book.chapter Alter your life by shifting your thoughts

Good thinking habits and practices are what separate high achievers from the average person. Successful individuals understand the direct correlation between their thoughts and accomplishments. By mastering and directing their thoughts, they gain control over their achievements. The importance of good thinking habits can be distilled into three primary reasons. First and foremost, good thinking lays a solid foundation for positive outcomes. It's a well-known fact that poor thinking leads to poor results, yet only a handful of people consciously work to improve their thinking habits. To progress in any field, taking action is essential, but the success of these actions is deeply rooted in the quality of thought that precedes them. Thus, to achieve more, one must first establish a foundation of solid thinking. Secondly, good thinking habits expand one's potential. While poor thinking limits what one can achieve, high-quality thinking habits open up a broader spectrum of opportunities. By enhancing your thinking habits, you unlock a new realm of possibilities that were previously inaccessible. Thirdly, good thinking encourages the continuation of more good thinking in the future if it becomes a habit. When you engage in good thinking today, you are better positioned to maintain this pattern moving forward. Success often follows those who consistently practice good thinking disciplines and habits. The process is quite straightforward: many people focus on mere survival, average individuals aim to maintain what they have, but successful people are driven by progress. Although everyone has the potential to elevate their achievements by altering their thinking, few actually do so, and even fewer are willing to pay the price for greatness. Historical figures have often highlighted the power of thought. Benjamin Disraeli once remarked, "Nurture great thoughts, for you will never go higher than your thoughts." David J. Schwartz noted that success is not determined by physical attributes or background but by the size of one's thinking. James Allen also emphasized that good thoughts and actions cannot yield bad results, just as corn can only produce corn. This law is well understood in the natural world but often overlooked in the mental and moral world, despite its operation being just as simple and unswerving. If you decide to enhance your thinking, it's important to remember four key points. First, changing your thinking is not automatic; it requires effort and time before a new pattern is established. Second, changing your thinking is challenging; those who think it's easy likely have never tried to guide their thoughts. Third, the investment of time and effort in changing your thinking is worthwhile, as it is an investment in your future. Fourth, teaching someone else to improve their thinking habits is a gift with unlimited potential benefits. Taking full responsibility for your thinking leads to several automatic changes. Your beliefs will change, increasing self-confidence and awareness of the skills needed to excel. This, in turn, changes your expectations, focusing on achievable goals with the necessary preparation. A change in expectations alters your attitude, fostering positive expectations of future success. A positive attitude predicts behavior, leading to actions that attract others because of your potential for success. Changing your behavior improves your performance, making you more willing to learn and apply new skills to achieve enhanced goals. Ultimately, improving your performance changes your life, as life results are a direct consequence of performance over time. Therefore, to achieve more, focus on changing your thinking, and actions will naturally follow. Albert Einstein once said, "Thinking is hard work; that's why so few do it." Napoleon Hill observed that more gold has been mined from the thoughts of men than from the earth. H.L. Mencken speculated that over 80 percent of the human race goes through life without a single original thought. To become a better thinker, find a conducive place to think, a workspace to shape your thoughts, and an environment that stretches your thinking. Have a support group to help turn ideas into reality, focus on implementation, and expose your ideas to new input. Spend time with good thinkers, make a deliberate effort to think positively, act on good thoughts, use emotions to fuel thinking rather than dwell on past failures, and repeat the process to ensure good thinking becomes a regular part of your life. S.I. Hayakawa, a U.S. senator, believed that clear thinking is synonymous with clear writing. J. Jacobson stated that a good idea, like a wheelbarrow, goes nowhere unless pushed. French philosopher Henri-Louis Bergson encouraged thinking like a man of action and acting like a man of thought. Eddie Rickenbacker, a World War I flying ace, offered a six-word formula for success: Think things through, then follow through. John Maxwell asserts that regardless of one's background or circumstances, anyone can learn to be a good thinker by engaging in the process daily. He also emphasizes that success comes not from a single good thought but from a mountain of valuable ideas that one can mine. In conclusion, the journey to becoming a high achiever starts with the cultivation of good thinking habits. It's a deliberate process that requires dedication, effort, and a willingness to change. By focusing on improving the quality of your thoughts, you set the stage for a cascade of positive changes that can lead to significant achievements. Remember, the mind is a powerful tool, and by harnessing its potential through good thinking habits, you open the door to limitless possibilities and success.