KATHY ARCHER
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How much time will it take you to be a better thinker?

5/5/2022

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PLAAs a nonprofit leader, you need more time to think! But how much time does it take to be a better thinker and leader? Read this blog post for the surprising answer. HINT: Not very much time!

When I'm talking to clients and suggesting that they book some time in the calendar for thinking, they expect me to tell them it will be an hour or maybe even 30 minutes.

They're often surprised when I suggest anywhere between two in 10 minutes.


Overcome this challenge first
The challenge is that most of us are not present in this moment. Instead of being mindful, we are thinking about either the past or the future. For example:
✦ We may have anxious thoughts circulating in our minds about what's coming up in our schedule.
✦ Alternately we may be ruminating about what happened at the last meeting.


Then you'll be able to be intentional with your thinking quicker
To be intentional with your thinking, you need to be in this moment so you can think about only what you need to think about. When you give yourself the gift of a moment or two, I call them thinking moments often, and the thinking happens really fast.


3 tips for helping you create thinking moments.

ONE: Take your hands off the keyboard when you finish a call, meeting, or dealing with your inbox or project. Put them on your lap and take a deep breath.

TWO: Ask yourself:
  • PROCESS - Is there anything I need to process from this?
  • PURGE - Are there any thoughts I need to purge and let go of to move on?
  • PLAN - Is there any planning I need to do?

When you give yourself the moment to connect to what you need to process, purge and plan, I guarantee thoughts will come into your head. 

THREE: Either in your head or grab a piece of paper and make a quick note.
  • I need to process why I got so worked up when they said that.
  • I need to purge those thoughts of controlling what happens. I'd let go a bit more.
  • I need to plan for that meeting next week.

Then ask yourself 
  1. How much time do I need?
  2. When will I do that?

You may come up with answers like these:
  • I'll take 10 minutes to journal to process what happened at the end of my day.
  • I will take a bathroom break and find some new perspectives to help me move forward.
  • I need to schedule 15 minutes into my calendar to prepare for that meeting: Gather the data, create an outline, and consider how I want to present it.

Once you have been mindful of what you need to think about, you can head on to the next thing on your agenda.

Giving yourself the gift of just a few moments to regroup and identify where you need to plan, process and purge will help you move forward. 

The thing is, I know you spend most of your days running around, chasing fires, dealing with crises and solving everyone else's problems. I know because I did it too for way too many years!

I learned that getting intentional about creating thinking moments made an incredible difference. Will you do it too?


Extra resources to help you think "better."
Over the last few weeks, I've been writing about different kinds of thinking. I've linked those thoughts up below. Each of these links is a blog post with more information about different thinking necessary for leaders.

NOTE: I've added some of the courses inside my membership site, The Training Library, for those of you who are members. 



Creative Thinking
Nonprofit Leaders – Are you doing the right kind of THINKING today?

Possible courses/lessons to look at
  • COURSE: Wellness AT Work
  • WEBINAR: Breath Magic - Breathe your way to being a calm, composed and in control leader!
  • You may think these courses have nothing to do with creative thinking, but when you relax into this moment, that is when you do your best creative thinking!


Strategic Thinking
Nonprofit leaders, you need to stop wasting time rushing your thinking!

Possible courses/lessons to look at
  • WEBINAR: How to prepare for a tough talk
  • WEBINAR: Team Morale: Confidently boost the mood of your team!


Decision Making
Nonprofit Leaders | 10 important questions you must ask before your next decision

Possible courses/lessons to look at
  • WEBINAR: Decisive Decision Making
  • WEBINAR: Quick Journaling for Effective Leadership


Reflective Practice
Be a wise woman leader with these 10 reflective thinking questions
​
Possible courses/lessons to look at
  • COURSE: Develop Your Strength of Character
  • COURSE: Values Verification: Validating What's Important to You
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    Kathy Archer

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