “this minute” to achieve your goals?”
- do you deserve success? (if you don’t feel that you deserve success, you will do things to sabotage yourself)
3. Excuses: our illogical reasons for lack of success
The first response to any program of personal growth and development is the production of a number of excuses as to why you can’t become successful. Here is a short list of often expressed excuses:
- I’m too old. Really? Grandma Moses was in her 80’s before she ever painted. Colonel Sanders was in his 60’s when he began trying to market his “original” recipe.
- I’m not smart enough. Really? The fact is that most people are within single digits of the vast majority of the world’s population when it comes to a measurement of intelligence. We tend to overestimate the intelligence of others while at the same time underestimating our own intelligence.
- I don’t know where to start. Really? You don’t have to know where to start, you just have to start. You determine where that is. Anywhere is okay, the point is to just begin, the way will reveal itself once you begin to look.
- I’m worried about what my friends and family will think. Really? If they really care about you, they will stand behind you. If they don’t support you, you have to wonder what their motives are. Are they jealous? When you succeed, what will that say about their efforts?
- I’m just not that kind of person. Really? What kind of person are you? The kind that is destined to fail? The fact is that most people are more alike than they are different. We all deserve success, but we each determine our own destiny. We are where we are today because of the choices we made yesterday. We made our choices based on our thoughts. Therefore, it stands to reason that if we can change the way we think, we can change our choices and thus change our future.
These are not valid excuses for you or anyone else because someone else has faced these same situations and they overcame them. If they can be overcome, then you can also overcome them.
- Get your mind right
- Accept responsibility for your life
- Define success
- Create a plan
- Commit to personal growth and development
- Develop your mind
- Realize that mediocrity is not acceptable and success is your right
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External Rotation with The Rotater
"Thanks to the rotater I was able to get back to work and not lose the use of my shoulder in this demanding profession."
- Officer D. Pesko
Internal Rotation withThe Rotater
"...The Rotater has become as much a part of my morning as my cup of coffee...Thanks for a great product!!"
Perry R. Green
Director of Instruction
The Golf Club at Wescott Plantation
Rotator Cuff Strengthening & Stabilization
"I just received the Rotater today and I am instantly convinced that every baseball player needs to have this tool in their arsenal! Not only is it simple to use, it does exactly what you expect it to do with no learning curve."
Coach Dan Huff, CSCS
www.baseballstrength.com
