Open to Think: Slow Down, Think Creatively and Make Better Decisions by Dan Pontefract

Open to Think is a valuable book by Dan Pontefract which focuses on the power of slowing down and applying creative thinking to make better decisions. This book is written for people in a variety of roles, from the C-suite executive to the front line worker. The author’s goal is to equip readers with the tools and thought processes needed to make better decisions, while also providing improvement in both personal and professional life.

Pontefract begins by sharing his own personal story of how embracing a slower pace of thinking and creating a more open thinking mindset helped him balance his personal and professional lives. This helps set the stage for the remainder of the book which focuses on the various types of creative thinking and the importance of slowing down to develop creative solutions.

The author discusses the importance of trusting your intuition and daring yourself to break away from the status quo. He unpacks the power of emerging technologies and how they can be used to enhance the quality of the decision-making process. He also identifies the power of negotiation and the importance of collaborating with others and soliciting input from diverse perspectives.

The author then discusses how the “Business of One” is rapidly changing how we think about our projects and roles. He references Daniel Pink's newest book “When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing” to explain the impact of timing in decision-making and how it affects success.

The core of Open to Think is built around the power and value of making intentional pauses in our lives. The book explains the Buddhist concept of mindfulness and the benefits of mindful pauses in our day-to-day lives. The author then provides steps and processes for creating mindful pauses and using them to slow down and think more creatively. He explains the importance of creating visual cues and spaces for creative thinking, such as creating a “collaboratory” where creativity, innovation, and collaboration can thrive.

The author also provides steps and processes for implementing the Open to Think methodology into your daily life. He discusses how to use technology to increase productivity and how to use mindfulness in your decision-making process. He shares a variety of practical and tactical approaches to create pauses so that more mindful and creative thinking takes place.

Open to Think is an excellent resource for professionals looking to make better decisions and overcome common thought bottlenecks. The book provides thoughtful insights and suggestions on how to slow down and access more creative thinking. It also provides practical steps and processes for carving out space to pause, reflect, and think more creatively. The book serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to grow their creative thinking muscles and leverage their decision-making abilities.