The Magic of Thinking Big: 30-day self-improvement guide

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Select some items from each list below to work on in the next 30 days. Make sure your 30-day goals are

S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) The items below are to give you

ideas. They are not meant to the only options or to be a complete list. List adapted from Schwartz list.

A) Break bad habits: 1. Putting things off (procrastination) 2. Negative language 3. Watching TV more than 60 minutes per day 4. Gossip 5. Whining, complaining

B) Acquire these habits: 1. A good morning examination of my appearance 2. Plan each days work the night before 3. Compliment people at every possible opportunity. Develop the habit of catching people doing

something RIGHT and letting them know how much you appreciate what they do.

4. If you have a relationship with Jesus Christ: Read the Bible daily and pray at all times to God. The Holy Spirit is within you to guide you. Ask for guidance, wisdom and you will receive it.

C) Increase my value to my employer in these ways: 1. Do a better job of developing my subordinates 2. Learn more about my company, what it does, and the customers it serves 3. Make 3 specific suggestions to help my company become more efficient

D) Increase my value to my home in these ways: 1. Show more appreciation for the little things my spouse does that I have been taking for granted 2. Give one hour each day of my undivided attention to my family 3. Once a week, give 30 minutes of my undivided attention to each of my children 4. Once a month, have a date with my spouse (just for two; no children allowed) 5. Once a month do something special for my whole family

E) Sharpen my mind in these ways: 1. Invest two hours each week reading professional magazines/articles in my field 2. Read one personal development book 3. Make 4 new friends (e.g. at church or attend networking events) 4. Spend 30 minutes daily in quiet, undisturbed thinking 5. Memorize and meditate on one positive phrase (Christ-followers: select a Bible verse instead)

each week. Meditation is the opposite of worrying. When you worry you think about a problem

over and over again. When you meditate, you will think over and over about a positive concept.

Repeat it over and over in your mind and emphasize different parts of each.

Reference:

Schwartz, D.J. (1965). The magic of thinking big. Simon & Schuster, Inc: New York, NY, pp. 206-207.