I do my best thinking while I’m lying in bed, just before I fall asleep. I finally get the necessary peace and quiet needed to ratchet through the swirling chaos in my skull. I often have to get up quickly to write down my ideas before I finally get some rest. (I used to do my best thinking on the toilet – come on, others can admit to this – but now my son is always opening the door and walking in…it’s just not the same…)

Most of the time while I’m lying there (in my bed, not on the toilet), drool starting to form around my mouth, I rerun through the day’s events, thinking about what was accomplished, what I didn’t do, and looking to connect that with past stuff and future to-dos.

How Buddha is that baby? (No, that’s not me!)

I think it’s important to give yourself “thinking time” every day. Our lives are crazy – work, more work, toss in a bit more work for good measure…oh wait, side project…side project…finish another side project…work, go home, feed family, clean up, sneak in a bit of work when the wife isn’t looking…

It’s to the point where many people just “try and survive” their days, without being able to step back and focus on anything but the fires they’re putting out and the immediate “must do” to-dos. But there’s more to business success and life than that.

So give yourself a few minutes each day and think. Brainstorm in your own head. Argue with yourself (Not to the point of pulling a Gollum…) Get creative!