In this episode of The Better Workday Podcast, Niamh Moynihan talks about something we all need—but rarely get enough of—time to think. Whether you’re making quick decisions on the job or stepping back to plan ahead, thinking is essential to doing good work. But between emails, meetings, and notifications, finding that thinking space can feel impossible.
Drawing from recent workshops and one of her favourite books, Create Space by Derek Draper, Niamh breaks down what gets in the way of our thinking and how to create better conditions for it.
From tiny pauses in your day to more intentional reflection time, this episode is packed with simple, practical ideas to help you make better decisions, feel more in control, and get more from your workday.
There are two types of thinking: On-the-job thinking (quick, in-the-moment) and deep thinking (strategic, long-term).
You don’t always need a day off to think clearly—micro-moments throughout the day can make a big difference.
The four conditions for great thinking are inspired by Derek Draper's Create Space: Time, Place, People, and Headspace.
Thinking isn’t always solo—sometimes the best clarity comes from talking things through with someone else.
Use simple frameworks like “What’s going well? What’s not? What can I do differently?” to guide your thinking.
Take two minutes after a meeting or a moment before replying to an email to pause and think.
Pay attention to the environments where you think best—quiet spaces or background bustle?
Offer 15 minutes to a colleague who needs to talk something through—you might solve your own problem too.
Do a quick brain dump to clear mental clutter before focusing on something important.
Give yourself permission to daydream—mind wandering can lead to breakthroughs.
As we start a new quarter, why not set a small goal to build more thinking time into your week? It could be a morning pause, a walking break, or even just a few minutes with your notebook.
If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or colleague. Until next time, stay well and have a better workday!
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