Hiking the Camino de Santiago back in 2011 was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. Our daily hikes allowed me to eat and imbibe without packing on the pounds. My brain was so relaxed that it created some of the best ideas I’ve ever had. My soul felt at peace. I loved that Fresco Tours handled all of the logistics so that I didn’t have to worry about anything. I also loved that each of us had the freedom to walk in silence for five miles or chat it up for five miles. You could walk alone or with a different person each hour or day. Each one of us was able to decide as individuals how we wanted to experience the Camino, so there was never pressure about pace or worrying about hurting someone else’s feelings when you just wanted to be alone.

So, when Alex Chang approached me about doing an efficiency retreat along the Camino, I initially did not like the idea. I’ve heard about conferences that have hard-hitting classes in the morning followed by an afternoon of lounging around or bar-hopping. That type of schedule really didn’t interest me because after the first afternoon of lounging, I wouldn’t want to go to any more classes. If we’d need to follow a strict schedule, I didn’t want to lose the “pace freedom” that I enjoyed back in 2011. And if we’re supposed to be hiking each day, who’s going to want to sit for a long workshop at the end of the day when you’re tuckered out, or at the beginning of the day when you’re just waking up and you’re wondering about what that day’s hike will be like?

But while walking our dogs one evening, I came up with a great plan! (Do you see what walking can do for you?!) The “retreat” would actually start with tutorials well before the trip to help you prepare for leaving work behind so that you’re not living on your phone while walking. In the 12 months prior to our hike, I’ll send you a combination of videos, brief articles and checklists that will help you prepare in your work and personal life for this journey.