Comments on: Thinking Is Underrated

By: Roy Jacobsen

Roy Jacobsen — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 15:10:56 +0000

Randy,
Great reminder to set aside time to just think.

One little niggling point: I don’t view writing and thinking as different activities; rather, I frequently use writing (especially journaling and free-writing–along the lines of what Julia Cameron calls “morning pages”) as a means to help clarify my thinking. My thinking tends to be muddled and looping in great circles if I don’t write it down so I can see what I’m thinking.
Roy Jacobsen´s last [type] ..The Freedom to Innovate- “FedEx Days” at Atlassian

By: Randy Elrod

Randy Elrod — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 15:40:15 +0000

@Julie Kieras, Julie, Great observations! Thanks for joining the conversation.
Randy Elrod´s last [type] ..A Connecticut Yankee In Franklin’s Court—With Apologies To Mark Twain

By: Julie Kieras

Julie Kieras — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 04:00:06 +0000

The thing is, our society wants everything to be ultra fast – instant. Online banking, emails, Twitter, texting, fast food, video games. The other day I was fretting that my McDonald’s order was taking longer than 5 minutes and I had to stop and ask myself what was WRONG with me! We are too used to “speed” as a way of life, and we are fast growing a generation of children who can’t sit still LONG enough to think! Metacognition (thinking about thinking) is not the norm… but how I long for just simple time to think.
Notice how when people get really stuck/overwhelmed with problem, they put their hands out to motion for silence and say “I just need to THINK!” It would seem that the act of deep thought precludes other mental stimulation. Hmmm.. much to think about.
Julie Kieras´s last [type] ..Reminisce Week- Wehadababyitsaboy! Now What

By: Julie Kieras

Julie Kieras — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 03:54:08 +0000

@Randy Elord, I love this idea of the “internet fast” – I guess I didn’t use that term at the time, but I have done TV and Talk Radio fasts and it has been Sooooo refreshing… and I was already planning a blog event in August so I can have all my posts pre-scheduled and just take a week off to “THINK!” (I hope!).
Julie Kieras´s last [type] ..Reminisce Week- Wehadababyitsaboy! Now What

By: Julie Kieras

Julie Kieras — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 03:51:43 +0000

Ahhh I am one of those teachers – it is so true and so sad, and what has gotten me sorta burnt out as a teacher is just trying to get them to THINK much less learn the skills and concepts I am setting forth!
Julie Kieras´s last [type] ..Reminisce Week- Wehadababyitsaboy! Now What

By: Michelle

Michelle — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:41:14 +0000

Bryan & Randy, While I haven’t seen “Book of Eli” yet, my family & I have been living most of this summer with all of our “stuff” packed away in storage. The only exception was our summer clothes, computers, my kindle & journal. It’s amazing how much time I have found to think and do new things. It’s also amazing to find what you can live without. While I’m looking forward to when we can get our things back and can settle in somewhere new, I also know that there will be a lot that will be given away when we do.

Now reading through all these comments has added to my reading & watching list – giving more to think about as well. Thanks for the post Randy. You always challenge us.
Michelle´s last [type] ..Weekly Wrap Up

By: Randy Elrod

Randy Elrod — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:14:03 +0000

@Susan P, Yes, we limited the hours each week so that it wouldn’t be a shock to their system. Our girls were allowed 75 minutes of television Monday thru Friday and they were free to choose how much on weekends to a certain extent.

They are in their 20′s now and both feel they will implement that same program with their children. They are both professional artists, voracious readers and have the ability to hold their own in conversation with anyone they meet.

I feel there is a direct correlation between television viewing and lack of thinking.

Thanks, Susan.

By: Randy Elrod

Randy Elrod — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:06:10 +0000

@Carmel, Welcome!! and thanks for joining the conversation. Reflection is a vital part of thinking. It makes me think it would be fun to break down the basics of thinking. Hmmm.

By: How Do You Harvest Great Ideas? « Geoffrey Webb

How Do You Harvest Great Ideas? « Geoffrey Webb — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:56:44 +0000

[...] Randy Elrod‘s post, Thinking is Underrated, he suggests that we actually schedule time to think. I couldn’t agree more. As leaders [...]

By: Susan P

Susan P — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:05:01 +0000

My 12 and 15 year old nephews have “screen week” and “non-screen week” every other week. On screen weeks they can do as much TV, computer, and video games as they want, as long as it doesn’t interfere with chores, school, etc. During non-screen weeks it always takes a few days for them to remember how to “play” again – which is really just imaginative thinking, especially for the 12-year-old. Sometimes I think I should start the same policy, but I haven’t actually tried it yet.