Thinking Time
“Ordinary Things Consistently Done, Create Extraordinary Results” – Keith Cunningham
Scheduling Intentional Thinking Time is one of those ordinary things that all of us can do to create extraordinary results. Funny enough, not very many of us allocate time for this activity. We tend to have full days packed with activities day after day. Rarely we stop and give ourselves true time to think and reflect on how to achieve profound breakthroughs.
Have you noticed when you do your best thinking? Very often is not at work, it is while waking up or while sleeping, taking a shower, going for a walk, etc. In my case it usually happens as I am waking up. That is when I get the solutions or new ideas.
What would happen if we train ourselves to produce those sparks of brilliancy more regularly? I have scheduled once every week of the month to start my training.
Thinking Time is the opportunity to create new habits to strengthen our ability to generate creative – disruptive ideas. This can lead us to innovation and continuous improvement. Great ideas rarely surprise us, they need to be pursued. Keith Cunningham and Duncan Wardle during the training shared the power of questions. Yes, that is what Thinking Time involves…. Sitting quietly with no distractions for 60-90 minutes and asking ourselves questions where we brainstorm with no constraints.
You may be intrigued now, as I was, what are some of the questions I should be asking myself? Here are some examples for business:
What don’t I see?
What are the assumptions that I am making?
Do I need to test assumptions?
Do I need to test if assumptions are tilting me in one side or the other?
How do I have to run my business/conduct myself so my customers say I will be crazy to do business with someone else If 100% of my future growth is by referral only, how do I have to run my business?
What if? When we want to challenge the rules of our industry/reality and come up with creative approaches
Interestingly enough, these same questions can also be applied to our personal life. We can upgrade our thinking and reality by creating new habits to build muscle.
Protect your calendar! Ensure you’ve scheduled those ordinary things that will help you grow and execute on priorities that will result in extraordinary results.
Give yourself the gift of THINKING TIME!