How to do the one thing you must do to LIVE YOUR CALLING.

April 12th, 2011

Last weekend I spent Friday through Sunday alone in a beach house at Ocean City, Md. It was an incredible time of quiet reflection, prayer and preparation to launch my coaching business. I believe getting away from normal life to reflect on our calling is one of the essential things we must all do to live our calling.

Here are 7 keys that I found made it possible for me to make a personal calling retreat a reality:

Plan ahead- I’m no natural planner. But I wanted this and knew the best way to make it a reality was to plan in advance.
Make the retreat a reward- When I thought of the retreat, I was in the middle of developing my coaching business plan at the Free Agent Academy. I looked ahead and decided that if I could finish the program by the first weekend in April, I would take my personal retreat. It was a great motivator.
Tell your friends- Telling others I was going to take a weekend away gave me great motivation to follow through. When I put it out there to others I received overwhelming support and encouragement from family, local friends and online friends. I want them all to know how grateful I am for all the prayers and encouragement.
Make sure your wife can get away soon too – With 3 kids and a busy life, my wife took on lots of extra work to let me go away. Her blessing on my trip was key. So my next job is to be sure that my wife gets some time away herself also.
Don’t let $ hold you back- My trip cost me $10 plus a tank of gas. We didn’t have the extra $ for me to take a trip but I couldn’t let it keep me from going. We had generous friends who let me stay at their empty beach house for free. I ate Raman noodles, granola bars and oatmeal. I did free stuff like walk on the beach and hang out in the room.
Plan a few key activities and a bunch of free time- I wanted the time away to be productive but I knew a successful retreat means some unstructured, reflective time too. So while I had a few key business activities planned, I left lots of time to unwind and listen to God.
I had to do it… You need to do it… just do it.- Your calling matters! As you find and do it, your life will be better and you will make a difference for others. So determine to find a way! Plan for a personal calling retreat. Tell people your plans. Prepare for a productive yet relaxing trip. But most of all do it.

I, for one, was incredibly blessed by the time. As I said, I believe it is one of the essential things we must do to live our calling.

Leave your thoughts or experiences below. Have you taken a personal calling retreat? How did you make it a priority? Or what will you now do to make one happen? Your experiences and news of your progress will benefit us all.

http://www.lci.typepad.com Lcibrice

Hi Chris… Nice blogsite and I love your mission statement… very moving. And a nice post on getting away… blessings on the coaching calling.
Chris Repp

Thanks Brian. I appreciate your feedback. Do you take personal spiritual retreats regularly? I spoke with so many friends who were excited for my retreat, wanted to take one themselves but hadn’t pulled the trigger yet. I hope this post will help others find the time to get away with God and consider their calling. It’s time well spent.
Wendy S.

Thank you Chris for sharing your get away experience. I need to do this sometime soon as well. Not sure how I will pull it off. Thank you for the suggestions. . . wish I lived near a beach that I could do that — there is NOTHING more relaxing than sitting on a porch listening to the waves, reading on the beach with the water at your feet. The beach is my favorite place to be. . . and I happen to be at least 14 hours to the closest one. boo! I may just have to make time to create a beach experience in the midwest to help my self regroup, rest and listen to God. Thanks!!
http://coachradio.tv/ Justin Lukasavige

Great work on the site, Chris!

Before our move across the country I took my wife Christine to the mountains for 4 days without kids. We had a blast and feel like we can handle whatever this move throws at us.
Chris Repp

Sorry to tease you with my beach visit story Wendy. If it makes you feel better the weather wasn’t too good.

I would encourage you to get some time away from the daily grind. It’s amazing even when you get away how it takes a few hours to slow the brain down. Soon though you unwind and you see, hear and think so much more clearly. Let me know how it goes when you do get away.
http://www.leatherhelp.com ChrisR

Thanks Justin. You’ve been a big help in making it happen. As busy a guy as you are, it’s good to hear you, and your wife, find some time to get away alone. Great example for us all.
Anonymous

Very nice and timely blog Chris. Years ago, I decided to take a minimum of one week off every 10-12 weeks or so to recharge, refocus and recommit. I still do that today, and will for the rest of my life. This is in addition to vacation, because my recharge time is business-focused while vacation should be family-focused.

It’s one of the most value-adding things I do in our businesses.

You’re a wise man, Chris Repp.
Chris Peek

Hey Chris,
Nice first blog. I love how your interweave your own experience with a list of practical ways we can get away. This provides a lot of value for the reader. Keep it up!
http://www.facebook.com/212kick Chris Sutton

Chris, I enjoyed this. I like the layout and larger font. Makes for an easy read. I’m D wired so I love the bold and exclamation points too!

Point #4. Great advice.We do this and I dubbed it the “Annual Milk Run.” (comes from a funny story from my wifes childhood)
Chris Repp

Thanks for taking the time to read Chris. You’re right about #4. You know what they say, happy wife, happy life . You able to get away alone ever?
Melodie Kenniebrew

Great start to your blog, Chris! Especially like your idea regarding one’s personal retreat as a reward. I see that taking one within the next few months can only help as I continue formulating my own plans. As to exactly when and where, don’t know yet, but you’ve got me thinking . . .

Husband and I went on a retreat for life planning some years ago, stayed at a B&B in neighboring New Jersey. A really beautiful weekend away, both of us soooo relaxed. We arrived back home united in our goals and closer to each other.
http://www.leatherhelp.com ChrisR

Thanks for the input Melodie and Chris. Glad to hear you find the advice true. Here’s to hoping more people discover and do a personal growth retreat.
http://twitter.com/agentmiller Kevin Miller

Chris – getting away like this, is a habit I see in people who have achieved success in areas I desire. One of those things were people look at them as something special, and I see that, “No, they just do what most will not.” Like make the effort to get away like you did. I admire you immensely Chris. And I’m writing from Vail, on a 3 day getaway with my wife to celebrate and go deep in our relationship!
Growingoakscoach

Thx so much Kevin. Glad to hear you two are getting away. We need all the passion and energy you have to give us at FAA and beyond.
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