Shed and Shine – Episode 107: Gino’s Riff – Creating Space: Letting Your Soul Catch Up
Host: Gino Wickman and Rob Dube
Date: March 25, 2026
Episode Overview
In this solo riff, Gino Wickman dives into the power and necessity of “creating space”—a new spin on the classic entrepreneurial discipline of taking time off. With personal reflections and practical methods, he emphasizes how stepping away from constant productivity unlocks creativity, insights, and true entrepreneurial freedom. Drawing inspiration from Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act and his own experiences, Gino shares actionable strategies to help driven entrepreneurs shed excess mental clutter and let their souls “catch up” to their ambitions.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Year’s Theme: Creating Space
- Gino’s personal and professional theme for 2026 is “creating space.”
- He deliberately freed up about 25 days by reducing commitments in two businesses to see what new opportunities and insights might emerge.
- “Things are already coming.” (01:00)
The Bahamas Epiphany & The Creative Act
- An “aha” moment occurred while Gino was vacationing in the Bahamas, reading Rick Rubin’s book The Creative Act.
- Rubin’s process of creativity resonated with how Gino created EOS and authored Traction and other works.
- “It was just this incredible, profound experience, reading and being reminded of the science of creating things.” (02:30)
- Gino believes all entrepreneurs—and indeed all humans—are creative by nature.
The Core Message: Space Enables Insight
- Hard-driving entrepreneurs often miss their best work by refusing to step away.
- “We can’t do our best work…if we don’t come up for air, if we don’t step away from it, if we don’t take breaks, if we don’t turn our brains off…” (04:10)
- Creating space allows for insights, downloads, perspective, and clarity—what feels like flashes of inspiration from a “higher power.”
- “When it came out of nowhere, it came from somewhere.” (05:30)
Practical Approaches to Creating Space
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Gino lists a “smorgasbord” of ways he creates space, beyond just vacations:
1. Be Still (Discipline #4) - 09:42
- Practices: Meditation, contemplation, journaling, prayer.
- “These are great ways to create space, create an opening, and allow things to come in.”
2. Clarity Breaks – 10:30
- 2-hour solo sessions, often in a coffee shop, for uninterrupted reflection.
- “For as long as I can remember…a powerful opportunity to contemplate.”
3. Vacations – 11:00
- Stepping away often brings his biggest ‘aha’ moments.
- “Some of the greatest ‘aha’s’ come through me, and when they do, I just quickly put them in my phone for when I return.”
4. Calendar Space/Time Blocking – 12:05
- Actively schedules unplanned blocks to ponder and allow creativity.
5. Turn It Off at Night – 12:45
- After work, actively disconnect to be present with family or self.
6. Weekends Off – 13:25
- Ensures coming back on Monday “fresh, with a fresh set of eyes.”
7. Monthly Sabbatical – 13:45
- One month off each year for 30 years.
- “My goal is to completely forget…and each time I come back, I’m a little clearer, a little fresher, and I see things better.”
8. Mini Breaks – 15:00
- Pauses of 1-3 minutes to breathe and reset during the day.
- “Some powerful ahas flash during that.”
9. Bathroom Breaks – 15:30
- Recalls ideas flowing post-recording while walking to the bathroom.
- “There’s an opening that’s created and things flash in…do with that what you will.”
- Recalling a friend’s suggestion: use bathroom time to do nothing—no phone, no agenda—for a mental pause.
10. Shower Time – 17:50
- Showers often deliver key clarity and creative bursts.
- “There is something about a shower that I get some of my best ideas…half of the podcast came so clear to me.”
Reframe Time Off as “Creating Space”
- For those who struggle with “taking time off,” Gino offers a reframing:
- “Consider thinking of it differently—think of it as creating space, creating an opening so you can receive more, hear more, see more, and be more.” (19:00)
- This shift can boost creativity, clarity, productivity, and peace.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “We can’t do our best work…if we don’t come up for air, if we don’t step away from it…if we don’t let our soul catch up.” (04:10)
- “When it came out of nowhere, it came from somewhere. So there is a higher power speaking to us and we just have to slow down, create space, create an opening so we can listen and receive.” (05:15)
- “Turn it off and just be with your family, be with your friends, be with yourself.” (12:45)
- “My goal is to completely forget and I hope that I come back fresh and recharged and wanting to continue to do that. For 30 years running, that’s exactly what’s happened.” (14:20)
- “When we just turn our brain off, create that space, create that opening, things come in.” (18:00)
- “Pick from the laundry list of creating space ideas…put them in your calendar. And I urge you to do it right now.” (19:40)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:00 – Introduction: Gino’s 2026 theme and story behind the episode
- 02:00 – Aha moment in the Bahamas; reading Rick Rubin’s book
- 04:10 – The need to step away to unlock creativity
- 09:42 – Gino’s specific practices for “creating space”
- 15:30 – Unusual spaces: bathrooms and showers for insight
- 19:00 – Reframing: Time off as opening to possibility
- 19:40 – Action challenge to listeners: How will you create space?
Action Challenge
- Gino encourages listeners to choose from the list of “creating space” techniques, customize their approach, and schedule time for it immediately.
- “Pick the ones that work best for you and then put them in your calendar. And I urge you to do it right now.” (19:40)
In essence, this episode is a passionate plea for entrepreneurs to honor the necessary pause and make room for their inner wisdom, creativity, and wellbeing—because growth, clarity, and inspiration arrive in the empty spaces we create.