SUMMARY OF _HOW SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE THINK_ by John Maxwell

*SUMMARY OF _HOW SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE THINK_ by John Maxwell*

John Maxwell’s _*How Successful People Think*_ is a guide for developing effective thinking habits that promote success. This, which can be effected by embracing uncertainty, exploring options, and seeking new ideas to shape daily routine and decision-making. The author believes that thinking and prioritizing your tasks is the first key to unlocking your best, healthiest, and most productive life, hence the purpose of the book. _How Successful People Think_ not only explains the importance of deliberate thinking but also identifies 11 different types of thinking and how you can incorporate them in your journey toward successful thinking. The following is a synopsis of the “types of thinking”

1.CULTIVATE BIG-PICTURE THINKING- this entails thinking out of the box, thinking big, not small. Thinking beyond what can be seen to what can be. 

2.ENGAGE IN FOCUSED THINKING- Focused thinking involves putting your blinders on and blocking out all outside distractions, so you can hone your attention to your thinking process. It is putting your sole attention on your thoughts. 

3.HARNESS CREATIVE THINKING- entails drawing out and leveraging one’s creativity as creativity is not necessarily doing something someone else has never done or thought of before but doing what someone else has done or thought in a unique way; in your own way/style. The author made the readers to understand that everyone is creative in their own way, and if people can discover this, it'll yield success. 

4.EMPLOY REALISTIC THINKING-realistic thinking emphasizes focusing on the facts and recognizing the pros and cons in everything, while having a backup or escape plan just in case the worst happens. It is not being pessimistic however, but being well-detailed and prepared.

5.UTILIZE STRATEGIC THINKING- Strategic thinking defines objectives upfront, breaks problems or goals into smaller pieces, and divide and conquer. It involves planning, scheduling, adjusting, and readjusting. 

6.EXPLORE POSSIBILITY THINKING- this is the ability to be optimistic; always seeing the best in things. It not having a conquered mindset but seeing the green light in opportunities because any man who has a defeated mindset can not be successful. 

7.LEARN FROM REFLECTIVE THINKING- This type of thinking prioritizes analyzing past events or ideas from projects that have already been wrapped up. During this time, you ask yourself a series of questions and answer honestly. Questions like, “Did I make a positive impact today? How could I improve? Did I lead well today?” e.t.c

8.QUESTION POPULAR THINKING- questioning popular thinking entails not following the trend. If you want to change standards and expand possibilities, it’s essential to think for yourself. Don’t go along with what others are doing, instead, question the status quo; why things are the way they are and have a personal stance on opinions. 

9.BENEFIT FROM SHARED THINKING- “Teamwork makes the dream work”— and this includes team thinking. Shared thinking is essential for any collaborative effort. It is where you work with others while expanding your own understanding of your ideas. This type of thinking enables you benefit from others well of knowledge and ideas, and helps you see from a different and better perspective. 

10.PRACTICE UNSELFISH THINKING- Unselfish thinking prioritizes others perspectives and goals above yours. It involves putting others before you, investing beyond yourself, building awareness of others needs e.t.c

11.RELYON BOTTOM-LINE THINKING- this type of thinking helps you to know the real purpose underneath your action and create a drive that enables you to push through that purpose till its accomplishment.