Do you ever feel like there is just not enough time to get it all done? There is not enough hours in the day? I once heard someone say that being busy does not equal productivity. Man, isn’t that the truth!
As I have gone through my own growth journey over the last few years, I have learned (many times the hard way) that quality is better than quantity and that quantity only matters if it is productive and relevant.
This has been a very hard lesson to learn and honestly, I am still working on it. I have probably set the most aggressive set of goals for myself in 2013 that I ever have. That being said, I have the confidence to achieve them because of what I have learned from my studies and training.
I have found that it all starts with the expansion of our thinking and when we properly apply this thinking into action, we find a level of growth never achieved before. John Maxwell in his book The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth gives us six things to consider when expanding:
HOW TO INCREASE YOUR THINKING CAPACITY
1. STOP THINKING MORE WORK AND START THINKING WHAT WORKS
Eight percent of your productivity is done in twenty percent of your time. Take a hard look at what is working and focus more time on it and less on what is not working.
2. STOP THINKING CAN I? AND START THINKING HOW CAN I?
We usually answer the question asked. When you use “Can I?” you only have a 50/50 chance. When you use “How Can I?” you simply need to determine the way to succeed. The accomplishment is already acknowledged.
3. STOP THINKING ONE DOOR AND START THINKING MANY DOORS
Consider that there is more than one answer to the question. Put the time into looking at different options but don’t feel like you need to wait for the perfect one. Proceed strategically and intentionally as soon as possible.
HOW TO INCREASE YOUR CAPACITY FOR ACTION
1. STOP DOING ONLY THOSE THINGS YOU HAVE DONE BEFORE AND START DOING THOSE THINGS YOU COULD AND SHOULD DO
If you keep doing what you have been doing, you will keep getting what you have been getting. The only way to get different results is to change what you are doing.
2. STOP DOING WHAT IS EXPECTED AND START DOING MORE THAN EXPECTED
If you want to set yourself apart from all the rest and achieve great things you need to raise the bar. Under-promise and over-deliver and you have paved the road to success.
3. STOP DOING IMPORTANT THINGS OCCASIONALLY AND START DOING IMPORTANT THINGS DAILY
Understanding what is important is crucial to achieving your goals. A written plan to track your progress is a critical element in your achievement. Someone holding you accountable will increase the likelihood of achievement even more.
I appreciate what Pablo Picasso said, “I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order to learn how to do it.” My challenge to you today is to think new thoughts and do something new. It might just lead to a place you never even knew existed. How cool would that be?
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Next Up: Law #15 The Law of Contribution.
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Barry Smith www.buildingwhatmatters.com 1/9/13 photo by author
