How to Create a Think Day

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The Red Queen Effect is the idea that a species must evolve faster than its surroundings if it hopes to survive. Most of our careers seem to exist on a never ending hamster wheel of meetings, calls, and email. The Think Day is my process for regularly forcing this free time into my schedule. Take one day each month or quarter to step back from all of your day-to-day professional demands.

In the 1980s, Microsoft founder Bill Gates began an annual tradition he called the Think Week. Gates would seclude himself in a remote location, shut off all of his communication, and spend an entire week dedicated to reading, learning, and thinking.

While I knew I didn't have an entire week to dedicate to it (due to early career demands, family priorities, etc.), I figured I could adapt something with a similar core ethos and vision. The Think Day was my creation—and I want to share its value with all of you today...

Pick one day each month (or quarter) to step back from all of your day-to-day professional demands. Seclude yourself (mentally or physically), shut off all of your notifications on your devices, and put up an out-of-office response. The goal is to spend the entire day reading, learning, journaling, and THINKING.