Scheduling Your Think Week

Over the last couple of weeks, I've shared some thoughts on the benefits of conducting a personal year-end Think Week as well as some things you can do now to make your Think Week as rewarding and beneficial as possible. As a final installment, I would like to share some example schedules I've used in the past. The schedules below are adapted and summarized from ones that I've followed. They also reflect the reality that some years I had more or less time available. The important thing is to use the time that you can and intentionally plan out your schedule - but, don't be afraid to deviate from the plan if you find that you are in a really productive flow!

2-Day Schedule

Day 1: Personal and Family Focus

Morning (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Personal Reflection

Activity: Life Dashboard and journaling

Tool: Template for rating life areas (health, finances, relationships, growth)

Reflection Prompts: What brings me joy? Where am I thriving or struggling? Am I spending energy on the best things?

Lunch Break (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM)

Afternoon (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Family and Relationships

Activity: Relationship Roadmap

Tool: Worksheet to map key relationships and goals

Reflection Prompts: How can I strengthen bonds with loved ones? Who needs more attention?

Evening (7:00 PM – 8:30 PM): Creative Thinking

Activity: Write a letter to your future self Reflection

Prompts: What does my ideal life look like in 1, 5, and 10 years?

Day 2: Leadership and Professional Growth

Morning (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Leadership and Spiritual Growth

Activity: Vision board for community leadership; quiet retreat or prayer time

Tool: Vision board template or journaling prompts

Reflection Prompts: How can I serve better? What spiritual practices will deepen my faith?

Lunch Break (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM)

Afternoon (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Professional Development

Activity: SWOT analysis of your career

Tool: SWOT worksheet

Reflection Prompts: What feedback have I received? How can I grow my impact?

Evening (7:00 PM – 8:30 PM): Sharing and Review

Activity: Discuss major insights with your spouse or a trusted colleague; ask them about any blind spots or gaps in your insights.

Reflection Prompts: What feedback will help refine my goals?

3-Day Schedule

Day 1: Personal and Family Focus

Follow Day 1 from the 2-day plan.

Day 2: Professional and Leadership Growth

Follow Day 2 from the 2-day plan.

Day 3: Creative Visioning and Rejuvenation

Morning (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Future Mapping

Activity: Brainstorm big ideas and write your letter to your future self

Tool: Future mapping worksheet

Reflection Prompts: What bold ideas excite me? What legacy do I want to leave?

Lunch Break (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM)

Afternoon (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Rest and Rejuvenation

Activity: Rest ritual (walk in nature, mindfulness exercise)

Tool: Simple guide for mindfulness or journaling

Reflection Prompts: What has drained me this year? How can I embrace balance?

Evening (7:00 PM – 8:30 PM): Consolidation and Sharing

Activity: Summarize key insights and action steps for work, family, and community service

Tool: Summary worksheet for next steps

4-Day Schedule

Day 1: Personal and Family Focus

Follow Day 1 from the 2-day plan.

Day 2: Community Leadership and Spiritual Growth

Morning (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Vision Board for Community Involvement

Activity: Quiet reflection and visual brainstorming

Reflection Prompts: What new initiative could I lead? How am I growing spiritually?

Afternoon (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Strengthening Community/Organizational Impact

Activity: Brainstorm new ways to connect and engage with the community or organization

Tool: Brainstorming worksheet

Reflection Prompts: Who needs support? What resources can we create?

Day 3: Professional Development and Growth

Follow Day 2 from the 2-day plan.

Day 4: Creative Visioning and Rejuvenation

Follow Day 3 from the 3-day plan.

On years when I’ve had a full work week to set aside, I’ve taken Day 5 as a day to continue any conversations with my wife, a mentor, colleagues, or others.? Think Week activities have almost always uncovered the need for follow-up conversations with others, so this can be a great day to have some of those.? Celebrating accomplishments is something I tend to overlook, so Day 5 is also a good opportunity to practice thankfulness and gratitude.

Hopefully, this provides you with some food for thought if you are considering a Think Week of your own!? Have questions or want to discuss specific activities?? You know where to find me!