In 2019 we came up with a way to create capacity for people to do the things they never get done. It was so good that after successful pilots and amazing feedback we even trademarked it – Advance Retreats.

The idea is simplicity itself – but very powerful.

We book a spacious, relaxing venue. You book out your diary to give yourself time and space for all the thinking, writing and planning you never get done.

Then March 2020 came along and – you know the rest. Even when it became possible to get back face to face, I held off on resurrecting the idea.

 

After all, you work from home at least some of the time.

Surely it’s easy to protect time and get your head down?

That’s what I thought anyway. But as you already know, not being in the office and having time to think or get things done are two very different things. So how do you make time, protect it and get those vital things done that are always important but never get priority?

Easy. We book a spacious, relaxing venue. You book out your diary to give yourself time and space for all the thinking, writing and planning you never get done…

People achieved things in the pilot events. Things they just wouldn’t have otherwise. They planned conferences, wrote papers, strategised, applied for learning programmes, analysed information. They got things done.

‘The Advance Retreat was a much needed opportunity for me step away from the heavy onslaught of day to day pressures, slow down and focus my attention on where I had got to in my leadership journey and where I wanted to go next. The complete tranquillity of the venue and the lack of any formal agenda provided the time, space and permission for me to explore, research and think…Every leader should go on an Advance Retreat at least once a year.’ (Charity CEO)

It’s an idea whose time has come. Again.

If you agree, contact me or book a date here. I’m only offering four for now, all in Perth – it’s a perfect venue, courtesy of the Gannochy Trust. Their support also means that spaces are free to the charities they fund.

If there’s enough demand I’ll schedule more events and make them full day sessions. We used to take them around the country, going to a different region every three months. I’d love to do that again – let me know what you think of the idea.

Here’s what other people think of it:

‘I found the day very useful. I don’t usually get the necessary time to read and think so I was looking forward to having that space…I genuinely feel that I achieved more in that one day than I would otherwise do in an entire week!’ (Charity CEO)

 

‘I was a little apprehensive going into the day with no set structure but it was a great space to think about my own leadership style, how I want my team to work together, and to get away from the office and distractions.’ (Charity team leader)

What would you like to achieve?

Advance. Retreat.