I'd like to invite all of you to a Personal Innovation Retreat, er Advance, this coming spring. I'm using the word Advance because Retreat sounds so much like a stepping back. This is not a conference or even an unconference. It's a creativity catalyst.
Often we come to a point in a new business idea, a marketing campaign, a novel, a Sundance documentary, a non-profit humanitarian project and even larger questions such as grasping what is the "what's next in my life" project where all the pieces just aren't fitting together quite right. It feels like you are on the cusp of a breakthrough - it's so close but you're coasting on a plateau. Usually at those times I like to go off on what could be called a clarity quest or an incubation retreat.
I've been toying with the idea of a "group incubation" inspired by some of the concepts of a Master Mind (recommend sitting down in a bookstore cafe and reading Lesson One in Napoleon Hill's The Laws of Success). There is something about the group synergy that I sense will let the earthen dam erode away allowing the wild river of creativity back on its natural course. Hill writes about the Master Mind effect:
...new ideas will flash into the mind. If the entire group has met for the purpose of discussing a given subject, ideas concerning that subject will come pouring into the minds of all present, as if an outside influence were dictating them.
Hill also writes about a little know fact about a few innovators in his time that started off with no capital and little formal education:
It is a matter of general knowledge that Ford, Edison, and Firestone are close personal friends and have been so for many years, and that in former years they were in the habit of going away to the woods once a year for a period of rest, meditation and recuperation. - The Laws of Success
A prolific inventor shares: To keep sharp, every year he gets together with other inventors for an innovation retreat. "We meet at some nice place and think about what the world could use."
The format would be mostly experential, participatory, interactive and fun. Each day would be a combination of lecture (no more than 90 minutes a day), exercises and practices, clearness committees, open space format meetings and gobs of structured and unstructured solo time escaping into the hills and woods and walking along Adobe Creek.
I'm purposefully withholding information as I'd like you to decide from your heart or your belly or to heed that still small voice now rather than drawing up a decision tree and gathering up all the pros and cons about attending based on data. Think of it as practicing before Blink hits the bookstores this January. It's the art of thinking without thinking.
Our unconscious mind is so much more effective than our conscious mind when it comes to making split-second decisions. - Halley Suit commenting on Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
It's wrong to think of gut instinct as not rational. It's a different kind of thinking - a rapid cognition. - Malcolm Gladwell in a speech at Silicon Forum
There is only space for 30 people. Blink. Trust if you can answer the yes questions (namely do you want to crank up your personal creativity up another level in the company of other creators within a peaceful environment?) then the how questions will take care of themselves.
Cost: The cost will be definitely be under $400 for four nights (the big variable right now is food - whether we do our own cooking or go catered is the factor) including everything - lodging, food, and materials and perhaps bringing in a few outside practices leaders. This isn't a money-maker. I'm here for the idea generation myself.
Dates: April 8th (3 p.m.) to April 12th (11 a.m.), 2005. If you must miss one night, make it April 8th and not April 11th.
Location: A special place where I hosted my last big solo incubation. Hidden Villa, (hostel) up in the Los Altos hills in the Bay Area, northern California. Almost equidistant from either SFO or SJC airports. Not five star accomodations (we're talking bunk beds) but hostel building itself, the grounds, and the surrounding hiking trails are simply beautiful. This is lush verdent green hill time in the Bay Area. Heh, the best part is that cellphones DON'T work just a few miles from the heart of pulsing Silicon Valley! You really will be away from it all...and closer than ever to it all.
Where do I sign up? The first step is leaving a comment below. There will be a waiting list so jot your name down in the comments below even if there are more than 30. Heck, if there way more than 60 perhaps (perhaps, don't count on it, don't hesistate) we'll do another session in late April. I'm not collecting payment at this time yet as the budget hasn't been worked out (guaranteed cap of $400). Please also sign up to this email list to stay informed and be prepared - just send blank email to awareness-practice-subscribe at yahoogroups dot com. If you don't have a URL and are concerned about spam by leaving a comment below, make one up and send me your real address at crossroadsdispatches -at- gmail [dot] com with the word "Advance" somewhere in the subject.
Freebie rego for Advance chef: I am looking for someone with a passion and creative zeal for the culinary to help with food shopping April 8th and some cooking throughout.
Much more than enough details for now. No this is not private. You just heard it hear first. If this calls to you, that's your invite.
Dear Evelyn Rodriguez,
Now that is something I so strongly believe in! I am a creative director (or whatever it is called) at a communication/television/events/film/etcetera production house, dealing with creativity on a daily basis.
Of course I read the books on how to enhance creativity, but the best best best thing there is really is those sessions in retreat, where you preferrably get many types of thinkers together. People who think on the same roads but in different fields... I have now set up mini-sessions of my creative co-workers every month that they can fill in how they want - I can tell, it is a huge succes.
Anyway, I love your blog, I would love to go to the Blinker-session - but Holland is a little far off... I will read your posts closely thanks for sharing!
yours
bas
Posted by: Bas | Dec 02, 2004 at 02:44 PM
Hmmm, Holland is a bit far off, but perhaps you are doing the same for yourself it sounds like. I did have the idea to jot down how the whole "structure" (um, or unstructure) of the advance and then write an article about it so others could replicate some of the best parts for themselves wherever they live.
I'm hoping this "advance" will draw in a lot of diverse people too as you mentioned "many types of thinkers" -
draw out people from their fields of specialization and be immersed in "the intersection" of a lot of different areas (I'm using The Medici Effect term).
Specialization is something Buckminster Fuller complained a wee bit about in Synergetics as denying us and humanity a holistic and comprehensive understanding.
Perhaps you can just join in to the yahoogroups list - we'll be talking about preparation in terms of practices and it may also give you ideas for exercises, etc. to try out.
Posted by: Evelyn Rodriguez | Dec 02, 2004 at 02:59 PM
I'm interested. I think it would be very useful to post an agenda as you get closer. I hate to always be the ROI wet blanket, and this is not a measurable outcome, but I'm curious to know--and would be happy to contribute--to the intention and activities.
BTW: I was at a weekend retreat this summer and my bfriend did the shopping and a good portion of the cooking for 40--he's a good one to ask.
Posted by: Jory Des Jardins | Dec 02, 2004 at 03:00 PM
Jory, I understand about the ROI. I'd have to reread this post, but clickthrough above on "a clarity quest or incubation retreat". EVERY significant BREAKTHROUGH idea I've come up with has been after an incubation retreat. I've only done three so far - but they have been well worth the time. "Idea" doesn't convey it though. It's as if all the pieces of all my interests fall into place and make total logical sense. A path is cleared. I come away with a clarity of purpose accompanied by fearlessness and commitment.
I realize these days that time is more important than money. I'm sure the cost will be closer to $300 if it's not catered...but in this day and age we worry about if we can "afford" 4-5 days off not $300. Meanwhile we get on a (often billable hour time-is-money) treadmill to pay the rent rather than finding a few days to create a viable system that will really set us free and allow us the time to pursue our passions and make an impact and create our legacy. With preparation (that's what the blog and the yahoogroups email list will be for) it only takes a few days off the treadmill to access the wisdom that will allow us to create something a bit more sustainable and joyful in our lives.
I just read yesterday a snippet from Thich Nhat Hanh where he asks, Do You Have Time to Love? Ah, what in the world else are we doing I wonder. That's a question for me too.
Posted by: Evelyn Rodriguez | Dec 02, 2004 at 03:17 PM
OK to answer a question I got offline. Much of the group stuff will be in smaller groups of 7-8, not typically all 30. Intentionally planning on solo time (again it may be structured and sometimes not) of at least three hours during the sunny daylight hours.
What you learned doesn't dissipate after the weekend's stimulation - you'd be learning new practices that are tailored for you individually and you can utilize in your own life for making timely decisions, creating and innovating, perceiving opportunities, overcoming fear and obstacles, and being focused and crystal clear in your endeavors.
Posted by: Evelyn Rodriguez | Dec 02, 2004 at 03:43 PM
Count me in, at least as far as looking at my schedule to see if it can work. I just got my intro-AARP card in the mail awhile back, so bunk beds caught my eye....
Posted by: Zane Safrit | Dec 02, 2004 at 04:46 PM
If my schedule allows, I'm in.
Posted by: Matt Homann | Dec 02, 2004 at 05:44 PM
Won't be able to make it, but please post as many details (both pre- and post-) as you can. I'd like to try to host an East Coast version.
Posted by: Katherine | Dec 03, 2004 at 08:16 AM
Wow, Evelyn, what a fantastic idea. Jon (http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/1408427) over at Business Evolutionist had questioned the value of institutionalized training sessions and what could be done to make learning more relevant. This is such a cool idea - creating a meeting of the minds with people who so obviously share your passion, as they freely join in dialogue here. I'm sure great things will evolve from such a retreat. I am sorry I can't make it.
Posted by: Aleah | Dec 03, 2004 at 09:00 AM
All the pre-advance stuff will either be blogged or emailed to the yahoogroups as prep for participants - and everyone is free to join up. As far as post-advance, I'll do my best (perhaps we could spread the duties of recording the how-to-do-your-own-advance on a wiki among the participants).
Aleah, about institutionalized training - yep, I've been giving a lot of thought to education lately (more later).
BTW, permalink to Aleah's reference to Jon's post is: http://jstrande.typepad.com/blog/2004/11/training_.html
Posted by: Evelyn Rodriguez | Dec 03, 2004 at 10:50 AM
Evelyn, how open might you be to recording the sessions as Doug Kaye at IT Conversations has been doing for other events? I wonder if Doug might be interested in attending to record them?
That way the folks who couldn't make it can glean ideas from the discussions.
Maybe it's a nutty idea, but you never know... :-)
Posted by: Mike Rohde | Dec 03, 2004 at 11:54 AM
Mike, I'll throw it out to the participants - but I was kind of hoping people would be really open about personal doubts and stumbling blocks or whatever they want to talk about in a safe, confidential environment - which is not conducive to any recording, or some blogging for that matter. (Blogging about the structure or your personal impressions is different but sharing other people's revelations isn't.) However, there might be one hour per day that is more of a lecture (i.e. one talking head broadcast) format which is recordable. Everything else is highly interactive however.
Posted by: Evelyn Rodriguez | Dec 03, 2004 at 12:09 PM
Evelyn, I'm so ripe for something like this, I'm ready to fall out of my tree. I can't tell if I've made your 30, but if so, I'm there.
Posted by: Jefferson Berlin | Dec 03, 2004 at 05:39 PM
If I'm in the country, I will be there.
Posted by: Brett Stuckel | Dec 03, 2004 at 10:39 PM
If I have the funds and time, I'm in.
Posted by: Shawn Borton | Dec 03, 2004 at 11:15 PM
Sounds like a good lever for becoming unstuck.
Posted by: Gerard Van der Leun | Dec 04, 2004 at 09:52 AM
Sounds fascinating. Please put me on the list!
Posted by: Kerry Studwell | Dec 04, 2004 at 07:33 PM
Hi,
Have you met Harrison Owen, the original spirit behind Open Space? If not, I recommend his books and perhaps you've read those as well...bn.com lists several (although their descriptions are weak.) He's been just below the radar for years and has a wide fellowship of creative souls. My experience was that the process (open space) is highly creative, and the antithesis of most groups or organizations where control is the issue.
Posted by: Connie Sartain | Dec 04, 2004 at 08:47 PM
I would love to participate - please sign me up!
Posted by: Mary Nations | Dec 05, 2004 at 07:07 PM
Evelyn:
I'd love to participate-- Can you keep us updated as it progresses and as it starts to fill up. Here's my dilemma: I'm scheduled to go to an industry conference that week that promises one-on-one time with a lot of industry folk who could really help us out, in a forum where they're actually likely to listen.
At the same time, I think that I would personally get a lot more out of the "advance" (love the term).
So, I'm going to have to do a "Blink"-esque ROI to make the call, and my head is to crazy right now to do that.
Posted by: Peg | Dec 05, 2004 at 09:19 PM
Yes, I plan to keep all of you updated as to the progress. Also, I'll be using the yahoogroups list mentioned in the post for some (optional, but VERY helpful) prep work. In fact, you could say the Advance starts the day you commit. And for those of you - particulary those overseas - that can't make it, I'll include tips on how to do a solo advance that weekend and you can be with us in spirit.
We don't have as many sign-ups as the comments would suggest, so keep them coming. I am sending the check this week to secure and book the entire Hidden Villa to ourselves - so I'm definitely committed!
Posted by: Evelyn Rodriguez | Dec 06, 2004 at 04:32 PM
Sounds like just what I need...
Posted by: Scott McMullan | Dec 09, 2004 at 06:20 PM
Do you have any more room because boy is this what I need now. I'm on the cusp of a breakthrough, I can feel it in my bones, but I'm not there yet. The idea of being with other creative people excites me mightily.
Posted by: Jill | Jan 14, 2005 at 03:36 PM
I'm quite interested in this 'advance' - as you say, if you don't have time for this, what do you have time for?
Posted by: Curt Gardner | Mar 18, 2005 at 01:33 PM
Just finnished at the Creative Capital Conference here in Amsterdam. Two days of cross-domain discussions and formulations which were packaged and delivered to the government here. One of the biggest areas we identified where creativity emerges is the cross-over space. "new connections and linkages are the essence of the knowledge society. Lines of development in - culture, the economy and knowledge institutions no longer move parallel, but they create new junctions, connections and crossover zones." I recommend what you are discussing as it breaks down silos between people. We are on our way to enabling this discussion to be machine readable too at a deeper level. MySpace and other social networking tools are steps in the right direction towards a global discussion where we will be able to remember who we are in relation to other people from a local to global level. For those of you that follow concepts from the Integral Community this means we cross the I/WE treshhold in multiply information rich and diverse ways.
Posted by: james | Mar 20, 2005 at 02:17 AM