GreatnessRetreat

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GreatnessRetreat

Reconnect with what matters. Retreats for adventure, creativity, and mindful self-discovery.

01/21/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹?

This Wise Word Wednesday is about 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲.

A Buddhist parable tells of five wise persons lost in a forest. Each argues for a direction: left, right, back, forward, each with sound reasoning. The fifth pauses. They climb a tree, sees smoke from a village beyond the treetops, and calls down the way out.

Their message is simple:
“Your reasons may sound wise, but 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝘄𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴.”

Where in your life are you “in the forest” right now?
What would help you climb higher and see more clearly?

01/20/2026

Are you hiring HOPES or hiring WINS?
Last night Coach Cignetti had proven why he recruits talent for performance over potentials.

I am coaching people who are veteran professional and those that are about to graduate.I see value in both on my team.

Veteran contributors understand the terrain: the role, the competition, the pace, and what it takes to win.

Yet there is something compelling about high-potential newcomers. They are hungry. Scrappy. Willing to challenge assumptions. Often more innovative because they are not yet constrained by “how it’s always been done.”

What do you think or hire for?
Please share!

01/16/2026

100% effort is the wrong strategy.

is my running idol for many reasons, but mostly because her one-liners stick with me.

She’s widely regarded as one of the most disciplined endurance athletes in the world. Her dominance in ultra running is built on 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁, 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, and 𝗽𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀.

Here are some of her one-liners
𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀, not pace comparisons.
𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿, when energy is scarce and the “𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝘃𝗲” demands mental toughness.

This philosophy extends to leadership and life:
Not every moment requires 100%.
Sustainability beats intensity.
Those who finish strongest are rarely those who start hardest.

She doesn’t win by giving everything all the time.
She wins by knowing 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗼, so she has enough left to finish strong.

2026 is a long race.
Where is restraint a smarter strategy than intensity?

01/14/2026

Wise Word Wednesday: Content

Content has two meanings.

There’s content the noun. The things we accumulate and worry about: cars, houses, clothes, jewelry (yes, that one for me). The constant focus on having.

Then there’s content the state of being: I am content to be who I am and where I am.

During my time in Melbourne and Tasmania with Lee and family, I felt deeply content. Not because I had more, but because I needed less.

Content to be with family.
Content to enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.
Content to read.
Content to let time linger.
No chasing. No optimizing. No proving.

In a world that pushes more, contentment is a powerful choice.

My invitation:
Where could you practice being content—not with what you have, but with who you are and where you are right now?

01/09/2026

Friday reflection: experience comes with responsibility.

In February, I’m returning to Michigan State to coach juniors and seniors on the topic: Leadership Presence is a Practice- Built from the Inside Out.

Very excited to run this workshop.
It’s a good reminder that leadership isn’t about getting ahead, it’s about mentoring others along the way.

Who could you coach or guide this month?

01/08/2026

Stop thinking about it. Invest in you in 2026!

5 reasons to attend a retreat.
• You hike stunning trails and remember you love being outdoors
• You eat gourmet meals you didn’t have to cook or clean up
• You laugh, connect, and make new friends
• You tap into creativity, local vibes, and wind down properly
• You take the time to reset priorities and commit time to the people and things that matter most to you.

Spots are limited, don’t miss your moment.
Asheville Greatness Retreat
April 23-27, 2026
Asheville , North Carolina
👉 see the bio or chat with me to learn more.

01/07/2026

As a coach, I always emphasize the importance of knowing your values.

When you understand what truly matters to you, you can incorporate those values into your life, work, and community—leading to greater happiness.

Adventure is one of my core values. I thrive on exploring and getting lost in nature, towns, markets, anything unfamiliar.

Right now, I’m writing from Tasmania, an island state in Australia. Tomorrow, we hit a trail promising waterfalls and breathtaking views.

I encourage you to reflect on your own values. What truly matters to you? Reach out if you want a worksheet to help identify your values.

Remember, the path to happiness is living your true self.

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Libertyville, IL
60048

Telephone

+18473936776

Website

https://greatnessretreat.com/, http://linktr.ee/greatnessretreat

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