Retreat Insider

You just returned from the big event: the retreat that you planned, booked and taught or facilitated. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and yet, something was not quite right …

In your gut, you can feel a bit of discomfort. Maybe it’s time to read the News and not the editorial. Do yourself a favor: knowing TRUTH is empowering because it is there for you to see and accept, so do a little investigatin’.

Let it begin with YOU! Retrace your steps from square one. Evaluate your own direct experience of the retreat, workshop, or event. If you discover that you covered all the bases, checked and double checked important items, managed surprises and personality clashes, AND that the venue was the right one for the right reasons … then:

• Call your key people, send an email of closure to your group participants and get the feedback that you need to SEE what the event was like for them.
• When you write the questions, be sure they are free of bias, soliciting facts and not stories.
• When they come back, read them through and make note, so you can query further with individuals if need be.

Then, if the reason for the issues have to do with the venue and/or their staff, decide whether you can repair it, if you liked the place. If you really did not like the place and it did not meet your group’s needs or expectations, take it in and then, with help from your staff or participants, compose a picture of what the “perfect” group experience includes.

Again, it isn’t always fun to hear that your work can improve. But, it is essential to see the mistake(s) and write it out:

• What to do next time
• What facilities do we need
• What amenities would enhance our event, workshop or retreat
• Is our budget realistic to have all of that?

You get the drift …

May the Summer Solstice shine calming light on your busy mind and help you to be still, open and wise … because you showed up and became willing to seek the Truth!

Further …