This article was written by Ray Reed.
*Editor’s Note: In this article, Ray describes his version of mind-mapping and planning, a daily practice he calls his“Think Time”.
Ah, the mystical art of "Think Time" – a daily practice as essential as making your bed, but oft neglected! And as for making your bed…Admiral William H. McRaven asserts (and I agree) that accomplishing a simple task first thing in the morning can set the tone for the rest of your day.
Now, I admit, there are days when I'm all over the place and feel like I'm channeling my inner Tasmanian devil rather than my most focused self. I’m sure you can relate! And guess what? By the end of a day like that, I feel like a brain-dead zombie. Doing my "Think Time" is the last thing on my mind; I'm just ready to throw in the towel and call it a day.
Of course, we all have our own unique ways of tackling the workday rollercoaster, but this is what worked for me back when I was an individual contributor and was frequently jet-setting: I turned my flights into my personal Think Time sessions. Once I was buckled into my seat, I'd whip out a blank piece of paper and sketch out my next three months like a master planner.
The action of mapping out my weekly schedule gave my brain a jolt of energy, and suddenly, I was listing off tasks left and right, prepping for the weeks ahead with a newfound sense of control. By drafting my personal play-by-play game-plan, I felt set up for success, allowing me to then just have some good ol' fashioned FUN! Of course, I made sure to pencil in those essential company meetings and events too (can't afford to get fired, right?) And on days I wasn't jet-setting or busy wooing clients, I kickstarted my mornings with some exercise before settling in at my desk. Then came Think Time: No emails, no distractions; just me, my thoughts, and a plain piece of paper.
There is something magical about approaching each day with a fresh perspective. It's like hitting the reset button on your brain before diving headfirst into the day's adventures. Trust me - it’s amazing how even the tiniest tasks won't slip through the cracks when you give yourself the gift of fresh Think Time every day!
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