Limitless Monday: Think More, Change Your Life For The Better

Limitless Monday – Think more

I was cycling home one late afternoon when my mind began to wander, settling on something mundane for a few moments. I then recalled a statement that I often make when I notice myself contemplating inane nonsense, “quality thoughts lead to a quality life”.

I immediately pulled out my phone, as my peddling slowed to a snail’s pace, and typed the title of this week’s article.

I wasn’t totally sure where I had learned this quotation. However, it does its job.

I utilize it to interrupt my mind when it turns to mush. Initially I thought the phrase featured in a Tony Robbins book. But what Robbins actually says is, “quality questions lead to a quality life”.

I then remembered that Steve Jobs had talked about how irritated he becomes with himself when he doesn’t think intelligently. Job’s thought process has stayed firmly with me.

In fact on further research the quotation, “quality thoughts lead to a quality life” is attributed to Dr. Norman Vincent Peale who is famed for popularizing the art of positive thinking.

Anyway, that is a little background. This article is not a history lesson in positive thinking. However, I do believe we can learn a lot from thinking more intelligently.

Let’s say you are driving to work. Do you believe you are thinking intelligently whilst performing this activity, or would it be true to say that your mind is more likely to wander onto trivial matters focused on the unimportant and meaningless?

What is intelligent thinking anyway?

This is a definition provided by ChatGPT:The ability to analyze information critically, make sound judgments, solve problems effectively, adapt to new situations, and apply knowledge creatively.

It involves using reasoning, logic, creativity, and practicality to navigate complex issues and achieve desired outcomes.

Plato, the ancient philosopher, believed that thinking more was the number one big idea for life.

The best time to think is when we have spare time on our hands. And if we don’t have spare time, we should make it.

Going for a 30 minute walk at least once a week, without a cell phone or music is a good place to start. Give yourself a problem to solve before taking that first step, and by the time you take your last step, you will have a solution.

Nietzsche wrote, “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking”.

However, you don’t have to set aside free time in order to think. You can think intelligently when you are performing a mundane task that requires little brain power.

Whether you are gardening, carrying out routine data processing tasks at work, exercising, or washing dishes.

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If you are thinking intelligently, focusing on what matters, the important, not necessarily the urgent, then you will find that your life will take a turn in a different direction. You will begin setting new goals, and your dreams will finally become attainable.

Thinking more sounds easy, but it’s not.

Most of us are wrapped up in our parochial lives, and restrict our thinking to our immediate existence, what we believe are our priorities, the minutiae of life. We think about our relationships, the jobs we must do when we get home, office politics, the conversation we had with a friend, a night out.

Sometimes we get bogged down in constant thoughts about a dispute, a dysfunctional relationship, or maybe a replay of the recent video game we just finished.

None of these thoughts are helpful to our future. If we have a problem that we are constantly thinking about, we usually focus on the unpleasant possible outcomes, not on the solution. That’s the same with replaying disputes, contemplating complex relationships, or pondering over the unkind words your co-worker just uttered to you.

The trick to thinking more intelligently is quickly switching from unproductive thoughts to productive ones. A productive thought is one that will lead to a solution to a problem or some form of action relating to a goal.

Use thought as a prelude to action.

Thoughts are no good without action.

The bottom line is we should all find time to think more intelligently.

Today, when you find yourself drifting off into unproductive thoughts, check yourself and tell yourself, “quality thoughts lead to a quality life”.

The difference between a successful, fulfilled person and others is the quality of their thoughts. The power to make that change is at your fingertips.

Happy Monday!