Stop Doing. Start Thinking.

You know a problem I see in you?

Too much doing. Not enough thinking.

You’re “so busy” taking action that you don’t think about the work you’re doing. Look at your calendar. It’s a mess. You’re doing too much of the doing. It all has to get done, but you don’t have to do all the doing.

Here’s the problem. You power from task to task. It becomes such a routine and a self-fulfilling cadence. You get addicted to the checkmarks on your “To Do” list. But, instead of doing the right next thing, you’re just knocking things off a list.

Here is the problem: doing is not the primary role of a leader. The primary role of a leader is to chart the course. And to chart the course, you must stop and think. This means you have to do a little bit less doing. Carve out time on your busy calendar. Pick up your head. See the landscape and horizon of the business. Your people are counting on you to show them the way.

Real success can only be achieved by deep thought. 

For CEOs, I recommend at least 30-60 minutes daily scheduled on the calendar to think. Yes, you’re not “doing nothing.” You are thinking and planning. You are fulfilling your role.

Each day, pick an aspect of your business. Think about it. In fact, stew on it. Start asking yourself questions, which should invite more questions. All of this thinking will dramatically improve the actions you and your team take.

I’ll get you started. Here are some questions you can ponder this week:

• What’s the biggest current risk in the business and how can I fix it?
• Who presents the biggest challenge to our success?
• Is what we’re doing world-class? How can I make it world-class?
• Have I built a compelling company? How can I make sure my people love showing up?
• How am I doing communicating our vision and values? How can I improve?
• How are our competitors crushing us?
• What one change would bring dramatic results (people, process, technology)?

Stop doing. Start thinking. Watch the results explode.

PS – Here are more ideas on how to use white space to unleash productivity,