Let's see how the most successful people in the world fuel their curiosity.
Here's what Bill Gates Says.
"Think Week is a time when I can be creative and push my own thinking. It's a time to step outside the day-to-day demands of my job and really focus on the big picture." - Bill Gates
In the 1980s, Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, developed this habit to fuel his curiosity: spending two weeks doing nothing but reading!
I would call it reading week. But it's easy to remember that it's think week. You read to sharpen your mind, and it's your mind's job to think and connect the dots.
Mr. Gates, I don't know if he is still practicing Think Week, but according to his website, he is a voracious reader.
He spent one to two weeks a year reading, thinking, and learning by cutting off all communication with the real world.
I first read about Think Week a few years ago and immediately knew I wanted to try it.
I tried to spend time in the wilderness thinking, but due to family responsibilities, I could only do 3 to 4 days. That's a lot to think about.
I suggest spending one day without modern tools like smartphones, the internet, tablets, etc., just you, a peaceful environment, and books. They will build your creativity muscle and encourage you to think.
How to find time to think?
Do you want to give yourself time to think but don't know how to do it?
Maybe you are super busy, but ask yourself:
Are you productive, too, or just busy for the sake of busyness?
These are two different things.
Taking a break and recharging your brain is the best way to think and generate better ideas.
Let me ask.
Did you watch Alice in Wonderland?
The Red Queen makes a strong statement regarding their lack of progress after a run.
"Now, here, you see, it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!"
The RED Queen Hypothesis is a significant phenomenon. It was first proposed by Leigh Van Valen in 1973, which led to interesting outcomes.
"The Red Queen Hypothesis refers to a coevolutionary concept where species must continually evolve new adaptations in response to evolutionary changes in other organisms to avoid extinction, as illustrated by the need for constant running just to stay in the same place, as described in Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass."
A species must evolve faster than its surroundings not just for reproductive advantage but to survive.
That's why I asked you if you are just busy or also moving ahead in life. Some people have developed this habit of saying no to almost everything for the sake of saying they are busy, but in reality, they are not productive.
I don't think any human can do deep work for 4+ hours every day until they need a break to recharge.
I highly suggest putting a think time in your calendar.
How to do it?
I am busy most of the time, but being busy is not enough.
I need to learn new tools.
I need to learn new skills.
I need to learn from accomplished people.
That's why I embraced THINK-DAYS, which are 2-3 days every 6 months spent somewhere in the forest.
I go camping if the weather is good, but my purpose is to read a couple of books, think, take long walks, and reflect.
Here is an easy solution.
I do an experiential Airbnb. I will ensure that Airbnb does not have a Wi-Fi connection, has no traffic noise, and is far from normal life. It will mostly be a cabin in the middle of nowhere with all the basic amenities.
I rent an experiential Airbnb for 2-4 days. The first day doesn't count in the week because it's dedicated to traveling and settling down.
Here's what I make sure my accommodation has to help me to think.
In the middle of a forest
Preferred in the mountains
Make sure a river or waterfall is nearby, and naturally running water has a tremendous effect on my mood
Absolutely NO Internet/WIFI
3-6 books
Healthy food for 3-4 days
Long walks, preferably trails nearby
What to do or how to create your think week or days?
I am fortunate to be able to afford 3-5 days every 6 months to spend alone in nature to recharge my brain and thinking.
You can pick a couple of days or even a day based on your schedule.
I highly recommend two days every two months.
Learn to spend time with yourself, alone, and with no one else, just you and physical books.
Basic rules
You will be okay, the company will be okay if you dont check the email for a couple of days.
Turn off all the devices.
No internet zone
Tell just one person, your spouse, brother, or friend, where you're going and why you won't be available for the next couple of days.
Your GOAL
The goal is simple.
Reading
Long walk
Thinking
Long walk
Writing
Long walk
Just do it without asking any questions; as long as you are in nature, reading for 1-4 hours a day, taking long walks, your brain has no option to wonder except to think deeply.
Tools
Here are my essential tools, you add based on your circustances.
Physical books/articles/research paper 3-5 ( I get bored with one topic)
Physical journal
iPad (I love the Notes app and Apple Pencil; it's like writing with a pen) - Remember, no internet!!
A dedicated spot, preferably an Airbnb in the middle of nowhere without internet
After reading, I prefer to take long walks in the nature without phone, watch or anything, if I have the option I would keep walking that's how healthy is this simple exercise.
Ask yourself a couple of thought-provoking questions at the end of each session.
Here is an example of questions I ask myself.
What are the day-to-day things you do that really make you feel happy? Do you find them doing enough, or do you want to do less?
What are your strongest beliefs and why? What would it take for you to change your mind on them? Do you need to chnage your belifs?
4. What are a few things you know now that you wish you knew 5-10 years ago?
How can you say no more than yes? [ I am trying to learn without hurting people's feelings]
What is keeping you from changing the things you'd like to change about yourself?
Are You Hunting Antelope or Field Mice?
A lion is fully capable of capturing, killing, and eating a field mouse. But it turns out that the energy required to do so exceeds the caloric content of the mouse itself. So a lion that spent its day hunting and eating field mice would slowly starve to death. A lion can't live on field mice. A lion needs antelope. Antelope are big animals. They take more speed and strength to capture and kill, and once killed, they provide a feast for the lion and her pride. A lion can live a long and happy life on a diet of antelope. The distinction is important. Are you spending all your time and exhausting all your energy catching field mice? In the short term it might give you a nice, rewarding feeling. But in the long run you're going to die. So ask yourself at the end of the day, "Did I spend today chasing mice or hunting antelope?" - Tim Ferris
I am an advocate of the Pomodoro method: 50 minutes of reading followed by 10 10-minute breaks. Now, I have developed my focus span, especially when I am reading a physical book. It can overcome the Pomodoro method, and if I am enjoying and learning, I keep reading it. Then, I take a long break, take a long walk, or write my thoughts in the journal.
You don't have to do what I do, like taking 2-5 days off or two consecutive days off. Figure out what works for you if you can afford one week, as Bill Gates does. If you are busy like me, maybe 2-3 days or even one day is fine.
After each thinking day, I spend more time in nature, feeling more relaxed and energized and thinking more about my decisions. This helps me understand what is important vs. urgent, which is crucial to learn without getting stuck in the "busy life" loop.
Final verdict
It is impossible to spend time in nature reading, writing, thinking, and taking long walks without seeing results in your life.
The secret is in the doing.
Take action
NOW
Do you practice a thinking ritual?
Let me know what you think.
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