The Woods Are Calling

“Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason so few engage in it,” said Henry Ford. The best leaders know that free time for thinking is vital. They also know that productive and creative thinking arises from an empty mind…

It’s that time of year when we are all bombarded with advice for the year ahead. Advice about resolutions and plans you should make and goals you should set to ensure that 2017 is the best year you’ve ever had. It’s a lot of heavy lifting for your mind to deal with.

But there’s a much better way to end this year and prepare for the one to come. Clear your mind. Empty out the clutter. Delete all the useless things filling up the limited space you have for storage.

Since all of us get a year older each year, we all suffer from a similar problem…gradual ossification of our thinking. It becomes harder and harder to stay on top of what’s going on as the world rushes forward faster and faster. But stay on top we must and we can’t if we’re stuck with old patterns of thinking and the same old ideas.

All too often both our personal and business results suffer from this ossification. We see this happening as we watch those younger than us and those with open minds race past. Many of us stand by annoyed and are left in the dust. (Does this sound like you?)

But some of us fight back.

We discard that which is no longer useful and effective in expanding our thinking and growing our business. We keep our outlook and ideas fresh. We keep up with the changing world.

What is the best way to empty your mind, keep ossification at bay, and make room for fresh thinking in the new year? Take a Clarity Break. A long Clarity Break.

Go off somewhere by yourself—to the ocean, to the woods, even to Starbucks– and empty your mind. Forget about everything. See what pops up. Contemplate the landscape or the people around you. Or sit with a blank journal and pen until you’re moved to jot down an interesting and useful idea that appeared out of nowhere. A problem solved, a new business opportunity, or just a new idea to contemplate and see where it leads.

Then come back refreshed, energized, with your headtrash gone and your mind clear and poised to solve even the most difficult issues.

A Clarity Break. Your first, and most important step to success in the year to come.

As for me… I hear the local winding country paths through the woods calling my name.