Time to Think
As the world has become more complex, time to think has become a luxury. Unfortunately, the reality is that the more complex the environment, the more time human beings need to think. Listen for the phrase "when I get time to think" or "I need to take some time to think about it". We make it sound almost as good as taking a vacation. Is time to think really a luxury or is it a necessity? Cutting back on spa treatments or corporate jets is one thing. Spa treatments and corporate jets really are luxuries.
The impact of not having time to think is difficult to measure. We don't have time to think about it! What a vicious cycle. However, emerging research is making it clear that people make higher quality decisions when they have time to think and really understand the roots of an issue or problem. The second major benefit of time to think is that projects are completed more efficiently. In short, there is less spinning and more meaningful action as opposed to action for action's sake.
Odds are you had some time to think and reflect over the holidays. It is February and the influence of that time is likely wearing off. What steps can you take to make time to think part of your routine as opposed to a rare luxury?
TAKE TWO MINUTE TIME OUTS
The biggest misconception about taking time to think is that you need at least an hour or why bother. The truth is that it depends on what you need to think about. There are likely many issues in your world that desperately need an hour of dedicated think time. However, there are clear benefits to taking two minute time outs to think as well. Disconnect from the digital world and step outside for two minute alone. See what happens.
WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU?
Make the connection between taking time to think and a higher level of productivity. In what ways would you like to be more effective? What are the traps that waste your time and energy? How would you be managing your group differently if you were taking enough time to think? Be specific. Sell yourself on this idea that taking time to think is the most rational and radical thing that you could do for yourself today.
EXPERIMENT AND DECODE
There are tremendous differences among individuals regarding the best ways to make having time to think a daily event versus a rare luxury. Experiment with yourself and crack the code on what works for you. Try taking your computer to a café early on a Saturday morning. Try shutting your door on Friday afternoons. See what happens if you block your calendar from 8-9 am every day. Keep experimenting and find what works specifically for you.
