The Elements of a Productive Mindset By Z. Hereford

A productive mindset is one that makes the best use of your resources - your time, your energy and your efforts. It is not trying to do everything and be everything, or even doing it in the quickest way possible.

It is making the most and best of what you have while enjoying the process.

In order to make the most of who we are and what we have, there are certain qualities or characteristics that assist us in accomplishing that end.

Here are some of the elements of a productive mindset:

• Curiosity - The willingness to seek, question, and explore new ideas and concepts. It is the willingness and desire to know and learn new things.

• Desire or Motivation - Cultivate desire. Without desire or motivationthere is nothing to drive us to make progress and improve. Inertia is the opposite of desire and a destroyer of progress.
  
• Vision - To be able to visualize what you want helps you focus on it and gives you an idea of what the outcome would look like. Without that picture in your mind, it would be more difficult to strive for a goal. We've all read how men of 'great vision' have been able to accomplish the seemingly impossible.

• Critical Thinking - Acquire the ability to assess a situation in an objective manner or to see it how it really is. Look at the pros and cons and be willing to make the appropriate adjustments.

• Self-confidence - The faith and belief that you are fully capable and can do what you set out to. Without self-confidence and faith you cannot reach your full potential.

• Persistence - Most things do not come easily. Be willing to overcome obstacles and adversity. Challenge yourself and persist in order to reach your goals. Do not let circumstances, the opinions of others, or setbacks, thwart your determination to succeed.

• Positive attitude or outlook - Your attitude, be it positive or negative, can make, or break, you. Possessing a positive attitude allows for any possibility, while a negative one defeats you before you can even start.

• Open-mindedness - There is nothing like an open-mind for generating new and innovative ideas. You become receptive to groundbreaking experiences when you are flexible and open-minded.

• Balance - Ultimately, to function well and get the most from life, we mustmaintain balance. Working towards goals is important, but we must also take time to rejuvenate and recharge. Doing too much, or pushing too hard on any one thing, can lead to burnout and frustration.

By integrating the above elements into our though processes, we not only cultivate a productive mindset, we set ourselves up for reaching our goals more effectively, develop positive habits and we sharpen our minds to function at high levels.