When it comes to productivity and staying inspired, you often hear the suggestion of getting some fresh air or opting for a standing desk.
Ask Bill Gates, however, and he’ll tell you to go take a week off in seclusion, free from Wi-Fi and all civilization. Yep, coworkers, friends and even family excluded.
Coined as his ‘Think Week,’ Gates takes a personal seven-day retreat twice a year to reset and come up with revolutionary ideas. The result? Legendary thought pieces such as his “Internet Tidal Wave” memo developed back in 1995. In it, he accurately predicted that the information superhighway was about to upend the computer industry he helped create, calling on his company to adapt to, and dominate, the new landscape.
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We don’t often hear about the idea of taking a vacation for the sole purpose of brainstorming and dreaming big. Turns out one of the most productive things we can do is, well, do nothing at all. Proponents of the ‘Think Week’ practice report a long list of benefits, including increased focus, a boost in creative thinking and a variety of health improvements. Although not all of us can escape to a two-story secluded cabin with a caretaker to serve us meals, we can imitate the experience and reap similar results.
This infographic from Reservations.com breaks down why and how you should do your own Think Week. Read on to discover how Bill Gates does it, the professional as well as personal benefits of disconnecting and the steps you can take to recreate your very own ‘Think Week.’
