Learning from reflective thinking
In a world of constant noise, I had to learn to harness the quiet.
Today I want to tell you more about The Think Week, a quarterly life ritual that changed how I plan the future.
Here are three ways how I think about turning introspective work into a superpower.
Having a plan
You gotta have a plan. Everybody has a dream or a goal, but I must have a plan.
A C5 Plan is Clear, Concise, Compelling, Consistent, and Committed.
When you're passionate about that C5 plan, there's no plan B.
We do it in the business with retrospectives, quarterly business reviews, etc, but will often overlook running similar exercises for organizing life ambitions.
So the weekly review, every Sunday, and think week, every quarter, became evergreen reflective thinking time on my calendar. It helps establish mental models and encourages me to ponder what we’ve done, seen, and learned.
Journaling these moments is elevating good to memorable.
The Think Week
Think Week Alicante Q32023
At the beginning of each year, the think week is the place where I set the roadmap for life and business, and every quarter I sharpen the saw.
Inspired by Bill Gates, I take the think week became my opportunity to go somewhere new, create memories, and think about the future.
I perfected my planning experiences over the past 4 years. I'm still working on the templates to share with the community.
New York Think Week Q32022
We do sprint retrospectives, quarterly business reviews, etc, but do we make the same time for looking back, celebrating the wins, and organizing life ambitions?
I keep a couple of evergreen rituals on my calendar:
Focused Hours during peak energy: Dedicated periods for deep, uninterrupted work to boost productivity and creativity.
Friday Product Jam: Weekly sessions on Friday evening to study competitors, brainstorm, and develop new product experiments.
Weekly Review on Sundays: End-of-week reflections to review accomplishments, plan the upcoming week, and keep projects on track.
Think Week: Quarterly retreats for in-depth thinking, strategic planning, and personal development. The helicopter view from the journey.
It helps establish mental models and encourages me to ponder what we’ve done, seen, and learned.
Journaling these moments elevates good memories to memorable ones.
The first edition of Think Week in Sopot, the Polish baltic sea Q2 2021
Asking right questions
Reflective thinking consistently puts me in a position to reflect on my actions, and plans and measure backward life's journey.
However, any retrospective is as good as the questions asked and the amount of attention given to the right topics.
During these periods I ask questions like:
What's the main thing and what are the projects and adventures advancing the main thing?
How are the different life areas I track progressing over time? How do I stack up against my definition of worst vs best?
How am I growing? What are the routines in place that reinforce my 1% better every day? How and when do I apply learnings?
To whom do I add value today? How do I know I added value? How can I hold accountability and follow up to compound the benefit?
Away from keyboard
In our digitally saturated environment, stepping away from our screens becomes a vital practice for mental clarity and creativity. This disconnection allows us to engage deeply with the world around us and fosters a space where reflective thinking can flourish.
By consciously choosing to disconnect, you open yourself up to experiences and insights that enrich your personal and professional life.
Make it a regular practice to take these journeys away from the keyboard, and watch as your world expands in depth and dimension.
Whether it’s a walk in the park, a bike ride, or simply enjoying a quiet moment in nature, these activities help rejuvenate the mind and body.
Cycling is my zen. The steady rhythm, the breeze, the changing landscape - it's a moving meditation. For some, it's running shoes hitting pavement or trails. Others find peace in the flow of yoga. The key is finding your active escape.
Cycling around Munich's English Park
Spending time offline can lead to unexpected insights and solutions to problems that seemed insurmountable while you were staring at a screen. It’s in these moments of tranquility that true reflection and deep thinking often occur. Allow yourself the space to breathe, explore, and reconnect with the world around you.
The science is fascinating. During prolonged exercise or focused movement, our bodies release endorphins and endocannabinoids. These chemicals reduce pain, decrease anxiety, and create a sense of euphoria. It's nature's reward for pushing our limits.
But it's more than just feeling good. This state enhances creativity, improves problem-solving, and boosts overall cognitive function.
Remember, the time you invest in these offline activities is not just a break from work but an essential part of your creative and reflective process. Embrace these moments as opportunities to nourish your soul and enhance your overall well-being.
Many of my best ideas come during or right after a ride.
Find new views
The balcony is where most of my creative thinking happens.
I step outside, get fresh air, and look far.
It's a think tank.
Balcony, the silent MVP
For me, it's a balcony, for you might be the garden or sauna.
Whatever it is, find your think tank.
Make reflective thinking time to refresh what's important, for life and career.
Then work toward that. Direction then speed.
