THINK TIME: Your Secret Weapon

When I’m operating at my most effective, strategic level, I make uninterrupted THINK TIME a regular practice and priority.

I obviously didn’t invent the idea. In fact, I first heard about it years ago in stories about Bill Gates’ twice-a-year “Think Week” habit when he was CEO of Microsoft.

As a leader, we are pulled in many different directions with never-ending distractions that make it very difficult to step back, think about our business, and revisit our “WHY.” 

THINK TIME provides breathing room to do just that.

Remember, if it’s not crystal clear in your mind where you and your company* are going, it’s going to be impossible to provide clarity to your team. 

Getting away 2 or 3 times a year to ask yourself questions like the ones below is not only good for you, but it’s good for your company, team, and customers as well.

• What do I want my company* to achieve in the next 3 years? 

• What do I want to be spending my time on? 

• How can I improve my leadership approach and style? 

• What trends are affecting our market? 

• What new technology is bringing opportunity or disruption? 

• How can we dramatically improve our customers’ experience?

• What changes do I need to make on the team? 

• Who needs to move to a new seat? 

• Who needs a stretch opportunity?

* Or “team.” This isn’t only an effective practice for CEOs, but it’s valuable for anyone responsible for owning strategy and developing teams.