How Do You Take Time To Think?
[This post is part of the Questioning Leader series. Check out the rest here!]
Have you ever had one of those days, where your day is nearly half-over and you realize all you’ve done is busy work AND you have not progressed on the things really important in moving your strategic agenda forward? Well, the last couple of days has been that way for me.
I have to admit, I’ve been a little frustrated at myself for not taking charge of my day. Even worse, I got caught up in everyone else’s agendas and failed to really step back and get my mind refocused.
Now the house is quiet and everyone is asleep (yes… I’m actually praying my kids stay asleep tonight 
), I finally feel like I can step back and think….AND what am I thinking about… You guessed it – THINKING!
As a leader and manager, there are so many things to take into consideration. Whether it’s tactical planning to get a project or initiative done; thinking about writing an upcoming presentation; or simply needing to spend time thinking about ways to can grow and support your business – it’s absolutely critical to find time to think and let your thoughts percolate.
I know many managers who get caught up in the day-to-day emergencies, they often forget dedicate time to think. As a result, they are unable to really make a difference. They get stuck in “survival mode.” I have to admit, I’ve been guilty of that myself from time to time. However, with a little focus and dedication, you can get out of survival mode and make an impact.
John Maxwell wrote a fantastic book, called Thinking for a Change: 11 Ways Highly Successful People Approach Life and Work
John Maxwell’s Values of Thinking
- Good Thinking Creates the Foundation for Good Results
- Good Thinking Increases Your Potential
- Good Thinking Produces Good Thinking If You Make it a Habit
John Maxwell’s Thinking Styles
- Big Picture Thinking
- Focused Thinking
- Creative Thinking
- Share Thinking
- Realistic Thinking
- Strategic Thinking
- Possibility Thinking
- Reflective Thinking
- Popular Thinking
- Shared Thinking
- Unselfish Thinking
- Bottom-line Thinking
The Big “A HA”
Most Importantly, thinking is like a sport or hobby. You have to practice to get good at it. And at the beginning, it’s more about making it a habit than being an expert thinker. With time, you get better and better at leveraging the styles of thinking above to process your thoughts more effectively. And as you get better and better at thinking on a regular basis… well that is where the magic happens.
As for me, I find I do my best thinking at night (with my leadership journal). If I have a specific question or topic I want to think about, I will write it at the top of my page. Then, I begin to simply ask myself more questions about the topic. I think. Then I write whatever comes to mind. At the end of my “thinking session,” I review my notes and consolidate my thinking into a core thought or idea. I also identify any next action items to focus my thoughts to action.
QUESTION: HOW DO YOU TAKE THE TIME TO THINK? HOW DO YOU MAKE IT A HABIT? If you don’t currently do this, How do you think you can fit this into your day, week or month?
I do make time to think; it has been my hobby for many years now so I can do it in small time increments depending on what I have or want to think about and how much time available. Night is definitely the peak time because everything and everybody quiets down. My biggest challenge has been prioritizing and executing on thoughts that need materialized. There are so many thoughts and ideas that flood through the gates…
I do not have that particular book written by John Maxwell but I will definitely buy it since I find John Maxwell’s Thinking Styles making perfect sense to me.
If you are into exercise in the form of running, walking, cycling, weight lifting, or when cutting the grass, cleaning out the garage, take out the ear buds, take off the head phones and set your mind free. Do not escape to the constant drumming and “entertainment” blasting at you and go “brain dead”. Turn off the TV.
Use that time to think, to engage your subconscious mind.
If you are disciplined and regularly do any of these exercises or activities, you have the time to think. And you get healthier to boot!
I believe this is the first “Manage Like A Pro” publication that I have received and I would like to say thank you! I really enjoyed this with all the good info.
Patty – Thanks for the comment! Glad you enjoyed it! Hope you keep coming back.
@ Cirus
Cirus,
I agree with you – thinking and executing are totally different. I try to keep a running list of the things I want to take action on, then I’ll comeback after a week or so, to see which ones I really do want to take action on. Sometimes, I find what I thought was a good idea at the time, just doesn’t make the final cut when reviewing a second time.
@ David
I hear you!!! I get some of my best thoughts while running! Thanks for the comment.
I sleep with a notebook beside the bed. There are times when I just wake up and important thougths need to be captured. If I go back to sleep thinking I’ll just jot it down later on, I simply forget them. So I write the thoughts when they come, even in the middle of the night.
Because of this practice, I’ve published a number of articles at trade journals based on ideas that just pop out in the most unusual circumstances. I don’t procrastinate when it comes to capturing thoughts and I hope this tip will help others. Always be prepared to capture that thought!