Last week, we traded this frigid Canadian cold for the sunny warmth of Florida, and took a step back from the daily grind for a weekend focused entirely on our business. And honestly? Game. Changer.

As business partners heading into our third year, we knew we needed to start the year intentionally—by taking time to work on our business instead of just in it. That simple shift of focus unlocked creativity, clarity, and motivation we didn’t even know we were missing. Now, we’re coming back feeling refreshed, aligned, and ready to take on what’s next.

Here are a few of the biggest takeaways that we brought back with us:

Environment shapes impact.

Sometimes, a change of scenery is all it takes to reset. Stepping away from the usual routine allowed us to clear our minds and approach our business with fresh eyes. Without the constant pull of emails, to-dos, and daily distractions, we finally had the space to think bigger and dive deeper into what truly matters for our goals.

Working ON your business is essential.

For a long time, we’ve been hyper-focused on putting our clients first—and while that’s still our priority, we realized that meant we often neglected our own business. This weekend was a reminder of just how important it is to take the time to work on our business, not just in it. Planning, reflecting, and dreaming are what move us forward—and without that time for strategy, we’d be left reacting instead of proactively growing.

Reflection fuels direction.

During our getaway, we spent time reflecting on both the wins and the areas that need improvement. What’s working? What needs tweaking? Gaining that clarity gave us actionable insights and a renewed sense of purpose for moving forward. We came back with actionable goals and a clearer vision of how to evolve as business owners—and as partners.

The big picture is worth investing in.

Leaving our work getaway, we felt more energized than ever. We’re walking away with a fresh sense of clarity about where we’re headed in Year 3, with a renewed focus on improving our client experience, refining our workflows, and even dreaming about exciting new opportunities (hello, annual work retreats!). We’re more aligned as a team and more focused than ever on taking our business to the next level.

Final Takeaway:
Make time to step back, reflect, and strategize.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from this experience, it’s this...make the time to step back from the day-to-day hustle. Reflection and strategy are the foundation of meaningful growth. Taking the time to pause, reflect, and plan might just be the best thing you do for your business this year.

Topic: Creative Design Agency, Small Business Development