There’s an old joke that goes, “Lord, give me patience, but please hurry.” As much as that is supposed to be amusing, many of us feel like we’re living it. There’s the boss who says, “Give this some thought, but get back to me with your solution by Noon.” There’s the parent who says, “I know learning takes time. But isn’t there an app that will speed it up?” I have clients say to me, “You know so much, but can you fit it into 45 minutes?” All of this comes down to two keys:
First, the confidence to set boundaries. Notice I didn’t say the ability to set boundaries. We all have that. If have this confidence, do you exercise it? Deliberately setting aside time to think through significant challenges reduces pressure, stimulates creativity, and invokes curiosity.
If you struggle with the confidence, start small. When you go for coffee, take an extra ten minutes to sit down away from the office and reflect on a particular problem. Lunch by yourself once a week, away from your desk, in a place where you can let your mind wander. Say to the boss, “I know you want an immediate answer, but I come up with better solutions when I have a chance to mull things over.” You’ll be surprised how often that works. If it doesn’t, reflect on looking for a new job.
Second, the patience to reflect. The brain works in mysterious ways. Researchers are only now discovering that the best decisions come through reflection. Think back on the best decisions you’ve made in the past few months. Chances are they were the result of patience. I have a colleague who puts significant questions in her “slow cooker.” She’s one of the best decision-makers I know. The most creative people I know practice the art of reflection by placing themselves in an environment that encourages curiosity, creativity, and questioning of traditions. They know it takes time and enjoys the journey. How can you emulate the suggestions above and improve your decision-making?