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Successful People
How Successful People Think: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life
Gather successful people from all walks of life -- what would they have in common? The way they think! Now you can think as they do and revolutionize your work and life!
A Wall Street Journal bestseller, How Successful People Think is the perfect, compact read for today's fast-paced world. America's leadership expert John C. Maxwell will teach you how to be more creative and when to question popular thinking. You'll learn how to capture the big picture while focusing your thinking. You'll find out how to tap into your creative potential, develop shared ideas, and derive lessons from the past to better understand the future. With these eleven keys to more effective thinking, you'll clearly see the path to personal success.
The 11 keys to successful thinking include:
A Wall Street Journal bestseller, How Successful People Think is the perfect, compact read for today's fast-paced world. America's leadership expert John C. Maxwell will teach you how to be more creative and when to question popular thinking. You'll learn how to capture the big picture while focusing your thinking. You'll find out how to tap into your creative potential, develop shared ideas, and derive lessons from the past to better understand the future. With these eleven keys to more effective thinking, you'll clearly see the path to personal success.
The 11 keys to successful thinking include:
127 pages, Hardcover
Published June 1, 2009
2228 people are currently reading
21416 people want to read
About the author
John C. Maxwell
1,001 books5,778 followersJohn Calvin Maxwell is an American author, speaker, and pastor who has written many books, primarily focusing on leadership. Titles include The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. Some of his books have been on the New York Times Best Seller List.
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March 9, 2025
Maxwell is a very good motivator.
However, I am not sure if he has not written this book for people who want to think like Successful People or for MEN who want to think like Successful People.
ONE THING that has really, but really, really bugged me, is when he talks about the fact that HE does not have time for the mundane ! Margaret, wonderful, Margaret (that's his wife) takes care of these meaningless things, because Mister's time is WAY too valuable for them !!!
Being a woman, I wonder if that makes me doomed for failure ???
Who will be my Margaret ?
I know no men who will agree to take on this role. He may accept to be my equal but comes on writing the Xmas invitations and pulling together the Easter Menu for the 20 guests we are inviting ... I don't think so !
If by any chance, Mr. Maxwell's squirrels read this ... please let him know that there are now-a-day some successful women in the work force ... and as it has been said before ... Ginger Rogers was only Fred Astaire's partner, but remember that she danced the same dance as he did, only she did it in high heels and backward!
OK I said it!
However, I am not sure if he has not written this book for people who want to think like Successful People or for MEN who want to think like Successful People.
ONE THING that has really, but really, really bugged me, is when he talks about the fact that HE does not have time for the mundane ! Margaret, wonderful, Margaret (that's his wife) takes care of these meaningless things, because Mister's time is WAY too valuable for them !!!
Being a woman, I wonder if that makes me doomed for failure ???
Who will be my Margaret ?
I know no men who will agree to take on this role. He may accept to be my equal but comes on writing the Xmas invitations and pulling together the Easter Menu for the 20 guests we are inviting ... I don't think so !
If by any chance, Mr. Maxwell's squirrels read this ... please let him know that there are now-a-day some successful women in the work force ... and as it has been said before ... Ginger Rogers was only Fred Astaire's partner, but remember that she danced the same dance as he did, only she did it in high heels and backward!
OK I said it!
April 25, 2008
Chapter 1: Understanding the Value of Good thinking
Chapter 2: Realize the Impact of Changed Thinking
Chapter 3: Master the Process of Intentional Thinking
PART II – Eleven thinking skills every successful person needs
Skill 1 – Acquire the Wisdom of Big-Picture Thinking
Skill 2 – Unleash the Potential of Focused Thinking
Skill 3 – Discover the Joy of Creative Thinking
Skill 4 – Recognize the importance of realistic thinking
Skill 5 – Release the power of strategic thinking
Skill 6 – Feel the energy of possibility thinking
Skill 7 – Embrace the lessons of reflective thinking
Skill 8 – Question the acceptance of popular thinking
Skill 9 – Encourage the participation of shared thinking
Skill 10 – Experience the Satisfaction of Unselfish Thinking
Skill 11 – Enjoy the Return of Bottom Line Thinking
“A change of thinking can help you move from survival or maintenance to real progress. Ninety-five percent of achieving anything is knowing what you want and paying the price to get it.” (page 14)
“One person cannot change another person. For too many years as a motivational teacher, I tried to change people, and it didn’t work. I had good intentions, but I finally realized something: I was responsible to people but not for them. As a leader, I needed to teach the value of changed thinking and how to make those necessary changes; but the people themselves were responsible to make the changes.” (page 27)
“Before teaching any lesson, I ask myself three questions: “Do I believe it? Do I live it? Do I believe others should live it?” If I can’t answer yes to all three questions, then I haven’t landed it. (page 46)
Give your plans the right amount of thinking time, and you’ll will find that the implementation time decreases and the results get better (page 48).
“To start the thinking process, you cannot rely on your feelings. In Failing Forward, I wrote that you can act your way into feeling long before you can feel your way into action. If you wait until you feel like doing something, you will likely never accomplish it.” (page 51)
“When you meet with people, it’s good to have an agenda so that you can learn.” (page 64)
“French essayist Michel Eyquem de Montaigne wrote, “The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them; a man may live long yet live very little.” (page 65)
“Only by putting your daily activities in the context of the big picture will you be able to stay on target. As Alvin Toffler says, “You’ve got to think about ‘big things’ while you’re doing small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction.” (page 67)
“One of the most important skills you can develop in human relations is the ability to see things from the other person’s point of view.” (page 68)
“In preparation for the day, I focus on that main event and ask myself, In order to make the main event a good event, what must I know, what must I do, what must I see, and what must I eliminate? (page 69)
“Big-picture thinkers are comfortable with ambiguity.” (page 70)
“Management consultant Patrick M. Lencioni touched on this idea in The Five Temptations of a CEO. He warned that CEOs should not try to pursue harmony. Instead, they should embrace healthy, productive conflict. (page 70)
“Varied experiences-both positive and negative-help you see the big picture. The greater the variety of experienced and success, the more potential to learn you have. If you desire to be a big-picture thinker, then get out there and try a lot of things, take a lot of chances, and take time to learn after every victory or defeat.” (page 71)
“Talk to people who know and care about you, who know their field, and who bring experience deeper and broader than your own.” (page 72)
“There are many ways to determine priorities. If you know yourself well, begin by focusing ton your strength, the things that make best use of your skills and God-given talents. You might also focus on what brings the highest return and reward. Do what you enjoy most and do best. You could use the 80/20 rule. Give 80 percent of your effort to the top 20 percent (more important) activities. Another way is to focus on exceptional opportunities that promise a huge return. It comes down to this: give your attention to the areas that bear fruit.
“In an article called “Good to Great,” author Jim Collins remarked, “The real path to greatness, it turns out, requires simplicity and diligence. It requires clarity, not instant illumination. It demands each of us to focus on what is vital – and to eliminate all of the extraneous distractions.” (page 86)
“Don’t do easy things first or hard things first or urgent things first. Do first things first – the activities that give you the highest return. In that way, you keep the distractions to a minimum. (page 87)
“My advice to you is to place value on and give attention to both (think and being accessible to people). If you naturally withdraw, then make sure to get out among people more often. If you’re always on the go and rarely withdraw for thinking time, then remove yourself periodically so that you can unleash the potential of focused thinking. And wherever you are… be there!” (page 87)
“Switching form task to task (multitasking) can cost you up to 40 percent efficiency. According to researchers, “If you’re trying to accomplish many things at the same time, you’ll get more done by focusing on one task at a time, not by switching constantly from one task to another.” (page 87)
“Don’t allow yourself to look at e-mail until after 10 A.M. Instead, focus your energies on your number one priority. Put non-productive time wasters on hold so that you can create thinking time for yourself.” (page 88).
“First, I’ve chosen a strong inner circle of people… Second, I ask certain friends to catch me up on what’s happening in the lives of other friends.” (page 90)
“I’ve not read on novel since I graduated from college. Instead, I’ve chosen to dedicate my reading time no non-fiction because I believe those works spur the kind of growth I desire both personally and professionally.” (page 91)
“For example, every week I hand off projects that I think would be fun to do myself. I practice the 10-80-10 principle with the people to whom I’m delegating a task.” (page 91)
Vision, parameters, resources, encouragement – delegating (80 %) – Putting the cherry on the top. (10 %)
“Ninety-nine percent of everything in life I don’t need to know about.”
“Being willing to give up some of the things you love in order to focus on what has the greatest impact isn’t an easy lesson to learn.” (page 92)
If I don’t have the innate ability to come up with creative thought myself, I thought, then I’ll mine the creative thoughts of others. (page 98)
“Charles Frankel asserts that “anxiety is the essential condition of intellectual and artistic creation.” Creativity requires a willingness to look stupid. (page 105)
Creative thinking is hard work but creative thinking compounds given enough time and focus. (page 106).
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” (page 107)
Creativity is having options. (page 108, quote form Ernie Zelinski)
“Or as Edward De Bono observed in New Think, “You cannot dig a hole in a different place by digging the same hole deeper.” Don’t just work harder at the same old thing. Make a change.” (page 111)
“Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts. And never hope more than you work.” (Rita Mae Brown, page 113)
“The best way to make a living with your imagination is to develop innovative applications, not imagine completely new concepts.”(Sam Weston, 114)
Often I take an idea that someone else gives me and raise it to a higher level. (page 114)
Reality is the difference between what we wish and what is. (page 122)
“Your goal isn’t to be negative or expect the worst, just to be ready for it in case it happens. That way, you give yourself the best chance for a positive result – no matter what. (page 132)
“At the beginning of every month, I spend half a day working on my calendar for the next forty days.” (page 141)
The best way to create a road to the complex is to build on the fundamentals. (page 151)
“If you embrace possibility thinking, your dreams will go from molehill to mountain size, and because you believe in possibilities, you put yourself in position to achieve them.
If your thinking runs towards pessimism, let me ask you a question: how many highly successful people do you know who are continually negative? (page 164)
“One of the main differences between a good speech and a great one is customization.” (page 180)
Mark Twain said, “We should be careful to get out of an experience all the wisdom that is in it – not like the cat that sits down on a hot stove lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove lid again – and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore.”
Writing down the good thoughts that come out of your reflective thinking has value, but nothing helps you to grow like putting your thoughts into action. To do that, you must be intentional. (pages 186-187)
“The greatest enemy to tomorrow’s success is sometimes today’s success.” (page 201)
“Instead of trying to be great, be part of something greater than yourself." (page 230
Chapter 2: Realize the Impact of Changed Thinking
Chapter 3: Master the Process of Intentional Thinking
PART II – Eleven thinking skills every successful person needs
Skill 1 – Acquire the Wisdom of Big-Picture Thinking
Skill 2 – Unleash the Potential of Focused Thinking
Skill 3 – Discover the Joy of Creative Thinking
Skill 4 – Recognize the importance of realistic thinking
Skill 5 – Release the power of strategic thinking
Skill 6 – Feel the energy of possibility thinking
Skill 7 – Embrace the lessons of reflective thinking
Skill 8 – Question the acceptance of popular thinking
Skill 9 – Encourage the participation of shared thinking
Skill 10 – Experience the Satisfaction of Unselfish Thinking
Skill 11 – Enjoy the Return of Bottom Line Thinking
“A change of thinking can help you move from survival or maintenance to real progress. Ninety-five percent of achieving anything is knowing what you want and paying the price to get it.” (page 14)
“One person cannot change another person. For too many years as a motivational teacher, I tried to change people, and it didn’t work. I had good intentions, but I finally realized something: I was responsible to people but not for them. As a leader, I needed to teach the value of changed thinking and how to make those necessary changes; but the people themselves were responsible to make the changes.” (page 27)
“Before teaching any lesson, I ask myself three questions: “Do I believe it? Do I live it? Do I believe others should live it?” If I can’t answer yes to all three questions, then I haven’t landed it. (page 46)
Give your plans the right amount of thinking time, and you’ll will find that the implementation time decreases and the results get better (page 48).
“To start the thinking process, you cannot rely on your feelings. In Failing Forward, I wrote that you can act your way into feeling long before you can feel your way into action. If you wait until you feel like doing something, you will likely never accomplish it.” (page 51)
“When you meet with people, it’s good to have an agenda so that you can learn.” (page 64)
“French essayist Michel Eyquem de Montaigne wrote, “The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them; a man may live long yet live very little.” (page 65)
“Only by putting your daily activities in the context of the big picture will you be able to stay on target. As Alvin Toffler says, “You’ve got to think about ‘big things’ while you’re doing small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction.” (page 67)
“One of the most important skills you can develop in human relations is the ability to see things from the other person’s point of view.” (page 68)
“In preparation for the day, I focus on that main event and ask myself, In order to make the main event a good event, what must I know, what must I do, what must I see, and what must I eliminate? (page 69)
“Big-picture thinkers are comfortable with ambiguity.” (page 70)
“Management consultant Patrick M. Lencioni touched on this idea in The Five Temptations of a CEO. He warned that CEOs should not try to pursue harmony. Instead, they should embrace healthy, productive conflict. (page 70)
“Varied experiences-both positive and negative-help you see the big picture. The greater the variety of experienced and success, the more potential to learn you have. If you desire to be a big-picture thinker, then get out there and try a lot of things, take a lot of chances, and take time to learn after every victory or defeat.” (page 71)
“Talk to people who know and care about you, who know their field, and who bring experience deeper and broader than your own.” (page 72)
“There are many ways to determine priorities. If you know yourself well, begin by focusing ton your strength, the things that make best use of your skills and God-given talents. You might also focus on what brings the highest return and reward. Do what you enjoy most and do best. You could use the 80/20 rule. Give 80 percent of your effort to the top 20 percent (more important) activities. Another way is to focus on exceptional opportunities that promise a huge return. It comes down to this: give your attention to the areas that bear fruit.
“In an article called “Good to Great,” author Jim Collins remarked, “The real path to greatness, it turns out, requires simplicity and diligence. It requires clarity, not instant illumination. It demands each of us to focus on what is vital – and to eliminate all of the extraneous distractions.” (page 86)
“Don’t do easy things first or hard things first or urgent things first. Do first things first – the activities that give you the highest return. In that way, you keep the distractions to a minimum. (page 87)
“My advice to you is to place value on and give attention to both (think and being accessible to people). If you naturally withdraw, then make sure to get out among people more often. If you’re always on the go and rarely withdraw for thinking time, then remove yourself periodically so that you can unleash the potential of focused thinking. And wherever you are… be there!” (page 87)
“Switching form task to task (multitasking) can cost you up to 40 percent efficiency. According to researchers, “If you’re trying to accomplish many things at the same time, you’ll get more done by focusing on one task at a time, not by switching constantly from one task to another.” (page 87)
“Don’t allow yourself to look at e-mail until after 10 A.M. Instead, focus your energies on your number one priority. Put non-productive time wasters on hold so that you can create thinking time for yourself.” (page 88).
“First, I’ve chosen a strong inner circle of people… Second, I ask certain friends to catch me up on what’s happening in the lives of other friends.” (page 90)
“I’ve not read on novel since I graduated from college. Instead, I’ve chosen to dedicate my reading time no non-fiction because I believe those works spur the kind of growth I desire both personally and professionally.” (page 91)
“For example, every week I hand off projects that I think would be fun to do myself. I practice the 10-80-10 principle with the people to whom I’m delegating a task.” (page 91)
Vision, parameters, resources, encouragement – delegating (80 %) – Putting the cherry on the top. (10 %)
“Ninety-nine percent of everything in life I don’t need to know about.”
“Being willing to give up some of the things you love in order to focus on what has the greatest impact isn’t an easy lesson to learn.” (page 92)
If I don’t have the innate ability to come up with creative thought myself, I thought, then I’ll mine the creative thoughts of others. (page 98)
“Charles Frankel asserts that “anxiety is the essential condition of intellectual and artistic creation.” Creativity requires a willingness to look stupid. (page 105)
Creative thinking is hard work but creative thinking compounds given enough time and focus. (page 106).
“Creativity is intelligence having fun.” (page 107)
Creativity is having options. (page 108, quote form Ernie Zelinski)
“Or as Edward De Bono observed in New Think, “You cannot dig a hole in a different place by digging the same hole deeper.” Don’t just work harder at the same old thing. Make a change.” (page 111)
“Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts. And never hope more than you work.” (Rita Mae Brown, page 113)
“The best way to make a living with your imagination is to develop innovative applications, not imagine completely new concepts.”(Sam Weston, 114)
Often I take an idea that someone else gives me and raise it to a higher level. (page 114)
Reality is the difference between what we wish and what is. (page 122)
“Your goal isn’t to be negative or expect the worst, just to be ready for it in case it happens. That way, you give yourself the best chance for a positive result – no matter what. (page 132)
“At the beginning of every month, I spend half a day working on my calendar for the next forty days.” (page 141)
The best way to create a road to the complex is to build on the fundamentals. (page 151)
“If you embrace possibility thinking, your dreams will go from molehill to mountain size, and because you believe in possibilities, you put yourself in position to achieve them.
If your thinking runs towards pessimism, let me ask you a question: how many highly successful people do you know who are continually negative? (page 164)
“One of the main differences between a good speech and a great one is customization.” (page 180)
Mark Twain said, “We should be careful to get out of an experience all the wisdom that is in it – not like the cat that sits down on a hot stove lid. She will never sit down on a hot stove lid again – and that is well; but also she will never sit down on a cold one anymore.”
Writing down the good thoughts that come out of your reflective thinking has value, but nothing helps you to grow like putting your thoughts into action. To do that, you must be intentional. (pages 186-187)
“The greatest enemy to tomorrow’s success is sometimes today’s success.” (page 201)
“Instead of trying to be great, be part of something greater than yourself." (page 230
June 27, 2014
There was nothing really new about this book. Maxwell tends to use flowery language in order to cover his redundancies. Truth is, the content of this book would be better suited to the length of a blog post rather than a book.
September 10, 2021
This was more motivational than actionable. It's full of good reminders, but I didn't create any to-dos (as I usually do for actionable non-fiction). By the end of the book, I was asking myself, "Am I living the life I've been called to?"
To be fair, I do a lot of reading and listening about mindset.
This book shows how the right mindset is the key to success. It tells how by changing your thinking, you can change your life, and the lives of others. It ends with, "May thinking become your greatest tool for creating the world you desire."
Notes
Focused Thinking
Strike a balance between being accessible to those you lead, and withdrawing from them to think. "Walking slowly through the crowd allows me to connect with people and know their needs. Withdrawing from the crowd allows me to think of ways to add value to them."
Practice the 10-80-10 principle with people to whom you delegate. Help with the first 10% by casting vision, laying down parameters, providing resources, encouraging. Once they do the middle 80%, help them take it the rest of the way (last 10%).
Creative Thinking
"It's easy to connect the dots if you know where you're going. Likewise, it's easy to connect ideas when you have a plan."
Realistic Thinking
"Why not learn all that you can from good thinkers who have faced similar situations in the past? Some of my best thinking has been done by others!"
Possibility Thinking
Choose to think positively, especially when it doesn't come naturally. George Lucas said, "I'm very cynical, and as a result, I think the defense I have against it is to be optimistic."
If you don't want to get into positive thinking, just eliminate all the negative thoughts.
When you start telling yourself how something won't work, stop yourself and ask, "What's right about this?"
"Dream one size bigger": set goals at least a step beyond what makes you comfortable.
Question Popular Thinking
Challenge the process. "The greatest enemy of tomorrow's success is sometimes today's success."
Shared Thinking
"Two heads are better than one - when they are thinking in the same direction. It's like harnessing two horses to pull a wagon. … when they pull together, they can move more weight than the sum of what they can move individually."
To be fair, I do a lot of reading and listening about mindset.
This book shows how the right mindset is the key to success. It tells how by changing your thinking, you can change your life, and the lives of others. It ends with, "May thinking become your greatest tool for creating the world you desire."
Notes
Focused Thinking
Strike a balance between being accessible to those you lead, and withdrawing from them to think. "Walking slowly through the crowd allows me to connect with people and know their needs. Withdrawing from the crowd allows me to think of ways to add value to them."
Practice the 10-80-10 principle with people to whom you delegate. Help with the first 10% by casting vision, laying down parameters, providing resources, encouraging. Once they do the middle 80%, help them take it the rest of the way (last 10%).
Creative Thinking
"It's easy to connect the dots if you know where you're going. Likewise, it's easy to connect ideas when you have a plan."
Realistic Thinking
"Why not learn all that you can from good thinkers who have faced similar situations in the past? Some of my best thinking has been done by others!"
Possibility Thinking
Choose to think positively, especially when it doesn't come naturally. George Lucas said, "I'm very cynical, and as a result, I think the defense I have against it is to be optimistic."
If you don't want to get into positive thinking, just eliminate all the negative thoughts.
When you start telling yourself how something won't work, stop yourself and ask, "What's right about this?"
"Dream one size bigger": set goals at least a step beyond what makes you comfortable.
Question Popular Thinking
Challenge the process. "The greatest enemy of tomorrow's success is sometimes today's success."
Shared Thinking
"Two heads are better than one - when they are thinking in the same direction. It's like harnessing two horses to pull a wagon. … when they pull together, they can move more weight than the sum of what they can move individually."
July 27, 2007
I didn't love the book which I thought was really lacking in terms of my needs for a social justice framework and addressing systems of inequality...I also hated his idea that only unsuccessful people make decisions motivated by survival. Obviously a high-income straight white male would say that because he hasn't been forced to struggle in a system formed to oppress him... Obviously survival wouldn't occur to those this society deifies...
July 12, 2009
Short and easy to read exceptional and practical book about the importance of thinking! What a concept. well, for me. There is a chapter on each of various types of thinking: big-picture thinking, focused thinking, creative thinking, realistic thinking, strategic thinking, possibility thinking, reflective thinking, questioning popular thinking, benefiting from shared thinking, practicing unselfish thinking and relying on bottom-line thinking. My favorite quote from the book is "the truth will set you free, but at first it will make you mad". Reminds me of a scripture in the Book of Mormon. It reminds me that whenever someone tells me something I don't want to hear I should listen for and accept the truth in it (and discard what isn't helpful), instead of becoming immediately defensive. The other nugget of wisdom I got was about the importance of planning. That successful people map out or plan their days, and even more successful people plan their weeks, months and years. Of course we've all heard this before, but this was a great reminder to me and I've noticed that putting structure and planning in my days has been extremely helpful!
November 19, 2012
على صغر حجمه إلا أن المقدمة وحدها استهلكت ما يربو على 13 صفحة .. كتير كتير قوي، احتوى كذلك على تفاصيل كثيرة تحت كل عنوان كتبت بطريقة سرديه دشيه صرف، لدرجة أني مع اقتراب النهاية بدأت اتجاوز الصفحات دون تركيز
من المقاطع التي أعجبتني
"The word impossible is not in my dictionary" Napoleon Bonaparte
.
.
إهداء إلى كل مهتم بالأعمال التطوعية
"Everywhere is no where. to get things done you need focus"
من المقاطع التي أعجبتني
"The word impossible is not in my dictionary" Napoleon Bonaparte
.
.
إهداء إلى كل مهتم بالأعمال التطوعية
"Everywhere is no where. to get things done you need focus"
July 26, 2013
Excellent read. Its the second book I've read by John Maxwell and I find his style very readable which inspires me to read more of his books.
The message in this book resonates with others that I have read such as the Slight Edge and helps hammer home the importance of how you think.
The message in this book resonates with others that I have read such as the Slight Edge and helps hammer home the importance of how you think.
January 28, 2019
Even better the second time around. I always feel recharged and re-focused after listening to Mr Maxwell.
December 12, 2015
I think by the time one is 25 or so this book had better not have anything to teach or you r doin' it rwong. I'm 40. So.
However, this might be a good discussion guide for teaching an advanced high school student or someone in their first job.
However, this might be a good discussion guide for teaching an advanced high school student or someone in their first job.
February 17, 2014
للتحميل المجاني
http://www.hindawi.org/kalimat/80573916/
http://www.hindawi.org/kalimat/80573916/
May 7, 2024
"You can spend your life any way you want, but you can spend it only ONCE."
This is a good book, however, I felt that too much information was put in this book that can be summarized in one Word document page.
This is a good book, however, I felt that too much information was put in this book that can be summarized in one Word document page.
September 27, 2019
In How Successful People Think, Maxwell talks about the different types of thinking successful people apply to their everyday lives. The book provides steps on how to change your thinking to elevate your life, and put yourself on the path to whatever you're trying to achieve or succeed in. Success is objective; it will be different for everyone, but in this sense, it's about helping you see the bigger picture for your life.
He defines 11 keys to successful thinking:
1. Seeing the wisdom of big-picture thinking
2. Unleashing the potential of focused thinking
3. Discovering the joy of creative thinking
4. Recognizing the importance of realistic thinking
5. Releasing the power of strategic thinking
6. Feel the energy of possibility thinking
7. Embracing lessons of reflective thinking
8. Questioning the acceptance of popular thinking
9. Encouraging the participation of shared thinking
10. Experiencing the satisfaction of unselfish thinking
11. Enjoying the returns of bottom-line thinking
Unselfish thinking stood out to me. I feel a lot of people don't apply this type of thinking, or they do until a certain point or only when it benefits them. So, is it really unselfish thinking? It's so important to give and not be selfish when in a relationship or at a job.
Good quotes to take note of on unselfish thinking:
"Unselfish thinking can often deliver a return greater than any other kind of thinking. Take a look at some of its benefits: 1. Unselfish thinking brings Personal Fulfillment Few things in life bring greater personal rewards than helping others. Getters generally don't get happiness; givers get it. Helping people brings great satisfaction."
"As you go into any relationship, think about how you can invest in the other person so that it becomes a win-win situation. The best relationships are win-win. Why don't more people go into relationships with that attitude? I'll tell you why. Most people want to make sure that they win first. Unselfish thinkers, on the other hand, go into a relationship and make sure that the other person wins first, and that makes all the difference."
He defines 11 keys to successful thinking:
1. Seeing the wisdom of big-picture thinking
2. Unleashing the potential of focused thinking
3. Discovering the joy of creative thinking
4. Recognizing the importance of realistic thinking
5. Releasing the power of strategic thinking
6. Feel the energy of possibility thinking
7. Embracing lessons of reflective thinking
8. Questioning the acceptance of popular thinking
9. Encouraging the participation of shared thinking
10. Experiencing the satisfaction of unselfish thinking
11. Enjoying the returns of bottom-line thinking
Unselfish thinking stood out to me. I feel a lot of people don't apply this type of thinking, or they do until a certain point or only when it benefits them. So, is it really unselfish thinking? It's so important to give and not be selfish when in a relationship or at a job.
Good quotes to take note of on unselfish thinking:
"Unselfish thinking can often deliver a return greater than any other kind of thinking. Take a look at some of its benefits: 1. Unselfish thinking brings Personal Fulfillment Few things in life bring greater personal rewards than helping others. Getters generally don't get happiness; givers get it. Helping people brings great satisfaction."
"As you go into any relationship, think about how you can invest in the other person so that it becomes a win-win situation. The best relationships are win-win. Why don't more people go into relationships with that attitude? I'll tell you why. Most people want to make sure that they win first. Unselfish thinkers, on the other hand, go into a relationship and make sure that the other person wins first, and that makes all the difference."
July 9, 2019
I don't normally write reviews, but I'm going to for this book. I don't want to only state everything I disliked about this book, so I'm going to start with the good:
Maxwell makes some valid points in his book. I don't disagree with the notion that how you think can set you up for success. I also didn't notice any egregious spelling or grammatical errors in the writing, and generally the sentences flowed well.
The bad:
1. The writing. I know I just said the writing flowed well, but that doesn't mean it's good writing. There were a few things that stood out to me about his writing. Firstly, Maxwell is very verbose - to the point that he ends up repeating himself frequently, which makes the book boring. He expresses his main idea and why it's good, then says it's good again, then maybe gives a story about why it's good, etc. The point is, it gets tedious to read.
Secondly, Maxwell utilizes many quotes from various figures (from Adolf Hitler to Katherine Hephburn). A well used quote can strengthen an argument, but Maxwell was quoting people so frequently that it felt like I was reading an essay in which the professor had mandated that a certain number of sources must be used. Frequently, I found that the quotes did little for the text and could have been omitted altogether.
2. The language. Maxwell uses very masculine language in his writing, which isn't always a bad thing. But as others have noted in their reviews, he sometimes comes across as privileged and out of touch. Also the section about attending a discounted Broadway show post 9/11 was in poor taste.
3. The content. As I stated, Maxwell does have some good points in his book. However, they are buried among obvious cliches like "think creatively" and "look at the big picture" etc. Many of the ideas didn't feel new or surprising. You could watch a few TED talks and come away with the same ideas, albeit presented more concisely.
Maxwell makes some valid points in his book. I don't disagree with the notion that how you think can set you up for success. I also didn't notice any egregious spelling or grammatical errors in the writing, and generally the sentences flowed well.
The bad:
1. The writing. I know I just said the writing flowed well, but that doesn't mean it's good writing. There were a few things that stood out to me about his writing. Firstly, Maxwell is very verbose - to the point that he ends up repeating himself frequently, which makes the book boring. He expresses his main idea and why it's good, then says it's good again, then maybe gives a story about why it's good, etc. The point is, it gets tedious to read.
Secondly, Maxwell utilizes many quotes from various figures (from Adolf Hitler to Katherine Hephburn). A well used quote can strengthen an argument, but Maxwell was quoting people so frequently that it felt like I was reading an essay in which the professor had mandated that a certain number of sources must be used. Frequently, I found that the quotes did little for the text and could have been omitted altogether.
2. The language. Maxwell uses very masculine language in his writing, which isn't always a bad thing. But as others have noted in their reviews, he sometimes comes across as privileged and out of touch. Also the section about attending a discounted Broadway show post 9/11 was in poor taste.
3. The content. As I stated, Maxwell does have some good points in his book. However, they are buried among obvious cliches like "think creatively" and "look at the big picture" etc. Many of the ideas didn't feel new or surprising. You could watch a few TED talks and come away with the same ideas, albeit presented more concisely.
June 27, 2012
Loy Machedo’s Book Review - How Successful People Think by John Maxwell is another condensed book of Self Improvement / Business where the author tries to summarize the different styles of thinking necessary for success in the Business World.
According to the author the 11 keys to successful thinking:
1. Cultivate Big-Picture Thinking
2. Engage in Focused Thinking
3. Harness Creative Thinking
4. Employ Realistic Thinking
5. Utilize Strategic Thinking
6. Explore Possibility Thinking
7. Learn from Reflective Thinking
8. Question Popular Thinking
9. Benefit from Shared Thinking
10. Practice Unselfish Thinking
11. Rely on Bottom-Line Thinking
Each chapter is roughly 10 pages and usually contains the following style
Quotation by famous people
Benefits of that style of thinking
Tips to improve or become better in that particular style of thinking
Short-comings
Though I couldn’t help and admire the authors creativity in coming up with the different styles of thinking, I feel the author repeats himself many times and has the same underlyning principle in all his books.
I wouldn’t say these are never-known-before-concepts rather more like another drummed up version of Seth Godin’s Linchpin.
There are moments where you feel the author is a bit wishy washy or talks in the hocus pocus world, for instance the ‘Think Big Picture’. What if the picture you thought of is not practical or realistic?
Overall, there were moments where I just browsed through and some other moments where I really got inspired and intrigued. I would be kidding myself if I said this wasn’t a good book. There are some great moments in this book and I feel there is a lot we can learn from the author. So yes, I would recommend the book anyways.
Overall Rating
7 out of 10.
Loy Machedo
loymachedo.com
According to the author the 11 keys to successful thinking:
1. Cultivate Big-Picture Thinking
2. Engage in Focused Thinking
3. Harness Creative Thinking
4. Employ Realistic Thinking
5. Utilize Strategic Thinking
6. Explore Possibility Thinking
7. Learn from Reflective Thinking
8. Question Popular Thinking
9. Benefit from Shared Thinking
10. Practice Unselfish Thinking
11. Rely on Bottom-Line Thinking
Each chapter is roughly 10 pages and usually contains the following style
Quotation by famous people
Benefits of that style of thinking
Tips to improve or become better in that particular style of thinking
Short-comings
Though I couldn’t help and admire the authors creativity in coming up with the different styles of thinking, I feel the author repeats himself many times and has the same underlyning principle in all his books.
I wouldn’t say these are never-known-before-concepts rather more like another drummed up version of Seth Godin’s Linchpin.
There are moments where you feel the author is a bit wishy washy or talks in the hocus pocus world, for instance the ‘Think Big Picture’. What if the picture you thought of is not practical or realistic?
Overall, there were moments where I just browsed through and some other moments where I really got inspired and intrigued. I would be kidding myself if I said this wasn’t a good book. There are some great moments in this book and I feel there is a lot we can learn from the author. So yes, I would recommend the book anyways.
Overall Rating
7 out of 10.
Loy Machedo
loymachedo.com
October 15, 2014
هل افكر خارج نطاق نفسى وعالمى الخاص بحيث اعالج الافكار من منظور شامل ؟؟
كانت الاجابة لأ :D
مش بحب التنمية البشرية وبالنسبة ليا مسكن مؤقت لكن عاجبنى الى حد ما بعض الحاجات فى الكتاب ده
زى مثلا مش انه يقولك انت ناجح وجميل ويقعد فى خمسين كتاب يقولك كم انت ناجح !!
بيتكلم فى نقطة واضحة وصريحة .. وبسيط وصغير جدا يخلص فى نص ساعة
February 4, 2015
If you're looking for ways to develop your critical thinking and abilities to adapt to an ever changing workplace and indeed world, this is an essential read.
Read
May 3, 2020The first book in my quest of wading through an annoying genre for some good ideas
March 13, 2021
Learn, earn, return*
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2022
"The person who knows how will always have a job, but the one who knows why will always be his employer," the opening line of this book reads. You can transform your life if you can alter your way of thinking. The world's dictators and con artists rarely target the good thinkers because they are confident in their opinions. What do you believe? How do the individuals you manage think? Right thinking should be emulated, so as you lead, your followers will pick up your way of thinking by observing you, and your company will adopt that culture.
Don't enter into this thinking you have heard it all before because, as Solomon noted many centuries ago, "There is nothing new under the sun." Consider the potential that you may have access to fresh, thought-provoking concepts that have been "hidden in plain view." I undoubtedly gained knowledge for myself and resolved to use this way of thinking more deliberately in the future. It will only help me succeed more.
There are numerous ways to think, and the majority of us use them occasionally. At the same time, we frequently think in unintentional ways. John Maxwell "unpacks" thinking for us and aids in our understanding of the various components successful people employ in their daily lives. These 11 make up the majority of these successful leader behaviors and aid in providing us with the proper viewpoint or paradigm:
• Big Picture Thinking
• Focused Thinking
• Creative Thinking
• Realistic Thinking
• Strategic Thinking
• Possibility Thinking
• Reflective Thinking
• Popular Thinking
• Shared Thinking
• Unselfish Thinking
• Bottom Line Thinking
Don't enter into this thinking you have heard it all before because, as Solomon noted many centuries ago, "There is nothing new under the sun." Consider the potential that you may have access to fresh, thought-provoking concepts that have been "hidden in plain view." I undoubtedly gained knowledge for myself and resolved to use this way of thinking more deliberately in the future. It will only help me succeed more.
There are numerous ways to think, and the majority of us use them occasionally. At the same time, we frequently think in unintentional ways. John Maxwell "unpacks" thinking for us and aids in our understanding of the various components successful people employ in their daily lives. These 11 make up the majority of these successful leader behaviors and aid in providing us with the proper viewpoint or paradigm:
• Big Picture Thinking
• Focused Thinking
• Creative Thinking
• Realistic Thinking
• Strategic Thinking
• Possibility Thinking
• Reflective Thinking
• Popular Thinking
• Shared Thinking
• Unselfish Thinking
• Bottom Line Thinking
June 19, 2024
Very interesting book that focuses on the art of actually thinking. Popular thinking and realistic thinking stood out as topics. My favorite quote; “instead of trying to be great, be a part of something greater than yourself.”
May 31, 2021
How successful people think by John C.Maxwell
Audiobook 3:34:35
Available on YouTube for free listening
Rating 3.5 🌟
.
Let's face it, we all have been awkward sometimes when we miss our goals, even if it’s small or temporary, but what is the reason for failure ?! Is it the way we think or the actions we do?! do we need to think in other way or limit the people who control us?! why some people can reach their goals and other can’t?!
.
here in this book there are eleven methods to do that.
. Photo from @booksofbusiness
.
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دعونا نواجه الأمر ، كلنا نشعر بالحرج أحيانًا عندما نفقد أهدافنا حتى لو كانت صغيرة أو مؤقتة ، ولكن ما الذي تسبب في الفشل ؟! هل هي طريقتنا في التفكير أم الأفعال التي فعلناها ؟! هل نحتاج إلى التفكير بطريقة أخرى أم عزل الأشخاص الذين يتحكمون بنا ؟! لماذا يمكن لبعض الناس الوصول إلى أهدافهم والبعض الآخر لا يستطيع ذلك؟!
.
هنا في هذا الكتاب توجد إحدى عشرة طريقة للقيام بذلك.
.
المراجعة على الانستقرام
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPjOb_zBy...
Audiobook 3:34:35
Available on YouTube for free listening
Rating 3.5 🌟
.
Let's face it, we all have been awkward sometimes when we miss our goals, even if it’s small or temporary, but what is the reason for failure ?! Is it the way we think or the actions we do?! do we need to think in other way or limit the people who control us?! why some people can reach their goals and other can’t?!
.
here in this book there are eleven methods to do that.
. Photo from @booksofbusiness
.
.
دعونا نواجه الأمر ، كلنا نشعر بالحرج أحيانًا عندما نفقد أهدافنا حتى لو كانت صغيرة أو مؤقتة ، ولكن ما الذي تسبب في الفشل ؟! هل هي طريقتنا في التفكير أم الأفعال التي فعلناها ؟! هل نحتاج إلى التفكير بطريقة أخرى أم عزل الأشخاص الذين يتحكمون بنا ؟! لماذا يمكن لبعض الناس الوصول إلى أهدافهم والبعض الآخر لا يستطيع ذلك؟!
.
هنا في هذا الكتاب توجد إحدى عشرة طريقة للقيام بذلك.
.
المراجعة على الانستقرام
https://www.instagram.com/p/CPjOb_zBy...
May 3, 2021
This book is repetitive with no real substance. The author uses flowery language to try to make his ideas seen more profound than they actually are.
January 12, 2025
Review
I think this is an excellent book on the powers of thinking. John C. Maxwell dives into every realm of thinking that can help you succeed in life. Highly suggested for beginners, an easy read.
Favorite Quotes:
"It's a fact that you begin to think like the people you spend a lot of time with. The more time you spend with creative people engaging creative activities, the more creative you will become." -Page 35
"The most effective way to help yourself get out of the box is to expose youself to new paradigms. One way you can do that is by traveling to new places. Explore other cultures, countries, and traditions. Find out how people very different from you live and think. Another is to read on new subjecs. [...]. If you want to break out of your own box, get into somebody's else's. Read broadly" - Page 36
"Never tell a young person that something cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for somebody ignorant enough of the impossible to do that thing. If you want to achieve something, give yourself permission to believe it is possible - no matter waht experts might say" - Page 66
"It's so easy to go and look at what other people do badly [...] look for the good in what other people are doing and apply it" - Page 68
"He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master" - Page 96
"There is no more noble occuptation in the world than to assist another human being - to help someone succeed." - Page 104
"He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; [...] who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beaty or failed to express it, who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had, whose life was an inspiration, who memory a benediction." - Page 105 This is one is beautiful.
I think this is an excellent book on the powers of thinking. John C. Maxwell dives into every realm of thinking that can help you succeed in life. Highly suggested for beginners, an easy read.
Favorite Quotes:
"It's a fact that you begin to think like the people you spend a lot of time with. The more time you spend with creative people engaging creative activities, the more creative you will become." -Page 35
"The most effective way to help yourself get out of the box is to expose youself to new paradigms. One way you can do that is by traveling to new places. Explore other cultures, countries, and traditions. Find out how people very different from you live and think. Another is to read on new subjecs. [...]. If you want to break out of your own box, get into somebody's else's. Read broadly" - Page 36
"Never tell a young person that something cannot be done. God may have been waiting centuries for somebody ignorant enough of the impossible to do that thing. If you want to achieve something, give yourself permission to believe it is possible - no matter waht experts might say" - Page 66
"It's so easy to go and look at what other people do badly [...] look for the good in what other people are doing and apply it" - Page 68
"He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master" - Page 96
"There is no more noble occuptation in the world than to assist another human being - to help someone succeed." - Page 104
"He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; [...] who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beaty or failed to express it, who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had, whose life was an inspiration, who memory a benediction." - Page 105 This is one is beautiful.
July 11, 2021
I’m 1000% sure I fell asleep listening to this at some point. The good thing tho is that it didn’t matter in the slightest.
WIL
1) great concepts. Yay for different ideas to inspire and motivate people. That’s good! I can support that!
2) a “coffee table book” or a “bathroom book.” This is the kind of book that a realtor with minimalist furniture would have on their coffee table for aesthetic purposes when they entertain. Or a book in a bathroom for people to idly flip through bc they don’t want to return to socialization in the outside world. It’s not meant to be read cover to cover. It’s meant to be flipped through from time to time to remind people what it’s all about.
3) attempts at organization (cont in WIDL 2). Lots of lists. Lots of bullet point ideas broken up into categories. That’s great, in theory.
WIDL
1) not meant to be an audiobook. The reader is fine but the content doesn’t lend itself to audiobook readings. There’s zero cohesion between the ideas and lists. It reads like a manual.
2) what is it the kids say these days? “Duh”? Well DUH Percy Jackson. Cannot emphasize enough how blatantly obvious all these ideas were. Like yea they’re great reminders for when you need a boost but omg.
WIL
1) great concepts. Yay for different ideas to inspire and motivate people. That’s good! I can support that!
2) a “coffee table book” or a “bathroom book.” This is the kind of book that a realtor with minimalist furniture would have on their coffee table for aesthetic purposes when they entertain. Or a book in a bathroom for people to idly flip through bc they don’t want to return to socialization in the outside world. It’s not meant to be read cover to cover. It’s meant to be flipped through from time to time to remind people what it’s all about.
3) attempts at organization (cont in WIDL 2). Lots of lists. Lots of bullet point ideas broken up into categories. That’s great, in theory.
WIDL
1) not meant to be an audiobook. The reader is fine but the content doesn’t lend itself to audiobook readings. There’s zero cohesion between the ideas and lists. It reads like a manual.
2) what is it the kids say these days? “Duh”? Well DUH Percy Jackson. Cannot emphasize enough how blatantly obvious all these ideas were. Like yea they’re great reminders for when you need a boost but omg.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2021
Mindset, our way of thinking is the success, to acquire the wisdom of big-picture thinking, to unleash the potential of focused thinking, discover the joy of creative thinking, recognize the importance of realistic thinking, release the power of strategic thinking, feel the energy of possibility thinking, embrace the lessons of reflective thinking, question the acceptance of popular thinking, encourage the participation of shared thinking, experience the satisfaction of unselfish thinking, and to enjoy the return of bottom-line thinking. all these types of thinking are the definition of success.
While reading you will feel the importance of each one of these methods and types, you will be able to see things differently yet gentle motivational way. this book tells how by changing your thinking, you can change your life and the lives of others around you.
A great simple book. It really shows how the right mindset is the key to success. I really liked how the author named the thinking methods and stated the benefits of each one without forgetting to give some tips and advice to improve ourselves in each one of them.
Excellent read. This is my second experience with John Maxwell and I find his style very readable which inspires me to read more of his books.
Finally, "Reality is the difference between what we wish and what is." (page 122)
.⭐ 8/10 ⭐
While reading you will feel the importance of each one of these methods and types, you will be able to see things differently yet gentle motivational way. this book tells how by changing your thinking, you can change your life and the lives of others around you.
A great simple book. It really shows how the right mindset is the key to success. I really liked how the author named the thinking methods and stated the benefits of each one without forgetting to give some tips and advice to improve ourselves in each one of them.
Excellent read. This is my second experience with John Maxwell and I find his style very readable which inspires me to read more of his books.
Finally, "Reality is the difference between what we wish and what is." (page 122)
.⭐ 8/10 ⭐
April 16, 2022
This book was well written and really gave me food for thought.
It made me hyper aware of my thinking and how beneficial or lacking it made me or prepared me for each day.
A great look at shaping our thoughts, not only on the principles God gave us In His word, but practically in terms of success.
It made me hyper aware of my thinking and how beneficial or lacking it made me or prepared me for each day.
A great look at shaping our thoughts, not only on the principles God gave us In His word, but practically in terms of success.
July 1, 2019
"رابطهها و نتایج آنها معمولاً به این شکل است:
۱. من میبرم و تو میبازی: من فقط یکبار میبرم
۲. تو میبری، من میبازم: تو فقط یکبار میبری
۳. ما هردو میبریم: ما بارها خواهیم برد
۴. ما هر دو میبازیم: خداحافظ شراکت!"
در نوع خودش خوب بود.
۱. من میبرم و تو میبازی: من فقط یکبار میبرم
۲. تو میبری، من میبازم: تو فقط یکبار میبری
۳. ما هردو میبریم: ما بارها خواهیم برد
۴. ما هر دو میبازیم: خداحافظ شراکت!"
در نوع خودش خوب بود.
January 22, 2020
A carry-on summary that might help you stay on track or loyal to your principles (if they're already included in the book). However, it couldn't have been more elaborated because of the style that the author chose. In a nutshell, a worthy read that might be easily forgotten.
Read
September 24, 2018Usual suspects of good advices: Think outside the box; be empathetic; do not blindly follow group-think; be unselfish; collaborate with others...
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