Fresh air, fresh ideas: sparking innovation

I woke up this morning in one of my favourite places – Rivermist in Kangaroo Valle

I’ve been bringing small groups of businesswomen here for many years. I’ve booked venues in loads of other locations, but this one keeps drawing me back

We’re surrounded by nature, but with all the comforts a short walk away… I would never cut off your coffee supply! 

Maybe it’s the Kiwi Farm girl in me, but I believe there's something magical about being in the country that gifts you a fresh perspective and unlocks creativity. The space we’ve chosen to open helps us see new possibilities and solutions that were hidden in the hustle of a “business as usual week”.

Seeing the big picture

When you’re stuck at your desk, it's easy to get bogged down in the details. Emails, meetings, deadlines, projects, and so many other responsibilities - they all pile up, making it hard to see the forest for the trees.

 Here you can rise above the forest and see each tree. Figuratively and literally!

Yes, you need to deliver. That’s the heartbeat of your business. But you also need to develop, that’s the future of your business.

When you take yourself out of the every day, it's a chance to evaluate your business from a higher vantage point so you can consider not just where you are now, but where you want to go.

An added benefit is the opportunity for collaboration and sense-checking. We’re sharing ideas, insights and strategies here in ways that are simply not possible during a regular workday.

We’re all on a different schedule.

Slower.

More reflective.

Perhaps more body than head led.

And so the conversations we’re having are deeper, likely because we’ve cleared our diaries and can be truly present. Being face-to-face instead of screen-to-screen is key too.

The quality of the food is also important – farm fresh and nourishing. Or maybe that’s just my taste buds singing – after all, I just nipped out for some AMAZING Vanilla gelato in the village before sitting down to write…

It's a time for deep thinking, strategic planning, and yes, some much-needed relaxation.

Redefining success

One of the conversations we’ve had has been about unpacking success.

How do we define it?

We all felt clearly that it’s not just about hitting targets and making profits. But neither do we dismiss these essential markers - we are all businesswomen after all.

But we did dig deeper. 

Perhaps this discussion was richer because of the life stages we’re at – each of us has been in business for many years. We’ve ticked a lot of achievement boxes but as we’re nowhere near ready to call it a day, the next stage of our business that we envisage, plan, and deliver needs to encompass more.

More…heart? Purpose? Fulfilment? Impact?

Big question.

But whatever comes up for you, I encourage you to also consider what does (this) look like in action… What does impact look like – what do you see – when you’ve had more impact?

Adding this tangible angle is really important to give shape and form to the concepts you’re considering.

We also explored the idea that, perhaps instead of asking ourselves what success per sae means, we instead ask “What does a fulfilling life look like?”, acknowledging that our business is just one (albeit big) aspect of that.

Perhaps if we take that longer game perspective it will help us navigate the inevitable storms with a little more ease.

Try the idea on for size – because, for many of us, it’s pretty stormy right now!

Preparing for a Retreat: 5 Essential Tips

So, how can you make the most of getting away?

1. Clear your diary Make sure your schedule is free from regular calls and meetings. If you want something different, you need to do something different! This most likely means retreats need to be booked quite well in advance so you can have clear space.
2. Choose 1-2 Key Projects Pick one or two projects you’d like to dive into during your time away. This clear focus helps you make meaningful progress. It’s a bit like packing – pull everything out and then put most back – you’ll never wear it/get to it if you’re honest with yourself.
3. Set clear intentions Know what you want to achieve. Whether it's brainstorming new ideas, developing a new service idea, or creating specific content, having clear intentions is vital. Think of it as your retreat mission statement if you like.
4. Gather what you need What’s essential for you? Notebooks, files, books…. Having the right tools is so important. I never arrive without A3 art books, post-it notes, and a tonne of texters, highlighters, ear pods, and more.  
5. Plan for unplugging Make a plan for how you will disconnect from the norm. Autoresponders/out-of-office message on? WIFI switched off? Phone on airplane mode? What do you need to have in place to truly be present?

Whether you book yourself into an organised retreat, gather your business besties and book a venue together, or create a business retreat locally for yourself for even a day, making space to ideate and plan always pays off.

Those are my thoughts for today – now I’m going to practice what I preach and scamper back to my art journal and texters… there’s a new idea tapping on my brain that wants my attention! 

Warmly,

Angela

 P.S. If you'd like to explore how I can help you recalibrate your business there are several ways I can help, including inviting you to the October Retreat - send me a message and we'll catch up on a call for a chat.