Why Every Leader Needs a Personal Retreat (And How to Take One)

A personal retreat is an investment in your leadership capacity.

“The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

But making healthy choices requires self-awareness.

A note before you read: I originally wrote this article in May 2024. Two years later, I am republishing it because the concept is still very much on my to-do list. I have carved out planning time and thinking blocks along the way, but a true personal retreat — just me, my thoughts, and real distance from the day-to-day — has not happened yet. Consider this as much a reminder to myself as it is a recommendation to you.

Have you ever considered a vacation for your mind and body from a planning and preparation standpoint? We all take vacations, even if only occasionally to get away, but that is about pure relaxation or taking on an adventure. A personal retreat is truly an individualized event that is meant to be just for you. A time when you can, yes, get away from everything, but for planning and discovery purposes versus fun and excitement. That doesn't mean a personal retreat cannot be fun or exciting.

So what is a personal retreat?

Personal retreats are typically a two-day getaway for the mind, body, and soul. If a full two days isn't realistic, a 4–6 hour mini-retreat can still be incredibly effective. Either way, the point is to step away for personal exploration, planning, soul-searching, goal-setting, and organizing your thoughts. It's about removing the day-to-day bustle and connecting with your inner voice to surface what's most important to you and how you want to prioritize your life.

If anything, the case for a personal retreat is stronger now than it was a few years ago. The noise has gotten louder. AI tools, notifications, and the pressure to always be producing have made it harder than ever to hear your own thinking. A retreat is not just about slowing down. It is about getting back to the one voice that actually knows what matters most to you.

At the end of this article, I have provided a few resources I have referenced or used in the past. But honestly, just search "personal retreats" and begin to explore for yourself.

Set the intention

Being intentional with your retreat time is the key to success. At the end, ask yourself: did you get out of this what you wanted or hoped for? For the first couple of times, you may need to be okay with "no" as an answer — this takes time and practice, and it may take multiple tries to find the routine that works best for you.

To help you stay intentional, build a loose time block for how you'll spend the retreat. It's not meant to restrict you, it's a guide. If you're in a productive flow, don't stop just because a timer went off. Use your schedule as guardrails, not handcuffs.

Sample retreat agenda

• Arrive / decompress (walk, coffee, settle in)

• Brain dump: capture every open loop — work and personal

• Values and "what matters most": identify the themes you want your life to reflect

• Priorities: choose 3–5 focus areas for the next season

• Plan: outline your next 30/60/90 days — projects, habits, relationships, health

• Commit: write 3 first next steps you will complete in the next 7 days

• Close: a small reward (dinner, movie, early night, reading)

Choose a location

Get away to someplace different, quiet, and distraction free. For some, this can be a hotel. For others, a cabin in the woods or a cottage by the lake can be perfect. You don't need anything fancy or big. It is just you, after all.

AirBnB remains a great option, and it has gotten easier to find exactly what you are looking for. Search terms like "off-grid," "digital detox," or "cabin retreat" will surface properties specifically designed for disconnection. Hosts have caught on to what people are looking for. If you've wanted to try a tiny house adventure, this could be your chance. You can also ask friends if they have a place you can borrow for a night or two. The key is choosing a location where you can intentionally limit interruptions and be present with your thoughts.

Take only what you need

This is NOT a vacation. Keep your packing list light and only to the true necessities. Depending on where you're going, that may include a stop at the grocery store for the food and snacks you'll need to energize your retreat work. With cell and internet access intentionally limited, you may also want to compile any reference material ahead of time. Depending on how you capture notes, you may need your laptop, tablet, phone, or just a pen and paper. The simpler, the better.

Pack light. Keep it comfy. You and your thoughts are the two most important items on the list.

Eliminate other distractions

Think about what you can eliminate simply by not bringing it. The challenge is that most of our devices connect us to everything else. Plan for how you will work through that. Going into airplane mode may be all it takes. In other cases, you may remove apps from your phone or tablet. For Apple users, Focus Mode lets you control which apps are accessible and who can reach you — a useful tool for the retreat.

This is also a good moment to think about AI tools specifically. They are useful in everyday work, but a retreat is not the time for prompts and outputs. The whole point is to think for yourself. Leave the AI assistants behind for this one.

Make time for yourself

You've accomplished a lot in nearly two days of reflection, capturing, and planning. Leave a little time to reward yourself for the work. That last night, allow yourself to have a nice dinner or just some pure downtime. Maybe there is a movie you've been wanting to watch. With your mind clear and the prospects of the future bright, allow yourself to fully enjoy it. Bring some popcorn and a favorite beverage and just settle in. You've earned it.

I still have not taken my first full personal retreat. That is on me. But I believe in the concept enough to keep writing about it, talking about it, and putting it on my calendar. The fact that I have carved out planning blocks and thinking time along the way tells me the instinct is right, I just haven't fully committed to the full version yet. That changes this year.

When are you scheduling your personal retreat?

If you want to make it real, pick a date in the next 30 days and block it on your calendar now. Start with a 4–6 hour mini-retreat if that's all you can do, and build from there.

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