The Gap Between Good and Great Leadership Lies Between Feeling, Thinking, and Action
It’s a busy world - do you have enough time to do everything you want? Who has time to think, let alone feel? We tend to concentrate on action, but even that takes time and without a proper plan, does it even make sense to begin doing something? It is usually after the fact that we ask ourselves that final question. We are prone to act to demonstrate we are doing something, anything, to address a situation. Yet we are likely missing opportunities to make our actions far more productive. Additionally, innovation, impact, and engagement are not always a consideration we take until it’s too late.It may seem counter-intuitive, but building in quiet, uninterrupted ‘thinking time’ can be the most important action we can take to get the improved outcomes we are looking for. Taking steps to have that time for thought, and understanding how the results may affect others will have a meaningful impact on your outcomes. This is how leaders can move from good ideas to great ideas.
Make time to think
Thinking time is likely something we have all taken for granted. This is time where you are not doing anything else. When was the last time you just had time with yourself and your thoughts? No headphones, no television, no music...just you surrounded by silence.You may be thinking that your shower time is your thinking time, and that is a good time for thinking. I admit I have many ideas come to me during that time when I allow for it. However, for real thinking time, you’ll need more than a shower. It may not need to be measured in hours each time, but you will want to dedicate some significant chunks of time where you can let your mind wander, and explore many ideas. Have something to capture your thoughts - the simpler, the better. A voice recorder may be the best tool for this. It will allow you to think and talk through your concepts out loud (I always find that helpful).Finally, make this a regular habit. You may even go as far as to schedule this thinking time. That may help to prime your brain to know that you will have that time dedicated to releasing all of the constraints and ideas can flow freely. A planned time, a planned and quiet place, and a way to capture your thoughts are all you need to set ourself up for a productive thinking session.
Search your feelings...leader
Ok, I borrowed the line from the Star Wars movies. But there is something to allowing your feelings to come through as well as understanding the feelings of others. When you make time to think and feel new ideas will begin to flow. Many people swear by meditation as well to recharge and innovate. This largely comes from learning to quiet the busy part of your mind and allow you to connect more deeply with your thoughts. It is a way to quiet the noise we all have around us. While I cannot speak the benefits of consistent meditation directly, I can speak to the idea of allowing myself to quiet my mind and embrace how I feel about ideas or situations.It is a somewhat odd sensation to be thinking about an idea or a possible outcome and suddenly be filled with excitement, an uncontrollable smile, and even laughter at times. That is when you know your ideas and feelings have connected.
Take Action
Once that connection has been made, it is time to put a plan into motion. What is the first step you can take to begin the activity necessary to move forward? You do not need to have all of the steps it will take to realize your new idea, just the first step to get started. As you continue to make time for thinking and feeling, the additional steps will come as well.Time is a precious thing; few people believe they have enough of it for most of the things they want to do. However, making time to think and feel, and then to take action can lead you to find more time in the future. As you place your plans into place, they will spur even more ideas. As you build a process for yourself to make time for thinking and to feel you will be rewarded with new ideas that allow you to find ways to get more done for your business and yourself.How do you see yourself benefiting from setting aside time for dedicating thinking regularly?Join other retail leaders in continuing their development journey with Effective Retail Leader.com. SUBSCRIBE today to receive FREE leadership tips directly to your inbox and monthly newsletters that provide many tools to help further develop your leadership skills all at no cost. JOIN NOW!No spam ever - just leadership goodness.Photo by Benjamin Davies on Unsplash