In today’s fast paced, social media driven world it seems like everyone lives for sound bites. The younger generation are geared towards 15-30 seconds through Instagram or TikTok. They believe influencers without question and very few people actually research or engage in deep thought.
Both social media and traditional media pray on this with click bait articles or sound bites to keep you distracted.
The very environment we live in these days is geared to pull as away from deep thought. Whether that is through distraction, perceived time constraints or our instant gratification culture (quick answers and solutions) the very art of deep thought appears to be lost.
It’s not a skill that is regularly taught at school and so many people struggle to articulate ‘what’ they think and ‘why’ and rely on superficial responses and knowledge.
It's important to note that while these factors may discourage deep thought, they are not insurmountable obstacles. With awareness and intentional effort, individuals can take steps to overcome these challenges and cultivate a habit of deep thinking in their lives. Recognizing the value of deep thought and making it a priority can lead to personal growth, enhanced problem-solving abilities, and a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.
So how can you change this and begin to engage in deep thought?
Set Aside Dedicated Time - Schedule regular blocks of time for deep thought in your daily or weekly routine, free from distractions. I weave this into my personal development time.
Create a Quiet Space - Find a quiet, comfortable space where you can think without interruptions. This could be a designated area in your home, a park bench, down the beach or even a great café. (if it’s not distracting for you) Choose a place where you can let your mind settle.
Read Widely - Reading books, articles, and essays on a variety of topics can stimulate deep thought. Find diverse perspectives to challenge you and view scenarios through different lenses. This could include philosophy, science, art, ethics, or any domain that sparks your curiosity. The more you read, the more you will find connection points between topics and widen your world view. Personally, I like to explore topics from diverse authors and ideally those with divergent thinking. History is written by the victors, so reading counter to this can be a great way to see different perspectives.
Research Work By Other Great Thinkers – I’ve recently enjoyed books & podcasts from Vicktor Frankl (Man’s search for meaning), The Happiest Man on Earth (Eddie Jaku), Jordan Peterson, (12 rules & Beyond Order) Michio Kaku, Prem Rewat, Lex Fridman Simon Sinek, Joe Dispenza and a range of Greek Stoics to name a few. Many of these thinkers also draw inspiration from those who have come before them including Tolstoy, Nietzche and Jung among others.
Practice Mindfulness - Mindfulness meditation can help train your mind to focus and stay present, making it easier to engage in deep thought. I find breathwork and ice baths a great primer to clear the mind for a time of deep thought. It helps me to reset.
Journaling - Keeping a journal can be a powerful tool for deep thought. Write down your thoughts, questions, and reflections to clarify your ideas and track your intellectual journey. Share this with others, engage and grow.
Engage in Intellectual Conversations With Other Deep Thinkers - Share your thoughts and engage in meaningful conversations with others who value deep thought. Their insights can inspire new perspectives and ideas. I’m blessed to have a number of people in my network who enjoy conversations at this level. There is such amazing value in being able to have an open dialogue with intelligent people. A great example I saw of this recently was the Exodus series by Jordan Peterson where a group of 8 scholars come together to deep dive (32 hours) into the book of Exodus. This might not be everyone’s subject matter of interest but it is a masterclass on how to share knowledge and ideas, challenge each other and interact. It provides a template of how to engage in very deep thought.
Reflect Often - After a project is completed, hold a post-mortem or debrief session to review the outcomes, what worked well, and what could be improved. This can help you learn from experiences and promote continuous deep thought and improvement.
Work on the business, not just in it – I have written about this previously. Make sure you schedule time to dis-engage from your business and work on it, not just in it. Dedicate a ½ day or a full day to take a step out of the business and take your reflection time to a next level. Engage a coach of facilitator if you are not sure where to start here.
What is the value of deep thought?
Insight and Understanding - Deep thought allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the world around us. It enables us to see the nuances, connections, and underlying principles that might elude us in superficial thinking. Whether you're pondering the meaning of life, mysteries of the universe or the intricacies of human behaviour, deep thought can lead to insights.
Creativity and Innovation - Many groundbreaking discoveries and creative works have originated from periods of deep thought. By immersing ourselves in a problem or idea, we can unlock novel solutions and innovative approaches. Creativity flourishes when we allow our minds to wander freely in the realm of deep thought.
Self-Discovery - Deep thought is one of the keys to self-discovery. It allows us to explore our beliefs, values, and aspirations. It always surprises me when I’m in conversation and people cannot explain the ‘why’ or ‘what’ to their thoughts. By reflecting on our thoughts and experiences, we can gain a better understanding of who we are, why we think something and what truly matters to us.
Personal Growth – As a man thinketh, so he is. Deep thought can lead to personal growth in all areas of your life. For me it sparks new ideas, concepts to explore or people (mentors) to learn from!
Emotional Well-Being - Engaging in deep thought can be a form of mental and emotional therapy. It provides a space to process complex emotions, address personal challenges, and find inner peace. Deep thought can help us cope with stress and anxiety by offering a reprieve from the chaos of daily life.
Enhanced Decision-Making & Problem Solving - When faced with important decisions, deep thought equips us with the tools to make informed choices. It encourages us to weigh the pros and cons, consider long-term consequences, and make decisions that align with our values and goals. For me, there is nothing more powerful than getting other thinkers in a room, white boarding a problem, engaging in ‘thoughtful disagreement’ and working toward the best solution together.
Ethical and Moral Development - Deep thought often involves contemplating ethical and moral principles. It can help individuals refine their moral compass and make more ethical choices. This contributes to creating a society with individuals who are more considerate of the consequences of their actions on others.
Communication Skills - Deep thought encourages individuals to articulate their ideas and thoughts more clearly and persuasively. Effective communication is vital for better interactions and collaboration, whether in personal relationships or professional settings.
Better Humans – I believe deep thought leads to people simply becoming better humans. They understand their own beliefs, can understand the nuance of other’s beliefs and function as better members of society.
Can I challenge you to dedicate some time to deep thought, disconnect from the noise, immerse yourself in contemplation and see where it leads you in the weeks, months and years ahead!
#deepthought #thinking #leadership #personaldevelopment #professionaldevelopment #success #morningswithMC
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