THINKING

It might be rare, but it is truly a rare jewel. For from this exercise of the mind have come cures for diseases, inventions of every sort, and plans that have brought great success.

Here are some of the benefits of ceasing from frantic activity to quietly engage one’s mind:

• You will see your circumstances more clearly. Much anxiety is caused by our circumstances and yet we spend very little time placing our circumstances in their proper perspective.

• You will develop better patterns of positive self talk. When we take time to stop and interact with our minds we are opening the door for our minds to talk with us. The result of this is that our minds will engage in more positive conversation. Without the development of this pattern our minds only reflect the many negative messages that bombard us.

• You will have ideas. Yes, this is the best way to have good ideas. We take very little time to cultivate our own good ideas.

• You will develop a better attitude. Thinkers see life more clearly and therefore have a positive attitude about life.

• You will stay motivated. Taking the time to reflect on words of motivation will keep you energized and motivate in life.

“ There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so.”

Here are some tips to help you improve your thinking:

• Find a place. This might be as simple as your favorite chair. Or maybe it is beside a lake or the ocean. We usually have a place that fits us best.

• Find the time. Maybe it is the early morning or late evening. Try to schedule this into your daily routine.

• Eliminate distractions. Turn all your electronic devices off.

• Be ready. Have pen and paper ready. You might be surprised by what happens and want to write down some of your thoughts and ideas.

• Stay focused. It’s easy to start dwelling on your to-do list. You don’t want to spend your contemplation time on this. It requires focus to let your mind really work.

• Choose to have good thoughts. You will find this a challenge. Negative thoughts seem to come most naturally for most of us. This is discipline that you will have to develop. A tip for this: As soon as a problem pops into your mind, shift immediately to solution thoughts.

Henry Ford:

“Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it.”

Here is a personal example of how powerful your thoughts can be. For years I had wanted to run a marathon but thought it an unreachable goal. A friend from out of town called to tell me he had just run a race. I thought he told me it was a marathon.

I immediately changed my thoughts on running a marathon. I gathered information and began training. I ultimately completed a marathon. The difference: changed thoughts about running a marathon.

Interestingly, I had misunderstood my friend. He had run a 10k (6.2 miles) race and not a marathon (26.2 miles)! His words, however, had changed my thoughts which had the power to change my life.

“ Man is obviously made for thinking. Therein lies all his dignity and his merit; and his whole duty is to think as he ought."

Return from Thinking to MOTIVATION