I was away at a SHRM Leadership Conference in DC the week before the Thanksgiving week. Although I miss my husband and my kids fiercely when I’m away, man I can get stuff- tasks, thinking and planning- done when I am free of the distractions from home and the office through plane rides and quiet hotel rooms.

All while there for two and a half days that included doing what I was here for- attending the conference- I’ve still managed to:

• This may seem trivial, but what piles up in my inbox is stuff I want to read to help me think and write and plan for social media content.
• The inbox zero along with one book read and some content I’ve been wanting to look out on leadership and social capital has lead to 15 blog posts outlined several of which are done, and a reach out to a few top-of-the line guest bloggers for content as well.
• Task list cleared. I’m caught up going into Thanksgiving week. We will see how long it lasts….
• Made some important business development contacts through emails and meetings set-up and more importantly through some in-person contacts and introductions the conference.
• Charted out 2016 strategic planning and SHRM volunteer role planning for 2016
• Did the things that I strive to do everyday during a regular at-home routine but don’t always get to like exercise and a devotional to start off each morning
• Scheduled my son’s birthday party, which somehow keeps getting put aside with all the distractions of home and work
• Oh and I got a massage- it was great.

But none of your care about what I got done. Not one of you. Thank you for indulging me in my list.

However, you might care for me to make a point about how all this might matter to you….

In one of the sessions I attended at the conference, the speaker, Susan Ershler– who by the way, has climbed the seven summits of the world all while leading her work team to huge success- discussed through her Project- Prepare- Preserve process the need to schedule a “think week” as a critical component to preparation.  She discussed how Bill Gates makes this a practice, and she emphasized how implementing this “think week” leads to better execution. Amen sister.

I didn’t have a week, but I had almost three days to do just this. I was able to spend time on some nagging tasks weighing on me, but more importantly, I had time to THINK. This thinking will lead to better execution when I get back.

So, if you are looking for a 2016 resolution to set, schedule your think time now. And find some time within that time to:

1. Get caught up so you aren’t so overwhelmed in taking the time or in returning feeling further behind. And you can’t think if you are worried about this stuff.
2. Think. 
3. Be creative with whatever creative outlets energize you (mine is reading and writing and making connections with others).
4. Plan.
5. Get those plans down on paper.
6. And, for the love, do something for you. Just for you. My massage might have been the highlight of it all.

Do you have a think week or retreat planned for 2016?