Bill Gates Think Week
Dress: Anthropologie (fits true to size and has pockets), also love this, this, this, and this
Straw Bag: Amazon (only $35)
White Sneakers: Naturalizer
Monogram Necklace: Anthropologie
Have you ever dedicated a time to explore your mind? Allow that freedom to day dream? I know I don’t do this enough, but I really should. I’m constantly feeling burnt out and always feeling “the pressure”. I’m not quite sure what that pressure is, but I just feel it and then I get flustered and then I can’t think clearly. Since ‘Relax More’ is part of my new year intentions, I want to dedicate time to allow myself for mental creativity. That mental freedom is so important to your overall health. It improves your mental health which leads to improved self-esteem, encourages healthy eating, and assists in your life and career progression.
It has been proven that more creativity leads to a happier life. There’s reduction of stress, anxiety, depression, and potentially dementia. There’s an increase in intelligence and a boost of your immune system.
Bill Gates Think Week
Lately, I’ve been really into the podcast Group Chat. This podcast has three guys discussing current events, economics, and politics. They’re constantly talking about successful people and one of them is Bill Gates. And it has led me to become more interested in these successful people and that’s when I came across Bill Gates Think Week. If he’s successful (super successful), it probably had something to do with his lifestyle and how he thinks. After reading about Bill Gates’ think week, I felt inspired by it.
Bill Gates Think Week is basically when Bill Gates would take a week or two and escape work and disconnect. He would go to an isolated cabin in the Cedar Forest in the Pacific Northwest. His cabin would be stocked with Diet Orange Crush and Diet Coke. He dedicates his time to read papers his Microsoft employees had written on pitching new innovations or investments. No visitors are allowed except one year when he allowed a reporter from the Wall Street Journal to come along. The reporter realized that Bill Gates would spend at least 18 hours a day reading and creating ideas & outlines for Microsoft’s future. One of these Think Weeks inspired Bill Gates to write his infamous 16-page memo called the Internet Tidal Wave. He believed that the future of technology is the internet and it eventually led to the creation of the Internet Explorer.
Think Week Benefits
- Focus: Since there are no distractions, you can think clearly and your ability to focus increases.
- New Ideas: Escaping from the day-to-day gives a fresh perspective and can allow new innovations to come through.
- Recharge: Alleviates the feeling of being burnt out and keeps your mind fresh.
- Improves Problem Solving: Disconnecting has proven to allow yourself to have clarity and think better.
- Reduce Stress: Studies have shown that by removing yourself from an environment it reduces the effect of stress.
How To Do Your Own Think Week
While we all do not have the luxury to have our private plane take us to a secluded cabin in the Pacific Northwest, there are ways we can create our own Think Week.
Choose A Location
Travel if you can, however the location doesn’t have to be far. It can be anywhere that removes you from work and distractions. All you have to do is find a quiet, isolated space. Early on in Bill Gates career his first Think Weeks was at his grandmother’s house.
Dedicate A Timeframe
Pick the date(s) and block off the timeframe in your calendar. That way you are committed to taking this Think Week. At least for me, if it is not on the calendar the chance of anything happening is slim.
Social Media Detox
Social media is now a big part of our lives and one of the biggest distractions ever. Sometimes being on social media can lead to frustration. Just get off it and disconnect.
Do Less
Try not to commit to too many things during your Think Week. Remember, this is the time to unwind and just let your mind creatively think. If cooking isn’t your thing, then don’t do it. You can have your meals prepped or delivered.
Write It Down
Get yourself a journal for journaling or documenting your ideas. I always have a journal with me and it is what I call my random notebook. I write down anything that comes to mind. It’s where I write down professional goals, blog post ideas, photoshoot locations, outfit ideas, or anything random that comes to mind that I want to act on.
Read More
Reading helps ignite innovations. This can be fiction or nonfiction or about a special project you are working on. Ever since I’ve been reading more, it has helped spark my creativity and I think differently too. If you are into reading novels, I have a list of book recommendations. Did you know that Bill Gates’ holiday reading list inspired me to create my own holiday reading list?
My Thoughts On Think Week
While I haven’t officially taken a Think Week yet, looking back there are things I’ve done that emulate a mini Think Week and I did notice the benefits. When I’m under less stress, I noticed that not only has my anxiety been reduced, but I am able to be more productive at work. I can write a blog post quickly with a higher quality of work that I am proud of. My mind doesn’t feel so flustered when I write whatever is brewing in my head. It’s like a sense of relief. Seeing these benefits really inspired me to do my own Think Week. Now I’m going to look in my calendar when I should do it!
Have you heard of Think Week? What do you think about it?
xo RD
Thank you for writing this post. This was so interesting. I learned something valuable. You look beautiful.
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
I’m so glad to hear! Thank you Regine!
Wow, I’ve never heard of Think Week but I love the idea and I think it’;s really important. I’m definitely going to take your tips and do my own 🙂
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Right?! So good!
This sounds amazing! Thanks for sharing. I’m definitely going to try it out. I could be more productive and less stressed right about now.
I totally agree! Hope you give it a try!
Everyone needs to take a Bill Gates think week for sure. Very accurate and thank you for sharing. I adore that dress on you. You look pretty, Rach.
https://missymayification.co.uk
Thank you Missy May!
I’ve never heard of this!! Thanks so much for sharing! PS your dress is super cute!
Thank you so much Hillary!
How have I never heard of this before!?!! I totally need to do a Think Week – Maybe somewhere tropical 😉 Love your dress!
Rachel
http://www.hello-her.com
Oo A tropical Think Week especially this time of the year is the perfect location!
I definitely need to try this!! Just need to find time to take an entire week off and plan a trip someplace where I can relax.
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
Same girl!
I think this sounds great!! I’m not sure I’d actually be able to take the time completely off to do this, but would love to take some pointers from it!
https://www.makelifemarvelous.com/
Even though this is something I’ve never heard of, prior to today, I’m 100% on board! It sounds like such a phenomenal way to go about giving your mind a break from the over-stimulation, and allowing it to function the way it desires. I can think of the perfect place for my think break, and I know exactly the kinds of things I’d do while I’m there. Now I gotta make it happen!
Isn’t it a great idea!
I’ve never heard of a think week, but I definitely would love to try it! It sound like perfect way to reduce all that background noise that exists in everyday life and really focus! Thanks for sharing!
http://roadesque.com
Totally worth trying!
I love this! I wish I could dedicate some time to thinking. Unfortunately work, mom life and everything else always take precedent!
xo Jessica
http://www.whatsfordinneresq.com
Understandable!
This sounds intriguing. Will definitely check this out. Thanks dear!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Let me know if you do end up trying it out!
I love this idea. And could really use some time off. I was planning on taking two days for my birthday to do just that. Unwind and being disconnected from social media. I wanted to hire an Airbnb somewhere along the coast, preferably having the beach on my doorstep kind of place, but the fires in Oz are so bad, I have to wait for the date to come closer to see what conditions are like. But it is still a break I’m determined to take now. Maybe not so much a week, but a few days are better than none at all!
Sxx
daringcoco.com
I think we all deserve a break even if it is not as disconnect as Bill Gates!
I’ve never heard of Think Week before! I need to check this out because it sounds really beneficial!!
Kileen
cute & little
It totally does!
Wow I would absolutely LOVE a think week somewhere by myself haha!
Right?! Perfect time for ourselves!
I had never heard of this before this post, but it sounds really interesting & something I should try!
Right?! Such a great concept!
I want to check out this podcast. Right up my alley! Love this idea! I definitely feel like taking a social media break helps us our brains feel rejuvenated!
That podcast is the best! Social media breaks are the best!
I love the idea of a Think Week. I think for most of us, a whole week would be a bit of a luxury, but I definitely agree it’s so important to turn off the mobile phone every now and then and disconnect – allow yourself to focus and think. Gorgeous photos, too, by the way – you look amazing!
For sure a whole week would be a luxury, but hopefully you can do it that works for you!