Businesses make plans. Groups, non-profits, schools, or any functioning club, organization, and gathering of people all come up with plans. They develop a vision. All of these organizations take time out of their otherwise productive time to sit and think. The fundamental question becomes, why do you not do it at a personal level?<\/p>\n
Schedule time to think. Come up with a plan. Look at your variables.<\/p>\n
Look at what your vision is for your life. Seldom do humans take the time to plan their lives strategically. Sure, we have a loose construct of our own ‘goals.’ But, if we are being honest, those are merely a focus on an end state.<\/p>\n
James Clear made us acutely aware of that pitfall. Yet, when we develop our systems, we get up in the morning because we fail to do the simplest tasks. We fail to take time to think about things, write them down, and develop a plan of action. Unfortunately, this problem is increasing. Look at the YouTube channels and search for topics. The algorithms are all full of ‘productivity’ hacks and ways in which a person can become more productive. We are dangerously close to failure when we focus on our productivity.<\/p>\n
As a leadership consultant, one of the most common pitfalls of organizations is that the selected formal leaders don’t lead. They continue to do the job they did before. The reason is because we focus, as a culture, too much on being productive. Being productive has replaced time to think, brainstorm, analyze, and be creative. I offer the same advice to organizational leaders as I do to individuals. If you want to see your team, or in this case, yourself, you must take the time to plan strategically. The leader, you, must step away from doing. It would help if you stepped away from the ‘productivity’ trap. You must schedule time to be with your thoughts.<\/p>\n
We live in a society obsessed with productivity. Everywhere you look, there are tips and tricks on squeezing more work out of every minute. While the initial allure of increasing productivity might be strong, the reality is that this constant drive for efficiency can have detrimental effects. Studies have shown that always being ‘on’ can lead to burnout, decreased creativity, and even mental health issues.<\/p>\n
Contrast this with the benefits of strategic thinking. Instead of constantly doing it, allow yourself to step back and think. Think about where you are, what you want, and how to get there. Strategic thinking is not just a luxury for the successful or the experienced; it is a necessary tool for anyone looking to lead a fulfilled life. Consider individuals or organizations that have incorporated this practice and seen tremendous success. Their achievements are rarely a result of sheer productivity but a testament to the power of thoughtful, deliberate planning.<\/p>\n
So, how do you incorporate strategic planning into your life? First, schedule ‘thinking time.’ This might initially seem counterintuitive, especially in a packed schedule, but it is crucial. Find a quiet place, free from distractions, and allow yourself the space to think. Next, define your variables and vision. Take stock of where you are currently and envision where you want to be. This step is about painting a clear picture of your desired future, not just the end goals but the journey itself. Lastly, develop actionable plans. This means breaking down your vision into smaller, manageable steps and holding yourself accountable.<\/p>\n
Transitioning from a productivity-focused mindset to one that prioritizes strategic thinking comes with its challenges. You might struggle with the initial shift, finding it hard to break away from the constant drive to be busy. However, this is a mindset shift. Valuing thinking time is not about doing less but about doing things that matter more.<\/p>\n
Stepping away from the productivity trap and embracing strategic thinking is vital for personal and professional growth. Take the challenge to schedule your first ‘thinking time’ session and see the difference it makes.<\/p>\n
The great philosopher Socrates once said, “An unexamined life is not worth living.” <\/em><\/i>Make the conscious choice to lead an examined life filled with purpose and strategic intent.<\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Businesses make plans. Groups, non-profits, schools, or any functioning club, organization, and gathering of people all come up with plans. They develop a vision. All of these organizations take time out of their otherwise productive time to sit and think. The fundamental question becomes, why do you not do it at a personal level? Schedule […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2249,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_custom_body_class":"","_custom_post_class":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[22,14,15,17,34],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to","category-insight","category-leadership","category-productivity","category-thoughts"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t