“Most men would die sooner than think; in fact, they do.” Betrand Russell
“Thoughts are free and subject to no rule. On them rests the freedom of man,…” Paracelsus
Leadership of the Mind, the Will and the Body- Pre-cursers to Significant Leadership
THINK-
Too elevate our choices and our actions we must first elevate our thinking.
Most of our thinking is merely unconscious based on-
fear (of man- fear of rejection, failure and abandonment)
past conditioning
biased perspectives
wrong beliefs
set habits
reacting to our most basic senses
We need to develop our critical thinking abilities by-
setting aside time to think about what we are doing and why
consciously thinking before reacting
challenging our status-quo
delving into our hearts
taking time to assess and analyze
questioning and challenging our current way of doing things
discovering the more important what and why of our hearts
spending time daily reading, studying and learning
thinking outside-the-box
carefully developing our why, so that we know our what
Who Old Thinking New Thinking
Columbus World is flat World is round
Founding Fathers Monarchy Democracy
Marconi Wired Communication Wireless Communication
Edison Candles Light Bulb
Wright Brothers We can’t fly We can fly
Bill Gates Unconnected world Connected world
None of these things could have been achieved without someone thinking beyond what was the common thinking of the day. They all went beyond the current reality to create a new reality by thinking outside the box.
The fact is that our greatest opportunities for exponential growth are in three areas-
First- Challenging our current beliefs, thoughts and actions by assessing whether what we believe, think and do on a regular basis maximizes our performance and results, while creating a meaningful life and significant impact. Replace what isn’t working with something that will work.
Second- Discovering what we don’t know, we don’t know, by learning from people outside our current sphere of knowledge and influence. The internet has given us access to vast quantities of free educational material if we can ignore the tantalizing advertising and entertainment distractions that are constantly vying for our attention.
Third- Applying what we do know to the most important areas of our lives.
Like the old sayings go- “If we keep doing what we’ve been doing we’ll keep getting what we’ve been getting” and “the thinking and actions that got you where you are can’t take you to where you want to be.”
“Great men are they who see that spiritual thought is stronger than any material force, that thoughts rule the world.” Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Progress of Culture”
58. Take a moment to THINK about your typical daily routine. List the major things you do each day, how long each activity takes and why you engage in the activity. Do a Cost Benefit analysis and Challenge your what in relation to your ultimate why? What does the activity cost in time, energy, money and what is the return? What can you do differently to get more out of your daily activities?
In regards to the necessary things of life- eating, cleaning, maintenance, laundry, personal care, driving to work-
1. Think efficiency- These things have to be done, but don’t let them consume any more of your time than they have to.
2. Do two things at the same time. Learn something new by listening to a Ted or Google Talk or a podcast as you engage in these activities.
59. Get outside of your own head by sharing your daily routine with your Accountability Partner and ask them for their thoughts and insights on what they might change or improve.
“Men go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars, and they pass by themselves without wondering.” Saint Augustine
“The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives.” Albert Einstein