[…] Given that you’re one of the only ones who can hold the whole business in your head, you need time to THINK. You need time to be able to consider where your business is heading. You need time to read. You need time to talk to customers. You need time to respond to a new, interesting opportunity that no one else has time for. Slack time has tremendous (and tremendously underappreciated) value. A CEO with slack time and the drive to use that time to continually consider the future of the business is a fantastic combination.

Over the last few years I’ve found residual value in going to conferences is breaking out of the day-to-day and finding time to think critically. Since then, I’ve tried to be more intentional about creating that time. I’m always glad when I do. (thanks John via Chris)