Thinking, yes I'm serious !

peter67 · Guru

Thinking, yes I'm serious !

Cupie · Guru

Way back when I used to go to work every day I used to take regular time out from an exceedingly busy schedule to indulge in strategic thinking.

I found this a very necessary tactic to remove myself from the hurly burly of day to day operational issues that could so easily occupy 100% of your time & lead to becoming just reactionary.

I was of the view that an important part of my role was to position us to best meet likely changes/challenges of the future. I labelled this 'Strategic Thinking' and a very useful tool it was.

In relation to 'sleep thinking'. I would usually go to sleep with at least one unresolved issue on my mind. During the night I would toss the issue around in my mind, acting out various scenarios & often come up with at least one solution. I would usually wake during the night with the solution(s) front of mind, jot them down on the bedside notepad, and then go back to an invariably sound sleep. This was probably the only thing that prevented a breakdown/burn out, as happened to a number of my colleagues.

Yep, IMHO we never stop thinking. I still do it but these days my thoughts are rather scrambled and solutions less forthcoming.

DMaxer · Guru

It's funny, but that is where the phrase "I will sleep on it" comes from. The subconscious mind has a way of solving many problems and issues.

It is also the case that one can come up with some great answers to problems after a few beers. Not always mind you, but quite often. Sometimes it is more likely that you come up with problems due to the answers you gave after a few beers.

Mike Harding · Guru

Cupie wrote:
I still do it but these days my thoughts are rather scrambled and solutions less forthcoming.

I know what you mean Cupie :)

I think I still think well but I don't believe I remember (or learn) as competently as I use to although I recall Red Symons saying "We think our memory fades as we age but then at 70 we can't remember what we forgot when we were 19." And it's a very fair point.