Are You Thinking Too Shallow?

What is Shallow Thinking?

Is it just not giving yourself enough time and space to contemplate deep thought?

Is it only for the Yoda-like people and the Guru’s?

Is it the inability to strategize, see different perspectives, or go beyond thinking of ourselves?

Yes…and No. Maybe? Who knows!

But here are a few things to think about as we contemplate what shallow thinking is, how we can move beyond it into deeper thought, and what that means for our lives. (There…that is deep thought in and of itself, isn’t it?)

How can you tell if you are a shallow thinker in your business?

If you are a slave to metrics – you could be.

If you prioritize selling of offers (transactions) over building a sustainable business – you could be.

If you rely 100% on ONE marketing effort – you could be.

If you think having a funnel is the same as having a business – you could be.

If you only have ONE product/service, with no linking offers – you could be.

Here are a few more things to ponder on this beautiful, thought-provoking day:

Shallow thinkers focus on results only, not on the knowledge that can be obtained along the way. Focusing on the excitement of discovery, exploring and experimenting with new ways of doing things, how to make improvements are all signs that you are NOT a shallow thinker.

Contrarily, if you are narrowly focused on the results and don’t learn as the twists and turns come your way, then you are one issue away from lost motivation and ultimate failure for the tasks at hand. People who do not allow circumstances to define who they are and what they choose to do have gone beyond thinking shallow.

Shallow thinkers tend to wallow in uncertain times and when difficulties arise. Opposite of that is the person who is energized to think creatively and use their imagination in those same circumstances – to find a way to continue on towards success. They challenge themselves rather than give themselves excuses or lay blame.

Shallow thinkers are easily distracted with meaningless things and are often unable to hold themselves accountable. They oftentimes stay in their comfort zone and do the “easy” things rather than challenge themselves with new and meaningful projects and activities that move the needle.

Shallow thinkers may hope and wish for someone to come along to magically ‘save’ them and make everything rainbows and unicorns, not realizing that this shallow way of thinking actually paralyzes their ability to think clearly and imaginatively so they can take ownership of their actions and their decisions.

Shallow thinkers shy away from feedback, they tend to protect themselves from criticism (even constructive) and negative reviews, and erroneously believe they have no blind spots. On the flip side, deep thinkers want their blind spots uncovered, they crave feedback and constructive criticism, they understand this is the best way to achieve better results and outcomes faster!

What can we do instead? How can we move to a deeper thought process?

Realize that everything in life matters, and everything extracts something from you – time, money, effort, patience, creativity, imagination, resources, responsibilities, integrity, etc. You have to be willing to “pay” the price for the things you want. You have to be willing to dig deep and find the time, money, effort, patience, creativity, imagination, resources, responsibilities, integrity, etc. – and it starts in your mind. Thinking it through and intentionally making a choice.

You have to shift your mindset to a more determined, imaginative, abundant, growth-mindset so you can treat every obstacle, difficultly, or achievement you are working towards as if your life depended on it. If not literally then figuratively – your success, your joy, your happiness…is your life.

Decide today to make mindset a priority whether you do it through meditation, reading, listening, studying, or another method – make it something you focus on every day.

Convince yourself that your ‘life’ is on the line in each situation and you will think more creatively, you won’t hesitate, you will act, and you will not care how messy things may seem as you are moving forward. You will manage your overwhelm and realize that ‘this too shall pass’ and that every time you fall it increases (and often speeds up) your success.

Moving into a deeper thinker starts with just deciding to do it – yes, it is that simple. Decide that you will sit with yourself – and think. That you will tap into and uncover your inherent internal power, intuition, and abilities. Understanding that it is your right and responsibility to yourself (and others) to dig deeper so that you can live your best life. You have to OWN it, own your life, thoughts, and decisions.

It takes thinking bigger.

If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough!

– Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

You may be thinking too small, too narrow, too shallow. It takes moving from the ‘to-do’s’ of life into the broader, bigger picture and vison for your life and acting on that as opposed to crossing things off a list.

Thinking shallow keeps you in the same place, trying to do ‘all the things’ yourself, not investing your time, money, energy, and resources into YOU – your biggest asset. Don’t be shallow on your dreams. You can’t cut expenses in order to achieve success. It may take brining others on board to offload some of the tasks and activities so you can be the broader, vision caster of your business and your life.

Remember…

Shallow thinking people tend to believe they know (and can do) everything they need to. Successful, deeper thinking people know that they don’t know what they don’t know, and they invest in themselves to learn as much as possible, experience new and different things, realize that others may be better equipped for certain tasks, so they soak in all that they can and get help when needed

Shallow thinking isn’t a horrible, life-crushing thing. Many people, happy people, successful people, are shallow thinkers (at least a part of the time). But if you strive for more, if you are a life-long learner, then you crave to be a deeper thinker. Maybe being a Yoda or Guru is not in your future – doesn’t have to be.  It doesn’t mean you want to be the next great philosopher or discover the true meaning of life.

Simply wanting to discover, explore and think at a deeper level is commendable and aspirational and something to strive to achieve – can’t hurt 😊