---

Guest post by: David Paul Carter Become an Author

Tweet

---

---

The world has changed a LOT in the last 3 years. Has your company changed more or less than the environment you operate in? If the economy is 30% different today than 3 years ago, but your company has only changed by 10%, it doesn't take a genius to realize that you are in the process of being left behind. Conversely, if the economy you operate in has changed by 30%, but your company has changed by 40%, well that's an entirely different story.

The moral here is Adapt or Die.

One crucial key to adapting in today's environment is Zero Based Thinking. This principal comes from Brian Tracy, CEO of Brian Tracy International, a company specializing in the training and development of individuals and organizations. He speaks to corporate and public audiences on the subjects of Personal and Professional Development - and his Zero Base Thinking Principal.

Zero Based Thinking asks: "Knowing what you know now, what would you do differently, start, or eliminate in your life (or business)?"

Use this question to help address issues about business strategy, employees, new business ventures, existing relationships, existing customer groups, existing investments, existing businesses and much more.

Here is a story from Tracy's blog to further illustrate this principal.

Albert Einstein was teaching at Princeton University and had just administered an exam to an advanced class of physics students. On the way back to his office, the teaching assistant carrying the exams asked him, Dr. Einstein, wasn't this the same exam you gave to this same class last year?"

Dr. Einstein responded,"Yes, it was."

The teaching assistant, in awe of perhaps the greatest physicist of the twentieth century, then asked,"Excuse me for asking, Dr. Einstein. But how could you give the same exam to the same class two years in a row?"

Einstein replied simply,"The answers have changed."

At that time, in the world of physics, with new breakthroughs and new discoveries, the answers were changing at such a rapid rate that the same exam could be given two years in a row and have different answers.

How does this relate to you? The answers in your own life and business are changing more rapidly today than ever before. If someone were to ask, "What was your biggest problem or goal a year ago?" you probably wouldn't even know the answer. The answers have changed so completely.

One characteristic of the most successful people is that they are intensely future-oriented. They refuse to dwell on what has happened and things that cannot be changed. Instead they focus on factors that are under their control and actions they can take to create the kind of future they desire.

Now is the time to focus on how you will adapt your company. The answers and the environment have changed. Use Zero Based Thinking to ask yourself: "Knowing what you know now, what would you do differently, start, or eliminate in your life (or business)?"

Click on this link to download a tool I use with my clients called the Start, Stop, Keep Survey. It can help you exercise Zero Based Thinking and develop strategy. Start with a fresh slate - the past does not equal the future - and begin to create your future the way you want it to be.

Related Articles

  Autosuggestion-Be a Success By Just Thinking It!
  Strategic Thinking What Does It Really Mean
  Playing The Game
  REFLECTION NOTE
  Glorious Action to Take To Explode Your Home Based Business
  2011 Business Growth Strategy #4: Check Your Business Model
  Home Based Business - Lateral Thinking
  Positive Thinking
  Will 2010 Be The Year You Become A Success Online?
  Lessons Learned From Strategic Marketing From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach
  The Magic of Thinking Big: Developing the Power of Belief
  1 Step Forward, 2 Steps Back
  Bill Gates' Secret Weapon: Stop to Think
  Key considerations when starting your home based business online
  The Assessment of Intellectual Functioning in the Work Environment
  Has Your Fire Gone Out?
  Observations of Changing Paradigms In The Workforce From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach
  A Strategic Thinking Approach To Making Good Decisions From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach
  Building Strategic versus Tactical Leaders
  Ten Tips For Writing Successful Business Proposals From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach

Related Forum Posts

Re: My Favourite 7 Boldest Entrepreneur Moves of All Time
Re: UPDATES: New Campaign! New Layout! New Ideas!
No B.S. Time Management
Re: THE SECRET TO SUCCESS IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD...RIGHT NOW!!!
Hiring introverts vs. extroverts

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Business Coaching How to Plan

How To Make People Want To Buy Your Product

What the Best CEOs Know by Jeffrey Krames

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.