“Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason so few engage in it.” – Henry Ford
In the relentless pursuit of doing, the simple act of thinking is often overlooked. But what if I told you that the most successful entrepreneurs spend as much time thinking about their business as they do working in it?
The concept is straightforward: regular, scheduled ‘Thinking Time’ to strategically evaluate your business. This isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Leaders like Bill Gates and Warren Buffett devote many hours a week to this practice, and it’s not by accident that they are where they are today.
‘Thinking Time’ allows you to step back from the day-to-day tasks and dive deep into the strategic elements of your business. It’s this time where you can scrutinize your business model, dissect customer feedback, analyze market trends, and forecast potential risks and opportunities.
Action Step: Try it out. Block out a 30-minute slot in your calendar this week, free from all interruptions. Choose a specific part of your business you want to improve or a challenge you need to overcome. Pose a question to yourself about this topic and spend the time solely thinking about that question.
Remember, the aim isn’t immediate answers, but to cultivate a deeper understanding and uncover insights you may have missed while being caught up in the hustle. Consistently doing this can lead to clearer, more informed decisions that drive your business forward.
To learn more about the power of ‘Thinking Time’, be sure to check out our book of the week “The Road Less Stupid” by Keith Cunningham.