FC NOW: The Fast Company Weblog
August 12, 2004
Billionaire Best Practice - Take Regular "Think Weeks"
First off, I would like to thank Heath Row and the Fast Company editors for having the vision & boldness to have us crazy Guest Hosts dance the FC Now Blog Jam. Rest assured that we will try our best to live up to the trust placed on our blogging shoulders:) So here goes!
One would assume that Bill Gates, one of the richest men in the world, got there by working hard 24/7. But it seems he also has the wisdom to take off on "Think Weeks" -a one week 'thinking' retreat to a remote cabin by the lake with no means of electronic communication.
All he has with him is food, a pile of books to read and a bed to laze on. Away from it all, this quiet time alone allows new thoughts and perspectives to arise, voices usually lost in the hectic hurly burly of the modern daily routine.
Each "Think Week" might translate into new action directions that help Bill Gates to stay flexible and take the initiative in the future!
Think about it- If Bill can get away from it all on a regular basis-so can you!
Bill Gates on his practice of taking "Think Weeks":
"It's easy to spend so much time thinking about today's markets and competitors that you're not ready for those you'll encounter tomorrow. That's why I schedule "think weeks" several times a year-so I can spend time reading up on trends that are just beyond the horizon."
"I go off for a week with no interruptions. In fact, this one I was pretty religious about not doing e-mail, no phone calls and just day and night, other than sleeping, I'm reading."
Posted by Avi Solomon at August 12, 2004 1:22 AM | Category: personal development |
2 Comments
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well, he(Bill) started these think weeks after he became a billionare, i suppose.U r average guy just makes a plan according to his strengths & executes it for say his life,so effectively, the time to think is only once , the rest is all execution of that ability assesment.
Gates' think weeks remind me of the deep dives that Jack Welch used to go on. He'd continue working, but he'd delve several levels down into the organization so he always had hands-on experience in several areas of the organization.
What other ways do people remain connected to their work -- and themselves?