I was reading about Bill Gates the other day.

Each year, Billy Boy takes a solo trip to a cabin in the woods to indulge in what he calls “think weeks”.

It’s not as mysterious as it might sound.

A think week is basically a chance for Bill to load up on books, papers, memos and reports and spend a week or two reading, writing and reflecting.

And, as a result, immerse himself in ideas, uncover hidden patterns, connect various dots and spark insights, visions and plans for the future.

Bill credits these weeks as being an integral part of his creative and intellectual process.

As it happens, I’ve been mulling the idea of doing something similar.

I think a whole week might be a smidge optimistic though.

I’ve only got two days annual leave left this year.  And taking a whole week early next year to retreat to a faraway cabin in the woods might raise some eyebrows with a baby on the way.

It won’t pay to be in the back of beyond when the bun decides it’s ready to pop out of the oven.

But a day is do-able.  

(probably at my local Starbucks instead of some idyllic woodland retreat)

This is particularly relevant as the year draws to a close.

I’ve grand plans for my coaching and newsletter next year.  And I have so many seeds of ideas, half-written notes, early stage scribbles and rough sketches for group coaching courses, new products, joint promos and even these daily nuggets of wisdom that an indulgent and guilt-free day doing nothing apart from reading, finding some perspective and slotting the jigsaw pieces together could be just the ticket.

That one day could even set the whole of next year in motion.

Don’t know until I try of course. I’ll report back and let you know.

But I have found time and time again that there’s something about taking a step back that makes room for the pieces to fall into place.

Perhaps you can think of an example like this from your own life?

A few months ago, I worked 1:1 with Karin, a teacher, for a block of three 1:1 coaching sessions.

After we were done, Karin wrote to say this:

I found tremendous clarity from the three coaching sessions we had. 

My struggles were rooted in the idea that change and constant striving will bring me what I want. Working with you shifted my perspectives and gave me insight into what I really need.  

The coaching sessions with you helped me to decide to stay put in my job for now.  Since I made that decision, I’ve felt calm and more able to handle the intensity inherent in my job. I deeply appreciate your support.

I was stoked for Karin.  

Goes to show:

The drive to do more, be more and achieve more is often the very thing which holds us back.

Perfectionists take note.

Especially if you’ve started to suspect that your perfectionist habits might be doing more harm than good.

If you’d like to trade stress for balance, overachievement for contentment and endless striving for peace of mind, you might want to check out my new 1:1 coaching offer.  

I've called this offer Imperfectionist in Training.

All the details are here if you’ve missed my emails over the last couple of days:

******

During Imperfectionist in Training, you and I will work together 1:1 to:

*** Develop mindset shifts that allow you to feel more relaxed, fulfilled and in control

*** Create space for balance in your life while still getting the same (or better) results

*** Reclaim the time and energy that perfectionism is stealing from you so you can enjoy a freer, calmer life

***Build a new relationship with success and, in the process, build a whole new relationship with yourself too

We’ll kick off with a half-day Zoom immersion where we’ll map out your goals, explore how perfectionism shows up in your life and start to disrupt the perfectionist patterns which are holding you back.

For the following 6 months, we’ll meet monthly on Zoom for an hour each time to refine your mindset shifts, tackle challenges as they come up and celebrate your wins.

I’m opening up two 1:1 spots for Imperfectionist in Training and the price is $950.

I haven’t created an all-singing, all-dancing sales pages or Google doc for this offer.  I’m also not going to send a week’s worth of emails to promote it (this is the last email I’ll send).

Instead, I want to get into conversations with people right now to find out who’s the best fit for this.

I’m already speaking to a few people who raised their hand over the last couple of days. 

So if you’re interested, hit reply and tell me a bit about your situation and why you think Imperfectionist in Training might be for you.

Replying doesn’t commit you in any way, but it does tell me “Hey Tom, this sounds like something I could be into”.