A few years ago, a group of scientists conducted extensive research in Europe on our attention span. They were curious to know whether our attention span was shrinking. To investigate this, they analyzed the duration of topical topics on Twitter and Google.
What they discovered confirmed our suspicions: our attention span is indeed diminishing.
The influx of information bombarding us incessantly causes our focus to rapidly shift from one thing to another. As leaders, you might relate to this, with the constant influx of emails, messages on various platforms, and an overwhelming flow of information.
In this video I want to go deeper into what I call “your thinking hat.”
Recently, I shared a blog post about the three hats people wear: the process hat for tasks like email management, the thinking hat for creative thinking, and the breathing hat for taking necessary breaks.
Today, I want to emphasize the importance of the thinking hat.
Regrettably, even when wearing the thinking hat, many individuals have the pressure of speed and outcome lingering in their minds. They think, “I have half an hour to discuss this or come up with a solution,” and that can hinder true creativity. My suggestion is to make time for exploration.
Allocate specific blocks of time in your schedule for pure exploration. Set aside an hour and a half, for instance, where you immerse yourself in a topic without the pressure of reaching a specific outcome. This is your opportunity to tap into your creativity, free from constraints. It’s possible that during this dedicated time, you may not generate any groundbreaking ideas. However, you might wake up the next day with a eureka moment, realizing the brilliance that surfaced in your mind. By allowing yourself the space and freedom to explore, you open doors to new insights and possibilities.
Now, I’d like to ask you: When was the last time you took the time to explore? Have you blocked off an hour and a half to reflect, brainstorm, or simply think while taking a walk or enjoying a ride? It’s essential to grant yourself these moments of exploration.
I encourage you to embrace the power of exploration. Schedule dedicated time for thinking without the pressure of immediate outcomes. By doing so, you nurture your creativity and pave the way for exciting new ideas and perspectives.
This is this week’s Work Smarter: Live Better tip. Wishing you a productive and explorative week ahead.
A bientôt,
Cyril
