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There's No Substitute for Fresh Thinking
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Hi Reader, Most of the time when we sit down to work, maybe in our favorite chair, we have a list of some kind along with a stack of papers and files. We then proceed to "work" as we've always defined it ... plow through the stack and "get 'er done". Let's try a different approach. This time, sit down with a blank sheet of paper, as I did again this morning. Nothing else. No lists. No other papers. Then, sit back and noodle on the issues that are clogging your brain and keeping you up at night. ... with NO preconceived notions about them. Remember, you paper is blank so far. You'll be amazed at how your mind starts to do it's favorite thing ... and the thing it does best ... THINKING – adding some intellectual firepower to solving problems. Your Brain Likes to Solve ProblemsThe problem-solving portion of our brain is driven by the Prefrontal Cortex where we can actively manipulate data. The Hippocampus does the remembering by indexing data and the Cerebral Cortex handles the storage. But, scientists tell us that our problem-solving capacity is highly constrained by our limited working memory despite our limitless memory capacity over a lifetime. Most importantly, we're told NOT to use our problem-solving center as a storage unit because trying to remember long lists of things wastes the limited bandwidth our prefrontal cortex needs to solve problems. Our brain is pretty good at problem-solving and it doesn't take much to get it started – like a blank sheet of paper. The Concept of “5% Think Time”A while back, I came across an idea that stuck with me: dedicate just 5% of your week to thinking, reflecting, and creating. The reported results were remarkable. “If someone works 40 hours per week attacking their to-do list, they would have a certain level of productivity, but if they devoted two hours per week to just think, they would be equally or more productive, plus they would occasionally come up with a brilliant idea. I want to create a greenhouse for creativity.” He goes on to offer this report. Scheduling just 5% of your week to reflect, think, and create can yield dramatic results. I’ve had many individuals and companies try this approach, and here’s what they report:
1. A zero-percent drop in Productivity. Turns out that it’s not that hard to cram 40 hours of tasks into 38 hours after all.
2. A tremendous gift. It is a gift to the organization, which becomes flooded with new ideas and fresh thinking. And it’s a gift to the individual, as creativity is one of the most powerful sources of human joy, fulfillment, and renewal.
Take a fresh look at the issues keeping you up at nightWhether it's over coffee, your favorite Cabernet or something stronger, I'm certain you'll find that a blank sheet of paper gives your mind a fresh look at the issues you're wrestling with .. WITHOUT the baggage that usually tags along. Start by focusing on the problem and thinking about how you'd solve it FROM SCRATCH ... what's the desired outcome and what action steps do you need to take to get there? Here is a simple checklist to get started:
Ignore all the gunk that's stuck to the problems like barnacles to a boat bottom and you'll inevitably start to think differently about it. No distractions, either ... no football game over your shoulder, no kids playing on the floor in front of you. Just you ... in a favorite place ... maybe in the soft air of an early morning or quiet evening. Try it. You'll be pleasantly surprised at how eager your brain will be to tackle those issues – how often new ideas will sprout – and the new angles to attack the problem more effectively. Without the clutter, you'll rediscover that your brain is a thoroughly efficient and innovative machine for solving the problems that will help you achieve your personal and professional best. On Wednesday, I'll elaborate on what you can do to protect your time and space and find new ways to focus on ONLY WHAT YOU CAN DO. It's time to start thinking!
Don’t stop leading. |
Sword Tips
Become a member of the Sword Tips community and subscribe to our Weekly Leadership Insights series. After signing up, you will begin receiving practical strategies, tips, and insights about the world of Leadership.
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