All too often we get too caught up in day-to-day life to take a few minutes, an hour, or even an entire day to stop everything and focus on what is driving our business and discovering “why” it is we do the things we do as a company. Companies seldom take the time to look closely at why those who follow them or do business with them choose to do so and how that affects their marketing efforts. Whether the goal is to meet client demand, continue to turn profits and drive revenue, increase productivity, or simply accomplish projects on your to-do list — every day new challenges are presented that sometimes hamper highly important “big idea” brainstorming and reflection time.

Over the years I have come to realize that this is true across nearly every industry and in businesses big and small alike.

In the May issue of Fortune, Shawn Tully profiled diversified international industrial conglomerate, Honeywell, as well as the company’s unique CEO, Dave Cote. Cote, who got his start in business under the legendary Jack Welsh at General Electric, took over the failing Honeywell in 2002, and has led the company in an extraordinary turnaround; they are now #77 on the Forbes 500 list.

What makes Cote so different and noteworthy is what this CEO doesn’t do. It’s not the 59-year-old’s approach to business, or the baggy jeans and work boots he chooses to wear in the office and in meetings over the traditional suit and tie. Or the fact that he listens to rapper Jay-Z while tackling some of the greatest challenges his company faces on a daily basis.

Sure that stuff is great, and honestly pretty interesting.

But what makes Dave Cote different is what he’s not doing. According to the article, on a regular basis, Cote sets aside an entire day to sit by himself, undisturbed in his office. During this time he blasts his iTunes, reflects, and brainstorms ‘big ideas’ to implement into his business. He doesn’t take a single phone call, he doesn’t schedule a lunch meeting with his VP in China; he focuses his efforts and attention on one thing — his own business. How he can make it better, and what major ‘themes’ play throughout his products?

When I read this, the first thing I thought was “why aren’t more C-level executives doing this?” Imagine how focusing on marketing in a session like this even every few months could help differentiate, cut through the clutter, and change your business?

100 points to Dave Cote and Honeywell on not letting the daily grind get in the way of the next big idea.