YINspiration

Top 7 Benefits of Retreat for Solopreneurs

Remember when you first got the idea to be an entrepreneur and imagined the freedom it would bring you?  Yet, still find that freedom illusive?

Over two decades ago, when I chose to be the boss of me and become an entrepreneur, I celebrated my new found freedom.  I was elated to give up the "safety" of corporate stress and structure to realize the dream of owning my own business.  Little did I know how much I had to learn before I could realize the freedom for which I yearned.

The first few years were spent in survival mode.  Back then, social media was unknown and very few activities were automated.  My so-called portable computer was a lighter-weight desktop Mac and my days, and nights, were spent wearing the many hats formerly worn by the many employees that had previously supported me in corporate.  I was the assistant, secretary, bookkeeper,product development, marketing, merchandising, incentive staff and go-to girl.

This was time-consuming but achievable before I became a mom.  Then, when my daughter was born, my schedule, and my heart, were divided.  My passion for my daughter threatened to overshadow my passion for my business, and I felt drained.  It took quite a while for me to figure out how to balance the two passions.

My business pursuits have always evolved around my love for my daughter and being a mom.  Choosing to pursue my life as a professional coach was one way to integrate my two passions with less stress and more joy.  This made it easier, but was not the ticket to true freedom.

True freedom came when I discovered the power of retreat, alone or with others, on my own or with a coach, a.k.a. a guided retreat.  It was during these times that I fell back in love with my work-passion and found what I needed to be successful without stressing out.   

Now, imagine a half or full-day, a weekend or a full week on retreat reveling in these benefits:

1. Connection: Connecting with your passion, authentic voice, and nature. Taking time in silence or in conversation with self, nature or others.
2. Rest and Renewal: Quiet time to think or just be ... sleep, and renew your energy, passion, authentic Self
3. Community: Joyful time with like-hearted, like-spirited (wo)men - who share heart, mind and collective wisdom.  Sharing in silence, or if you choose, in small and large groups what we think, feel and have learned on our personal journeys.
4. Clarity and Focus: It is amazing what a little nature and stillness can bring to mind and heart.  Spending time in a more nourishing environment allows your mind to come out of overwhelm, making room for clarity and possibility.
5. Creativity: Aha moments appeared from within or from others on retreat.  And, sometimes you are gently challenged to go outside the usual and be more of YOU (for me it has included hikes up mountains and diving in unfamiliar waters)
6. Transformation (more value than a massage) - a massage feels wonderful, but a retreat renews from the inside, and the benefits are transformational, life changing and last longer. (During one retreat, a "medicine walk" helped me realize I was ready to live big)
7. FUN - This is a joyful benefit of getting out of the office and away from busy-ness. I find I am lighter and more available for fun when I'm not squeezing in a short break between calls or meetings.

I returned from my first retreat and vowed to make this part of my business plan.  Partly because I needed the down time, and partly because I needed the practice to make it last between retreats - and part of my daily practice.

Now, at least twice each year I schedule myself to be away on retreat.  One is by myself at a nearby retreat center on 110 acres of idyllic property, and the other is a guided retreat (last year it was at Horseshoe Lodge in CO) - because I cherish the time to give up being alone-at-work, and being the boss to let someone else take the lead.

But, when I cannot get away, I plan a virtual, or half-day retreat with other amazing women in my hometown.  The best gift, I have fully integrated retreat into my life and my teen daughter sometimes attends with me - as a willing and joyful participant. 

And, I have learned to bring the benefit of retreat into my daily life and business practice.  Now, when I feel overwhelmed or lonely-in-business I seek to recreate my retreat experience at home. I move more slowly, breathe more deeply, spend more time connecting with nature, my community (of friends, family and other heart-centered solopreneurs) and my creative side (I've reconnected with the art of my photography).

The value of retreat in my life and business was so transformational that I decided to add this element to my business services.  To deepen my retreat practice, I signed on with Coach Helene Van Manen and her Retreat Coach Network.  Now, I am a Certified Retreat Coach and am supported by a community of amazing retreat coaches when I need a retreat for myself, or want help planning a fabulous, creative retreat for others.

Have you discovered the value of retreat?  Or, want to know how?  If so, please share in the comments below?

 P.S. If you wish to revel in the value of retreat, I invite you to come on retreat with me (in-person or virtually). Visit my web site to find out when we are celebrating our next gathering of amazing women.  And, if you are reading this in September, 2010, click here to see if there are spaces left for our Autumn Equinox - Soulful Gathering.

Need Some Goddess Guidance?

Have you ever needed guidance and did not know where to look?  Wished you could find it inside, but feeling a little tired, overwhelmed or confused?  Wanting to call on your intuition, but needing some help from your goddess? 

This morning I found myself needing a clear intention.  I was called to be nurturing, but wanted clearer guidance.  I felt the need to get out of my yang-directed head and practice with more heart-centered, yin energy.  I realized I was called to connect with my inner goddess. 

Usually, I would sit in silence and see what came to me.  But today, I wanted something tangible, visual,  quick and easy. 

It came to me to use my Goddess Guidance Cards (by Doreen Virtue, Ph.D).  So, I went to my retreat basket (guys have toolboxes, retreat goddesses have baskets :D) and retrieved my Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards.  Imagine a deck of cards, each with a picture of a goddess. These are some of my favorites because they are multicultural. I discovered these while on my in-person Retreat Coach Network training retreat. 

My daughter also enjoys these cards, and was delighted when she saw the box in my hand.  She took them, looked through them and chose her card-for-the-day.   She intentionally chose Sekhmet (SEK-met, the Egyptian Sun goddess).  Sekhmet's name means "strong and mighty."  And the card reads, "You are stronger than you think you are, and your strength assures a happy outcome." 

I started to do the same, i.e., intentionally choose, then remembered my original intention was to support my intuitive guidance.  I wanted out of my head and into my heart.  Reading and choosing would keep me thinking and judging which card was "right" for me.

So, I shuffled the deck and turned them upside down on the bed.  Closed my eyes and let my heart, my intuition do the choosing.  When I turned the card over I realized I had chosen the goddess, Aphrodite. 

I was pleased but only mildly surprised when I read the title on the card, "Aphrodite: Inner Goddess."  And the message on the card read, "Awaken the goddess within you through dance, self-care, and appreciating your divinity."   But of course, this was exactly what I needed.  Exactly what I was feeling.  Here was Aphrodite to walk with me through my day.

Yes, I could have gone without the guidance cards, but the card is such a joyful affirmation - of my goddess and my intuition.  A clear message of what I wanted for my day, and a visual reminder to carry through my day. 

Throughout the day I have placed the card on the surfaces near me.  A warm smile passes through me each time I glance at the card, and remember my "inner goddess."  It is quite comforting and empowering.

I invite you to 1) create a personal retreat basket  2) include the tools to connect with your inner goddess.

Now, off to follow my goddess and "move, dance and appreciate my divinity."

Please use the comments below to share how you connect with your inner goddess.

Wishing you the joy of your inner goddess.  Namaste'

P.S.  Looking for a group of amazing women to help you connect with your goddess.  Then, join our  Awaken Your Goddess Teleseminar or Autumn Equinox Retreat.  I would love to dance, move, laugh, celebrate, create and connect with you.