The Element of "Magic" I'm Introducing at my Mastermind Retreat 2025

In honor of my former business coach.

I woke up with a heaviness that I couldn’t shake.

This is a high pressure time when I’m locking in candidates for the 2025 class of my Mastermind. “Grinding on” wasn’t going to lift this feeling.

I took the morning to reflect.

I recalled something from the Clifton Strengths Finder assessment I took months ago for a podcast interview.

The “Achiever” in me needs to ‘win’ everyday.

Then I reviewed my values: Adventure, Beauty, Freedom, Fun, Friendships.

I failed to architect a Saturday observing these values.

I created this handy download with an exercise that helps figure out your core values.

I galvanized into action:

Adventure:

Matt and I went to Chelsea Market, stood at the counter and got a dose of 12 oysters + a glass of chardonnay, like we used to when we lived in the East Village. The selection always changes, so we never know what parts East Coast or West Coast oysters we will get.

Therein lies the “discovery” and “adventure.”

Beauty:

Before that, I logged a hot yoga class at ID yoga on the Lower East Side. The steam builds on the insides of the windows it’s so hot in the studio. But it feels beautiful. Like a warm hug. I call it my weekend devotional.

I was proud my stamina was back too.

Friendships:

Later, we were perched on a bar stool at the Golden Swan in the West Village. My friend Hillary lives just a hop, skip and a jump from there, so I called on her to come share a glass of red. I love this bar because, well, its beautiful. But they also serve popcorn at the bar, drizzled with rosemary and sage.

Fun:

In yesterday’s Substack, I wrote about my former business coach Gabrielle.

She always infused a ‘bit of magic’ into her workshops with us. Don’t get me wrong. She was all business —and had a 7 figure one at that.

But there was something extra.

Something magical.

So I’m efforting to do the same for the kick-off of my Mastermind retreat January 25th.

“Infuse a bit of magic.”

The loft I chose, with all of its beautiful greenery and sunlight, achieves that.

There will be reiki and a sound bath. Inspirational music playing on bluetooth.

I’ve hired Chef Nitin for the day to make us delicious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks.

I bought two Pura diffusers to dispense the warm smell of “Frasier Fir,” which greets me when I come home.

But, for the ‘magic’ part, I am doing this: