Should we stop and stare?

We’re told to be busy.

We’re told to produce results, meet targets, hit deadlines and keep moving. We are taught that activity is a virtue and reflection is a waste of time.

I think that is one of the biggest mistakes modern society makes.

In this video, I use William Henry Davies’ famous poem Leisure to explore why creativity, imagination, innovation and good judgement all require something that our culture increasingly discourages: time to stop and think.

From schools and universities to workplaces, charities and politics, we have become obsessed with measurable activity. We reward action even when it is misguided. We celebrate busyness even when it produces poor outcomes.

But many of the best ideas in human history emerged because someone took time to stand back, reflect and ask questions.

Perhaps what Britain needs now is not more activity, but more thought.

Maybe we need to stop staring at our screens and start staring out of the window.