Business moves fast.
Between the pile of responsibilities on your plate and the constant demands of leading a team, you may feel like you don't even have time to think. In order to lead well in today's complex, fast-paced society, however, finding time to think is exactly what you need most.
Sure, "getting stuff done" is essential -- at times. But without a clear goal in mind and a clear road map to get there, simply "doing things" might cost you and your team more than it gives. Here's why -- and how -- to make time to think.
Why Your "Think Time" Matters
The popular media provides us images of business leaders as people with a lot of "hustle." As a result, we begin to believe that doing more is the same thing as accomplishing more. But is it?
Warren Buffet has built a business empire by spending most of his time reading and thinking. At AOL, CEO Tim Armstrong and the rest of the executive staff spend four hours a week just thinking. LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner actually puts "think time" in his daily schedule -- two hours of it. And Bill Gates's twice-yearly vacations are spent in contemplation, not in catching up.
When you spend time thinking, you can approach business more efficiently, gaining maximum impact from minimum application of time, money or effort. Abraham Lincoln reportedly once said, "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." When you think, you spend time sharpening your axe -- so when you start chopping down the tree, you can do it more quickly, more cleanly and with less effort.
How to Make Time to Think
Thinking is an essentially different mode of operation than action. While thinking can be combined with action -- some executives do their best thinking on the treadmill or bicycle -- "think time" works best when it's structured specifically to let your brain work. Here's how to create think time that works for you.
Think better when you can bounce ideas off another professional? Talk to your staffing partner about strategies for better hiring and retention.