Leaders commonly bemoan their lack of time to think. They know dedicated think time is a prerequisite for high value producing activities – creating, innovating, problem-solving, planning and prioritizing.

However, days are spent juggling tactical, low value producing activities. Even efficiency gains (many via technology) are easily squandered on other technologies which add little to no value (e.g., email).

The solution is simple – schedule think time in your calendar. Then, avoid the temptation to over-ride these commitments. Turn off email and phones. Even a couple hours of focused, uninterrupted thinking time two or three days each week will make an impact.

“Rarely do we find men who willingly engage in hard, solid thinking.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

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