An effective escape from our fast-paced lives

The Origin

Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, introduced a unique tradition in the 1980s known as the Think Week.

During this annual event, Gates would isolate himself in a secluded location, disconnect from all forms of communication, and dedicate an entire week to reading, learning, and deep contemplation.

This unconventional approach became an integral part of his creative process, allowing him to think beyond the daily demands of his job and focus on the bigger picture.

Upon discovering the concept of the Think Week a few years ago, I was immediately intrigued and felt compelled to try it myself.

Recognising that I couldn't devote a whole week to this endeavour due to the demands of my early career and family responsibilities, I decided to adapt the idea while preserving its fundamental ethos and vision.

Hence, the Think Day was born, and I want to share its value with all of you today.

The Red Queen Effect Theory: Finding Time to Think

Carving out time for profound thinking is no easy task in our fast-paced lives. It often feels like we are constantly running to stay in the same place, much like the characters in Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking Glass."

The Red Queen Effect, as it is aptly named, emphasises that to make progress, we must run even faster than our surroundings. This principle, originally proposed in the field of evolutionary biology, holds true in the context of our modern careers.

Do you find yourself running faster and faster just to maintain your current position?

How often do you respond with "busy!" when asked how you're doing?

Many of us seem trapped in a never-ending cycle of meetings, phone calls, and emails. Our packed schedules give the illusion of productivity, but in reality, we may only be expending more effort to stay in the same place.

The free-time mindset

From a young age, we've been conditioned to believe that free time is detrimental, as it signifies lost productivity and wasted opportunities.

However, the truth is that having dedicated time for thinking is akin to having a "call option" on future intriguing possibilities. When we intentionally set aside free time in our schedules, we create the mental space and capacity to conceive and pursue high-potential ideas.

Yet, embracing this notion isn't easy because we are programmed to avoid it. The Think Day serves as my process for regularly incorporating this free time into my schedule.

Here's how it works:

Choose one day each month or quarter to detach from your daily professional obligations. Establish the following ground rules:

• Seek seclusion, either physically or mentally.

• Disable all device notifications.

• Set up an out-of-office response.

The objective is to spend the entire day engrossed in reading, learning, journaling, and deep thinking. Doing so compels you to create the necessary freedom to step back, broaden your perspective, and creatively think about the larger picture.

Tools for an Effective Think Day

For my Think Days, I rely on a few essential tools:

• A journal and pen.

• Books and articles that I've been meaning to read.

• A secluded location, such as my home, an Airbnb, or an outdoor setting.

• Thought-provoking question prompts to stimulate my mind.

The six thinking question prompts

Allow me to share six thinking question prompts that have proven particularly valuable (feel free to borrow them!):

1. What are your most firmly held beliefs, and what would it take for you to reconsider them?

2. What are a few things you know now that you wish you had known five years ago?

3. How can you achieve more by doing less but with more outstanding excellence?

4. Are you focusing on significant opportunities or getting entangled in trivial pursuits?

5. Reflecting on your actions five years ago, do you now cringe at which ones? And considering your current actions, which ones do you anticipate cringing at in five years?

6. If your 80-year-old self were to evaluate your present decisions, what advice would they offer?

I typically structure my Think Day around an eight-hour window, resembling a typical 9-to-5 workday. I divide my time within this timeframe into 60-minute focused blocks interspersed with leisurely walks.

Important Note:

Depending on your professional and personal constraints, you can scale the Think Day up or down to suit your circumstances. If an entire day feels overwhelming, I suggest starting with a few hours dedicated to this practice once every quarter and gradually expanding.

The key is to deliberately infuse your life with this breathing space and experience its profound benefits.

And remember, sometimes slowing down is necessary to speed up. In a world fixated on speed, there are immense advantages in decelerating:

• Restoring your energy.

• Noticing details you previously overlooked.

• Acting deliberately and with intention.

• Concentrating on the most impactful opportunities.

You can harness these benefits by incorporating the Think Day into your routine. I encourage you to try it and share your thoughts on the experience.

In the upcoming editions of Well-off Wednesdays, we'll explore more strategies and insights to optimise different aspects of our lives.

From lifestyle design to goal setting, we'll delve into topics that empower us to lead fulfilling, high-performance lives.

Thank you for joining me on this adventure.

Until next time, stay obsessed and keep striving for greatness!

Best regards,

Writer and Lifestyle designer

If you're loving this free newsletter, it would be awesome if you spread the word and share it with your friends.

We've just launched Well-off Wednesdays, and every single person you refer makes a huge difference. Thank you so much for your support!

P.S. Come say hi on Instagram 👋