I was in my late 30s, overwhelmed with multiple projects and demands at work and home, and felt stuck. I desperately asked my mentor Barry, “What must I do to get above all this?” I expected to hear the typical advice like work smarter, not harder, prioritize well, and delegate liberally.
Surprisingly, he suggested something that shocked me. He told me to go waste a day away! Not waste the day away, but rather waste a DAY-AWAY. Away from work. Away from the city! Of course, I immediately questioned how that would help with all my demands.
I turned it over and over in my mind. Then I decided, what the hell, just do it. Two weeks later, I got out of the city. I accomplished three substantial things on my day away: significant fitness time hiking, solitude time in nature to refresh my mind and soul, and dedicated focus time without interruptions to complete a vital project hanging over my head for months. I returned to the office the next day energized and refreshed.
Here is your simple three-step plan to pull off a 12-hour (day) experience:
Schedule two 12-hour days away from the office on your calendar one week apart. Two because, for sure, one will blow up, and you’ll have the reserve ready to go.
Position a coworker or boss to help block for you. This person should know you’re offsite on a focus day and be willing to fill in for you or put any fires out in your absence so you’re not disturbed.
Build a general game plan for your 12-hour day. Click here for a sample.
Since my first day away, I have completed over 400 12-hour get-out-of-the-city days. I typically leave my house at 6 a.m. and arrive home by 6 p.m.
The payoff is always laser focus, vision clarity, renewed energy, brighter creativity, less anxiety, project completion, or momentum!
Leave me a DM here with your questions or a 12-hour day story.
