There is a ridiculous amount of value in spending time deep in thought. In the fast moving world in which we live, it is easy to get lost in the moment, the devices, or even the interactions happening to us and around us. Don’t let this happen to you!
But how many times a day do you pause, stop everything you are doing, and just spend some time in thought? It doesn’t matter what you are thinking about, but I am talking about just giving yourself the ability to allow your mind to wander and dive deep into your innermost thoughts and feelings. Ever do that?
You are probably saying: “I think about things everyday.” You are right. You think about what you have to do, where you have to go, who you have to meet, and just about anything and everything in between. But I am willing to bet you a large sum of money that very few of you actually give yourself permission to simply find a quiet place and get lost in thought.
The importance of spending time lost in deep thinking is invaluable. Inevitably, we are what we think about the most. And I would take it one step farther and say that if we think about nothing then we will amount to nothing. That is the real issue here. It doesn’t mean we are thinking just because we are using our brains.
Just take a look at what Dr. Seuss said about using your mind: “Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try.” Well, I am here to tell you that you have to try.
Ever have one of those moments where you just get lost in your thoughts? It is probably inadvertent, but doesn’t seem like the world just fades to the backdrop and all you have left is you and your deepest thoughts? I love that feeling. There is remarkable power in those moments. Knowing that, I think it is crucial to give yourself time in deep thought. Do it everyday. It is as easy as finding 10-15 minutes in a quiet place without the distractions and hustle of your life.
I do it at different times of the day to mix it up. I find a distraction free setting, I always rock out to some awesome music, and sometimes just close my eyes. I let my mind discover whatever is inside of it. I shut down the phone and email taking a few hours to just think about our strategy, our culture, and how we can best innovate. In that little bit of time some pretty cool things surface. I have left my deep thinking with new business ideas, solutions to difficult challenges, better insight into my relationships, and maybe more important than all of these, a sense of calmness and connection.
We all have the innate ability to think deeply. We are born with it, and it doesn’t go away. Deep thinking allows your imagination to rip, and you can embark on a wonderful journey that can offer you some amazing insight and awareness. So give yourself a little bit of time to get lost in thought. See what you can think up when you are focused on thinking.