Monday Morning Musings

Giving Yourself Time to Think & Do – From September 23rd 2024.

Happy Monday everyone!

Here are my recent musings that I hope help to inspire, inform, and provide some food for thought.

What I‘ve LEARNED

In a world that is constantly striving for speed and productivity, taking time to think may seem like a luxury. However, if there is one thing I have taken away from my Professional Qualification in Executive Coaching course this year, is that taking time to think is a crucial element in making well-informed and thoughtful decisions. Giving yourself the mental space to reflect can make all the difference.

When we pause and allow ourselves time to think, we step back from the immediate pressure to act. This momentary stillness enables us to consider different perspectives, weigh potential outcomes, and tap into our intuition. The more complex the decision, the more beneficial it is to slow down. Rushed choices often lead to regret or missed opportunities, while a calm, reflective approach opens the door to better insights.

Nancy Kline, in her book A Time to Think, emphasizes the importance of creating spaces that encourage deep thinking. Kline argues that the quality of our decisions is directly linked to the quality of the thinking we apply to them. She highlights how giving ourselves uninterrupted time to process allows for richer, more creative problem-solving. It’s this deliberate pause, she notes, that leads to truly transformative ideas and actions.

Additionally, allowing time to think helps filter out emotions that may cloud judgment. When you step away from the heat of the moment, you give your mind the chance to clear, making room for logic and creativity. This clarity is what leads to wiser decisions, ensuring that your choices are aligned with your values and long-term goals.

In essence, the power of pausing to think lies in its ability to enhance both our judgment and peace of mind. So the next time you’re faced with an important decision, remember: slowing down can be the quickest way to the right answer.

What I’ve LOVED

I don’t often sign up for weekly email newsletters, and if I do, I very rarely read them. More often than not, reverting to archive, delete or unsubscribe after a few weeks.

One of the highlights of my week is receiving James Clear’s “3-2-1” email. It’s a perfect blend of wisdom and simplicity, always leaving me with something to ponder. What I love most about it is how thought-provoking it is, with each insight nudging me to reflect deeper on various aspects of life and personal growth, making me pause to rethink my approach to challenges or goals.

I believe the beauty and the reason I read it consistently every week is due to its short and concise nature. This week, a piece of wisdom was shared that resonated with me. It discussed how you can’t change your past, but you can reframe it then focus on determining your future. Find the lesson in it. Find the opportunity in it. Pull the teachable moment out of it and share it with others so you focus on the future that you can control.


What I’ve LIKED

Do you ever have those tasks that sit on your to-do list for weeks, staring at you with that “I’m not going anywhere” look, and you just think, “Meh, I’ll get to it next week. What’s the worst that could happen?” Well, dear reader, let me tell you the worst that can happen—especially when it comes to BBQs.

As some reader’s of Monday Morning Musings might be aware, I do love a BBQ, even in the depths of winter. However, recently, I’ve been a bit…shall we say, lax, in the BBQ maintenance department. It’s a little embarrassing to admit, but I’ve been treating “clean the BBQ” like that chore no one wants—kind of like folding laundry or organizing your junk drawer. You know it’s there, but it’ll survive a little longer.

The other day, however, I fired up the BBQ like any seasoned pro, got the flames going, and then popped inside to prep the food. Just as I’m dicing veggies and feeling like my weekend had finally started, I catch a whiff of something…smoky. Not in the “delicious hickory” kind of way but more in the “I’m about to be in trouble” kind of way.

I look out the window, and boom—my BBQ is auditioning for the next disaster movie, fully engulfed in flames. Now, let me be clear: my first instinct was to grab a bucket of water because, you know, fire + water = problem solved, right? Wrong. Thank goodness I had the presence of mind to consult my dear friend Google, who calmly (but sternly) informed me that throwing water on a grease fire is basically like asking it to party harder.

Instead, Google kindly suggested I grab baking soda. Now, I’m not usually aware of the inside of our baking drawer, but by some miracle, I manage to find the magic baking soda. So there I was, frantically dumping baking soda on my mini backyard inferno, while black smoke billowed over the fence into my neighbors’ yards. “Nothing to see here, folks! Just a little impromptu BBQ excitement!”

Long story short, I managed to save the day (and my eyebrows). But let this be a cautionary tale for all my fellow grill enthusiasts out there: Clean your BBQ, people! And if you don’t, at least keep a hefty stash of baking soda on hand. Trust me, you’ll thank me later. Or your neighbors will.

Final thought

Here’s a song to start your week. Enjoy.

Have a great week all!

If you would like to read the latest Monday Morning Musings then subscribe here:

Leave a comment

Nik Dewar

Leave a comment