Four Ways Retreats Make an Impact

Knowing the reason why you want to host a retreat is the first step to getting started before you host your own retreat. Whether it is their first retreat or fiftieth retreat I always walk my clients through a WHO, WHAT, WHY exercise when we launch any new retreat project.

During my time as a retreat planner and a retreat attendee I have experienced four main ways that the retreat experience impacted retreat participants including myself.

#1 - Accelerate RESULTS. A well-planned retreat is more than finding the perfect location with the best spa, hiking trails and views. Whether you are a business coach, a transformational leader or a team leader, retreats allow you to help accelerate the amount of time it takes your clients to achieve drastic results in either their business or their lives. During a retreat, you have a captive audience that is focused on working on their business goals or themselves or a common ). In addition to private coaching, 2-day workshops they offer longer 4-7 day experimental retreats and I had the opportunity to attend one. It was a 4-day rafting trip on the Rogue River in Oregon and the focus was about giving up and gaining control. Let me just say this retreat was life changing (this experience is worthy of an entire blog so stay tuned) in a positive way and I was transformed.

#2 - Support RENEWAL. To me renewal is synonymous with transformation. The focus on transformational work and retreats is mostly seen in the space of personal development. I was introduced to the world of mindset work by my first business coach. She never said it out loud but she must have sensed my mental block that was keeping me from moving forward in my business. So she referred me to my first personal development coach with Productive Learning (www.productivelearning.com). In addition to private coaching, 2-day workshops they offer longer 4-7 day experimental retreats and I had the opportunity to attend one. It was a 4-day rafting trip on the Rogue River in Oregon and the focus was about giving up and gaining control. Let me just say this retreat was life changing (this experience is worthy of an entire blog so stay tuned) in a positive way and I was transformed.

#3 - Reconnection. Retreats are a great way for family, friends and teams to take a digital detox, slow down and reconnect with each other. Popular retreat themes right now are SUMMER CAMP, DIGITAL DETOX and retreats for families, moms and yes, even dads. As a matter of fact, one of my clients Jon Vroman is the host of the Front Row Dads Retreat

(www.frontrowdadsretreat.com) an annual retreat that brings together like-minded men and teaches them strategies to be better fathers.

#4 - Relaxation. My favorite! Anyone can be a retreat leader and host what I call a “For the HECK OF IT” retreat. Imagine a girlfriend’s getaway to a luxury resort and spa. Or maybe a visit to your favorite hometown of a celebrity DIY couple or TV chef paired with some good eats and serious shopping! Or how about a trip to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival? AND…you could even host a yearly retreat to say thank you to your top clients. What a great way to appreciate them and deepen the relationship!

Well, there it is. My four main ways that you can make an impact as a retreat leader. Hope this had an impact for you.