Carve out time to think

My last two articles looked at avoiding corporate rabbit holes in order to maintain a macro-level perspective, and how to connect fully with people you’re addressing. Both start with giving yourself space to think.

Those who have read my articles and books know how critical I am?of the media’s lionisation of the workaholic regimes of the CEOs they feature.?Well, the other day I spent a lovely hour with a dear friend who, in my opinion, will go down in history as one of the finest leaders and CEOs of his generation. I asked him how much time he spends ‘looking out the window’.?To my delight, he said he walked to and from work every day (90 minutes each way), always on his own, in fair weather and in foul. This was his way of carving out time in his day for reflecting, considering what he might have missed, thinking about the talent around him and the issues that might have been overlooked.?You can’t do this when you’re tied up in back-to-back meetings.?

Takeout

Create a programmed opportunity to be on your own with time to think, rather than constantly rushing between work obligations and targets.?Give yourself a chance to see how it all fits together.?Never lose sight of the bigger picture.?You’ll find that things are usually okay – and if they’re not, they won’t be solved by staring at them non-stop!??????????

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