My Journey
Hi, I’m Max. By day, I’m a technical program manager at an industry-leading tech company. I manage software projects, streamline how teams work, and collaborate with some seriously talented engineers.
Outside work, I’m a husband and dad, juggling family life with staying fit and tackling a whole range of side projects – from tinkering with home automation to building my own servers and squeezing in some PC gaming whenever possible. I don’t have all the answers, and like most, I’m always figuring out how to balance everything.
Sometimes, all I crave is a bit of peace and quiet – a rare commodity in a busy household!
Getting Time Away
Sometimes, real progress only happens when you step away from your routine and find a completely different environment.
For me, that meant returning to my roots in New Zealand, immersing myself in the stunning scenery and the calls of native birds – a world I took for granted growing up. The remote location, with no internet, made it the perfect place to unplug and think.
Away from the daily noise, I started asking myself important questions: What truly brings me joy? What drains my energy? How do I want to spend my precious time? Where should my focus lie?
I started to write down my thoughts, capturing those moments of clarity. It was the start of developing a few simple tools to keep myself accountable and ensure the progress would continue.
Semi-Structured Thinking
To make the most of my retreats, I realized I needed to build “thinking time” into my daily life, keeping myself on track throughout the year. Here’s how:
Thought Capture: Regular reviews – daily, weekly, monthly – let me stop relying on memory alone. Prepping summaries beforehand helps me use my retreat time wisely.
Goal Alignment: My reviews are most powerful with my goals in clear sight. Comparing my progress with short-term and long-term targets helps me stay focused on what really matters.
This groundwork ensures my getaways are as impactful as possible. I follow a loose structure: one day for deep review, one for focusing on the present, and one for planning ahead.
Gone To Think Philosophy
Start simple.
No right way, just your way.
Measure what matters.
Improve as you go.
Progress over perfection.