Finding Focus in the Silence: My First ‘Think Day’ Experience

In a recent blog post, I shared my plans to dedicate one day each month to a ‘Think Day.’ This concept, inspired by a podcast from Sahil Bloom, is aimed at fostering profound reflection, strategic thinking, and personal growth. In case you missed it, you can find my initial thoughts linked here.

Recently, I embarked on my inaugural ‘Think Day.’ In brief, it was an enriching experience, precisely what my weary mind and soul needed.

The Structure of My ‘Think Day’

The concept is still taking shape, and each month I plan to tweak it for maximum benefit. Here’s a rundown of my first ‘Think Day’:

• Early Start: I woke up at 5 a.m. and prepared my bike with all the essentials for the day.
• Resources: I took along my Kindle filled with books, curated podcasts, a notebook, and a pen. Phone*.
• Nature’s Retreat: I hiked and swam in the mountains for a couple of hours. This served as a stress reliever after the long bike ride and provided an opportunity to soak in the breathtaking scenery.
• Learning and Noting: While relaxing with a cup of coffee, I listened to podcasts and noted down actions, future reading/listening recommendations.
• Questions: I referred to a set of questions prepared in advance. These questions stimulated deep thought and added structure to the day.
• Action Plan: I drafted a list of actions for the next month, to be reviewed during my next ‘Think Day.’
• Reflection: I noted down what worked and what didn’t during the day. This feedback will help improve my future ‘Think Days.’

*The idea is to avoid the phone, but considering practicality and safety, I do bring it along for taking photos and listening to podcasts, but I keep it in flight mode to ensure minimal distractions.

The Impact of ‘Think Day’

I’m aware that a ‘Think Day’ might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but for me, it worked wonders. It served as a sort of ‘reset’ button for the month, providing a space to process everything that happened in the previous month, evaluate it, and learn from it. It’s an effective strategy to ensure I’m on course for my goals for the next month, quarter, and year.

During this ‘Think Day,’ I came across the ‘1 in 60 rule,’ an insight that underscored the importance of such reflection and recalibration. The rule reminded me that even a one-degree change in our path can lead us to a completely different destination over a long journey.

Closing Thoughts

I’m sharing my ‘Think Day’ experience because I believe we all need that quiet space to reflect, recalibrate, and realign with our goals. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or just looking to gain more clarity in your personal or professional life, consider giving this a try. You might discover more than you expect, and it could provide you with the reset you need.

Remember, there’s power in silence, and sometimes, the best way to move forward is to pause, reflect, and then proceed.