A mini-retirement should be a structured opportunity for rapid skill acquisition, not just an escape. By immersing in a new environment to learn a language and a physical skill (e.g., tango, martial arts), you create an external focus that combats idleness and accelerates personal growth.

To rediscover the curiosity needed for work, practice it in low-stakes daily life. Take a different route to work, order a coffee you'd never choose, or read a different genre of book. Consciously observing how these novel experiences feel primes your brain to question assumptions and see new possibilities in your professional environment.

Just like in venture capital, personal and professional goals often follow a power law. Each month or quarter, one single accomplishment is typically worth more than all others combined. The key is to identify that 'one thing' and go all-in on it, rather than diluting focus across a long list of lesser goals.

Treat strategic thinking as a formal, scheduled activity, not a passive one. By blocking time on your calendar for specific thinking formats—like a walking meeting with yourself or a dedicated commute session—you create the space for your subconscious to solve problems and generate novel insights.

By explicitly defining your goals (like filling a life bucket list), you prime your brain's Reticular Activating System (RAS). This mental filter starts noticing relevant opportunities—adventures, people, ideas—that were previously ignored, making it easier to achieve your goals.

Create a single page with eight boxes for major life categories (e.g., adventure, finance, family). This becomes a running "life to-do list" where you capture long-term goals, getting ideas out of your head and onto a blueprint you can reference when planning your year.

Instead of setting multiple, often-failed New Year's resolutions, focus on installing just one new positive habit per quarter (e.g., meditating 10 minutes a day). This slow, steady approach leads to four foundational habits a year, which compound over time for transformative results.

Instead of vague resolutions, adopt a "Misogi"—a year-defining challenge. Inspired by entrepreneur Jesse Itzler, a speaker chose to learn piano. This singular, difficult goal made the year unforgettable and led to a profound personal breakthrough, proving that non-professional challenges can yield immense personal growth.

The human brain defaults to an energy-saving 'autopilot' mode for predictable routines, like a daily commute. This causes you to be mentally absent and miss large portions of your life. Introducing novelty and unpredictable experiences is crucial because it forces your brain to disengage autopilot and become present and focused.