The Paradox of Speed

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What actions are you engaged in today that you will cringe at in five years? What would your 80-year-old self say about your decisions today? I aim for an eight-hour window, a typical nine-to-five day, split into 60-minute focus blocks with walks in between. Depending on your professional and life constraints, you can scale the Think Day up or down. Give it a shot and let me know what you think.

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.