Successful People Like Warren Buffett and Elon Musk Practice the Thinking Time Rule

I remember when I was a child hearing my mother mutter loudly “I can’t even hear myself think.” Of course, being unable to hear yourself think isn’t a literal hearing problem. Who isn’t surrounded by the neverending stream of sound, information and the presence of others gives us little room for peaceful, reflective thinking.

I was curious about the reading, thinking, and learning habits of some of the most successful business leaders today. What I learned was this simple, valuable lesson – thinking time isn’t something they add to their overcrowded to do lists. Thinking time is the firm commitment they have made that led to unexpected opportunities and remarkable contributions.

In the spirit of short, actionable snack-size bites, here are 5 things you can do to kickstart your personal Thinking Time?Rule.

You can read my full post here.

1.??????Permission

“Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason so few engage in it.” – Henry Ford

From the time we were young, we were encouraged to “do something”… to “pay attention.” Staring out the window was the mark of a shiftless daydreamer. Elon Musk said he would simply stare out the window for hours when he was a child. It was then that he saw the possibilities for space travel.

2.?????Purpose

“I insist on a lot of time being spent, almost every day, to just sit and think. That is very uncommon in American business. I read and think. So I do more reading and thinking, and make less impulse decisions than most people in business. I do it because I like this kind of life.” --- Warren Buffett

Instead of mindlessly scrolling through your Facebook or Instagram feed, finish one chapter in the book you’ve been intending to read. Fill that commute time with a worthwhile podcast or audio book. Take a walk and listen to a book ---a double win.

The important thing to remember is all reading and learning is not equal. The content must be truthful, factual, and inspire thought.

3.?????Place

“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” – Frederich Neitzsche

Thinking happens in your head. It receives the energy it needs from the surroundings that are uniquely yours.

Thinking doesn’t need to happen in isolation. Often mental and physical wandering connects the dots in surprising new ways.

Steve Jobs famously roamed the small kitchen appliance aisles of Macy’s one day. It was there that his iconic Mac design was inspired.

Theodor Geisel, known to most of us as Dr. Seuss, spent his workdays in a secluded bell tower outside his La Jolla, CA house. The walls covered with drawing and pictures created the inspiration he needed to feed his imagination.

4.?????People

“When I get ready to talk to people, I spend two thirds of the time thinking about what they want to hear and one third thinking about what I want to say." – ?Abraham Lincoln

Sharing your ideas with other curious thinkers broadens your mind. You will see new connections in surprising ways. As refreshing as reflective thinking is, too much time in your own head can narrow your perspective and limit your thinking.

Intuit founder Scott Cook watched his wife’s ongoing frustration with managing their finances. When he had a sneak peek at the Apple Lisa before its launch, he immediately connected the user interface of the Lisa with his wife’s recordkeeping. Thoughtfully connecting these unrelated dots led to the creation of Intuit and an immediate 50% market share success.

5.?????Practice

“Simple can be harder than complex. You have to work hard to get?your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” – Steve Jobs

The Thinking Time Rule gives you the permission to craft your personal thinking ritual. When and where are not nearly as important as your commitment to make it part of every day. Begin by finding those lost minutes in your day.

Warren Buffett told this story in an interview for his biography The Snowball:

“Charlie, as a very young lawyer, was probably getting $20 an hour. He thought to himself, 'Who's my most valuable client?' And he decided it was himself. So he decided to sell himself an hour each day. He did it early in the morning, working on these construction projects and real estate deals. Everybody should do this, be the client, and then work for other people, too, and sell yourself an hour a day.”

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Things to Explore

Reading for the curious learner in all of us.

How to Think by Alan Jacobs

Don’t let the title put you off. This isn’t a literal how-to manual on thinking. Jacobs weaves practical, entertaining stories into his support for the power of everyday thinking.

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A Useless Fact to Lighten Your Day

Life is serious business. Sometimes you just need to take a break and smile. Did you know that ---

Psycho was the first movie to show a toilet flushing.

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