The lost art of thinking: When did thinking become such a radical act?
Illustration by Robert Askew for Kate Leto
Have you ever stopped to wonder when thinking became such a radical act?
In a world where our schedules are jam-packed and our attention constantly pulled in a million different directions, taking a moment to pause and reflect seems almost rebellious. And if you're one of the rare few who actually dares to carve out a bit of time for thinking, you're often met with raised eyebrows and scepticism.
Nancy Kline hit the nail on the head in her book Time to Think when she called out society's aversion to independent thinking:
“Thinking for yourself is not a popular activity, though it should be. Every step of real progress in our society has come from it. But in most circles, particularly in places that shape our lives—families, schools and most workplaces—thinking for yourself is regarded with suspicion. Some institutions thwart it on purpose. It can be seen as dangerous.”
I don’t know about you, but for me it’s almost like we're programmed to keep moving forward without ever looking back or questioning why.
Being good at what you do doesn’t mean you have to be in perpetual motion
But here's the thing: Being good at what you do doesn't mean you have to be in perpetual motion, always chasing the next big thing. In fact, some of the greatest strides in history have come from moments of quiet contemplation.
Yet, there's this prevailing myth that leaders are supposed to have all the answers, all the time. It's like we're expected to be these superhumans who can leap tall buildings in a single bound (okay, maybe not literally, but you get the idea). Sometimes our stories and myths of leaders being superheroes can go a step too far.
But in reality, when we stop and think about it, we understand that no one, I repeat, no one, has all the answers. And pretending otherwise is not only exhausting but also incredibly detrimental to ourselves and those we lead.
The risks of the “always-on” mentality
So, what happens when we neglect time for deep thought? Well, for starters, our decision-making becomes erratic at best and downright dangerous at worst. We default to providing quick fixes instead of empowering our teams to find solutions on their own.
And don't even get me started on the toll it takes on our well-being. Running on empty day in and day out is a surefire recipe for burnout, not to mention setting a terrible example for our teams.
My challenge to you is to dare to make time for thinking
It's not all doom and gloom. I've had the privilege of working with some amazing leaders who are rewriting the rulebook when it comes to thinking time. They’ve shown me that even just a few minutes a day can make a world of difference.
Here are some of the learning that they’ve shared with me:
Start with 10 minutes a day and gradually increase. While a default expectation may be to to put an hour in your calendar and try to protect that at all costs, there’s nothing that says that’s the only way to do it. Start with what works for you. If it’s 10 min, so be it. Just make that 10 min golden. How? (Point down)
Find a method that works for you: While journaling is often praised as the thinking tool, it's not the only method. Share your thoughts with a friend, colleague, partner, pet, if that feels right for you.
Structure your thinking sessions. Whether you're writing or talking, it’s easy to feel lost without guidance. To get started, always have a topic in mind, and ask yourself open-ended questions such as: What's gone well? What uncertainties are looming on the horizon? What tasks or issues are you avoiding? How might you approach your next meeting differently? What small steps can you take to enhance a challenging work relationship?
Make it feel natural. Instead of squeezing thinking time between meetings, find a time when your energy is high and you're not drained. Experiment until you find what works best for you. One of my clients is using his commute home as his thinking time. He has 20 minutes on the train every night - just enough to stop, think, write .. whatever feels right.
My clients have also taught me that there's no one right way to do it. Whether it's journaling, having a heart-to-heart with a trusted colleague, going for a walk to clear your head, or working with a coach to help spark new thinking, the key is finding what works for you.
So, here's my challenge to you: Be a rebel. Dare to carve out a little time each day to just be with your thoughts. This means stepping away from your computer and leaving your phone tucked away or put on "do not disturb." It's all too easy to get distracted by our devices if we're not intentional about it. Who knows what kind of breakthroughs you might stumble upon?
In embracing the lost art of thinking, we not only become better leaders but also create a ripple effect that extends far beyond ourselves.
So, what are you waiting for? It's time to start thinking.
I am an executive coach who works with product and technology leaders who are experiencing a bump in the road, like finding time to think, taking on a new role, receiving tough feedback, influencing challenging stakeholder, leading transformations, building teams and more. Find out how we can work together here.
