Hi Reader,
Do you take time to just think?
We operate in a world now where we are bombarded with so much information all the time. Either for our businesses or our personal lives and interests. It can feel we're caught up in a never-ending flow of 'stuff' and it can be hard to filter what's important to us and what's just noise.
I attended a webinar on Wednesday with a client and part of it was about building resilience, particularly as professionals or business leaders. The speaker mentioned how she factored "thinking time" into her weekly schedule and, what started out feeling like a luxury, had fast become one of her non-negotiables.
I have scheduled thinking time each week for a couple of years now, and agree - it has become a mainstay in my calendar. Originally I did wonder what I would think about, and if indeed I would have anything to think about! But I soon realised that I didn't need a focus or agenda or list for this time, it was literally time to think, or give my brain a rest. To just be.
Thinking Time has benefitted me and my business in so many ways.
Here's just an example:
- More focused, and shorter meetings. I can use this time to prepare for what's coming up in my week and the meetings I have, so I can plan questions, themes and outcomes meaning the meetings are more focused for everyone.
- Refine strategy and actions. Take a big picture view of what I'm working towards. Does it still feel right? Is it aligned? Is what I'm doing actually moving me closer or am I just being 'busy'!
- Stepping out of the detail. Take a break, read a book, go for a walk, watch trashy TV! Helping my mind to get out of the detail and relax. Often leading to more clarity and creativity.
- In control. I am much more proactive when I have space. If you've heard me talk before about having a 30,000ft view - this is what it's about. A planned approach to what's happening now and what's coming up.
And there are so many more benefits.
If you think you don't have time for this, you do! And you should definitely start to plan this in to your weeks. You don't need a focus (unless you want one), but you do need balance and thinking time gives you that.
Enjoy!
Katie
