J.R. Briggs

Thoughts on thinking well

July 12, 2010

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In college I heard a thought-provoking quote: “Don’t just do something. Sit there!” It prompted me to think through the question: what does it mean to live a thoughtful, intentional life?

I’ve asked people – and read about – different ways they think well. Here are a few nuggets I’ve collected:

• The poem William Blake said, “Think in the morning. Act in the noon. Read in the evening. Sleep at night.” It’s a great quote, but is it realistic? Or is it only entirely for one particular class of people?
• Track your morning habits. Notice what and when you do things. It may reveal patterns of efficiency or times of your greatest creativity.
• Don’t open email until at least 10:30am Email can dictate one’s day (or life). I like this one a lot…I’m just not good about doing it!
• Read everyday. Schedule time – both quantity and quality – to read diversely in order to stretch your mind. Good readers are good thinkers, so the saying goes.
• Work out. It clears your head. Physically, mentally, physiologically and spiritually this has incredible benefits to thinking. Mental health experts say that you cannot over-emphasize this point.
• Journal
• Schedule time to think. Rick Warren tweets that he actually writes into his calendar to block out time just to think. He encourages leaders to do the same. How can you lead well if you haven’t put intentional thought to how you lead?
• Put the big rocks in the bucket first. Steven Covey’s principle puts the most important tasks at the top of the list to get done first – and then work your way down from there.
• Know your peak performance times. Think in terms of energy management before time management. When do you have the most energy? When are you most alert? Adjust your schedule accordingly.

What else would you add to the list that would help you think well?

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