Restore and Create
Although we’re in Costa Rica, this isn’t a post about Costa Rica. It’s about what we’re up to every year in October / November, and it just so happens that – this year – Costa Rica is the perfect place to do it.
It’s about dreamscaping the year ahead.
We like goals. We’ve figured out what kind of goal-setting works for each of us as individuals and as a couple. Super firm goals don’t fly for either of us; neither does a “I don’t have goals” mentality. We both work well with a loose structure that we use to guide and nudge us. Essentially, we dreamscape huge things, set the intention and then take whatever action feels right in the moment as we work towards those dreams.
A few years back, we figured out the most important piece of our dreamscaping puzzle. We want to share it with you – as an idea you can consider – so that you don’t wake up in January feeling rudderless.
You have to find ways to accommodate the “space” for your next big thing / idea / dream to come into your life.
As we approached our quiet, peaceful cottage in the jungle of Costa Rica, we knew it was the perfect place to settle into some major life planning. The deck and the dreamy, verdant cloud-forest view serve up the perfect setting for restoring and getting into creative mode.
Despite the fact that October has been our busiest work month of 2012, we’re choosing to take a bit longer with our clients’ projects in the interest of getting this important “work” done. After all, if we’re not at our best, how can we provide the best work for our clients.
Here’s what a typical day is shaping up like here in Costa Rica:
After a solid work session and breakfast each morning, we’re heading out into nature to run, hike and explore. We talk and think as little as possible in order to clear our heads and get in the mindset of being open to ideas. After that, we’re taking time (often on that patio) to individually jot down notes and ideas – all of the things that came to us during the earlier exploration. We usually break up this session with a walk where we share ideas that we want to bounce off of one another. By now, it’s time for a short work session and some dinner followed by a full-on exchange of ideas on the deck (with a drink and dessert). Finally, it’s off to bed. A big part of this process is restorative sleep, so we’re trying to get a lot of it. Also, when you’re in this mode, some of the best stuff will come to you in your sleep.
Your ideal restore & create process will likely work differently than ours. You may do it on your own, and you’ll probably spread it out over a longer period (as we usually do). Some tips to get you started:
1) Find a pace that works for your current schedule. Maybe every Saturday afternoon, maybe two evenings a week. Or, like us, you may want to have a power session that involves several consecutive days.
2) Make sure the time you schedule includes periods where you: 1) shut down your mind, stop thinking and get in nature – a walk in your city/park works just fine & 2) jot down notes – in whatever way works for you – about the ideas that are coming to mind.
3) Examine what kinds of things are popping up. Which ideas have a place in your life? Is your creativity stifled or abundant? What are the ideas telling you about yourself? Do you feel like you are “on track” or sort of all over the board?
Incorporate this kind of activity regularly. We do mini versions of this throughout the year in addition to this type of once-a-year “all in” version.
So… this is what we’re really up to in Costa Rica. We’re seeing a lot and getting mucho personal/professional stuff done. It feels great. 2013 is going to be magnificent.
That little hut looks the perfect place to chill out and brainstorm. My ideas usually come just as my head hits the pillow to sleep. I close my eyes, and *bam*, the show starts! A notebook by the head is my saving grace.
It’s the best part of sleep!
Soooo recognizable! I put reminders in my cellphone, that way I don’t need to put on the light and wake up my boyfriend who’s always sound asleep after 5 minutes:D
Brilliant!
I’m learning a lot àbout the restorative ways of life…. Slowing down is critical. I’m amazed at how much you lads get around! Costa Rica now?! We are off to SE Asia in a week.
I have no idea how you work and travel. It’s enough just finding places to eat and poop!
We’ve gotten it down and can usually fall into some kind of groove pretty quickly. Costa Rica is going very well. Other times, though, it’s more of a struggle.
We have a special connection with this place, though, so it’s been particularly fun to slow down, restore and create.
Dreamscaping — what a great idea! Great to set goals and lay out a vision and expectation for the year ahead. And Costa Rica isn’t such a bad place to have to do that, I suppose!
It’s been a perfect place to do it. Plus, things are just now moving into high season, so it’s been very quiet all around. What a dream!
What a great idea! We sometimes get so caught up in our daily routines that we never really take the time to “take the time”
What a great reminder to do this!
Do it, Shirlene. I can only imagine the kind of stuff you’ll come up with!
Hey guys, I love how you all are spending your time there. It sounds absolutely perfect and will get you both energized and excited for new projects. We’ve found this type of approach works wonders and is invaluable for any team/partnership/couple who is looking to create together.
Nice job.
BTW, I hope some of these creative ideas include spending a month with us in Mexico next year. Right? RIGHT???
Yes! We need to make something happen.
What a location to do some dreamscaping! I do a lot of what you listed without realising I do it. I walk for a couple of hours a day to clear the mind and I’m always writing notes, either on paper or via evernote. I need a better action plan though.
We’re bouncing from place to place here in Costa Rica – each proving to be a fantastic spot for dreamscaping. Next up, we’re heading deep into the jungle for our most remote destination yet. It’ll have the least distractions, so I’m sure we’ll come away with all sorts of ideas for the year ahead.
I’m always looking for some “mind cleaning”, but it is not easy for me to accomplish. There must be some kind of plug somewhere in my mind that will allow me to lower thinking to the minimum. I am still looking for it.
Focusing on deep breathing usually works for us.
I love that you are conscious of taking time to meditate and then come back together in the evening to bounce ideas off each other. I would love to do that more often with Scott, but right now his job requires so much of his energy that we can really only do this on the weekends these days.
Well, that’s something. Hopefully, Hawaii will provide some inspiration too
An excellent way to keep growing and achieving. It can be so hard to focus on figuring out what we want to do and how to make it happen.
Can’t wait to hear what you have on the books for the year ahead, Stephanie!
You’re much more disciplined than I am, although I do run and walk to clear my head and it INVARIABLY helps. I agree as well about good things coming to you in your sleep. Looks like Costa Rica is a tonic for you after your bumpy China ride.
A huge difference!
Brilliant ideas! And, Gorgeous Pics! Wow!
Thank you for reminding us to plan/dreamscape more!
You guys are pretty good about living deliberately. We’ve seen first hand!
What a gorgeous place to work from. Life planning is always good. I enjoy it a lot, to the point where I probably spend too much time making and organizing to-do lists and not enough time actually accomplishing the stuff on the lists. I’m still waiting for a way to create 28-hour days.
We’ve accomplished that, Scott. Watch for an e-book
I wish I could have these days again… Someday!
Maybe if you’d stop staying awake for 24 hours
I love this! It’s so important to let the ideas flow and talk to each other about what you want and where you’re headed. Andy and I used to go for a walk by the river near our apartment a few times a week, involving some great conversations, but no one’s convincing me to go out there in 32F/0C weather! But we definitely still make time to talk about our ideas and work towards our goals.
It doesn’t surprise me that you two do the same type of thing.
What a perfect idea for life planning… Thanks for this wonderful post, this is a great help to plan for life, dreamscape, what a perfect word for this.
Thanks, Alex – we think “dreamscape” is a pretty fitting word.
I volunteer for 3-5 weeks a year (in a single stint) and even though it involves working quite hard, it works for me for getting perspective on life, reflecting on what’s important, and feeling like I’m heading in the right direction.
Great post about your process.
I think that feeling of clarity really comes when you’re relaxed and rested, the way you described – not when you try to force it or when you’re in the middle of a hectic daily routine. I love the name you guys have for it – “dreamscaping” – what a great way to describe it.
Yep… we always compare it to meeting “the right” person. It never seems to happen when someone is trying too hard and “looking” for a relationship.