“I look at my calendar and find no time to think.” If you are always doing and never thinking, is your focus on detail or big picture? Are you a good role model? The work won’t go away, so here are changes you can make.
Last week I wrote about about the necessity of down time for creativity and problem solving. I’ve written before about the importance of time to think. You need space in your day and space in your brain for new ideas. Without intention to create space, it won’t happen. No one else is going to schedule a free 90 minutes for you.
Today, schedule weekly thinking time. Book it on your calendar right now before other activities fill each day.
Organic & Natural
I know a leader at Applegate Farms who schedules hours on Friday to effectively manage his calendar. He’s evaluated the content of his work and set priorities so he’s spending his time appropriately. Those Friday hours let him think about priorities.
Today, schedule some planning time.
In a book called Leadership Agility, Bill Joiner and Stephen Josephs describe stages of leadership and the characteristics of each. In the highest stages of leadership one of the characteristic behaviors was a practice of some form of discipline like meditation or martial arts.
I know people who can’t stand meditating and others who swear by it. I practice it sporadically and when I do, I am more resilient and innovative. Others use journaling, yoga, or running. These disciplines help us to be present and aware, letting go of being busy, and allowing time to think. Today, download a meditation moment.
Today, this summer, get less busy. Schedule down time, just like you schedule your meetings. Create free space in your brain and in your calendar. If you don’t do it, who will?