How To Think BIG
2 Jul
“The biggest person with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest person with the smallest mind. Think big anyway.”
–Mother Teresa
For many years, Bill Gates has gone into seclusion for two, one-week “Think Weeks” a year. Family, friends and Microsoft employees are banned from his retreat.
While alone in his retreat, he reads manuscripts from Microsoft associates on topics that range from the future of technology to speculation about the next “hot” products. Some papers suggest new products or different versions of current products. Any employee can write up ideas and send them for Bill Gates’ approval. He says he may read 100 papers during a Think Week and his record is 112 papers.
Not just reading, Bill Gates takes the time to respond to employee suggestions. One paper may result in an email sent to hundreds of Microsoft employees world-wide. Employees wait eagerly to see if their paper or idea might receive the go ahead following one of these famous Think Weeks.
Bill Gates takes the time, twice a year, to read and ponder the future of Microsoft. How often do we take any time at all to read new ideas, consider our current work and life, and make changes?
Ten Thinking and Dreaming Exercises for Creativity and Innovation
- Read with pen and notebook in hand; jot down any idea that comes into your consciousness.
- Keep a notebook in which you can keep track of ideas, by your bed and in your car.
- Write one idea down on a piece of paper and brainstorm any thought that comes from it: how to accomplish the idea, what to do about the idea, where to use the idea, who can help you implement the idea, and any other thought that enters your mind.
- Read a non-fiction book every week. Read magazines, journals, online articles, all-the-time.
- Clip articles and place them in a folder of related articles or ideas. Periodically, glance through the folder.
- Create “idea files” in most folders in your computer. Create an idea or to-do file in your email program. Add ideas as they come to you.
- Take time to stare out your window (if your setting deserves attention), play with a desk toy, take a quiet walk. Do any rote activity that allows thoughts to swirl through your mind.
- Encourage your staff and coworkers to do all of the above and share ideas with each other at “think” or brainstorm sessions. Schedule annual retreats or off-site meetings to plan and generate ideas.
- Develop an employee suggestion process.
- Schedule think weeks, think days, or think hours for yourself or your work group.
Thinking Bigger
1) One of the fastest ways to get where you want to be is to surround yourself with the people that are already there! You must invest in networking organizations that have members you can learn from and then you need to “network.” And if you are like me, time management is a huge factor in your life. Networking online is a wonderful way to save time and get in touch with a global market. Build a mastermind team and meet regularly. Again it takes time to find the right people, but you won’t find them if you don’t start looking for them right now.
2) Get a coach. Having someone who is experienced in your industry is invaluable. Good coaches will hold you accountable and they will push you past your small thinking. Not to mention how much money they will save you as they prevent you from making costly mistakes as you progress through your career.
3) Attend seminars, workshops, and teleseminars every week. I know–where will you find the time? If I can do it, so can you. I have three school-aged kids and a new baby, and I run two organizations. I not only host teleseminars, I attend them every week too. I love learning via the Internet because it is so flexible. I have a headset and I just put it on mute so I can listen while I tend to other tasks. (Sometimes I even do the laundry or the dishes while I am learning.) The point is: I find the time to learn how to think bigger every week.
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