Benjamin Chapin is a first-time author and, at times, it showed.
He made some good points but, ultimately, each were covered superficially and were fairly elementary. I found it comical that the questions at the end of a very short chapter were in the vein of, “now that your outlook on (principle) has completely changed, how have you changed as a person?”
...maybe a little too grandiose an assumption for the impact of his writing!
Notes on the reading:
The 10 Rules for Directional Thinking:
1. Discovered “Thought Life”
What you spend your time thinking about & dwelling on welcome impact the way you look at your life.
Thoughts are like a movie trailer; a preview of coming attractions in your life.
You’re “thinking life” determines your reality.
2. Negativity and its roll
The scariest part of negativity is that it tells you you’re not good enough so you stop trying.
3. Opening the positive flood gates
Feed your brain positive thoughts
4. Identifying the good and the bad
Remember positive experiences and share positive thoughts.
If something is devoid of hope and trust, it’s a negative topic. Do what you can to help out but don’t carry the weight of the world on your shoulders.
Avoid the pessimist; they constantly expect the worst but never prepare for the worst.
5. When you just say yes and when to say no
“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.“ -Bill Cosby
6. Consumption Junction
Just like how ‘you are what you eat’, your outlook on life depends heavily on what you ‘consume’ (think media).
7. Expanding the Mind
Never stop learning.
8. Mental Goal Mapping
First, set up your target (set a clear, reasonable goal). Second, set the target where you are going to be aiming (write the goal down where you will see it). Third, aim, fire, check your shot and adjust. Fourth, adjust your scope. Fifth, rinse and repeat (add more goals as you accomplish your previous ones).
9. Self-discipline
A self-disciplined mind is crucial for positive thinking. The fear of failure is a huge reason we don’t progress through challenging circumstances enough to develop self-discipline.
10. Ready, Mindset, Go!
“If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right.” - Henry Ford