Your Brain Will Thank You for a Thinking Weekend

"You need one of your Thinking Weekends," Ivon - my better half - tells me.

Before I can even react, she adds, "I’m booking you into this castle hotel for this weekend."

This weekend?

A castle hotel?

It sounds like an express ticket to Hogwarts, but I know exactly what she means.

So, I'm not complaining.

Before you get lost in the thought of a castle, you're probably wondering: "What's this Thinking Weekend?"

Nope, it's not a weekend buried in crossword puzzles, chess, or Rubik's cubes.

I adopted this idea back in 2014 from Bill Gates. Twice a year, he'd vanish for a week, digesting papers, ideas, and stuff he wouldn't usually have time for.

But here's the catch - you don't need to be a billionaire to do this.

And you don't need to ghost everyone for a week.

All you need is a Thinking Weekend. A mini-break for your brain.

Here's how it works:

Thinking Weekend: Just you and your thoughts for a couple of days. Jet off on a Friday and be back by Sunday. Simple.

Your Thinking Spot: This can be anywhere - a cool Airbnb (even in your town), a friend's cabin, a tent, or a wellness hotel. The key here is creating a Zen zone for your thoughts.

Getting There: Love a good road trip? Or prefer a train ride? Either way, let the journey set the tone. It's like the trailer to your Thinking Weekend movie, so make sure to set the soundtrack, too.

Wi-Fi or not: Yeah, you can bring your tech along. But remember, this isn't a weekend for mindless scrolling. Set boundaries. Use your devices as tools, not distractions.

Thinking Time: So, what to do on this Thinking Weekend? Review your notes, your ideas, your goals. Dig into that 'watch later' list. But don’t fall into a YouTube rabbit hole. This is about brainstorming, not about distraction.

The Outcome: Your Thinking Weekend should end with concrete action points. Set new goals, review your current projects, choose the next steps. Create a simple roadmap for your next couple of weeks.

Remember, there are no hard and fast rules here. Feel like sipping on an espresso at a local café? Go ahead. Want to go on a run in nature? Sure thing.You can relax.

But don’t mix up the Thinking Weekend with a Wellness Weekend!The only rule is: Stay focused.

This is your time to disconnect from the chaos and connect with your thoughts.

Now, I've been doing this for a while, and here are a few pro tips:

Swap your iPhone for a Nokia: If you’re not disciplined enough, find an old anti-smartphone. You can also uninstall Whatsapp, Instagram, Telegram, etc. for the weekend. You know yourself best.

AirPods can be a lifesaver: If you're in a crowded place and not doing anything, it might feel weird. Wearing headphones can make it seem like you're listening to a podcast, even if you're just blocking out noise.

Pens, pencils, paper, post-its, even flipcharts: Don't go a second without something to write on. Old-school but effective.

Pre-plan your meals: Automating your food and snacks can make your Thinking Weekend easier whether you're in a remote cabin or a fancy hotel. Plus, thinking on an empty stomach is no fun, is it?

Two beer or not two beer: You know best what works for you - that drink might make you sleepy. But also get you in the flow - so wine not? You might want to stay up late and sleep longer. But you need to be fresh in the morning: a hangover is the worst killer of the Thinking Weekend.

So, there you have it - your blueprint for a Thinking Weekend. A mini-vacation for your brain.

Ready to give it a shot? Send me a picture when you do.

Tino