Just returned from Southern California where I hosted another Kyle Wilson Inner Circle Mastermind.
As almost always seems to be the case I left feeling it was one of our best ever. 😊
There were so many powerful presentations, but one in particular has stayed on my mind. In fact, I’ve been putting what I learned into practice every day since getting home, and I wanted to share it with you.
The presentation was from Lauren Donahue, who hosts transformational retreats, including one designed specifically for highly successful entrepreneurs who want to regulate their nervous system, reduce burnout, and become more present.
Lauren started with a simple exercise. She asked each of us to pull out our phones and look at two things:
- Our daily screen time.
- How many times we picked up and opened our phone each day.
Almost everyone in the room was shocked when they saw the results. I know I was.
What’s interesting is that most of us aren’t spending hours mindlessly scrolling social media.
Instead we’re…
- Checking email.
- Responding to texts.
- Looking at our calendars.
- Opening the apps that run our businesses.
- Checking the weather.
- Reading the news.
- Looking something up on AI.
Over…and over…and over again.
The problem isn’t just the time. It’s what all of those interruptions are doing to our brains and our nervous systems.
Every time we pick up our phone, we’re inviting another distraction, another decision, another notification, another burst of stimulation.
Our brains begin craving the next update, the next message, the next thing to check. The next dopamine spike!
We rarely give our minds a chance to be still or simply stay in focus.
Technology and AI are helping many of us become more productive than ever before. But there’s another side of that equation. More productivity doesn’t automatically mean more peace.
In fact, many experts now believe our constant connection to screens is contributing to chronic stress, mental fatigue, burnout, poor focus, and a dysregulated nervous system.
One of Lauren’s simplest recommendations was also one of the most powerful. Protect the first 10–30 minutes of your morning.
Before checking your phone. Before email. Before social media. Ground yourself.
She walked us through a simple box breathing exercise.
- Breathe in for five seconds.
- Hold for five seconds.
- Exhale for five seconds.
- Hold again for five seconds.
Repeat.
She also challenged us to return to something many of us have gradually drifted away from…
Pen and paper.
That one really hit home for me. I’ve journaled for more than 30 years. Yet over the last year and a half I’ve gradually moved almost everything to my phone—gratitude lists, goals, affirmations, reflections, and even many of my prayers and intentions.
There’s something powerful about putting the phone down, picking up a pen, slowing your thoughts, and letting your mind breathe. And giving yourself a break from your electronic devices!
One practice I’ve already reengaged in, inspired by my friend Bob Beaudine’s wonderful book, Two Chairs, is simply spending quiet time with God first thing each morning… asking questions… listening… and writing down whatever insights come.
Lauren also shared the remarkable story of how several years ago she spent 60 days living in a cave with no electricity, Wi-Fi, or modern distractions.
What started as a reality TV experience became something much deeper. It became the foundation for her philosophy of unplugging, gratitude, stillness, and reconnecting with what matters most.
Lauren was one of the contributors to our recent book, Becoming Your Best Self, where she shares her Nine Ways to Unplug.
Here’s the overview:
- Start your day without your phone.
- Practice intentional breathing.
- Journal with pen and paper.
- Spend time in nature every day.
- Create moments of complete silence.
- Schedule screen-free time.
- Move your body with intention.
- Have real, face-to-face conversations.
- End each day with gratitude and reflection.
None of these are complicated.
But together they can help create a life that feels calmer, more focused, more intentional, and much more present.
They were exactly the reminder I needed.
Question…
What’s one small change you could make this week to unplug more from your current screen time and become more present with yourself?
Hit reply and let me know. I’d genuinely love to hear your answer.
Kyle
Join Me in My Next Book!
Just as I published books with Jim Rohn, Denis Waitley, and a who’s who of celebrity authorities (including in my recent books with Darren Hardy, Les Brown, Brian Tracy, Mark Victor Hansen, Phil Collen, Chris Gronkowski, Tom Ziglar, John Assaraf and many more), I want to offer you the opportunity to join me in my next book project (or me and my team help you with your own book).
To learn more, go to http://kylewilson.com/bestseller and simply fill out the brief application form at the bottom. After I receive it I will send you a link to schedule a call to discuss all the specifics and if it will be a great fit for you and me.
I hope to share your story with the world!
Join Me In-Person
Below is my next in-person Kyle Wilson Inner Circle Masterminds in Dallas/Ft Worth (we have the most amazing people plus world-class guest speakers and trainers).
Dallas – Kyle Wilson Inner Circle Two Day – Sept 18 & 19, 2026
Friday and Saturday, Southlake, Texas
9:00 am – 5:00 pm (Friday 5-7:30 Reception/Networking)
Includes lunch
Plus Bonuses – Receive a signed Ice Shaker from NFL Player and Founder of Chris Gronkowski and plus a special book package from Kyle Wilson
Open to 4 Guests, Access both days for $997 $497. Click Here
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I hope to see you in person soon!
And as my 18-year friend, mentor, and business partner Jim Rohn told me, Let’s Do Something Remarkable!
Kyle Wilson
Listen to Kyle Wilson’s Success Habits podcast with guests including Darren Hardy, Brian Tracy, Les Brown, Renée Marino, Denis Waitley, John Assaraf, Phil Collen of Def Leppard, Chris Gronkowski, Roger Love, Glenn Morshower, Mark Victor Hansen, and more – Go to KyleWilson.com/podcast/
Learn more about the Kyle Wilson Inner Circle Mastermind KyleWilson.com/mastermind/
What Others Are Saying About Kyle
“Kyle, thank you for our partnership and friendship. Friendship is wealth and you make me a rich man. Love and Respect!” Jim Rohn, Iconic Philosopher and Speaker
“Kyle Wilson is brilliant and so very knowledgeable and an icon in this industry. He was the power behind Jim Rohn. Kyle is my longtime friend and someone I have a great deal of respect for.” Les Brown, Iconic Speaker and Author
“I guard my endorsements carefully. Regarding Kyle, he is simply a marketing genius! No joke. Kyle was the wizard behind the successful business of my mentor Jim Rohn. Every marketing dilemma I have ever had Kyle has given me the brilliant and elegant solution on the spot. Kyle’s consulting has saved and earned me hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years.” Darren Hardy, Former Publisher of SUCCESS Magazine
“I have worked closely with Kyle Wilson for 20 years. He is one of the best all-around marketers, promoters, business-builders and entrepreneurs in the business today. We have generated more than a million dollars together.” Brian Tracy, Int Speaker and Author
“Kyle is a valued friend, a marketing superstar and one of the most knowledgeable people in the personal development industry.” Robin Sharma, Author of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
“I’ve known and worked with Kyle Wilson for over 20 years. Kyle is the ONLY person that ALWAYS under-promised and over-delivered every single time my dad Zig and I worked with him. He is a valued friend and some one I have great admiration and respect for!” Tom Ziglar, President of Zig Ziglar Corp
“Kyle is one of my old and dear friends and one of the smartest marketing guys I have had the opportunity to work with. He is the scrappy marketing guy. What I mean by that is, there are lots of guys who will put out business plans and do all kinds of nonsense and swing for home runs. Kyle is the real deal and finds ways to create product, add value, help people, build community, he’s unbelievable.” Eric Worre, Author of Go Pro











































