How do you achieve clarity of vision? Take time out to think! Sounds simple and it is but do you actually do it? In The Road Less Stupid by Keith J. Cunningham, the author shares some key insights into the benefits of Thinking Time. So what is Thinking Time, how do you do it and what will you achieve? First, prepare a high quality question beforehand. The quality of the question will determine the quality of the answer. Then, take yourself to a quiet space where you won’t be distracted or interrupted for 45 minutes. No phones or computers. Arm yourself with several sheets of blank A4 paper and a pen and spend 45 minutes on the one question you have selected. What are you aiming to achieve in this session of 45 minutes? You are looking to separate the problem from the symptoms and find the root cause. You are looking to differentiate facts from assumptions. You are asking yourself questions that may have previously gone unasked. You are addressing second order consequences and you are creating the plan that will solve the core problem that you identify to move forward. One question. 45 minutes. That’s it! Try it! On the topic of thinking, I recommend another book, The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz, PhD. Despite being published back in 1959, this seminal self-help masterpiece was updated in 2016 to make it relevant to thinking big in the 21st century. It claims to be “a go-to guide for a better life – starting with the way you think” and I’d have to agree with this claim. The Magic of Thinking Big has sold over 6 million copies and instructs you to set your goals high and think positively to achieve them. The author explains the importance of visualisation and how it adds value to everything. He also highlights the dangers of three failure diseases: procrastination, excuseitis and detailitis and explains how to wipe out these diseases! My newsletters are designed to encourage you to take action and discover success in your own unique way. They simply act as a catalyst to trigger something that is within you. “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” Theodore Roosevelt Give yourself thinking time and the answers to your questions will come. Remember the quality of the answer is determined by the quality of the question. What questions are you asking? It’s time to think, to think big!
ACTION POINT Choose one question you want to have the answer to. Take yourself to a quiet place for 45 mins and answer it! Amy
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS* The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz, PhD The Road Less Stupid by Keith J Cunningham *As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.