In this episode, Niamh celebrates the 50th episode of the podcast and follows on from last week's episode on making time to think at work. She explains why thinking time is often the first thing to be sacrificed when our days get busy and why this is a problem for our productivity and wellbeing. Niamh also shares practical tips on how to make thinking a valued part of your work day.
Niamh begins by reminding us that thinking time is crucial for stepping back, challenging assumptions, and making more thoughtful decisions. However, she notes that it often doesn't show up on a timesheet, which can make it feel indulgent or unnecessary. This leads to what Niamh calls "the guilt of doing nothing," where we feel uncomfortable taking time to think and instead fill the time with more tangible tasks. Our work culture often rewards action and visible output, making it difficult to justify time spent on a different kind of productivity.
Another barrier to thinking time is the pressure to have an answer straightaway, especially in leadership roles. Instead of pausing, we rush to fill the silence, often solving the wrong problem because we haven't taken the time to ask the right questions. Niamh highlights that even if you block out time for thinking, your brain might not cooperate. She suggests creating better conditions for thinking, rather than trying to force it. This can be as simple as leaving space in your day to process information before you have to respond.
Thinking time is productive, but it's a different kind of productivity that doesn't always have a tangible output.
Feeling pressure to have an immediate answer can lead to solving the wrong problem.
Creating space to process information before responding is key to making better decisions.
Good time management, which includes thinking time, has a positive impact on wellbeing by creating mental space and reducing stress.
Welcome to The Better Workday Podcast with your host, Niamh Moynihan. Niamh is the founder of Better Workday. She will challenge you to think differently about how you manage your time, energy, attention and relationships at work to be successful while supporting your well-being.
In each episode Niamh shares new insights and practical ideas to help you create a better workday.
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Related Links and Resources:Listen now to hear how to reclaim space for strategic, creative, and reflective thinking — and why it’s one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your team.
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