Daniel Kahneman’s book “Thinking Fast and Slow” is a fascinating and highly readable insight into the way our brain processes information and makes decisions. In the book he describes the two systems which govern our thinking:
- System 1: Fast, automatic, frequent, emotional, stereotypic, subconscious.
- System 2: Slow, effortful, infrequent, logical, calculating, conscious.
As an entrepreneur you will, likely, spend a lot of time in system 1 — as you are fighting fires, dealing with opportunities and crisis and are busy at work with the day to day.
Kahneman shows us that you should spend time in system 2 — strategic work which will yield the insights moving the needle for your business. This is not just true for thinking about also your interactions with others. We often shoot from the hip when in conversation — missing valuable information and insights.
Designate one day this week to be your slow day. Then when you have a conversation, take five seconds before responding. Seriously. Every time.