A Personal Retreat with Professional Purpose

I just returned from what I can only describe as a deeply needed pause - a personal retreat that allowed me to recalibrate not only my business focus but also myself. It wasn’t a silent cabin in the woods (though that does sound appealing); instead, I found myself at the beach. With my paddleboard, bike, camera, and books in tow, the temptation to fill every minute was there, but I chose to slow down.

And that made all the difference.

This retreat wasn’t about isolation - it was about intention. For the first time in a long time, I had sustained, uninterrupted time to simply be to move at my own pace, follow my curiosity, rest when I needed to, and reflect without needing to take care of anyone else. That kind of space is rare, and I savored it.

One morning, as I sat on the beach at sunrise, camera in hand, I spotted a ladybug making its way across the sand. They were struggling to climb out of a footprint, tumbling back down over and over again. I watched, curious. Why weren’t they flying? Were their wings wet from the morning dew? Where were they going?

Something about that little bug struck me. I found myself wanting to help, so I gently flattened the path in front of them, thinking I was making their journey easier. But they didn’t move in that direction. Instead, they kept coming toward me. Was “I” their destination? I eventually picked them up, studied them for a moment, and then let them continue on.

As I sat with that moment later, I couldn’t help but reflect:

Aren’t we all like that ladybug sometimes?

Treading through life, falling into footprints, unsure if we should keep climbing or just fly away. Sometimes we’re trudging along, forgetting the tools we already have. Sometimes we’re waiting to be rescued. But how can anything, or anyone, help us if we don’t know where we’re going?

That tiny encounter reminded me of the power of presence and purpose. I even reached out to an old friend that day because of it. Reconnecting felt…right. Like part of the journey I was meant to be on.

Later that evening, still reflecting on the tiny, determined ladybug and the ripple it created in my day, I found myself at a beachside fair enjoying a quiet dinner. Inspired to keep leaning into curiosity, I stepped out of my comfort zone and started a conversation with someone sitting a few stools down. From his easy exchange with the bartender, I gathered he was a regular, a local, maybe. At first glance, his story sounded like one of hardship: job loss, a simple life as a groundskeeper, living apart from his wife and kids. But as we talked more, a fuller picture came into view. He had recently stepped into a new remote career that allowed him to work from anywhere. Groundskeeping was something he chose to do on the side, for something to do, not survival. And while his wife was still in another state, she’d be joining him soon, once the school year ended. Their lifestyle was unconventional, but it was intentional - and it worked for them.

And that’s just it - we never know someone’s full story from a single snapshot. Too often we judge, or feel judged, based on snippets. But when we take time to pause, to listen, to get curious instead of assuming, we start to understand. And from understanding comes compassion. That’s what intentional living is about - being present, being purposeful, and leading ourselves first.

One of the tools I leaned into during the week was John Maxwell’s book Intentional Living. I started reading it for myself but quickly felt inspired to build a program to include others on this journey. This is a leadership lesson in itself: we can’t guide others where we haven’t gone and to bring others along with you on the journey.

So now I’m walking through it chapter by chapter - first for me, and soon, for you.

At the end of this month, I’ll be launching a new program focused on intentional living - designed to help you recalibrate your own life, reset your focus, and reconnect with what matters most. If you’ve been craving a pause or feel the need for clarity, I’d love to invite you to join me. Reach out if you want to learn more.

And in the meantime, here’s a quick tool you can use today:

The 3-Pause Check-In

1. Pause – Take 5 minutes to simply stop and breathe.

2. Reset – Ask yourself: “What do I need right now - physically, mentally, emotionally?”

3. Reconnect – Choose one thing today that brings you closer to your purpose.

You don’t need a beach retreat to live more intentionally (though I highly recommend one). What you ’do’ need is a willingness to pause, to listen, and to lead yourself forward—on purpose.