I grew up on a farm, so I know what it is like to work hard physically. Many times I’ve started working before dawn and finished long after dark.
I know what it feels like to be physically dog tired.
And . . . in my work now, there are days I am every bit as tired. But it isn’t because I am lifting, running, or shoveling. It is because I am thinking.
This week’s quotation, from my personal experience, is profoundly true.
“What is the hardest task in the world? To think.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Questions to Ponder
- How much time do I spend thinking?
- Am I thinking about the right things?
Action Steps
- Schedule time with yourself to do the serious and important work of thinking.
- Before making your next complex decision, dedicate time to really think about it, not just superficially make a judgment.
My Thoughts
Most of don’t spend nearly enough time thinking. We don’t do it because . . .
. . . we are too “busy.”
. . . we are multitasking.
. . . we assume the answer.
. . . we know thinking is hard.
None of these are good (enough) reasons. If you want to be a more effective leader (and human being), schedule time with yourself to . . .
. . . think about challenges.
. . . think about how to improve your processes.
. . . think about your priorities.
. . . think about your current results.
. . . think about how you can reach your goals.
. . . think about your next goals.
The work will be hard and just like hard physical work, it will be productive and very rewarding.
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