The Importance of Quiet Time

by Justin Levy on November 11, 2009

In the insanely fast paced lives that most of us lead suggesting that you should add in time for reflection or quiet timesasha would be launch an attack of virtual (or physical) stones being thrown at me. But, taking quiet time is an essential quality for leaders.  In several interviews with leaders and executives from all over the world, those such as President Obama, Bill Gates, and many others, they have mentioned the importance of taking quiet time for reflection, thinking, and planning.  For some, this may be on a daily basis while others may carve out time out of their week, month, quarter or year.

While I admit that I’m in the same boat as I would imagine most of you are so I fail to take this down time as often as I should.  That is exactly one of my favorite reasons for flying. After the laptop dies, I read all of the magazines and am tired of reading a book, I usually turn on chill, relaxed music (e.g. Boyz II Men, Usher, or something similar) and just blankly stare out of the window or close my eyes.  I find this is the time when I develop my next moves, develop new ideas for my clients, work through presentations or simply reflect.

I wish I could force this time into my schedule every day.  But, of course, the demands of work and life takeover and before I know it, there are a few hours left to grab a couple hours of sleep before it all starts over again.  It is something I’m striving to do more of now and have actually begun scheduling it into my calendar.  I find it that valuable.

Do you take quiet time to strategize, plan, think or just let your mind wonder? Do you find it valuable?  How do you fit it into your schedule and on what frequency?

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  • 卡卡
    be quiet is so hard for me
  • Justin,

    Too long ago to remember I read for the first time what I eventually did and have done (and read again, often) since. If you just get up a half hour before everyone else does and read you will read 28000 more books than anyone who sleeps in all their life and experience 2140000 more hours of living (I may have those numbers wrong, but you get the picture).

    That, combined with a friend telling me about circadian rhythms (we sleep in 90 to 110 minute cycles) set a habit in place for the last 20 years. I sleep 6 hours most nights (with one 7 every week and infrequent 4.5's) and get up from 1 to 3.5 hours before the rest of my household, except the dogs. After feeding dogs and the first cup of coffee, I meditate for 20 minutes. Then I read for another half hour. After that all sorts of things may happen if I hit the email, Twitter, clean up the kitchen, etc.

    But that peaceful start to the day at 4 to 5 AM, depending on when I went to bed the night before, has been a Godsend. Ideas flow (captured on a pad always at my side as I meditate and read), I make steady progress through 10 to 15 books a year (always 4 to 6 going at once), and I find that it is a system I can do in a hotel room as easy as I do it at home (easier - no dogs!).
  • Justin, this is a great topic that we all need to heed. I don't have nearly the hectic schedule that you do. I work from a peaceful setting (ranch in TX), set my own schedule and build in time for reflection every day, mostly petting my dogs and watching horses running around. But still I don't do this enough. I spend way too much time in front of the computer or iPhone and way too little time brainstorming or at least letting my mind go. Thanks for the reminder!
  • Because of the time demands you mention, scheduling 'quiet' time is a must. I take a 30 min (2 mile) walk each day. Armed with my iPod, my mind is able to wander and as you said, that's when all those great ideas appear! My only dilemma now is finding a way to remember them all when the walk is over!
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