Bill Gates’ “Think Weeks” Might Be Your Solution for Anything

They worked for him. Look where he is now.

Have you ever wondered why Bill Gates is so successful?

Many thoughts come to mind:

• Mindset
• Work ethic
• Determination
• Innovation

But one of the main reasons behind his success isn’t any of those qualities. It’s a little project he likes to call: Think Weeks.

He Removes Himself from Society

For two weeks every year, Gates travels to an isolated cabin in the woods. But here’s the catch.

He doesn’t get away for vacation. He does so to better himself and his companies.

He brings along a caretaker who cooks him meals and large amounts of books and papers. Nothing more.

• No technology.
• No Wi-Fi.
• No one else.

He spends his time reading work from Microsoft employees and books he’s brought along. He also writes down ideas and simply thinks.

He thinks about anything and everything to help improve himself and his company.

And that’s it.

When finished, he travels back home and begins work again refreshed and recharged.

Sound like a good plan?

Good. Because you can do this too.

You Can Take Part in Your Own Think Week

Obviously, you probably don’t have the means to travel to an isolated cabin in the woods with a personal chef. But boy wouldn’t that be nice?

You probably don’t have a week to spare to do this either.

But you can take part in your own version of a Think Week, at least for a little bit.

Do you have plans to catch up on a new series tonight? Are you going out with friends this weekend?

How about you cut those hobbies out just one time and spend some participating in your own Think Week. Whether it’s a weekday evening or just a weekend, find the time that works for you.

And do what Gates does.

• Go to an isolated place like a park or a library.
• Take reading material and something to write with along for the ride.
• Leave back all technology, including your phone.

And again, do what he does.

• Read, think and write.

Sounds simple, right?

Actually, it is. I’ve tried this myself some nights and it works.

You just have to have the will to do it

This Could Help You Tremendously

Whether you’re stuck in life at work or in your social circle, take some time for you.

Instead of falling into the deep pitfalls of streaming services and social media, take some time to read, think and write.

• Learn something new.
• Think of how you can better your life.
• Write down your action plan.

When it’s just you with no distractions, you’d be surprised of what you can accomplish. I tried this at home during the pandemic, and I read more than I ever did.

I thought of how I can better my life. I created new ideas all of the time.

Just like Gates did.

Some of his best ideas for Microsoft and living his extraordinary life have come from Think Weeks. Who knows, maybe your best work will come from your own Think Weeks.

You just have to have the will to do it.

I believe you can. You have to believe in yourself too.

Are You Ready for Your Own Think Week?

Noah Nelson is a senior at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign majoring in journalism with minors in political science and history. He serves as a senior columnist for The Daily Illini, a writer on Medium and the host of his blog called Nothing But Noah. “Life: A Collection of Short Stories” is his first book available now on Amazon. Like what you read? You can write for Medium too!