Over the past few months, I’ve been writing about reflection and the role it plays in our work and daily lives. Reflection, for me, lives in everyday moments. In how I pause, notice, and make sense of what is happening: in my work, in conversations, and within myself.
At the same time, I notice how often we expect ourselves to think clearly, stay focused, and make good decisions without really paying attention to the conditions that support that.
Some moments of reflection bring clarity more easily than others. They somehow feel lighter. I found myself asking what makes that difference.
Which brings me to a question I’ve been exploring lately:
When is our thinking at its best?
And what seems to support it?
One of the sources that inspired me to reflect on this further is Clare Norman’s book Cultivating Coachability, where she introduces the idea of thinking accelerators. She names several of them:
- quality of sleep,
- level of physical activity,
- attention restoration (especially outdoors),
- nutrition,
- stress management.
Reading this, I found myself thinking about how uniquely these show up for each of us.
Exercise, attention restoration and stress management
In many coaching conversations, especially with clients working in demanding business environments, this becomes very visible. A number of my clients have noticed how time spent training in the gym supports their focus, clarity, and quality of thinking. In some of our coaching processes, this even became a topic in itself: how to reduce overtime and protect that time right after work when they go to the gym.
To be honest, I’m not much of a gym person and my own rhythm looks a little bit different. I prefer daily walks with my dog and whenever possible, time in nature: a park, a forest, the mountains. There is something in those moments that creates space for ideas and brings a sense of clarity to decisions. While writing this I’m realising, these moments seem to bring together several “thinking accelerators” at once: movement, a restoration of attention, and a natural easing of pressure.
And I know that for some of my colleagues, their favourite activity is dancing.
Sleep
Sleep plays a significant role in the quality of our thinking. It influences how present we are, how we process information, how we communicate with others, and how we make decisions.
At the moment, with a small baby, I’m also learning what that looks like in real life. I often hear the advice “sleep when the baby sleeps.” That’s not always something I can follow. To be honest, I’m writing this while the baby sleeps.
So this particular accelerator is not always at its highest level — and at the same time, it invites a different kind of adjustment. Noticing what is possible, even within imperfect conditions.
Nutrition
And then there is nutrition. What we eat (and drink) also plays its role in how we think and focus throughout the day. I notice that my body sometimes asks for something sweet.
Even though I know a piece of fruit might be a better choice, in this period the decision sometimes becomes Plazma Quattro ice cream.
Perhaps part of reflection (again, as with sleep) is also noticing these small choices and gently moving toward what supports us a little more often. And drinking water as often as we can, or as Clare Norman writes: “planing intake of water to keep brain hydrated and at peak thinking capacity”
I’m leaving here few questions for you to explore
- When does your thinking feel most clear and focused? What is present in those moments?
- What role does movement play in your thinking?
- How does the quality of your sleep influence your day?
- Where do you notice your attention being restored?
Perhaps reflection is also about recognizing what helps us think well, and making space for more of that. If you notice what supports your thinking best, I’d be curious to hear.
Feel free to share your own thinking accelerators.
Be the first to comment