I kept taking notes on it and, in fact, my biggest challenge
will be to present my thoughts in just a few paragraphs here . . . the
author presents countless examples, but what makes them
so relevant is that they're all based on real companies and
individuals . . . in addition, he presents many relevant
quotes . . . and perhaps best of all, he concludes each chapter
with several questions that force you to reflect on what you've read.

Even if you've never thought too much about thinking, you'll get
a real feel for such things as:

Big-Picture Thinking--seeing the world beyond your own ideas and
how that leads to great ideas;

Focused Thinking--removing mental clutter and distractions to
realize your full potential;

Creative Thinking--stepping out of the "box" and making
breakthroughs;

Shared Thinking--working with others to compound results; and

Reflective Thinking--looking at the past to gain a better understanding
of the future.

There's much more, too . . . but to give you just a feel for some of the
many memorable passages, consider the following:

* Because of my workload, I also have to skip doing many things that
I would love to do. For example, every week I hand off projects that
I think would be fun to do myself. I practice the 10-80-10 principle
with the people to whom I'm delegating a task. I help with the
first 10 percent by casting vision, laying down parameters, providing
resources, and giving encouragement. Then once they've done the
middle 80 percent, I come alongside them again and help them take
whatever it is the rest of the way, if I can. I call it putting the cherry
on top.

* Creating additional thoughts is like taking a trip in your car. You may
know where you are going, but only as you move toward your
destination can you see and experience things in a way not possible
before you started. Creative thinking works something like this:
Think - Collect - Create - Correct - Connect

Once you begin to think, you are free to collect. You ask yourself,
What material relates to this thought? Once you have the material,
you ask, What ideas can make the thought better? That can start
to take an idea to the next level. After that, you can correct or
refine it by asking, What changes can make these ideas better? Finally,
you connect the ideas by positioning them in the right context to
make the thought complete and powerful. The whole process happens
more readily when you have a framework or picture of where you
want to go. That frees you to add value to your thinking. If you go
to the ideas, soon the ideas will flow to you.

* If possibility thinking is new to you, you're going to have to give yourself
a lot of coaching to eliminate some of the negative self-talk you may hear
in your head. When you automatically start listing all the things that can
go wrong or all the reasons something can't be done, stop yourself and
say, "Don't go there." Then ask, "What's right about this?" That will help
to get you started. And if negativity is a really big problem for you and
pessimistic things come out of your mouth before you've even thought
them through, you may need to enlist the aid of a friend of family member
to alert you every time you utter negative ideas.

Embrace all thinking and optimize it.

Rating: 5/5

Maxwell describes eleven thinking process every person should utilize: big-picture thinking, focused thinking, creative thinking, realistic thinking, strategic thinking, possibility thinking, reflective thinking,critical thinking, shared thinking, unselfish thinking, and bottom-line thinking. He explains how these forms of thinking can empower you to fulfill your potential.

These are all valid forms of thinking, and learning about them is important to understand our thinking process. This is an excellent book and it should be read along with Dr. Rosalene Glickman's book, Optimal Thinking: How to Be Your Best Self. Optimal Thinking is the simple, peak form of thinking we use when our best self takes charge, and we are optimizing the present moment. Individuals and top corporations all over the world use Optimal Thinking to optimize thinking, emotions, resources, profits, relationships, strategies and choices. I recommend both of these books if you want to make the most of your personal and professional life.

gets you thinking

Rating: 5/5

Look around, and you will see that a lot of people in our society don't think. Our television shows have laugh tracks to tell us when something is supposed to be funny. Our coffee cups now warn us that the contents may be hot. Labels on our hair dryers remind us not to use them underwater. We are so used to having someone else do our thinking. What would happen if we woke up and started...thinking for a change?

Right away Maxwell establishes that successful people think differently than unsuccessful people. In Part I, he develops a foundation by explaining the merits of good, changed and intentional thinking. Part II reveals the 11 ways that successful people think -- big-picture instead of small, focused instead of scattered, creative instead of restrictive, realistic instead of fantasy, strategic instead of random, possibility instead of limited, reflective instead of impulsive, innovative instead of popular, shared instead of solo, unselfish instead of selfish, and bottom-line instead of wishful.

Each chapter explains one of these facets of thinking and allows you to evaluate yourself in each area. Maxwell then gives you action steps to develop that type of thinking in your life. This is an excellent resource to help you jump-start and expand your thinking beyond where it is today. If you are ready for a change, this book will get you thinking...for a change.

Larry Hehn, author of Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory