inspiration - Being At The Cottage

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

Posted on June 26, 2019June 27, 2019 by Wil Allan

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

Posted on April 4, 2019May 22, 2019 by Wil Allan

‘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

Part 2 – 6 Shortcuts To Insights And Inspiration

Posted on February 11, 2019February 19, 2019 by Wil Allan

What Makes A Unique Business Retreat? Packing your vision, leaving the rest behind and spending time alone. These are elements 3 and 4 of what makes a unique business retreat. In all, there are 6 fundamental elements that make Graig Ddu – The Cottage In The Forest a unique business retreat. Three are synonymous with … Continue reading Part 2 – 6 Shortcuts To Insights And Inspiration

6 Shortcuts To Insights And Inspiration – Part 1

Posted on February 5, 2019June 4, 2019 by Wil Allan

What Makes A Boutique Business Retreat? I believe that houses choose their owners. In 1991 Graig Ddu chose me. You can find that story here: https://tinyurl.com/ydyz5wp3 But back to the present. After leaving an out of character foray into the corporate world as a property manager in 2018 where I had over 100 holiday cottages to oversee … Continue reading 6 Shortcuts To Insights And Inspiration – Part 1

Synchronicity At Its Magical Best

Posted on January 14, 2019May 25, 2019 by Wil Allan

Finding Graig Ddu - The Cottage In The Forest It wasn’t so much a case of love at first sight, mostly because I hadn’t lived without electricity before, and the cottage was pink! I wasn’t sure which would be more of a challenge. It was definitely a case of it finding me, though. After 4 … Continue reading Synchronicity At Its Magical Best

The Magic Of The Mountains

Posted on December 31, 2018January 14, 2019 by Wil Allan

4.00pm on 30thDecember and dusk is settling. I ran to the mountain gate and up to the cairn at the top of Twyn Y Gaer, an iron age hill fort. On the way I nodded hello to the last straggling walkers heading back home before dark. Perfect – no more people. That’s how I like … Continue reading The Magic Of The Mountains

4 Reasons To Have A Conversation

Posted on December 18, 2018May 26, 2019 by Wil Allan

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

Hop Into The Bath And Unleash Creative Solutions

Posted on December 3, 2018February 4, 2019 by Wil Allan

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 You Should Be An Air Head

Posted on November 10, 2018June 4, 2019 by Wil Allan

The power of choosing to be an air head whenever you want to is very sweet. Try imagining having an empty head, no thoughts, and being able to un-think the thinkable at will, arresting the maelstrom of your thoughts and relaxing into clarity. A bit like talking to yourself, being an air head has always … Continue reading Why You Should Be An Air Head