Refresh With A Retreat

Unless we periodically withdraw from our normal surroundings to assess our present position and progress, the pace of the world will engulf us.

There is a simple solution to avoid the perceptual gap between what we thought we wanted - and what we have. Twice a year, for, with and by yourself, take a three-day, private, personal retreat.

Go off to be alone with your thoughts. This is where you step outside the frame to look back at the big picture. You question yourself. Then, you wait for an answer to come on its schedule and not yours.

Yes, you can take three days twice a year. This is working smarter.

Plan your retreat. Make reservations at a quiet place. Keep it private. Tell your colleagues it is a business trip. Take pens, pads and inspirational reading. Leave novels, newspapers and journals at home.

The week before your retreat, write questions about your life’s five main areas: spiritual, mental, emotional, physical and financial. Put them in a spiral “retreat notebook.”

On your retreat, break from your normal routine. Sleep longer than usual or go to bed at a different time. Go for walks, fishing or exploring. Refresh your body, mind and spirit.

Day 1: Get settled and review your retreat notebook.

Day 2: After breakfast, begin to write first impression answers to your questions. When you’ve answered all the questions, take a walk or a drive. Enjoy out of the ordinary activities. That night, review your answers and make changes if needed.

Now write a plan to follow until your next retreat. Make it your master life plan, complete with a mission statement, priorities, goals and a time table. Get a good night’s sleep.

Day 3: Review your questions, answers and your plan and revise them. Make a commitment to follow your plan, taking monthly two-hour planning sessions, and take another retreat in six months.