Read Outside Your Field

We should all be life-long learners. To expand your horizons it is a good idea to read books and literature outside your normal disciplines and areas of expertise. Buy a few magazines you normally wont read, and read them. This way you will integrate your current knowledge in totally new ways. You will find that it is at the verge between disciplines that the most exciting, interesting and creative ideas, solutions and innovations appear.

Put Something In First

In order to draw water out of a well you need to pump first, then you will get the water. You can't stand in front of a wooden stove and say; "Give me some heat, and then I will throw in the wood." Life doesn't work that way! You must put something in first, before you can take something out. Are there areas in you life where you like to achieve more? Get busy putting in the action and then you will see the results come.

Give Time For Mental Digestion

Most people resist change even when the change would benefit them personally. An individual needs about 72 hours to absorb a new idea. Effective mangers know this and present their new ideas in a casual way. They present their thoughts as ideas for consideration, encouraging the other person to take the new idea or new way of doing things and think about it for a few days. They say "we can discuss this later" and they just leave the idea with the other person. Try it and your ability to influence others will increase!

How Do You Mean?

A great question to ask in any conversation when you are checking for understanding or need clarification is "How do you mean?" It is difficult for the other party not to answer with greater level of detail. The same question is also a great way to unravel a "no" in a sales conversation. It gives you an opportunity to understand the underlying reasons and get a chance to discuss the objections. "How do you mean, exactly?"

Start A Savings Plan

Creation of wealth starts when we learn it's first rule: A part of all you earn is yours to keep! The quickest way to increased stability and financial security is to start a serious savings plan (if you don't already have one). The habit of putting no less than 10% of your steady income aside into a savings account can create wonders over a relatively short period of time. I have found this process to be easy, fun and truly rewarding.