It was time for me to practice what I preach.
Last week I took myself on a solo business retreat to get clarity on what I want from my business and where it needs to go.
This is work I do for my clients—architect and facilitate strategic planning—and I hadn’t done it for myself.
I gained more clarity in 2 days than I could have gotten in months without this focused time.
What made it work was designing it with the same guardrails I encourage for teams:
Get Offsite. It’s nearly impossible to think outside the box when you’re in it. I went to Glenwood Springs for 2 nights, working from my Airbnb, a coffee shop, and a restaurant.
Be clear on your intention. A few weeks before, I crystallized what I wanted from this time. Without it, the retreat would have been amorphous and achieved little.
Architect an agenda that can flex. I built an agenda following an arc for the work, while allowing myself to adapt as my energy waxed and waned.
Disconnect from tech. I set specific blocks to check email and LinkedIn. Taking the Amtrak helped—no wifi, no signal for much of the ride.
Build in non-work time. On day 2, after the heavy lifting was complete, I spent a few hours at the local hot springs. It replenished my energy for day 3.
Work with an expert. Since I don’t have a me to consult with, I used Claude to help design the experience. Trust me—a living, breathing expert is better.
Commit to action. So much strategy falls short without action plans. I’m building actions for each bold step for Q1 and beyond.
I feel energized, focused, and clearer than I have all year.
No shoemaker’s child here.
Your move.
Looking to increase the cohesion, trust, and impact of your leadership team? Reach out and let’s discuss The Compass Team Experience and how I can help.
Recent Comments