Why Retreat?
5 Benefits to Joining a Quarterly Business Retreat
I used to put a lot of pressure on New Year’s Eve. I gave myself that evening and New Year’s day to come up with the entire vision for the coming year. To assess the entire last year. To put everything from my brain down on paper, and organize it, and have it ready to go for January 2 to serve as an unchanged roadmap for the following 364 days.
It was very stressful, and it didn’t work very well.
Slowly, I learned that consistent review of smaller chunks of time made it all feel a bit more manageable. Many of my business mentors touted the benefits of a quarterly retreat, and I, like many, scoffed… who has the time for that? Ugh, I’m trying to do serious business stuff over here. Income-generating activities! Who can take two critical days away from production?
Slowly, I began to take these wise women’s words to heart and see the fallacy of mine. At first I had to force myself to do the retreats, and energetically it was hard, sloggy-type work. Over time, I created more of a structure that allowed for a full quarterly assessment and a full visioning sequence, but one that also built in rest, moments for recharge, and time for celebration. And, lo and behold, it increased my productivity, focus and clarity when I returned.
Work like this can be done solo, or it can be done in groups. Like anything, there are pros and cons to different approaches. When it comes to doing a group retreat, here are five benefits:
Motivation to complete the work. Not going to lie - full assessments of this type can be intense! It takes brain power, energy and honesty. Doing this work in a group helps to get this done because, well, all your retreat pals are there scribbling away so you might as well too.
Hearing that others are having many of the same struggles. This is the beauty of Masterminds, group coaching, and gathering with other business people. Oh, the backend of your software program also wants to make you flip over a table? Ah yes, the dilemma of hiring before you feel your business is ready. The ol’ self worth struggle? It is validating to hear that many others are having the same challenges, and also, hearing what solutions they may come up with that you may apply to your own situation.
The energy you can give to others. It is meaningful and important to hold energy for others. Joining with a group gives you the opportunity to give in this way and help support other people, just by being present.
Routine is great, but variation helps your creativity. There is a lot of research that shows that new experiences help ‘slow down time’, by creating new neural pathways in the brain. Routine is wonderful, but sometimes just the act of getting out of your comfort zone can help increase creativity and happiness.
It’s a lot of fun. Sometimes we can take ourselves verrrry seriously (guilty party #1 over here). Joining up to do a hard thing while also making space to laugh, to have experiences with other people, to see new things - this can make a very ho-hum thing like a quarterly review process pretty damn fun.
We will be leaning into all of these reasons at the end of the quarter. Join up with other business women for a special end-of-year retreat December 28 & 29 at the tres inspiring location of the Sou’wester in Seaview, Washington. Led by the fab facilitation trio of Kelsey Green, Shannon Borg shannonborg.com, and Caroline Hinchliff carolinehinchliff.com, this will be two full days of deep diving into 2023/ Q4 reflection and creating actionable strategies for how to kick off 2024 right for both yourself and your business.
Modules will include topics such as: quarterly business review, intention setting and word of the year/ quarter, the 4 hats of business, visibility with b-roll, supportive food strategies for business success, harnessing the power of the seasons, journaling, and how to coach yourself.
If you're not familiar with the Souwester Historic Lodge, you're in for a treat. Restored vintage travel trailers, a touch of whimsy, an artsy atmosphere + sauna and walkable beach access: this location is the exact place that you never knew you needed.
Running $100 holiday special - registration closes Sunday, December 17. See qretreat_2023.eventbrite.com for info & registration.
