Get Smart!

“What can you do, starting today, to unlock your brain’s full potential and create a life of success and achievement?”

1. Change Your Perspective to Unlock Brainpower

The way you see the world can limit or expand your brain's capabilities. Research shows most people only use around 2% of their mental power, leaving a wealth of untapped potential. To unlock this, you must shift how you interpret life. Optimists, for example, see challenges as opportunities to grow instead of obstacles that hinder progress.

This idea is well-illustrated in a famous Buddhist parable where six blind men describe an elephant based only on the part they touch. One feels a tusk and claims the elephant is sharp like a spear; another feels the tail and thinks it's a rope. Each is limited by a narrow view. Similarly, if your outlook is restricted, you won't see the bigger picture of your possibilities.

Expanding your perspective helps you overcome negativity, set better goals, and make smarter choices. By making this simple adjustment, you set the stage for maximizing your brainpower and achieving more.

Examples

• Seeing constructive criticism as learning opportunities instead of personal attacks.
• Adopting a “big-picture” view in teamwork to understand others' input better.
• Reframing failures as stepping stones for growth, like Oprah Winfrey did in her early career.

2. Use Long-Term Thinking Paired with Immediate Action

Successful people excel at long-term thinking but also act decisively in the short term. This combination ensures steady movement toward their ultimate goals. Research by economist Edward Banfield showed individuals from higher income brackets often think years ahead, aiding their financial success.

Take saving for retirement as an example. Many people opt for short-term gratification, prioritizing immediate pleasures like buying gadgets. This focus traps them in financial insecurity later. Thinking ahead, on the other hand, could involve saving just $100 monthly starting early in life, which could compound into substantial wealth.

To move closer to your goals, outline where you want to be in five years. Then, plan small, actionable steps leading there. Success requires balancing futuristic vision with immediate action.

Examples

• Billionaires like Elon Musk constantly plan decades ahead for projects like Mars colonization while taking small forward steps consistently.
• Saving a consistent percentage of income instead of splurging each month.
• Planning a career change by taking evening classes or learning new skills.

3. Slow Down Thought Processes for Better Decisions

Quick, emotional decisions often lead to mistakes, while slower, rational thinking produces smarter outcomes. Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman categorizes thoughts into two types: fast, impulsive thinking and slow, deliberate thinking. Slowing your brain allows deeper analysis and fewer errors.

A simple way to cultivate this habit is by implementing a "72-hour rule" before making major decisions. For instance, if someone offers you a new job, spend two to three days evaluating the pros and cons instead of giving an immediate yes or no. Solitude is another tool to enhance deep thinking—setting aside time daily to reflect without distractions.

To decide effectively on long-term strategies, try Brian Tracy's GOSPA method, which breaks down goals into actionable chunks. This approach ensures thoughtful planning at every level.

Examples

• Writing down pros and cons for big life decisions instead of rushing.
• Using quiet daily meditation to find long-term solutions to problems.
• Improving business tactics by applying the GOSPA model to plan strategically.

4. Research and Ask the Right Questions Before Acting

Innovative ideas fail when they don’t align with market demand. Forbes highlights that 80% of new products flop because businesses fail to meet customer needs. Success starts with thorough research and asking tough questions.

For instance, if you're starting a business, speak to industry experts or seek feedback from potential customers who can highlight areas for improvement. When developing a product, don’t focus solely on its strengths—actively look for weaknesses. Test your idea with skepticism similar to a scientist disproving a hypothesis.

This reflective attitude ensures you’re building something people genuinely want. Being willing to hear negative feedback is vital for innovation.

Examples

• Conducting market surveys before launching a product.
• Testing by asking why customers would reject your service.
• Studying cases of failed companies to avoid repeating their mistakes.

5. Goals Provide Clarity in a Chaotic World

The fast-paced nature of modern life can feel overwhelming, but clearly written goals provide stability and direction. Data shows only 3% of people write down their goals yet those who do tend to achieve greater success.

Start by crafting goals in the present tense, making them positive and specific. For instance, instead of writing "stop eating junk food," write, "I eat healthy by preparing meals weekly." Then focus on one “major definite purpose” to direct your energy. Break this goal into smaller tasks and commit to completing one daily.

This method transforms chaos into manageable, purpose-driven actions, ensuring your growth even amidst rapid changes.

Examples

• Writing goals like "I finish three chapters of my book by August."
• Using checklists to track progress toward achieving major objectives.
• Adapting to new life situations by aligning them with existing goals.

6. Shift Focus from Play to Productivity at Work

Most of us waste hours at work because of ingrained habits of procrastination. Studies reveal that the average employee works effectively for only 4.5 hours daily due to distractions like chatting or excessive internet use.

To maximize results, prioritize critical tasks using the Law of Three: Identify the three activities that account for 90% of your success, and dedicate yourself to them. For example, entrepreneurs might focus on sales, product innovation, and customer relationships while delegating minor tasks.

Spending work hours productively grows your earning potential, turning hours invested into measurable returns.

Examples

• Prioritizing client calls over low-value administrative tasks.
• Turning off notifications and working on high-return activities.
• Asking your boss which tasks lead to significant outcomes and ignoring the rest.

7. Stay Flexible and Keep Learning to Avoid Obsolescence

In an ever-changing world, rigid thinking can derail your progress, as seen in the fall of Borders book retailer. To thrive, adopt flexible, adaptive thinking. This means regularly reassessing established choices and habits through “zero-based thinking.”

Ask yourself: “If I had the chance to start this over, would I still choose it?” Then, cut ties with decisions or habits holding you back, such as an outdated business model. Though tough initially, this process frees up time and energy for newer opportunities.

Keeping an open mind positions you to adjust faster and thrive in competitive environments.

Examples

• Abandoning a failing business strategy even if it cost significant resources.
• Learning new skills, like digital marketing or programming, to remain competitive.
• Ending relationships that hinder professional or personal growth.

8. Embrace Mistakes and Build Creativity

Creative thinkers achieve success because they explore solutions without fear of failure, unlike mechanical thinkers who avoid risks. Creativity demands analyzing problems in detail and hypothesizing multiple solutions instead of relying on rigid methods.

For example, if sales decline, break the problem into smaller parts to isolate the core issue, like outdated marketing tactics. Then explore multiple strategies—email campaigns, influencer partnerships, or giveaways—and assign KPIs to track progress.

Creativity involves persistence. With practice, you’ll develop effective solutions, outshining outdated models.

Examples

• Redefining products to meet emerging technology uses.
• Brainstorming new social media approaches for marketing.
• Testing multiple prototypes when introducing innovations.

9. Think Like the Wealthy to Achieve Financial Success

Developing a wealthy mindset fuels prosperity. The Law of Correspondence explains that external success stems from internal beliefs—a belief in your hardworking, valuable nature will translate to growth.

Study the practices of successful individuals. They often rise early, schedule tasks, and spot investments wisely. Begin by adopting these habits step by step, focusing on one change for 30 days to solidify it. Whether managing finances or mastering time, good habits increase your chances of wealth.

The rich constantly evolve, always seeking growth opportunities. By mirroring their approach, financial success can become an achievable goal.

Examples

• Reading biographies of successful entrepreneurs to find habits to adopt.
• Scheduling daily time for self-improvement or upskilling.
• Budgeting and consistently allocating income toward savings.

Takeaways

1. Write your goals in present tense and break them into smaller actionable tasks to tackle daily.
2. Adopt flexible thinking by reassessing existing commitments and embracing change.
3. Take 72 hours before making major decisions for clearer, more informed choices.