When you have a full plate of assignments and projects, taking an hour out of your week to think may seem like a luxury you can't afford. Top contributors in an organization are known for their ability to think strategically and see the big picture. They generate ideas and recommend solutions for issues that are bigger than their immediate assignment. In order to to generate high quality ideas you need quiet time to focus. Pick one particular topic, issue or strategy each week and dedicate an hour to explore all of the possible actions you might take to solve it. This should be done alone, with no distractions and you should record your thoughts. The LifeHack Blog offers 11 tips for creating a productive Thinking Hour.