The 13 Key Differences Between A Boutique Business Retreat And Other Business Retreats

Red and yellow orchid flower at Being At The Cottage boutique business retreat

The word ‘boutique’ originates from the French, meaning a small shop selling fashionable clothing and accessories.  More recently it has also come to mean a small company that offers highly specialised services in a specific area. It goes without saying that at a boutique business retreat the surroundings are stunning, the food is delicious, and we have hand-picked … Continue reading The 13 Key Differences Between A Boutique Business Retreat And Other Business Retreats

How The Brain Makes Creative Solutions

‘The evidence that the brain responds to events that do not appear in consciousness is overwhelming’.  The Wayward Mind - Guy Claxton I know that when I want to find solutions to puzzles or get into a creative flow, I need to access a different state of mind – make my brain work in a different … Continue reading How The Brain Makes Creative Solutions

4 Reasons To Have A Conversation

Conversations - The Counterpoint To Spending Time Alone Being At The Cottage is about using the power of spending time alone to deepen the development of something extraordinary. However, in order to add perspective and depth to that experience, the time spent alone is enhanced by conversations.   But calling them conversations doesn’t really do … Continue reading 4 Reasons To Have A Conversation

What Is The Boutique Business Retreat?

‘What is this life if, full of care, We have no time to stand and stare. No time to stand beneath the boughs And stare as long as sheep or cows.’                 W H Davies 1911 It’s over 100 years since W H Davies wrote those words, and most of us are now hurtling through life … Continue reading What Is The Boutique Business Retreat?

Hop Into The Bath And Unleash Creative Solutions

Create: ‘Bring something into existence’ – Oxford English Dictionary ‘To evolve from one's own thought or imagination’ Creativity thrives in an expansively quiet mind.  It doesn’t happen while we are staring at a tablet or dealing with the daily grind of mundane problems in the office.  That’s why 72% of people get great ideas and insights in the bath or shower.   … Continue reading Hop Into The Bath And Unleash Creative Solutions

Why Walking Boosts Creativity

‘Walking is potent mood medicine that enhances thinking, sharpens memory and safeguards brain health.’  Forbes Magazine Walking increases creative inspiration by an average of 60% versus sitting down. In experiments, the effect was evident during and shortly after walking anywhere between 5 and 16 minutes. Walking enables divergent thinking – an expansion of the mind … Continue reading Why Walking Boosts Creativity

5 Reasons To Spend Time Alone When Pursuing Something Extraordinary

When we separate ourselves from the white noise of our work environment, relinquishing the digital gadgetry that props us up, curious and wonderful things happen. 

6 Important Things You Need To Know About Your Subconscious

Thing No 1 - Giving you the edge you need Developing the relationship with your subconscious will give you the edge you need to succeed.  The more you can connect with your subconscious the more extraordinary results and eureka moments it will give you. Thing No 2 - Dissolving barriers to progress As you pursue … Continue reading 6 Important Things You Need To Know About Your Subconscious

Why Getting Away From It All Unleashes Creative Solutions

When our mind is free of stimulation, we are in the best position to produce some of the finest problem-solving and creative solutions that it can generate.  By allowing the mind to relax and wander, we activate the brain’s default mode network, which is essential for creativity. Create: ‘Bring something into existence’ – Oxford English Dictionary ‘To evolve from one's own thought or imagination’ … Continue reading Why Getting Away From It All Unleashes Creative Solutions