Thinking For a Change: Realize the Impact of Changed Thinking.

Today, we take a look at realizing the impact of changed thinking. Frank Doche said, "You can't stop people from thinking, but you can start them." Kind of a humorous way to begin.

It’s easy to believe that unsuccessful people need to change their thinking, right? But how about people who have achieved some degree of success? Can individuals go to the next level without changing the way they think?

Well, let’s ask and answer the question: Why should you change your thinking?

It’s hard to overstate the value of changing your thinking, right? Good thinking can do many things for you:

It generates revenue.
It solves problems.
It creates opportunities.
It can take you to a whole new level, both personally and professionally.
It can really change your life.

Here’s four quick points on that:

Changed thinking isn’t automatic.
If you want to become a better thinker, you need to work at it. And once you become a better thinker, the good ideas keep coming.
Changed thinking is difficult.
When you hear someone say, "Now, just off the top of my head..." Maxwell says, "Expect dandruff." The only people who believe thinking is easy are those who don’t regularly engage in it. In fact, Albert Einstein—one of the world’s best thinkers—said, "Thinking is hard work. That’s why so few do it."
Changed thinking is worth the investment.
Napoleon Hill wisely observed, "More gold has been mined from the thoughts of man than has ever been taken from the earth." Think about that. When you take the time to learn how to change your thinking and become a better thinker, you are investing in yourself.
Changed thinking is the best gift you can give to others.
H.L. Mencken asserted, "My guess is that well over 80% of the human race goes through life without a single original thought." Learning to think better is a great investment in yourself, but it’s also the greatest present you can give to someone else—because it represents a gift of unlimited potential.

The Impact of Changed Thinking

What we’re talking about here is this: Only when you make the right changes to your thinking do other things begin to turn out right. And that’s powerful. Think about that, no pun intended.

Changing your thinking changes your beliefs.
Karen Ford Mark said, "People will never attain what they cannot see themselves doing." And she’s right. Tell yourself three things:
- Change is personal: I need to change.
- Change is possible: I’m able to change.
- Change is profitable: I’ll be rewarded by change.
  Remember: No matter how old you are or what your circumstances may be, you can change your thinking—and that’s what I’m here to tell you. And when you change your thinking, you change your beliefs.
Changing your beliefs changes your expectations.
The late billionaire entrepreneur Rich DeVos said, "The only thing that stands between a man and what he wants from life is often merely the will to try it and the faith to believe that it’s possible." A belief isn’t just an idea that you possess—it’s an idea that possesses you.
Changing your expectations changes your attitude.
This is a big one. Our expectations have a tremendous impact on our attitudes. In fact, Ben Franklin said, "Blessed is he who expects nothing, for he shall receive it." Negative expectations are a quick route to dead-end thinking. Unfortunately, how many successful people do you know who are apathetic or negative? Positive expectations bring a positive attitude—and we’ve talked about that.
Changing your attitude changes your behavior.
Have you ever observed how your mood affects the way you act? When you feel particularly happy, are you energized? I think so. And are you more likely to be kind to others? Of course. So, our attitude is little more than a mood—predominant emotions sustained over time. In fact, William James said, "That which holds our attention determines our action." In other words, your behavior follows your attitude.
Changing your behavior changes your performance.
Don’t ever be too impressed with goal-setting—be impressed with goal-getting. I like that. Reaching new goals and moving to a higher level of performance always requires change—and change feels awkward, right? Nobody likes to change.
Changing your performance changes your life.
When you change your performance—that is, what you do on a consistent basis—then you have the power to change your life. And that’s why I’m doing this series. To achieve a change in my performance, I need to change my thinking, right?

So, we’re talking about getting to the next level. Remember:

Progress always requires change.
Going to a new level always requires changing your mind.

You can’t get to a new place with old attitudes or old thinking. And you may know that intuitively, but you need to make that idea foundational to the way you "do life." If you want to live on a new level, you have to think on a new level.

Questions to Consider Today

Based on what I’ve said, ask yourself:

Is my desire for success and improving my life strong enough to prompt me to change my thinking?
How have I handled obstacles in the past?
List several major disappointments you’ve faced in your career or personal life—and how you responded to them.
If you’ve tried to improve your life in the past, where have you focused your energy?
Remember: Success is okay so long as it’s seen as growth—not an end in itself.
Could your past successes be getting in the way of your future success?

Thanks for joining me today, okay? Please feel free to hit the vote button or share this if it has impacted you in a significant way. I hope it has I hope it’s gotten you to think.

Remember: Think for a change. Have an awesome Tuesday . Bye-bye!