The Power of Deep Thinking

A note to young leaders.

Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein are among the most influential individuals to have ever walked the planet. So, to what did they attribute their unusual success?

Here’s what Einstein said when he was asked about the inspiration behind his theory of relativity: “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” and “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”

And, when Newton was asked how he came to invent calculus, he replied in Latin: “Nocte dieque incubando” (“By thinking about it night and day.”)

We tend to dismiss these remarks as “false modesty”, perhaps to exonerate ourselves from the effort to think deeply.

Be honest. When was the last time you deeply and persistently thought about an issue of great significance to you, your business or the world – and did so with an open and curious mind?

In a world where attention spans last as long as the next push notification on our smart phone, creating time for deep thinking is more than ever an opportunity for massive out-performance.

And what’s the best way to “deep think”? Read extensively, go for long walks on your own and then sit in a quiet place to write and organise your thoughts.