Thinking for a Change: 11 Ways Highly Successful People Approach Life and Work [Hardcover]

John C. Maxwell (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Basing his latest book on the theory that "successful people think differently than unsuccessful people," Maxwell (author of bestselling The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership and Running with the Giants) guides readers on the journey of mastering "good thinking" to achieve their personal and professional potential. Maintaining an encouraging tone and a down-to-earth writing style honed from his more than 30 previous titles, Maxwell details the impact and practical value of 11 kinds of thinking, including reflective, shared, creative, unselfish and big-picture. Useful tips, like how to discover your gifts through focused thinking, ways to break down complex issues with strategic thinking, and how to understand the value of examining the worst-case scenario through realistic thinking, characterize the author's surprisingly concrete lessons. The step-by-step format is bolstered by inspirational quotes, personal insights and high-profile anecdotal evidence about the likes of Priscilla Presley, George Lucas and George Washington Carver. Ending each chapter, emphasizing the discipline needed to think your way to the top, are exercises designed to evaluate and increase your personal progress in each area.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"In this important book, John Maxwell will teach you how to think in a way that will keep you ahead in these turbulent times and create exciting new opportunities and possibilities." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Center Street; 1 edition (March 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446529575
• ISBN-13: 978-0446529570
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #26,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

120 of 124 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You = World Class Thinker, March 17, 2003

By	Martin Schray (West Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Thinking for a Change: 11 Ways Highly Successful People Approach Life and Work (Hardcover)

Thinking For A Change is any easy, but thought provoking read. Thinking For A Change is broken down into two major sections.

The first section explores the premise that if you change your thinking you change your life. The second section of the book offers up eleven thinking skills and concrete ways to start applying these thinking skills. So the second section of the book contains the tools to change your thinking so you can change your life.

The eleven thinking skills Thinking For A Change offers are as follows:

1. Acquire the wisdom of big-picture thinking - does my thinking extend beyond me and my world
2. Unleash the potential of focused thinking - concentrate to find clarity on the real issues
3. Discover the joy of creative thinking - get out of the box and find break through thinking
4. Recognize the importance of realistic thinking - does my thinking have a solid mental foundation
5. Release the power of strategic thinking - is my thinking leading to plans for today that help me reach my potential tomorrow
6. Feel the energy of possibility thinking - possibility thinking can help you find solutions to even the difficult problems
7. Embrace the lessons of reflective thinking - am I revisiting the past to gain understanding and learn from what happened
8. Question the acceptance of popular thinking - am I rejecting the limitations of common thinking
9. Encourage the participation of shared thinking - am I engaging others to expand and sharpen my thinking
10. Experience the satisfaction of unselfish thinking - am I considering others and their needs
11. Enjoy the return of bottom-line thinking - am I staying focused on results

John Maxwell does a great deal more the talk about the thinking styles. He offers concrete examples of the styles in action and more importantly he shares many thoughts about the process and discipline of thinking. His insights transform a book on thoughts about thinking into a practical manual for the application of world class thinking. At the end of each chapter there are exercises designed to help you find the thinker in you and help you build momentum and experience in being a great thinker.

This is another great book from John Maxwell and has his signature style of examples, stories and great quotes to drive points home. I highly recommend Thinking For A Change.

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Take Charge of Your Life through Effective Thinking!, May 18, 2003

By	Professor Donald Mitchell "Jesus Makes Me a P... (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 97,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)

This review is from: Thinking for a Change: 11 Ways Highly Successful People Approach Life and Work (Hardcover)

This is the only new book I have ever read that I would recommend for absolutely everyone. Those who cannot read should have it read to them.

More effective thinking is the foundation for accomplishing whatever potential we and those we are in touch with have. Dr. Maxwell has created an effective book for "how" each of us can be better thinkers, role models and leaders. The title refers to two observations: One, most people go with the flow, the crowd or their emotions rather than thinking through their choices so good thinking is a change they should make; and two, making positive changes in your life requires thinking through your choices and acting on the best one.

Dr. Maxwell returns here to a subject he addressed in his first book, Think on These Things, written in 1979. The subject is central to him for his life has been illuminated by the observation of the Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8, "Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about those things." As a Christian minister, Dr. Maxwell cites the Bible as one source of examples, but people who are of different faiths and people who are not interested in spiritual matters will find the book relevant and valuable.

The book is comprised of two parts and an afterthought. The first part addresses how changing your thinking can change your life. The second looks in detail at 11 thinking skills that should be combined. The afterthought is to improve your effectiveness and that of any organization you are involved with by seeking out those whose thinking skills balance out your lacks of thinking skills. It's a powerful and important point!

The book has several structural strengths that will help you. Key observations are inset as quotes to help you see the big picture. Also, each chapter ends with a question or questions to help you assess what you need to work on to become a better thinker. Following that come action steps to help you start making the necessary changes. The lessons are captured both by logical argument and by compelling lengthy anecdotes of what both ordinary and famous people have done. The anecdotes are amazing in their depth and perceptiveness. Even when they were written about people I know well, I was struck that Dr. Maxwell captured nuances that I had missed in my understanding of these peoples' lives. For instance, Frances Hesselbein, the legendary former head of the Girl Scouts has a son but no daughters. She originally volunteered for the organization because of a need for more leaders in her community, even though her own family would not directly benefit. Dr. Maxwell also interweaves occasional references to his and other important books so that you can see how each perspective fits together in the context of this book. He is generous in his credit to others, which is part of what makes the book so credible. Finally, he cites his own experiences . . . both good and bad . . . rather than setting himself up as a model of perfection so that you can understand the struggles and potential solutions that may work for you. For example, his many references to how he uses his appointment calendar to improve his thinking made me realize more about the potential value of that tool for time management than any time management book that I have ever read.

Dr. Maxwell's argument for improving our thoughts goes something like this. If we change our thoughts, we can change our feelings and our focus. It's the quality of our thoughts . . . not the quality of our education that determines what we can accomplish. With better thinking, we can learn to focus on progress. That?s certainly been true in my life, and I enthusiastically endorse those observations.

What do most people think like now? Dr. Maxwell characterizes most thinking as being too small, scattered, restrictive, removed from reality, random, limited, impulsive, influenced by what is popular, disconnected from involving others in thinking, selfish and wishful.

He addresses each in a separate chapter, with lots of examples to encourage you to look at the big picture, be more focused on what's important, develop creative thoughts that are not restricted, consider realities that must be addressed rather than fantasies that are impossible, be strategic in focusing on what will make a difference, be open to possibilities that can lead to new solutions, reflect before acting on your impulses, look for innovative solutions rather than following the conventional wisdom, share your thinking with others to find better solutions, be unselfish, and keep the ultimate goals well in mind.

My own reaction to the book was to see more clearly my thinking strengths and weaknesses. I had never thought of the benefits of combining all of these characteristics into every thought. I came away with a clear idea of what I need to do differently, and found that I immediately began to change.

I recommend that everyone in a family or a work unit read this book at the same so that they can share helpful observations with one another. The 14 chapter topics would make for great separate discussions over lunch or dinner.

The best anecdote I have ever read about Jack Welch is in this book. He explains what a leader wants someone to do when they get an assignment to answer a question. Mr. Welch says that the leader wants the answer, but also wants value added to the answer and new questions that need to be addressed to provide more helpful dimensions to the original question. It's worth the price of the book for most people in business to just understand that section.

Donald Mitchell
Co-author of The 2,000 Percent Solution, The Irresistible Growth Enterprise, and The Ultimate Competitive Advantage

67 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Embrace all thinking and optimize it., May 12, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Thinking for a Change: 11 Ways Highly Successful People Approach Life and Work (Hardcover)

Maxwell describes eleven thinking process every person should utilize: big-picture thinking, focused thinking, creative thinking, realistic thinking, strategic thinking, possibility thinking, reflective thinking,critical thinking, shared thinking, unselfish thinking, and bottom-line thinking. He explains how these forms of thinking can empower you to fulfill your potential.

These are all valid forms of thinking, and learning about them is important to understand our thinking process. This is an excellent book and it should be read along with Dr. Rosalene Glickman's book, Optimal Thinking: How to Be Your Best Self. Optimal Thinking is the simple, peak form of thinking we use when our best self takes charge, and we are optimizing the present moment. Individuals and top corporations all over the world use Optimal Thinking to optimize thinking, emotions, resources, profits, relationships, strategies and choices. I recommend both of these books if you want to make the most of your personal and professional life.