Sell myself the best hour of the day! Time for thinking and reading and planning.
Image by Will Simpson
I have a non-thinking practice - meditation and it helps me a lot. It is systematic and regular. Why couldn’t the same principles be applied to a thinking practice. Recently came across a article by one of my favorite writers Shane Parish of Farnman Street in which he was reviewing Richard Hamming’s book, Art of Doing Science and Engineering: Learning to Learn. In it he stated:
“Hamming dedicated his Friday afternoons to “great thoughts.” Setting aside time to think is a common of people that do great things. Not only does this help you live consciously it helps get your head out of the weeds. The rest of us are too busy with the details to ask if we’re going in the right direction. ”
This is what has got me thinking about formally setting aside a few hours each week for a meeting with myself. Consider this the most important meeting of the week. All the usual meeting etiquette rules apply, no phones, be on time, be prepared, follow through.
Start slow and let this grow organically. This can be hard to fit in with other obligations but try and start with 15 mins. Friday before lunch.
Hope you have an awesome day!
Credits - Hamming, Richard R.. Art of Doing Science and Engineering: Learning to Learn
This journal is meant as a reminder to encourage my future self. Where I work on my mental fitness and ‘adulting’. A reminder to him to operate in the world with love and compassion and some tips put together in a moment of clarity to help him when he is less clear and caught up in stuff the he can’t control. Continue the conversation anytime: will@kestrelcreek.com.