It’s Time to T.H.I.N.K

Sometimes Life Forces You to Stop

I’ve recently had some enforced time out of my business following an operation.

While it wasn’t planned, it turned out to be exactly what I needed – a breath of fresh air, quite literally.

It made me realise something crucial about business success that I share with all my coaching clients: thinking time is severely underrated.

The Power of Stepping Back

For anyone who knows me, sitting still isn’t my natural state.

Like many business owners I work with, I typically operate at high output levels.

But being told I had to stop created an unexpected opportunity.

With fewer interruptions and people respecting my ‘rest’ time, I gained a completely new perspective on my business.

You Don’t Need Surgery to Get Thinking Time

Now, I’m not suggesting you need to go under the knife to get this valuable thinking time!

But the principle of having dedicated time set aside just to think is crucial for running a successful business and living your best life.

With the support of a business coach, you can create structured thinking time that actually drives results.

Why T.H.I.N.K.I.N.G Time Matters

In our fast-paced business world, where every moment seems consumed by staff issues, decision-making, meetings, and firefighting, setting aside time to think might feel like a luxury you can’t afford.

But here’s the truth: it’s a luxury you can’t afford to skip.

I see it all the time with business owners.

They’re caught in reactive mode, making hasty decisions to address immediate concerns.

This reactive mindset leads to:

• Impulsive choices that often need fixing later
• Missed opportunities for growth
• Lack of strategic direction
• Burnout and stress

The Personal Growth Factor

One of the most powerful things I’ve observed in my coaching practice is how dedicated thinking time transforms not just businesses, but business owners themselves.

It goes beyond immediate business benefits like better decision-making and clearer planning.

When you give yourself permission to think deeply, you start to:

• Reflect on your leadership style
• Clarify your personal goals
• Align your business with your values
• Understand your strengths better
• Identify areas for improvement

From Thinking to Action: The Power of 90 Minutes

While dedicated thinking time is crucial, there’s another game-changing principle I share with my clients, drawn from Nigel Botterill’s book “Build Your Business in 90 Minutes a Day.”

The concept is simple but transformative: spend 90 minutes each day working ON your business, not in it.

This isn’t just any 90 minutes – it’s your most productive time of day dedicated to activities that will actually move your business forward.

When you combine reflective thinking time with focused 90-minute action sessions, supported by expert coaching, you create an unstoppable formula for growth.

Making T.H.I.N.K.I.N.G and Action Time Work for You

Through my coaching experience, I’ve developed some practical approaches to integrating both thinking and action time into your schedule:

1. Start Small but Be Consistent

Begin with just 15-30 minutes a day of thinking time, gradually building up to your focused 90-minute business development sessions.

I’ve found early morning walks are perfect for the thinking portion, followed by focused action time when you’re at your most productive.

2. Create Your Think Space

Find somewhere free from distractions.

Turn off notifications.

Set boundaries with your team.

Many of my most successful clients use their first hour of the day, before the business world wakes up, as their dedicated thinking time, followed by their 90-minute action session.

3. Use Structured Thinking Prompts

Working with a business coach provides you with structured frameworks to make your thinking time more productive.

Key questions to consider:

• What are the biggest challenges my business is facing?
• What opportunities am I not currently exploring?
• How is my team really performing?
• How much time am I spending working ON versus IN my business?

The Business Coach Advantage

This is where having an expert business coach becomes invaluable.

While thinking time helps you identify opportunities and challenges, a coach helps you:

• Structure your thoughts into actionable plans
• Maintain accountability for implementing insights
• Access proven frameworks for growth
• Gain an experienced outside perspective
• Challenge your assumptions
• Turn ideas into measurable results

The Real Impact

Let me share something powerful.

One of my clients recently started combining 30 minutes of daily thinking time with Nigel’s 90-minute principle.

Within weeks, he’d not only identified three major opportunities his business had been missing but had actually implemented strategies to capture them.

The combination of reflection and focused action, supported by coaching, accelerated his progress dramatically.

Making it a Daily Habit

This combination of thinking time and focused action isn’t a luxury – it’s a vital practice for any business owner committed to growth and success.

By implementing this approach, you can:

• Gain strategic clarity
• Foster innovation
• Grow personally
• Build a more resilient business
• Become a more fulfilled leader

Your Next Step

In a world where the next big challenge or opportunity is always just around the corner, there’s never been a better time to make structured thinking and focused action a priority.

If you’re struggling to find time to think strategically about your business or need help implementing the 90-minute principle, let’s talk about it.

Book a free 30-minute virtual coffee chat with me, and let’s explore how to create the mental space you need to grow your business effectively. Sometimes, the most valuable investment you can make is in your thinking time – and in getting expert guidance to turn those thoughts into results.

Best wishes,

Jamie

P.S. Remember, every successful business journey starts with clear thinking and focused action. Let’s make sure you have both.