It is easy to get so involved in our activities and tasks, that we stop taking time to just sit and think. Taking the time to think and plan for the future is rarely urgent, so it often gets bumped by all the little emergencies of daily life.
But taking the time to think is vitally important for your productivity. Thinking can lead to more efficiency. Thinking can lead to new ideas. Thinking can help make sure you are focused on the things that are really important to you.
If you aren’t taking the time to sit and think, I can guarantee that you are not reaching your full potential. Your ability to improve is going to be tied to your ability to be creative and creativity demands your attention and thought.
I find I need time NOT to think. I’m forced to multitask so much these days that I find I can never turn my brain off. I would like to learn how to stop thinking all the time.
Good point. :) I guess when I say thinking, I am differentiating from the thinking you do as part of work. For example, if I’m working on solving a problem for my client, I am thinking, but it is mostly “doing”. What I’m trying to make more time for is just sitting quietly and reflecting on future plans and possibilities. Things that are important, but not at all urgent.
I am not so sure we think at all – even when sitting quietly. Most of us have not learnt the skill of thinking at all. It is funny I came across this blog now because I just posted an article on thinking in my blog.
Thinking is important but not only to consider the future but also to go over things that you have done for the day. Reflection on these things can help you to handle similar situations in a more controlled manner. We all make mistakes but analyzing them and charting an alternate course of action in your mind will help you avoid repeating mistakes. Everyday you should dedicate some time to reflect and of course to think about your future.
@Duane – Good point. I like Benjamin Franklin’s method where each day he would “score” himself based on a set of criteria to see if he had lived up to who he wanted to be. Then he was try to plan a way to do better the next day.
I think and plan about the future, but I seldom sit down alone in a cozy environment. Most of the time, I incorporate thinking when inside the bathroom or sometimes eating alone.
I believe that we still sit down and think or plan about the future but seldom. I guess it only happens when an event affects our life.
I agree that we should spend some time to sit and think even if not necessary.
I agree that having time to think is necessary to help us in our productivity. Planning our future is a good way to ensure the success of our work
Marcus Buckingham wrote about this topic in his book “The One Thing You Need To Know”. He argues that successful leaders consistantly plan and take time to think.
I’d highly recommend the book “Who Switched Off My Brain” by Dr. Caroline Leaf. It guides us through the pathway of thought and how we do or don’t keep it in our long term memory. How every memory is created by a thought and a bio-chemical combination. It’s a great study and worth your time. I’ve learned a lot from it. Connie