Monday, August 23, 2021

A Minute to Think by Julie Funt

Life is crazy busy. What if we stop and take a moment to think? What if we add space in our daily life to do so?

I'm old enough to remember boring times, times of day dreaming, time before the incessant media and activities. Now we need to be reminded, “Thinking is time well spent.” (17) How does that happen in this performance oriented era? How do we move away from thinking unfulfilled time is somehow an enemy?

Funt encourages businesses to schedule white space, time with no assignments for employees so they have time to think without performance pressure and without distractions. She encourages us to not fill up those natural times of white space, such as waiting in the grocery line, at stop lights. Don't destroy that space with busy work, podcasts, etc.

Funt helps us understand what white space is (and is not), how to schedule it, and how to craft wedges of time. She writes about dealing with email (touching it less and compose it better), saying no, questions for streamlining meetings, identifying the thieves, developing a reduction mindset, and more. She gives encouraging examples of CEOs who have benefited from dedicated white space.

This is a good book for people who are tired of the performance race, tired of working instead of living. One can experience a fulfilling life that includes time to think and dream and reflect. This book gives the encouragement and tools to do so. Start right now by giving yourself permission to sit for ten minutes and do nothing, just being satisfied with life.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

Julie Funt is a featured keynote speaker, advisor to Fortune 500 companies and founder and CEO of the training firm Juliet Funt Group. She encourages companies to free themselves from the burden of busy work, having advised a number of major organizations. You can find out more at https://www.julietfunt.com/.

Harper Business, 288 pages.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Zilker Media. My comments are an independent and honest review.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)

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