This year, my furry nephew Oscar joined us on our retreat!
Nearly every year for the past 20+ years, my sister and I have taken ourselves on a roadtrip / business retreat. We are both entrepreneurs, so this annual event gives us time to brainstorm ideas, mastermind solutions, and map out the coming year for our respective businesses.
(And typically seek the best guacamole we can find in whatever town we’re in, but that’s a blog for another day. 🙂 )
If you’ve ever attended a retreat aimed at career or business development, you know how rejuvenating they can be. Part of that stems from the energy and idea-sharing with those around you, but much of it comes from dedicated time focused on your growth.
If you don’t have a retreat lined up in your near future, here are a few considerations for designing your own – either solo or with a colleague(s):
Change your scenery.
My sister and I live in different parts of the country, so sometimes we pick a location new to both of us. Other times, one of us flies to the other for our retreats – but even then, we still rent a place in a different town. The change of scenery can prompt fresh ideas for your career planning, plus heighten your senses and creativity.
Set a retreat goal.
What do you most want to gain from your retreat? Maybe you want to walk away with an outline of your product and marketing launches for the next year, or perhaps it’s a detailed map for the leadership role you’re about to begin. Whatever your desired outcome, specify it as clearly as possible before you go so you can structure your time accordingly.
Plan your tools + activities in advance.
Imagine paying to attend a two-day retreat, then watching the presenter spend the entire first day trying to decide what to focus on. Not super efficient, right? The same goes for your personal retreat: Invest some time before you go to gather or create the tools, guided worksheets, journaling prompts, or whatever will support you in achieving your retreat goals.
Plan your time.
Personally, I have my highest energy in the morning, so that is the best time for me to take on actions requiring creativity and concentration. The afternoons are better for more routine tasks, filling in details, and the like. Whether I am on a solo retreat or with others, I do my best to honor these personal rhythms so I can make the most of the experience.
Weave in fun-tivities.
If your retreat lasts only a day, plan some breaks throughout – and use those to refresh, replenish, and perhaps explore your surroundings a bit. If you’re on a multi-day retreat, you might even book an activity or two in advance to ensure you enjoy your location. As someone who can easily get in flow and stay in a hotel room for hours on end, I sometimes have to ‘force’ myself to do this, but I’m always glad I did.
If you’re able to make it happen, I definitely recommend taking yourself on a retreat! What else would you incorporate in your own career / business development retreat?