Darrell Dean's "eBuilder Solutions" Bulletin

Good Thinking

- by Dr. John C. Maxwell

(c) Dr. John C. Maxwell - All Rights reserved

If you watched the swimming events at the 2004 Olympics last
summer, you probably observed the incredible focus the
medalists demonstrated. Sure, they're strong and fast. But
when hundredths— maybe even thousandths—of a second are all
that separate the winners from the losers, it's obvious that
something besides strength and speed is at work.

A comment by Flip Darr, a former collegiate swimming coach
who played a part in training eight Olympic medalists, sheds
some light on what that critical ingredient might be. "I
felt in my coaching career that if I would work on [the
swimmers'] head[s], their bodies would come along," he
said. "A lot of coaches work on their bodies and then at the
last moment try to do their heads. The thing is, if they are
working with their heads all the time, and working with
their head over the body, mind over matter, they will have
more confidence when they walk up to the block."

What a great illustration of the value of good thinking.
Athletic ability is important, but preparing for the biggest
race of one's life is as much mental as it is physical—if
not more so. As Bill MacCartney, the former head football
coach at the University of Colorado, once told me, "Mental is
to physical what four is to one."

That's a powerful argument in the case for good thinking—on
the football field, as well as in your office at work. The
specific thoughts that increase your effectiveness as a
leader might not be the same as those required for an
Olympic medal, but the overall commitment to thinking is
identical.

As we continue the discussion about thinking that we began
in the last issue of Leadership Wired, here are five
statements that further underscore the importance of solid
contemplation.

1. Everything begins with a thought. Every great invention,
every technique, every conversation, every leadership
practice and every bit of personal growth starts in
someone's head.

2. What we think determines who we are, and who we are
determines what we do. What kind of person do you want to
be? What do you want to accomplish in your life and career?
Are your thoughts paving the way for you to achieve those
goals, or are they getting in the way?

3. Our thoughts determine our destiny, and our destiny
determines our legacy. That's pretty sobering, especially
for those of us who have already passed life's halfway
point. The good news is that, no matter how old you are,
it's not too late for good thinking to influence your
legacy in a positive way. This quote by James Allen says
it well: "You are today where your thoughts have brought
you, and you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you."

4. People who go to the top think differently than others.
There are many reasons for this, but it's absolutely true.
As William Arthur Ward said, "Nothing limits achievement
like small thinking, and nothing expands possibilities
like unleashed thinking."

5. We can change the way we think. This is a comforting
thought, especially in light of the previous statement. One
of the best ways to change the way we think is to invest in
resources that help us improve our leadership methods, our
relationships, our technical competencies, our time-
management skills, our ability to handle conflict, and so
on. Over the years, I have been helped tremendously by books
and tapes that cover such issues. They boost my thoughts
and add great value to my life.

Before I close, I want to highlight the positive influence
other people can have on our thought processes, and the
critical impact we can have on theirs. For example, Flip
Darr understood that one of his functions as a coach was to
help his athletes develop the mental stamina necessary to
win the big races. That's why he spent so much time "working
with his swimmers' heads." As leaders, one of our jobs is to
help our people learn how to think for themselves so they can
perform successfully when we're not around.

At the same time, we also need to spend time with people who
help us think better. I love interacting with good
thinkers. They energize me. They stimulate my thoughts,
challenge my ideas and stretch my mind like nothing else can.
That's why I like to say that some of my best thinking has
been done by others!

The bottom line is this: When it comes to success in life,
the ability to think well isn't just an asset; it's a
necessity. And when you make good thinking a priority today,
you lay the groundwork for success tomorrow.

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"This article is used by permission from Dr. John C.
Maxwell's free monthly e-newsletter 'Leadership Wired'
available at www.MaximumImpact.com."

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Darrell Dean

...Providing effective online solutions since 2001

"eBuilder Solutions"
Bulletins Ezine

Good Thinking

Darrell Dean

...Providing effective online solutions since 2001

"eBuilder Solutions" Bulletins Ezine

Good Thinking

"eBuilder Solutions"
Bulletins Ezine