Thinking Time and Strategic Coaching

Jul 5, 2024

Thinking Time and Strategic Coaching 🧠

Introduction

  • Speakers: Dan Sullivan and Shannon Waller
  • Subject: Importance of thinking time for entrepreneurs, part of the Strategic Coach program
  • Key Issue: Most people, including entrepreneurs, don't take enough time to think

What is Thinking Time?

  • People often avoid or don't take time to think deeply
  • Entrepreneurs face high stakes, lack the protection of employment structures
  • Strategic Coach encourages thinking time as part of its methodology
  • Thinking Tools: Developed to help entrepreneurs think strategically

Levels of Thinking

  1. Thinking about things: Often materialistic or superficial
  2. Thinking about other people: Social media facilitates this
  3. Thinking about thoughts: Typically academic or second-hand thoughts
  4. Thinking about your own thinking: Rare and valuable, encouraged in Strategic Coach

The Importance of Deep Thinking for Entrepreneurs

  • Entrepreneurs face real-world deadlines, challenges, and decisions
  • Strategic Coach's tools are designed to foster a deeper level of thinking
  • Conversations often focus on substantial, forward-moving topics
  • The importance of having deep, meaningful conversations over small talk

The R-Factor Question

  • Question: If we're meeting three years from now, what has to happen for you to feel happy with your progress?
  • Uses future perfect tense to envision success and measure happiness by progress
  • Important for establishing relationship and trust in coaching

Applying the R-Factor Question in Sales and Coaching

  • Helps in building a relationship with potential clients by envisioning future success
  • If a prospect is unwilling to answer, it signals lack of trust; better to walk away

Impact of Thinking About Your Thinking

  • Allows for better problem-solving and decision-making
  • Increases the chances of making meaningful progress rather than just being busy
  • Strategic Coach provides tools and an environment to foster this kind of thinking
  • Regular practice enables higher comfort and competence with deep thinking

Practical Applications of Thinking Tools

  • Fast Filter: Identifying and planning actions to be taken the next day, envisioning success scenarios
  • Impact Filter: A tool used to plan and execute major life decisions (e.g., getting married)

Scheduling and Productivity

  • Avoiding tightly scheduled days: Allowing time between tasks to think and digest
  • Long-term success: Achieved by allowing space for thought, not just constant activity

Personal Examples and Insights

  • Shannon's lessons from moving and how lack of planning caused stress
  • Dan’s approach to deadlines and problem assessment using the Fast Filter tool
  • Emphasizes on practicing and getting better at thinking about your thinking over time

Strategic Coach Program

  • Designed to help entrepreneurs think about their thinking
  • Encourages substantial, productive thinking rather than superficial busywork
  • Offers a supportive environment and community for personal and professional growth

Conclusion

  • Thinking about your thinking is crucial for growth and success
  • Strategic Coach provides tools and encourages practices to make this a habit
  • Benefits include better problem-solving, decision-making, and overall satisfaction