Why Every Entrepreneur Needs More Think Sessions
Right now, many of my clients are in a prolonged problem-solving mode.
They’re dealing with economic uncertainty.
They’re grappling with questions around AI.
They’re trying to build tangible plans in a moment when it feels like there’s very little to hold onto.
Important activities? Yes. But they can wear you down. After a while, you start to only see the limitations, the challenges, the blockers to progress.
That makes you less creative. It also makes running a business a lot less fun.
If you’re feeling increased pressure right now, I’m going to suggest something counterintuitive.
Don’t do more. Don’t grind harder.
Stop and think.
***
We almost never get clarity from situations where there’s tons of pressure: time restrictions, immense stakes, deep emotions.
Instead, we get clarity from taking the pressure off. From stepping outside ourselves and getting a different perspective. From allowing space and time to do their magic and help guide us toward solutions.
We need more Think Sessions.
You can conduct a Think Session on your own, with your leadership team, or with a small focus-specific group.
You can hold it for an hour or a week.
Onsite or offsite.
The point is to get out of operations mode and intentionally slow down your momentum.
Less doing, more reflecting.
Reflection usually generates the best ideas. And then, yes, you should go execute on those ideas. But you can’t jump from A to Z.
You need to go through the creative process first.
Brainstorm ideas without evaluating them. Solve less. Ideate more.
Remove limiting assumptions about what is and isn’t possible.
The most valuable thing a leader can do is think—but you won’t think deeply or well if you’re stuck in the grind or constantly in firefighting mode.
***
Entrepreneurs should spend at least 25% of their time engaging in some kind of Think Session. Top performers spend close to 50% or more of their time this way.
Think about those numbers and how well they align—or not—to your current calendar.
It’s time to start making space.
