The Top Ten Ways to Create Breakthroughs
| Category: Top 10 Tips | Date: 2002-05-22 |
break·through (brak throo) noun, a major achievement or success that permits further progress.
Breakthroughs are exciting. Theyre inspiring. Theyre not business as usual. Thats why theyre called breakthroughs. Incremental progress is boring. What gets attention, what fires us with enthusiasm is seeing results that are beyond the ordinary. Here are ten ways to have more breakthroughs, whether it be in your business, your job or your relationships.
1. Expect Them
Too often, we get bogged down in the thick of thin things. We dont expect exciting events to happen much less make them happen. But when we start to expect major breakthroughs they start to come about on a regular basis. Not by themselves but through awareness, attention and expectation.
2. Look for the Breakdowns
Breakdowns lead to breakthroughs. It starts by looking for problems that need to be solved in new ways. You find what youre looking for. Determine to declare breakdowns when they occur. Too often, problems get swept under the rug. People want to avoid them. Instead of living in denial, shine a light on whats not working with an eye toward what could be.
3. Define the Breakdowns
A problem clearly stated is a problem half solved. Look for ways to state the problem differently. Simply articulating the problem in a new way can illuminate the solution. Get a different perspective by writing the problem down in at least 10 different ways.
4. Live in the Possibility
What could happen here? What would be a game worth playing? Dont just go for the obvious, be bold. What will turn this solution into a breakthrough? What would you attempt if you knew you couldnt fail? This is often the toughest part. But to let go of what we THINK is possible and operate in the realm of possibility is when things really start to change.
5. Make the Commitment
Stating what youre planning to accomplish takes courage. Most people want to see the evidence first. They dont want to commit to something unless its all set up. But when you commit to going for a big goal that appears impossible, you inspire others. Tell people what you intend to accomplish. And dont be bashful.
6. Enroll Others
You dont need to go it alone. People like to be part of something bigger than themselves. Theyre flattered by someone asking for their opinion or ideas. Put together a team. Keep focused on the intended results, not on whats happened before. Do some brainstorming. And have fun.
7. Do Your Research
Many people try to reinvent the wheel. Often a problem can be solved in a similar way another problem was solved. Perhaps a different industry, a different company, another era. By reading and studying what others do or have done, you can often relate it to your own situation.
8. Stay Open to Ideas and Insights
Some of the best ideas and inventions have come as flashes of insight oftentimes when they were least expected. Archimedes was taking a bath. Isaac Newton was taking a nap under an apple tree. Moodling is the art of doing nothing creatively expecting ideas to come to us when our minds are at rest. Dont underestimate it.
9. Declare Breakthroughs
Just as important as declaring breakdowns is the declaration of breakthroughs. Announce your achievement to your team, your coworkers, your family even the press when youve succeeded. Document it. Your energy flows where your attention goes. Give attention to your breakthroughs.
10. Celebrate Your Success.
You deserve it. Make it fun. Olympic medal winners get their moment in the sun and you deserve nothing less. Mark the event. And ready yourself for "breakthroughs as usual."
About the author:
Michael Angier is the founder and president of Success Net, publishers of SUCCESS STRATEGIES and SUCCESS DIGEST. Success Net is a worldwide association committed to helping people become more knowledgeable, productive and effective. Their mission is to inform, inspire and empower people to be their best personally and professionally.
success@successnet.org
http://www.successnet.org
Breakthroughs are exciting. Theyre inspiring. Theyre not business as usual. Thats why theyre called breakthroughs. Incremental progress is boring. What gets attention, what fires us with enthusiasm is seeing results that are beyond the ordinary. Here are ten ways to have more breakthroughs, whether it be in your business, your job or your relationships.
1. Expect Them
Too often, we get bogged down in the thick of thin things. We dont expect exciting events to happen much less make them happen. But when we start to expect major breakthroughs they start to come about on a regular basis. Not by themselves but through awareness, attention and expectation.
2. Look for the Breakdowns
Breakdowns lead to breakthroughs. It starts by looking for problems that need to be solved in new ways. You find what youre looking for. Determine to declare breakdowns when they occur. Too often, problems get swept under the rug. People want to avoid them. Instead of living in denial, shine a light on whats not working with an eye toward what could be.
3. Define the Breakdowns
A problem clearly stated is a problem half solved. Look for ways to state the problem differently. Simply articulating the problem in a new way can illuminate the solution. Get a different perspective by writing the problem down in at least 10 different ways.
4. Live in the Possibility
What could happen here? What would be a game worth playing? Dont just go for the obvious, be bold. What will turn this solution into a breakthrough? What would you attempt if you knew you couldnt fail? This is often the toughest part. But to let go of what we THINK is possible and operate in the realm of possibility is when things really start to change.
5. Make the Commitment
Stating what youre planning to accomplish takes courage. Most people want to see the evidence first. They dont want to commit to something unless its all set up. But when you commit to going for a big goal that appears impossible, you inspire others. Tell people what you intend to accomplish. And dont be bashful.
6. Enroll Others
You dont need to go it alone. People like to be part of something bigger than themselves. Theyre flattered by someone asking for their opinion or ideas. Put together a team. Keep focused on the intended results, not on whats happened before. Do some brainstorming. And have fun.
7. Do Your Research
Many people try to reinvent the wheel. Often a problem can be solved in a similar way another problem was solved. Perhaps a different industry, a different company, another era. By reading and studying what others do or have done, you can often relate it to your own situation.
8. Stay Open to Ideas and Insights
Some of the best ideas and inventions have come as flashes of insight oftentimes when they were least expected. Archimedes was taking a bath. Isaac Newton was taking a nap under an apple tree. Moodling is the art of doing nothing creatively expecting ideas to come to us when our minds are at rest. Dont underestimate it.
9. Declare Breakthroughs
Just as important as declaring breakdowns is the declaration of breakthroughs. Announce your achievement to your team, your coworkers, your family even the press when youve succeeded. Document it. Your energy flows where your attention goes. Give attention to your breakthroughs.
10. Celebrate Your Success.
You deserve it. Make it fun. Olympic medal winners get their moment in the sun and you deserve nothing less. Mark the event. And ready yourself for "breakthroughs as usual."
About the author:
Michael Angier is the founder and president of Success Net, publishers of SUCCESS STRATEGIES and SUCCESS DIGEST. Success Net is a worldwide association committed to helping people become more knowledgeable, productive and effective. Their mission is to inform, inspire and empower people to be their best personally and professionally.
success@successnet.org
http://www.successnet.org
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