Hello, Reader,
Ah, September. It goes by so fast every year: getting back into a routine after my August vacation, the busyness of the start of school here in Portugal, gearing up for the new authors I’m going to be supporting, and prepping for our upcoming retreat this November in Portugal.
This year, I tacked on a multi-week trip to Lisbon (to speak at a publishing conference, Book 2.0) and Cincinnati (to meet my sweet new niece).
And now I’m settled back in Portugal, ready to do what I always do this time of year: begin planning next year.
Each October, I do a Think Week, where I reflect, dream, and strategize for the year ahead. Family and friend time aside, this is my most important time of the year and sets the tone for the entire year ahead. It’s space to think and intentionally create my life, rather than just flow day to day without true connection to my present and future.
Some years, my Think Week is more spacious than others. For the past couple of years, I’ve spent the week here locally, and I’ll probably do so again this year. What’s most important is that I get out of my daily environment, and alongside the thinking, journaling, and planning, I do something fun and out of the ordinary every day. It doesn’t have to be big—a favorite is walking to the bookstore and spending stretchy time perusing the books—but it has to be joyful.
One of my favorite Think Week memories took place with a friend, kayaking in Southern California—and us working so poorly together that we were so far behind our group we couldn’t even yell to them. And then, of course, we laughed so hard we were even worse at paddling.
Laughing like that—it’s a good goal for a week of thought!
Do you do a Think Week? If so, when do you do it, and what shape does it take? Hit reply and share—I love learning from you!
This is the next step on your author journey!
You’ve been thinking about writing a book for years, but you’re still stuck. Or you started writing, but other priorities got in the way.
My clear, proven system, used by all my authors, is the secret to finishing your book.
Follow my self-study education, and I’ll guide you from your first idea to a completed first draft, at your own pace, with the same framework I use with all my coaching clients.
Get my self-study course now and start your author journey today.
