Are You Standing In Your Way?

You are driving along in your car on a wild, stormy night, when you pass by a bus stop, and you see three people waiting for the bus:

1. An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.

2. An old friend who once saved your life.

3. The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.

Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing that there could only be one passenger in your car?

Think before you continue reading...

This is a moral/ethical dilemma that was once actually used as part of a job application.

You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first; or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again.

The candidate, who was hired, out of 200 applicants, had no trouble coming up with his answer.

He simply answered: "I would give the car keys to my old friend and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams."

Sometimes, we gain more if we are able to give up our stubborn thought limitations. Never forget to "Think Outside of the Box."

(Thanks to Mary Beth Frawley from Tularosa Basin Telephone Company for providing this story.)

What if …

… You could discover an entirely new source of profits, previously overlooked?

… You could multiply productivity through great new ideas and solutions?

… you and your co-workers were generating so many great ideas that progress seemed almost effortless?

… problems never overwhelmed you because a multitude of creative solutions were easily accessible?

… you could visualize opportunities where there appeared to be none?

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

You can’t be successful today if you’re only “fixing what’s broken.” You need to find ways to turn “good” into “great”, constantly looking for ways to improve and seek out innovative solutions. Don’t be satisfied with something that’s simply “not broken.”

“I’m too busy to re-invent what’s already working fine.”

Break free of the mental traps that are holding you back! Highly successful people have learned the key to success is building in time, all day, every day, to think and innovate.

“Everyone finds fault with any different or unconventional ideas!”

Don’t fool yourself - most organizations, large and small, place the highest value and premium on creativity and innovation. Expect to be criticized at times, though - it goes with the territory. The potential rewards are so great you can’t afford to get caught in the “conformity trap.”

Are you standing in your own way?

Yes No Do you consider yourself a creative person?

Yes No Do you put problems into a positive perspective?

Yes No Do you have a clear handle on your goals and priorities?

Yes No Do you make a conscious effort to generate new ideas?

Yes No Is your environment conducive to creativity?

Yes No Do you know how to assess and capitalize on your intuition?

Yes No Does your work group generate ideas together?

Yes No Are you able to gather support for your ideas?

Yes No Do you thoroughly evaluate ideas and alternatives before committing?

Yes No Are your good ideas moving toward reality…not languishing or “on hold?”

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