Last week, I wrote on the subject of ... ... or thinking “outside the box” when it comes to solving some of life’s toughest ... Creative problem solving however doesn’t just happen a
Last week, I wrote on the subject of “creative thinking” or thinking “outside the box” when it comes to solving some of life’s toughest problems. Creative problem solving however doesn’t just happen all at once. It must be fostered by establishing good thinking habits. Years ago, in his audio album The Strangest Secret, Earl Nightingale said that “we become what we think about”. In other words, if we approach the world with a sour outlook, we will inevitably get the same return. Much of our unhappiness can be attributed more, not by what happens but rather, how we view what happens.
Negative thinking will destroy any potential for creative solutions to our biggest challenges. Think about how many times you’ve heard those famous phrases, “That will never work” or “I could never do that”. The words we use can have a dramatic impact on our mind-set. In his book Power Talking, George Walther explains that any person can learn to shape their thinking by creating the habit of using positive vocabulary. This skill, he believes can be developed one word, phrase, or sentence at a time. Think about it—what if instead of saying “I failed” we used the phrase “I learned”. This helps your mind focus on the lessons involved when something doesn’t work out like we would have hoped. Similarly, it might be a huge benefit for us to get into the habit of using the word “challenge” instead of problem.
The simple habit of changing your vocabulary can have tremendous subliminal effects on your mind, allowing you to come up with creative solutions rather than running away or avoiding problems altogether. I always think back to one of my favorite examples - Thomas Edison. When asked about the thousands of unsuccessful attempts to create the incandescent light bulb, he said, “If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven’t failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is often a step forward”. Imagine speaking so positively after failing not once or twice but 10,000 times! Find more of Jonathan's articles at www.careercalling.com/Archives.htm!
Do What You Love!
... as I drove back from ... I listened to an ... on the Dave Ramsey Show between Dave and ... ... author Frank Peretti. With over 15 million of his ... novelsCreative Income From Your Hobby
"Work and Play are words used to describe the same thing under ... ... - Mark TwainOur work really should be an ... of ... we enjoy. You have probably thought this manyDon't Fear Failure
What a great admonition - Don't Fear Failure! It sounds so simple and so easy to achieve when you see it like that, but when it comes to life changing decisions that we all face, we often get sweaty palms, weak knees, and panic attacks at the thought of failing. But, unfortunately, failure is unavoidable. All successful people have failures in their past, and many will tell you that their failures have led them to the success they have today. It is hard to believe sometimes, though, when you see people that seem to have it all, that they have ever failed. Imagine if Thomas Edison had quit after he failed the 9,999th time in his attempt to invent the incandescent light bulb! Or what if Ray Charles had listened to the advice of one of his teachers..."You can't play the piano, and God knows you can't sing. You'd better learn to weave chairs so you can support yourself." Or what if Mary Kay Ash had listened to her attorney just weeks before she opened her first store..."Liquidate the business right now and recoup whatever cash you can. If you don't, you'll end up penniless."