After running our residencies and fellowships list, we received some comments from people who would like to create their own.
So we compiled some tips on doing your own writing / creative retreat as well as how to have focused day (or more) as a freelancer/entrepreneurs to work on your business strategy
Here’s what I gathered.
Feel free to share tips and questions at the comment section !!
You won’t start and finish a novel in a day. Be realistic with how much time you have and what you want to achieve. This will be key to define your structure.
A goal built on ego and external validation doesn’t tend to motivate us when things get hard. Ask yourself these questions:
How will this goal change my life in the next 3-6 months?
If no one else knew I was working on this or achieved it, would I still want this?
(We have a whole goal-setting guide here)
David Epstein tells us to look at limits as opportunities to clarify your priorities and, and launch productive exploration. A retreat is a constraint: you’re deliberately shrinking your world for a day or a week so that one thing can get big. Specify, don’t intend. “I’ll work on the presentation” is an intention; “I’ll open the slide deck and make the next five slides” is a specification. The more precisely you name the entry point, the less willpower reentry takes.
A retreat is a time you take to focus on ONE project. It works by creating boundaries.
Let your friends, and family know you will be OOO for some time.
Consider putting your phone in a different room during your creative time.
Some people find it helpful to commit to sharing something at the end of it with a group of people, as a residency usually does.
Decide for yourself what marks the end of the retreat.
Reader tip: My husband and I are planning a 2-day retreat to swap, read and give feedback on each other’s novels. We’re going to go to swanky hotel (someone else cooking and no washing up), log fires, big picture windows and views of the sea. The aim is to make it feel like a treat as well as a retreat.
New settings can remove usual triggers and distractions.
That said: research how good the accommodations will be and that you will have access to a desk and chair and/or space to work.
Residencies have taken place on ships, in factories (…) and pretty much anywhere you can think of! You may be able to set one up through your existing contacts, or alternatively by approaching an organisation you find interesting. An artists residency can be a brilliant way to share your work with other people.
Reader tip: Change your environment, change your thinking. I’d choose somewhere inspiring with a view, leave all distractions behind, and focus on one outcome, not ten. Two days of uninterrupted work can achieve more than two months of squeezing it around everyday life.
Most retreats and residencies have a clear schedule and MEAL BREAKS!
You can do this with a friend, for instance, and agree to meet at meal times.
Many retreats also have social time.
I’d recommend building in some movement before you sit down (I’m convinced it gets the ideas moving), then alternate blocks of doing with blocks of reviewing or learning.
I have put together a review guide for you to go through on your business day, if you don't know where to start.
Why does this business exist?
What do you want to achieve in the next year?
Set deadlines for key projects
How do you plan to get there?
What’s working?
What isn’t?
Who exactly is your client? Get specific
What would your dream client say about why they chose you?
Exit strategy: what would need to be in place if you would sell/ close the business?
If you enjoyed this, please drop a ❤️ and give it a share as it may help others find it. Helps a lot and costs zero!
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