Create Space summary

Introduction

Create Space by Derek Draper Creating intentional space is essential for personal and professional growth. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the demands of modern life? We live in unique times and for the first time in human history, we need to create space. For over 1,000 generations, we have been expanding and filling the vast space around us.

However, we are not filling space anymore, as many people now feel overcrowded and over-scheduled. Therefore, they need to create space to find some relief. This development was one reason the author wrote this book, realizing that leaders must also prepare space. Leaders need space to grow, as creating space is a prerequisite for overall improvement and development.

Based on these ideas, Derek Draper outlines ways to create space for a better life and career. Essentially, there are four key domains which are thinking, connecting, doing, and believing. Within each domain, you can develop skills centered on reflection, self-awareness, relationships, and productivity.

Reflection and Self Awareness at Work

Reflection and Self Awareness at Work. Reflection is key to doing good work, but it takes space, effort, and a willingness to confront unpleasant things. To succeed in any role, you need self-awareness, which means knowing your own strengths and weaknesses. This holds true for everyone, whether you are an artist, a CFO, or an administrative assistant.

With self-awareness, you can avoid potential problems, create effective plans, and make better decisions. The key to knowing yourself is reflection, which is like having a meaningful conversation with yourself. Since the days of Confucius and Socrates, great minds have championed reflection for its intellectual and practical benefits. For example, reflection can greatly boost your decision-making abilities while reducing costly mistakes.

Before acting, take time to reflect on alternative options and possible side effects. Afterwards, analyze the results to identify what went right or wrong, ensuring you make fewer mistakes. However, deep reflection requires four kinds of space, which are temporal, physical, relational, and psychic. Temporal and physical space refer to time and location, respectively.

Relational space is the benefit of having someone else to bounce ideas off. Psychic space is about being open to improvement and feeding your mind new, enlightening information. Creating all this space takes effort. A Harvard study shows CEOs have under 15% of their work week for solitary work.

If CEOs struggle to make space for reflection, the rest of the workforce will too. Even with space, shutting out daily distractions is tough, and reflection can lead to unpleasant realizations. Reflecting on past actions might reveal that you behaved foolishly or treated someone in an inconsiderate manner. Nevertheless, if you want the benefits of self-awareness, you must acknowledge these unpleasant realities.

Commuters in the United Kingdom who reflected on their ride home were happier and more productive. So, make the space to reflect.