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Ecclesiastes 10:10 says “If the axe is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength. But wisdom brings success.” It isn’t always necessary to work harder; it’s often better to work smarter. There’s a great benefit in learning how to sharpen the skills you need to conquer the problem.
I suggest that you treat yourself as you would treat a business. Pretend you are the boss of your own life. Develop management and organizational skills. Learn how to solve problems with a fresh mind-set and come up with solutions that are unique. Establish your own “strategic planning department.” Set up your own training department and update your skills and techniques.
Recently I read a book entitled Winning the Innovation Game by Denis E. Waitley & Robert B. Tucker. They define innovation as a commitment to devise a strategy to consistently implement ideas for solving problems. In their book they outline various ways to implement ideas. Here are a few of their suggestions.
- Think of yourself as an “Idea person”. Proverbs 23:7 “As a man thinks in his heart, so he will become.” If there’s a time of day when you feel you do your most creative thinking, try to reserve it for yourself and use it to its fullest.
- Pay attention when an idea occurs to you. Get into the habit of writing down ideas, evaluating them and implementing the good ones. Record them either on three-by-five-inch cards, a tape recorder, idea notebook, post-it-notes or in your day planner.
- Inspect your idea factory. Look at your “Things to Do” list. If it is simply a catalog of daily duties � pick up the dry cleaning, pay the bills and so on – you aren’t generating ideas. Carry a small notebook with you wherever you go and jot down ideas as they occur. Examples might be: “Discuss with spouse best time to paint the house.” “Meet with fitness instructor to come up with a new exercise plan.” “Look into attending a computer class.” Later you can go back through them and sort them out. Some you’ll reject, others you’ll want to implement right away. Still others will require further development
- Gather information and draw your own conclusions. Most successful people spend a third of their time reading. The goal is to interpret information to create and implement new ideas.
- Organize your information. Go through magazines and clip out the pictures and articles you want to keep. Develop files for different categories and topics.
Take inventory of your life and evaluate the areas you need to change. Invite the Lord to help you stop your cycle of insanity. Begin thinking like the business owner of your life.