On Success, Richard Branson, and the Spark Plug Mindset

Where others see obstacles, a visionary sees opportunities. They focus on synthesizing the best aspects of different ideas. They stay on the move, always searching for more stimulation.

Does this sound familiar? If so, you know a spark plug mind.

Old Sparky

Richard Branson, the British industrialist and founder of the Virgin Group, is perhaps one of the best-known examples of the thinker who approaches life with curiosity, optimism, and a sense of adventure. His mind operates likes a spark plug—it pumps energy and excitement into situations so that everyone will be charged up.

People who think like Branson are the optimists in a crowd. They are gifted at brainstorming and are experts at connecting people.

In a recent article, Branson wrote that some of his best business ideas have stemmed from experiencing bad customer service. He sees them as opportunities because problems stimulate his thinking.

Branson says this:

“The fact that something has never been done doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t be done. Often it simply means that no one has been crazy enough to try it—for fear of failure.”

Endless Energy

Spark plug thinkers are strong-minded people who know how to get others on board by using their excitement and vision. Steve Spielberg is an example of someone who is a big-picture and big-idea planner. It is a way of looking at life that is playful and retains the joy of existence. People like this are curious, creative, and keep their minds busy with positive ideas for the future.

People like to be around them because they’re fun, resilient, and optimistic. On the flip side, they lose focus easily, become scattered, and have less follow-through than we’d like sometimes.

A Corporate Culture

Corporations can have spark plug minds as well—think of Apple Computers. An entire culture exists by looking at life as a cornucopia of options. A start-up company known as Jump is another excellent example of what a corporate spark plug culture looks like. It sells the art of innovation and is built on the premise that creative thinking is a kind of expertise.

As example, Jump employees brainstorm using a variety of techniques, including one where a person makes a suggestion and the facilitator says, “Yes, and?” thereby encouraging others in the group to offer the next best answer. They turn the entire exercise into a form of collaboration.

Dabblers

The spark plug mind is famous for leading the charge during the planning stage of a project and then bailing out when the plan is implemented. As leaders, they’re known as dabblers because stimulation is what keeps them going.

Dabblers love the shotgun approach and get excited about the many options and possibilities that are available to them. They are compelled to do everything—and they have the energy to do it! They don’t want to be ordinary people. Everything new and different that they try only ends up feeding their desire to continue to seek out the new and different. It’s a vicious cycle.

When they get bored, they move onto something else.

The Good, the Bad, and the Strong

Boring is an important word when it comes to understanding people who pump energy and excitement into situations so that everyone will be charged up. They frequently complain about boredom and how much they hate it. To prevent it, they keep their minds full of fascinating possibilities and make sure their options are always open. Psychologists point out, however, that what they call boredom is really the anxiety they feel when their environment is not providing adequate stimulation to keep away pain and other uncomfortable feelings.

A spark plug mind worries that they’re missing out on something important in life.

“I’ll have all kinds of experiences—that way I won’t feel bad about not getting what I really want.”

Discovering Happiness

As an FBI counterintelligence agent, I studied the various personalities of the foreign spies I was assigned to recruit to work for the U.S. government. The FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit worked with case agents to uncover the deepest desires and fears of our targets.

I learned that the spark plug thinker is motivated by the need to be happy and satisfied with life. Whether you’re recruiting spies or a new employee, a successful approach to this type of individual will include a concern for their happiness—a sure way to keep their rapt attention is to show them all the good things they are going to experience.

Are you a spark plug thinker? Do you know someone who is? Here are some clues to recognizing both their positive and negative traits:

The Positive

• Visionaries – good at initiating strategies and projects
• Idealists – in service to the community at large
• Fun loving – “life should be enjoyed” is your motto
• Motivators – inspire others with their enthusiasm
• Optimists – find the best in everything and everyone

The Negative

• Elusive – dread being pinned down
• Lack of staying power – easily distracted
• Always looking for greener grass – never satisfied, not really
• Dreamers – live in a world of imagination
• Pursue Change for change’s sake – easily bored
• Scattered – poor managers of their time

Here are some tips that can help you develop a strong mind that is full of resilience and perseverance:

TIPS:

• Don’t get drunk on ideas.
• Keep everyone’s energy up by generating alternatives.
• Hunker down and finish what you started.
• Listen without thinking of your clever response.
• Ride out the consequences of your choices rather than jump ship.
• Look for the negatives and deal with them.
• Take responsibility for your mistakes.
• Commit—and don’t change your mind if a “better” option comes up.
• Stabilize and ground yourself.

“Reality. What a concept!” ~Robin Williams, a Spark Plug thinker

How has being a multi-tasker helped you become successful? How has your avoidance of boredom changed your career path? If you’re a big-picture personality, how have you avoided letting little details derail your success?

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LaRae Quy is former FBI Agent and Founder at Your Best Adventure
She helps clients explore the unknown and discover the hidden truth in self & others
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