Examining Our Focus: Shifting Our Attention to Create The Life We Truly Desire

After a transformative ten-day silent retreat, I felt compelled to share some of the powerful insights I gained during this time. The retreat offered me a unique opportunity to be free from all distractions, technology and all daily responsibilities. The perfect opportunity to see with great  clarity what it was that was consuming most of my time and energy.

Often, when we aim to create change or move in a new direction we concentrate on the new actions we need to take. However, we rarely consider what we need to discard to create space for this change. Much of our ability to achieve our goals/move towards the things we want is lost when our attention is diverted to areas that do not serve us. Therefore, it is crucial to pause and evaluate both the direction we want to move towards and the reasons behind it. What benefits will this new direction bring? Simultaneously, we must examine where we are currently spending our time and energy and determine if these areas align with our goals.

One of the most profound lessons I learned during the retreat was the immense power of pausing. In our fast-paced lives, we often move from one task to another without giving ourselves time to reflect. This constant busyness can lead to burnout and prevent us from seeing the bigger picture. Taking a pause allows us to step back and assess where we are truly at. We can see our life from a distance which gives us an incredible and unique perspective.

During the retreat, the silence and lack of distractions provided a unique environment to reflect deeply. I realized how many of my daily tasks were driven by habit rather than by purpose. Having time to reflect on this allowed me to identify several areas where my time and energy were being wasted. It became clear that to move forward I needed to let go of these habits and behaviors.

The process of identifying what to discard can be very challenging. It requires raw and honest self-reflection and then a firm willingness to make changes.

Some questions that came up to ask were:

1. Where am I currently spending my time and energy and does this align with what I truly want?

2. What habits or patterns are holding me back and keeping me stuck?

Once we identify this it becomes easier to see what needs to be discarded. This allows us to create space for change.

Some ideas could be:

1. Declutter your schedule: Remove or delegate tasks that do not contribute to your goals. This will free up time and mental energy for more important and aligned priorities. It also give space for the new to come in.

2. Setting boundaries: Protect your time and energy by setting clear boundaries with others and yourself. This could involve saying no to requests that do not align with you or creating dedicated time blocks for focused work.

3. Prioritise a mindfulness/meditation practice: Mindfulness can help you stay present and focused on your goals. Incorporate mindfulness practices such as meditation or deep breathing into your daily routine.

This pause was really transformation for me in many ways.

This October, Andrew and I are hosting a retreat in the Byron Bay hinterland designed to help you do just that. It offers dedicated time and space to work on identifying the obstacles that need to be removed for your goals to come to fruition.

Our retreat will provide a supportive environment and community of like minded individuals (most leaders) where you can be brave and

step in. It will allow you to pause, reflect and gain greater clarity. You will have the opportunity to disconnect from the distractions of daily life and focus on what truly matters. Through guided exercises, insights, frameworks and group discussions you will create space for real shifts and change.

We believe that by taking the time to pause and reflect is essential.

This clarity will enable you to make meaningful changes and move closer to achieving the life you wish to create.

Be brave,

Step in,

Jac x