Think About It!
If I can get you to think through this brief summary, it will have been a successful endeavor! Henry Ford said, “Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is the probable reason why so few engage in it." John Maxwell wrote an entire book called, Thinking for a Change. Michael Gerber, in his bestselling book, The E-Myth says that most business owners are too busy working “in” their business; they rarely take time to work “on” their business. Thinking! The top selling book of all time, The Bible, in Philippians says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.”
One of many challenges associated with deliberate thinking time is the presence of silence. A friend and mentor often told me that most people are terrified of silence. They will fill the silence, and hence their mind, with something - music, talk radio, TV, or even “white noise”. I am not judging any of this, but only suggesting that perhaps there is unique value in simply taking time to literally slow down and think.
Perhaps you can leverage something you already do or simply recognize the value it offers in applying this idea. Let’s be honest, many of us get our greatest ideas in the shower! Others, like me, find great thinking time while exercising – assuming the distractions are eliminated. Personally, running represents one of the most valuable times in my day – not just for the physical benefit, but for the mental benefit. Thinking while running (no iPod, music, etc – just me and the outside world) comes without effort and provides a level of clarity, focus and creativity I rarely experience any other time of the day.
Think about the day; think about what you appreciate; think about how to do a task; think about how to serve a client; think about what to do with your family this weekend; think about how to improve your company, your job, your church, your community; think about how to become a better person; think about what is good. Or perhaps we can take time to occasionally think about “nothing” – thereby listening – to surfacing subconscious thoughts, listening to an answer to prayer, or just listening (and appreciating) the sounds around us.
Let’s exercise the most powerful creation ever known – our mind. THINK ABOUT IT and prosper!