This is From The Balance Beam

[TheBalanceBeam] - Taking Time to Think

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THE BALANCE BEAM
Ideas and Inspiration for Creating a Life that Works
Vol. 2 No. 19, September 15, 2000
Published by Success Builders, Inc.
http://www.SuccessBuildersInc.com
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"He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened."
Lao-tzu
In this issue: TAKING TIME TO THINK
====================================================================== Dear Friends:
I've often thought that one of the greatest jobs in the world would be to work in a think tank. Imagine, being paid to sit around all day and play with possibilities, engage in lively debates, and provide form to the philosophical. Where do I sign up? Unfortunately, the reality is that we often swing too far to the other extreme in our daily lives. That is, we sacrifice think time for activity-loading. In this issue of "The Balance Beam" we consider the importance of taking time to think.

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Today's Topic: TAKING TIME TO THINK

One of the objects I most remember from my childhood was a little pocket-sized notepad my Dad used to carry with him when he went off to work in the morning. This particular notepad had a well-worn tan leather cover with a one-word proclamation on the front. It said, simply, "Think."

Thinking has become a rare commodity in today's fast-paced, techno-crazy business arena. One of the questions I typically ask in the early stages of coaching a new corporate team is, "When do you, as a group and as individuals, stop and take time to think?" After a few moments of awkward silence, I usually get a response like, "Hardly ever. There's just no time for it."

No time to think. Stop and let that sink in for a minute. We're so busy doing, tackling the next item on the list, that thinking often takes a back seat. Despite what we might want to believe, there's this unspoken little assumption that prevails in many businesses: time spent thinking, contemplating, wondering, brainstorming, mulling things over...is time wasted. If it doesn't produce immediate results or add tangible value, there's no time for it.

I wrestle with this dilemma in my own life from time to time. I have The Balance Beam on a biweekly publication schedule. When I'm rushed and caught up in a "doing" mode, I often find myself struggling for ideas on what to write about. On the other hand, when my calendar has some breathing room and down time, I end up in this playground of great ideas and possibilities that allows the words to literally come tumbling out onto paper. The creative process requires a certain amount of "mental space" for the observations, connections and stories that will spark a great idea and give it room to grow.

In his "Seven Habits" works, Stephen Covey distinguishes between what is "urgent" and what is "important". While the urgent category in most organizations includes some legitimate critical business issues, it also includes a lot of fire-fighting, avoidable crises and adrenaline-hooked behavior. Shifting away from the tyranny of the urgent requires taking time to pause, to think, to reflect, to consider, and to ask "What if?" kinds of questions. It also requires that this activity be valued, despite the fact that it may not produce immediate results.

There is a well-known Zen Koan -- an ancient Buddhist story with a message about life - that illustrates the importance of making room to think and cultivate ideas. In this story, a Japanese master meets with a student who has come to learn about Zen. While they are talking, the Master offers the student some tea. They continue chatting, as the Master begins pouring the tea. He keeps pouring and pouring, until the teacup is full and begins overflowing. Distracted, the student interrupts the Master to point out that the cup is full. "Master," he says, "The cup is overflowing. No more will go in." The Master gently replies to him, "Like this cup, you are full of your own judgments and habits and opinions. In order for me to show you Zen, you must first empty your cup and create space for new ideas and possibilities."

Taking time to think is how we shift from being overfull and missing connections to a place where we make room for possibilities. In organizations, taking time to think is what leads to breakthrough solutions and cutting edge ideas. Where and when do the opportunities to think show up in your environment? Resist the temptation to fill them up with stuff, and simply let your mind wander. You may be surprised at where it takes you.
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Words to live by:
"If everyone is thinking alike then somebody isn't thinking."
- General George S. Patton

"Change your thoughts and you change your world."
- Norman Vincent Peale

"Anyone who isn't thoroughly confused isn't thinking clearly."
- Clare Booth Luce