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How to Think! This Simple Process Works Every Time!
This is a technique I learned from Earl Nightingale and Brian Tracy's excellent book Lead the Field, the ultimate goal-setting program.
This simple process is one of the best ways to overcome problems and create new ideas. And it's worked with exceptional results every time I've used it!
It takes a little discipline and time (on average 20 30 minutes, which is really nothing compared to the results you get), but once you get used to it and practice it, you'll most likely find it to be one of the best thinking tools you'll ever acquire!
Here's how I use the process and how it worked for me.
Step 1
You need to take some quiet time alone, where you know you won't be interrupted.
Step 2
You need to get a pad of paper and pen. You can complete this process on your computer if you like, but if you use paper and pen, you can doodle and you can go to a quiet place away from your office where you won't be interrupted.
Step 3
You need to clear your thoughts and focus only on what you're doing here. You'll have plenty of time to think about other things later. For now, stay focused on this process. Do what you need to relax yourself a bit take a few deep breaths, stretch, or think of something relaxing. The idea here is to feel relaxed. (Step 3 isn't in the original exercise, but it works for me and may help you also.)
Step 4
On the top of the sheet, write a question. For example: What's the best way I can immediately increase my cash flow?
Step 5
Start writing answers to the question, and don't get up until you have at least 20 answers. Note that not all answers will be good, or even usable. That's okay. Don't limit yourself just keep writing and let the ideas flow, no matter how impractical some may seem. The good ones will come. You may find that you'll end up with even more than one good idea.
The only thing to be aware of is that after the first few answers, you may find your mind going blank. That's a good thing, because you'll find after a few minutes that the thoughts will start to flow. Let it occur naturally this is your subconscious digging for answers. It will deliver the answers to your conscious mind, and these are the answers that are worth the most.
That's it. It works great, and it works every time you give it the proper focus and time.
Turbo charging Your Results
Let's say you have the answer that you feel is the correct one for you. Take it one step further and go through the process again with a new question. Let me provide an example.
Question: What's the best way I can immediately increase my cash flow?
1. Contact customers and offer a discount on products for 24 hours.
2. Have a liquidation sale.
3. Return unwanted stock.
4. Create a pay-per-click campaign.
5. Create a joint venture.
6. Create joint mailing.
7. Advertise a special in an ezine.
8. Have a drawing for which people need to come in to a get their drawing tickets and have a special deal near the ticket area.
9. Advertise in a premier spot in this week's paper and announce a sale.
10. More.
Let's say I selected number 9: Advertise in a premier spot in this week's paper and announce a sale.
I would go through the process again and start with the question: What is the best sales package I can create that I can liquidate for the sale?
1. I can package all new computers with a basic digital camera.
2. I can offer free installation in a customer's home with every system purchased.
3. I can offer a free Getting to know your computer with every system purchased.
4. I can offer a free printer with each computer.
5. I can offer a $50 instant store rebate.
6. I can offer to pay the sales tax on the computer.
7. I can offer a 2-hour seminar for all customers who purchase a new computer.
You can keep going with this process as much as you want. You'll find that after using this process, you'll look back and think, How did I come up with these ideas? Try it for yourself. You won't regret it!
That's the way I see it.
To Your Success!
Acey Gaspard
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