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Read, Think, Create, Share, Rest and Repeat

I was reading something this morning that talked about the need for all leaders to think. The article talked about the need for leaders to create time to think. This got me thinking. How does one make this work and what process or system can I create to make this work. Before I share what I came up with, I should start by sharing my philosophy on how to get things. My approach to life is that if I am to get things done, I need to know that I am doing the right thing in the first. Once that is settled, there is need to then figure out the tools to use or a system or process that will make the execution of the thing I have figured out possible. It is in this light that I came up with a few stages to make the creation of time a reality and how I can put this into play and I share my new-found process below:

  1. Read – This reading is not targeted at just reading books, this is targeted at all sources of knowledge and wisdom. In this regards, I am referring to information you can glean from books, movies, listening to your friends share the best counsel, listening to our kids, etc. We all need to have a reading plan. We all need to create a space and time to read. We all need to build a library. The more you read, the more wisdom you get
  2. Think – Now, we all know that just reading and getting the wisdom without thinking or reflection is not appropriate. We need to think of how we can actually apply the wisdom we have gained. We have to interrogate what we know and if it has a chance to serve our best interest. If we do not know of someone who has applied the wisdom and gotten results, then we need to put on our lab coats and be scientists for a little bit, that is, we need to experiment, we need to test the knowledge or wisdom. Once we settled on a plan or behavior we want to adopt, we then decide and commit 100% to do that which we decide to do. It cannot be 99%, it has to be 100%.
  3. Create – Once we commit, we execute. For the most our execution is centered around our work or craft as I would like to call it. We all create through our work. Some would call this to serve. But you have to create before you serve (see ‘share’ below). We all need to find the best and most optimal way to create. We need to find effective and efficient ways to do our work such that we produce superior results without burning, but enjoying every moment. We need our ‘fuel tanks’ to be full or our batteries to be full if we are to perform at the highest level. For that to happen, we need invest in our energy (eat, move, sleep) and relationships (family, friends, mentors) – these serve as fuel.
  4. Share – The best word is generosity here. This is sharing, not just what you produce at work, but you time, wisdom and space. Part of this is through teaching. Turns out that the more you teach a subject matter, the better you get at it. So sharing benefits , not only those who are receiving, but you also. The more you share, the better you become as a person.
  5. Rest – We need to read (learn), think (ideas), create value and share for the rest of our lives. However, you cannot do this forever without resting. Beyond sleeping during the night, we need to oscillate our days between creation and rest. Rest is a key source of energy during the day. Science says that we should not work continuously for more than 90 minutes. We need to work hard and rest equally hard for our energy to be optimized and to maintain our peak productivity.
  6. Repeat – With all the above variables captured, you can repeat this day in day out and see yourself become the best version you want to be and make the impact you have always wanted in the world.

#betheexemplar – become a leader worth following!