Creating Space to Think: Planning Your Retreat for 2025
How to Recharge and Refocus, Either Solo or With a Small Group and get Ready for 2025
Let me ask you—when was the last time you really stepped away from the day-to-day? I’m talking about taking a proper focused time, not just a weekend off or a day of unplugging, but actually creating space to recharge and refocus? I always say that creativity doesn’t need a lot of time necessarily but space but when days and weekends are just crammed - with all sorts of things, how can you have the brain power to actually reimaging what the future might look like?
That’s exactly what’s required however when you're going through a major transition, feeling stuck creatively, or just need a reset. And this is where a retreat can work wonders. Since I just recently finished not one but 2 retreats with different formats - one was a solo retreat, one was a mini-retreat with a 1:1 coach and one was with a small group of other entrepreneurs, I thought i share the planning process as well as some lesser known strategies and tactics that make this time not only super productive but also enjoyable.
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In today’s blog, we’re going to dive into how to plan and run a retreat that not only gives you the downtime you need but also helps you return with fresh clarity, new ideas, and a stronger sense of purpose. It doesn’t have to be a huge production or a long time away—just a few days with intention can make all the difference.
If you’re feeling like you need a reset button for your mind and your work, this episode is for you.
But first things first:
Why You Should Consider a Retreat
We’ve all been there—feeling the weight of too much work, with everything being urgent and important. Or, on the flip side, when there’s not much going on, and you’re full of energy and ready to move forward, but the market isn’t. Surprisingly, no one really talks about that second scenario.
After speaking with countless leaders and entrepreneurs recently, these are the two extremes I’m seeing everywhere. Almost no one has hit that happy middle ground. Whether you're buried under work or stuck in a lull, add family commitments, personal interests, and the hope of getting some decent sleep into the mix, and it’s no wonder decisions feel heavier than ever.
And this is where your creativity dries up, your energy levels are low, and you feel like you’re just treading water. It happens to the best of us. In the chaos, we often forget how crucial it is to take a step back to gain perspective. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is stop doing and start reflecting.
A retreat offers exactly that—a chance to slow down and tune in to what’s really going on beneath the surface. Whether you're trying to make major decisions, chart a new direction, or simply take care of yourself, a retreat can serve as a powerful reset. And I’m not talking about a luxury spa weekend (though that does sound tempting!). I’m talking about something you can create for yourself, but also do with a small group of people because having some external perspective, ideas, experiences and sometimes just the energy can work like a treat.
Step 1: Set Your Intentions
The first step in planning your retreat is to get crystal clear on your why. What’s your intention for stepping away? Are you feeling mentally drained and need time to recharge? Are you looking to solve a particular problem or make a big decision? Maybe you need some headspace to think about the next phase of your career or business.
Your intention will shape the structure of your retreat. If you’re going solo and need mental clarity, it might be a more reflective, quieter experience. If you’re bringing a small group together, maybe the goal is collaboration, brainstorming, or learning from each other.
Whatever your reason, start with your intention, and make sure everything you plan supports that. Remember, this isn’t just about relaxation—it’s about creating intentional time and space for yourself.
Step 2: Choose Your Location
Now, let’s talk about the setting. Personally, I’m all about the view—it’s always been a big deal for me. I get so much energy, motivation, and fresh ideas just from being in the right environment. I remember burning out in corporate, stuck in those open-plan offices with no view and constant noise. It was so draining, I could hardly hear my own thoughts! When I started working from home, I made sure I had a view from day one, and it was like a weight lifted off me. I felt 10kg lighter, no joke.
When I run my strategy days, I invite clients to my office. It's not just about having top-tier amenities or a luxurious boardroom with natural light—it’s the environment that matters. We even head to the rooftop bar for lunch, which is where I often find the best conversations flow. That’s usually where I extract the real essence of their personal brand story, and it’s incredible how much more clearly they articulate their vision away from their usual environment.
The idea behind getting out of your day-to-day setting is simple: you free yourself from the mental clutter of everyday tasks and deadlines. Developing a personal brand strategy is future-focused, and stepping into a new environment allows you to think beyond the immediate.
This same principle applies to your retreat location. It doesn’t need to be exotic, but it should be separate from your current life and routine. It could be a small cabin, a beach house, or even just a quiet office in a co-working space if traveling isn’t feasible right now.
If you’re going solo, choose a place where you can reconnect with yourself—somewhere calm and inspiring. And if you’re hosting a group retreat, find a spot that encourages meaningful conversations but also gives space for personal reflection. That balance is key to making the experience truly transformative.
Step 3: Design a Flexible Agenda
One of the most common mistakes when planning a retreat, especially for senior executives, is overloading the schedule. I get it—you’re used to maximising your time and squeezing every drop of value out of every hour.
But as I mentioned before - the real power is creating (white) space and this is also the real power of a retreat: it comes from the space between the structured moments. It's in the unplanned conversations, the pauses that allow your thoughts to settle, and the quiet moments that spark breakthrough ideas.
When planning your retreat, start with a flexible structure that aligns with your core objective. If your goal is personal reflection, consider starting the day with a simple meditation or journaling session to set the tone.
For a solo retreat, this might also include some time to reflect on your leadership journey, personal brand, or upcoming career moves. I also worked with Dr Maike Neuhaus and we started our session with a positive psychology session to put yourself in the right frame of mind.
No matter if I run a retreat or I participate in one- exercising, as the first thing is a non-negotiable. It gets the blood flowing, I can get motivated but also inspired with content that I listen to or watch.
Morning Session: Kick off with a focused yet open-ended discussion or brainstorming session centered on a key business challenge. To enrich the conversation,I like to incorporate previous data—it could be your reflections on past successes and setbacks, relevant numbers (as we know that it’s way too easy for emotions and gut feelings to take over), and consider external feedback. For my clients, we always do a 360 feedback so they get an idea and understanding of what people think of them, their perception on their potential but also gaps as often we assume we know but we really don’t.
Midday Break: Take a critical pause for individual reflection. Whether you prefer a walk, journaling, or simply some quiet time, this break is essential for stepping back from the daily grind and reassessing your long-term vision. For solo retreats, this is your opportunity to mentally distance yourself from routine tasks and gain clarity on your broader goals.
Afternoon Session: Transition to actionable steps and solutions. This session is dedicated to the "how" of your plans—whether you’re laying the foundation for a strategic shift or charting your next leadership move. Focus on translating insights from the morning into concrete, practical actions.
Evening: Embrace unstructured time. If you’re with a group, use this time for casual conversation and shared meals; if solo, enjoy some personal downtime. This relaxed phase often sparks unexpected insights and creative ideas, providing the perfect complement to the structured parts of the day.
The key is to let the agenda support your goals, not restrict them. Flexibility is essential. If a discussion takes longer than expected or if you need more time for reflection, adjust accordingly. The beauty of a retreat is that it gives you the freedom to flow with what’s most important in the moment.
For solo retreats, this flexibility is even more vital. You might find that a breakthrough idea comes when you least expect it, or that you need more time to process a particular issue before moving on. Embrace that. This retreat is about creating the space you need to recalibrate, recharge, and refocus. Here are 3 concrete ideas that you can incorporate in your agenda.
1. "Future Self Immersion Day"
Concept: The whole point of running a retreat is to think like a visionary so I always set the scene with my clients and for my own retreats of stepping into the shoes of your "future self." What would your day look like if you had already achieved the big goals you’re working towards?
How it Works:
Start the day by envisioning your future routine: What’s your morning like? What activities do you engage in? Who do you interact with?
Throughout the day, live as if you’ve already achieved your 2025 vision. For example, if you aspire to be a bestselling author, spend the day drafting book ideas or practicing speaking engagements.
End the day reflecting on how it felt to live that future, and write down actionable steps to bring more of that energy into your daily life.
2. "Personal Brand Sprint"
Concept: A few weeks ago at Leanne Hughes and Michale Bungier Stanier’s ‘how to deal with change’ session, Leanne spoke about the concept of being shallow and I truly believe that small, quick actions without being too much in the weeds yet is exactly what need to happen. Based on your future self vision, what small actions can you take straight away to create rapid progress on a specific personal brand challenge or goal?
How it Works:
Choose one aspect of your personal brand (like a website, social media presence, or LinkedIn content) and dedicate an entire day to refining it.
You can then with break the day into 90-minute focused sprints where you work on a specific element: writing an impactful bio, filming content, or designing a lead magnet. Or you can break down the 90 days into small milestones along the way.
Key is to not overthink things, making it more complicated and daunting as it has to be and getting data and insights quickly.
3. "Challenge Yourself with Unknowns"
Concept: Creating the next chapter requires you to usually do something you’re not super familiar or comfortable with yet and starting at the retreat is the perfect timing. When I ran my inaugural planning session a few weeks ago with current and previous clients, I gave the exercise of doing a 60 sec impromptu video with some previous tips and strategies to my - what i call ‘ghetto version of videos’. They are so easy to do and cost you nothing. So this is also your challenge: think of doing something completely outside your comfort zone and expose yourself to ideas or activities entirely foreign to your current skill set but relevant to what you want to do in future.
How it Works:
Identify something you’ve never done before but have always been curious about—perhaps an activity like vlogging, developing frameworks and drawing them on flipcharts, taking selfies ….
Dedicate certain chunks of time during the retreat to learning and practicing this new skill.
Reflect on how this challenge opened up your creativity or helped you think differently about problem-solving in your business or life.
Step 4: Include a Mix of Activities
Variety is key to a successful retreat. You want a mix of mental, physical, and emotional activities to help reset your mind and body. This could be as simple as combining work sessions with nature walks, or it could mean integrating mindfulness practices like meditation or yoga.
If you’re solo, use this time to step out of your usual routine—go for a hike, try a new creative activity like painting or journaling, or even just sit quietly in nature. For a group, you might build in a creative brainstorming session, a guided group reflection, or even invite a guest facilitator to guide a discussion or workshop.
The key is balance—you don’t want the retreat to feel like work, but you also want to leave feeling accomplished. A mix of intentional focus and relaxation will help you achieve that.
Step 5: Post-Retreat Reflection and Action
One of the most important, and often overlooked, parts of any retreat is what happens after you leave. The real impact comes from how you integrate what you’ve learned or discovered back into your daily life.
Make sure you build in time for post-retreat reflection. Whether it’s solo journaling or a follow-up call with your group, give yourself space to process what came up during your retreat. What are the big insights or takeaways? What’s the next step you’re committing to?
For example, if your retreat helped you clarify a business decision, schedule time in your calendar to act on it. If you uncovered something about your personal life, how are you going to incorporate those insights into your daily routine?
The retreat is only the beginning—it’s what you do afterward that truly makes the difference.
Final Thoughts: Give Yourself Permission to Retreat
So, if you’ve been feeling the weight of decision fatigue or you just need to hit reset, I encourage you to consider planning a retreat—whether it’s a solo getaway or with a small group of trusted colleagues or friends. You don’t need a huge budget or a fancy location; what matters most is your intention and your willingness to step away and reflect.
Remember, retreats are not about escape—they’re about creating the space to reconnect with yourself and refocus on what matters most.
