Conscious Leaders Salon

Virtual Creativity Retreats - the Power and Benefits for Self-Care

      

Connect     ♥     Reflect     ♥     Create

Imagine going on retreat without the hassle of packing, the stress of airport check-in, long hours in a car ... or even leaving your home.

There's no dress code and you don't have to do your hair or nails.  All you need is a phone and a comfortable space.

A virtual retreat is not a workshop or crowded teleclass, but a 60 to 90-minute guided mini-retreat designed to renew mind, spirit and creativity:  a warm and inspirational space for you to retreat from the busy, energy-draining days of life and business  

In the spirit of a guided retreat, I offer you a treasure chest of resources, inspiration and support to help you clarify and choose specific steps and create a personal plan of action to move into a space of possibility: a place where you can create something new and completely transform your life into exactly what you want it to be.

I keep them small, usually 12 or fewer women, to allow space for everyone to share and be heard.  This also makes for a more intimate environment in which you can open up and access your essence and the power of feminine yin community.

During the retreat I guide participants to create environments that inspire, explore their authentic selves, learn how to let go of fear and reframe negative self-talk,  engage in all their senses to access their intuition, discover rituals to inspire and empower, and transform their lives into days of passion, fulfillment and joy.

Busy women, solopreneurs, executive women and moms like me, who spend a lot of time alone or with their little ones, truly appreciate a chance to connect and retreat with like-spirited women.

Conscious women lead with intuition and creativity.  Conscious leaders create succesful and sustainable lives. So, consider joining me on a virtual retreat journey.  You deserve the time for renewal, connection, retreat and self-care.

If this idea intrigues and calls you, check out my web page to join me on a virtual retreat journey to self. 

I would love to hear about your retreat experience virtual or live.  What did you bring home from your retreat experience?  Please share in the comments below.

And, we would also like to hear about ideas you may have for a virtual retreat.

 

What's Is Your Best Reason for Taking a Retreat

I am planning high quality retreats for prospering women in 2010.  Wise women who appreciate the value of retreat in creating a balanced, successful life and business.  Please help me focus on what will serve you best.  Tell me how you would like to spend a half-day (mini retreat) or full-day close to home or virtually.  Check out this brief poll:

Success wi th H.E.A.R.T.™ Principle # 2: Take 10 - manage your (E)nergy over your time

My acronym HEART, includes (E) for energy. Inspired by Jim Loehr's "Power of Full Engagement" and the reminder to manage our energy over our time. The reminder to take (at least) 10 minutes each day for down time to just Be, re-energize and get in touch with You.

Down time to get in touch with your heart and intuition. Time to connect with your authentic self, nature, and relaxation. Time to ignite and maximize your creativity.

This may be 10 minutes to enjoy a slow breath, gaze out the window and just Be. With more time, you can budget in time for yoga, reading, music or a guided retreat.

I am enjoying time at my newly decluttered desk, by the window, to just breathe and enjoy the view.

How are you taking time for you? Please use the comments below to share.

Walking The Labyrinth... of Your Life

Last month while on retreat I took some time to walk the labyrinth.  During my walk, and after, I realized the metaphor it represented and decided to reflect on it by writing.  So, here's my share.

This photo is of the labyrinth I walked at Well of Mercy, in Harmony, NC.  On their web site they describe it as, "similar to the one on the floor of Charters Cathedral in France, which dates back to the 13th century... An ancient tool, a meandering but purposeful path leading to a center and out again. The sacred path, symbolic of life’s journey, is meant to give those using it a chance to pray, meditate, and find wholeness. Those walking the labyrinth meander back and forth, turning 180 degrees each time they enter a different circuit. As they shift direction, it is said that they also shift awareness between the right brain and the left."

I was attracted to the beauty of this labyrinth, situated on a hill overlooking forest and hills. I figured it would be reason for an intentional walk in the evening air.  I also love when ancient wisdom meets modern practice, so this made it even more attractive to me.

As I walked I noticed how the the paths started out shorter keeping me more conscious of my steps and turns.  Further into the walk, as I slowed down and began to be more in the moment, I noted the paths were longer between twists and turns.  This reminded me of times in my life when I start a task or learn something new.  At the onset of these endeavors I am more conscious of what I am doing - before it becomes wrote, more natural, easier and relaxed action.  Later, I am acting without so much thought and enjoying the results of the action and the view along the path.

It was also interesting to experience how the path progressed closer to the center then out again to the rim.  Close enough to touch but not available to enter until I walked the whole labyrinth path - unless I chose to jump the path and cut the experience short.  Yet, as in life, I decided not to quit, stayed the path and enjoyed the views as I slowed my pace, got more and more present, and walked the path as it was intended.

As I walked the labyrinth I revisited each view over and over.  Yet, each time I experienced something different.  Be it a simple change in light, a bird or animal on a path, or how the green of the trees varied from tree to tree.  I found myself paying less attention to my feet and the path and more engaged with nature.  Feeling the changes in the breeze and the light of the sun.

I've decided that I will keep this walk in mind as I walk through life.  Deciding to slow down.  Knowing it is OK to revisit a path.  Not quitting when the end is in sight but not yet attainable.  Enjoying the journey.  Taking time for gratitude for what crosses my path.

If you have enjoyed a walk, on or off of a labyrinth, please share your finding, thoughts and feeling in the comments below.

If not, I invite you to find a labyrinth near you and enjoy slowing down, being present, and taking time in nature.

May your walks through life be a journey to learn and enjoy!

Namaste'

Karen McMillan, ACC

The Conscious Leadership and Retreat Coach

www.kdmcmillan.com

P.S. I invite you to visit an artful video tribute contributed in a comment by a reader. In honor of her father in support of "stand up 2 cancer" .  It is a powerful, moving message for love and living.

The Benefits of e-Coach Membership Programs

For me, it is all about freedom and affordability.  For most, it is virtual, using only the Internet to give and receive coaching.  Often, it involves a membership and little to moderately interactive coaching.  For many, it more resembles an e-Course.

The one thing that was missing for me in those formats was the real-time, authentic connection with a coach.  You know, the one-to-one coaching conversation with the person who listens and responds based on what you are saying and feeling.  The person dedicated to you and your success.  Not simply a virtual group coach, but a personal, private coach.

So, fast forward to March 2009 and a brief look at what I am creating.  I say creating because in true coach fashion I launch the program then let my fabulous members determine it’s growth and form.  I will start with a format that has worked for the few, and see what the many want to create.  Not a novel idea, just coaching in it’s purest form, i.e., listening, responding and letting the client lead.

So, what will my first e-Coach program look like when it gets started this March.  Let me share the foundational offering:

1. Your own Personal Coach: You will have access to me, an experienced ICF certified coach via unlimited email.  And, monthly, LIVE group coach calls.  Real-time. NOT autoresponders.  I read each email and return a personal, private response to whatever you present in each email.
   
2. Flexible schedule (you decide) - If you are like me, you wear many hats and me-time cannot always be the same each day or week.  So, I have created the program so you can spend time with workbook & fieldwork whenever it works for you, e.g., before work, after work, during lunch break, after you put the children to sleep.  Whenever you can put at least 30 minutes of focused attention to sit with the workbook and send me an email.  The only scheduled times are the monthly live group coaching calls.
3. Power of Collective Wisdom and Energy - You may already know that achieving a goal is easier when there is someone to hold you accountable, cheer you on, and celebrate each win - no matter how small. So, you will have access to three forms of members-only group support: 1) the live monthly group coaching calls that I lead 2) online community I facilitate  3) Optional Mastermind circles - virtual or by phone. 
4. Powerful Self-Coaching Tools & Resources - anytime access to self-assessments, recordings of all live calls, daily inspirational email, and the program workbook Art of Life Balance with H.E.A.R.T.™
5. Accountability - If you are like me, I stay on track when someone asks me, "So, how's it going?"  "Have any questions?"  "Can I help?"  To answer these calls I have created optional weekly-check-in forms - which you will receive by email once each week.  You will have the option to reflect on or write your responses and return to me for review and response.  And, if you join a mastermind group, they may also help to inspire you and keep you on track.
6. Affordability - Often times, you tell yourself "I can't afford a private coach" or "Why would I pay for a coach when I have friends and family?"  Well, if you are still questioning your success, struggling with overwhelm or wishing for more, a coach may be just what you need.  Since I know the value of a coach, and the group, I want to share this with you.  In this case, the power of the group makes it possible for me to offer the same quality of coaching tools and services at a fraction of my usual coaching fees. And when I say fraction I mean fraction.  Actually, because I am so excited about the possibility of this program the launch-price will come out to less than $2.00 a day.
7. Terms - You may already know that true change does not happen in less than 21 days, and creating the new, more successful you will take at least 90 days (no matter how wonderful you already are). Most memberships are for 12 months, but since I believe in flexibility and affordability, I created this program in six month modules.  If it is working for you, and you want to move from surviving to thriving, and a life of passion, prosperity and balance, you can renew every six months.  And, if it is not working for you, drop out within the first 30 days for a full refund - and keep the e-Workbook chapters you have already received.

If you want to know more about me or my e-Coach program, better yet, if you realize that you've run out of excused for hiring a coach, visit my web site page Conscious Living e-Coach Circle.

I'd love to hear about your experiences with an e-Coach, and why or why not participate in an e-Coach membership.  Your feedback helps to create the optimum coaching program for you and others.  Please share feedback in the comment section , or email me directly (click the email button top left of this page).  And, if you like what you read, tell your friends to come visit.

For now, make it a great day!
And, remember to breathe!