Learning How to Become an Innovative Thinker

Nicholas PollakOP-ED

[img]560|left|Nicholas Pollak||no_popup[/img]Have you ever noticed how limited our thinking can be?

Let me illustrate.

Once upon a time a beautiful princess dressed in a beautiful green dress was walking along a brown, dry mud path with her handmaiden, also dressed in green.

They came across a beautiful greenish colored pond. In the middle of the pond was a bright green lily pad. Sitting in the middle was a spotted green frog.

The handmaiden said, “Dear princess, perhaps you should catch the frog as it may be a prince who has been cursed by an evil witch and may be appreciative of your rescue.”

The princess replied, “Handmaiden, you may be right. Please bring the frog to me.”

With that said, the handmaiden waded up to her chest into the pond and snagged the frog.

(It came without resistance or any attempt to hop away.)

The handmaiden handed the frog to the princess. Without warning the frog, now sitting in the princess's palm, says “Dear sweet princess. How can I thank you enough for sending your handmaiden to bring me to you? I am a prince who has been bewitched. If you would just kiss me I will be released from this spell. In return, should you feel love in your heart for me, we will marry and you will be my queen. We shall rule our kingdom and be happy, rich and in love.”

The princess became lost in thought.

After some time had passed with no word being said by either the princess or the frog, the handmaiden spoke up. “Sweet princess,” she said, “why do you not kiss the frog and become a queen?”

The princess waited a moment longer before replying.

“I think I'll leave the prince just the way he is,” she said. “I can make more money from showing a talking frog as a carnival act.”

An Integrity Test

How many of you thought she'd kiss the frog?

For those of us who thought she would kiss the frog, congratulations.

Your thinking is pretty conventional.

For those of us who thought differently, congratulations. You are innovative, out-of-the-box thinkers.

You do not allow conventional thinkers to stand in your way.

 You change conventional thinking with unique, effective solutions to problems that otherwise might have remained unsolved.

As for the rest of us?

The conventional thinkers? Is there really nothing wrong with limiting our thoughts and habit patterns to what we know and what we are comfortable with?

Does that allow us to reach our full potential and to explore our fullest capabilities?

Although difficult at first, we all have the potential to think unconventionally.

The next time we are faced with a situation, in which our conventional thinking is not working, try the following simple exercise:

Find a quiet space and sit down. Place your feet flat on the floor and your hands on top of your thighs.

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath, saying to yourself, “Breathing in relaxation and exhaling tension.”

Do this twice. Then let your self breathe normally. You will begin to feel less tense.

Context Is  Needed

Put your fears and concerns into perspective.

Determine what needs to be handled now and what can wait. Focus on the ultimate goal rather than the perceived obstacles.

By keeping your goal clearly in sight, the subconscious will come up with unique ways to attain it.

There may be course corrections you want to make. They will come as a result of being open to your new internal dialogue and the new directions and ideas the dialogue is suggesting.

Once the subconscious sees the image of solution, it will move toward it as an unstoppable force. As the force gains momentum, you will find yourself developing innovative ideas that lead you to greater success and happiness.

The subconscious is truly amazing.

It is here that you may allow these new ideas to take hold.

With this beginning, allow yourself to build on the new process for your continued happiness, success and prosperity.

A clinical hypnotherapist, handwriting analyst and certified  master hypnotist, Nicholas D.  Pollak may be contacted at nickpollak@hypnotherapy4you.net