Living Without Limits: What I Learned from Attending The MTY Retreat.
I was nervous, I didn’t know what to expect and I literally got off of the airplane and was like, “Welp, girl you here now”
Oh how quickly those thoughts of what was I thinking by applying to this went away when I found the sign that boldly read, “MTY RETREAT” and I met some of the coolest girls ever.
From then I knew that the weekend was going to be a great one.
The Resort – spectacular and worth every dollar.
The Food – Licking the plate and your fingers good.
The Views – Instagram worthy.
But most importantly, the energy…was perfect.
Every event, every class, gathering and time that I was in the presence of the attendees I was all smiles and giggles. I’m considered an introvert being that I write all day for a living, I don’t get out as much as I should and surprisingly, I was a social butterfly the weekend of the retreat.
I challenged myself to sit at a different table during lunch and dinner to give myself a chance to meet as many new people as I could.
The highlight of the weekend for me was having a real conversation with Necole Kane. I told her that I had been praying for her journey and ultimately her happiness as well and thankfully she didn’t look at me like I was crazy.
All of the speakers were down to earth and I appreciated the realness from each and every last one of them. Although my notebook is full of notes, I think that the MTY Retreat was one of those weekends where you had to be there to gain all of the knowledge. However, here are a few of my takeaways….
The first few words that stand out to me are words from the Masterclass taught by Karleen Roy, “Bossy Bootcamp”
Her bubbly personality and go-getter mentality had me tuned in for the gems that she dropped on us.
Confidence, Credibility, Collaboration are all needed to ensure a successful career and building a brand. I learned that to continuously excel you had to remain a master of the game. And when you learn you grow, so in order to be where you wanted to be you had to keep your ears and eyes opened. She also shared with the attendees that it was important to take time to be proud of what we create.
Many times, I find myself so busy with making new goals while not stopping to bask in what I had already accomplished.
Research is key.
Don’t let the “IDK” keep you from “I’M GOING TO GET IT DONE”
“Behind The Culture” taught by Zim Ugochukwu left me with so many life lessons, before I knew it I had turned the page more than five times while taking notes.
The founder of Travel Noire is a devout Christian and I think she resonated with my soul more than any of the other speakers, if I’m allowed to be honest. Zim shared with us that it was important for us to set our own agenda and to dance to the beat of our own drum.
Here is what I took away from her Master Class:
Stop trying to work yourself to death, become a resource and people will never forget you.
Work hard and rest even harder.
Your brand is an extension of who you are, so ask yourself how big do you want to be?
Stay true to your intentions/purpose
What stuck out to me the most is when she said, “It’s better to be single than to be with someone that doesn’t support you”
I felt that one on a spiritual level.
Zim also told us that after business is handled you have to be more present, take time for self, and show yourself more gratitude. Self is important, honor thy self.
She was transparent with us about life after Travel Noire and now she’s more focused on the destination and not the journey, she said proudly, “Feel the FEAR and FLY”
And lastly, John 15 – God’s bearing fruit.
I have recorded the scripture at the top of all of the notebooks that I use on the daily to remind me that God is still God.
Putting Yourself First To Have It ALL was the third masterclass taught by Kahlana Brown and the one thing that she said that stuck out to me the most was, “DO EVERYTHING FIRST CLASS” if you’re going to assign your name and brand to something, make sure it’s fly.
150% effort goes a long way.
“Make people remember you” is what she said.
Luvvie was like your home girl from around the way, her presence was captivating and although the room was full she had a way of speaking as if it was you and her on the couch discussing life over wine.
Her TED Talk inspired me once I got home and had time to watch it, she’s a trailblazer for sure.
Luvvie left me with five questions to ask myself before I accept another opportunity where my brand will be present.
1 Will I enjoy it?
2 Does this pay my fee?
3 Is this something new or different?
4 Does this elevate my profile?
5 Is this a larger audience?
She also inspired and challenged me to rid away with the vision boards and instead write a vision statement of where I will be this time next year or five years from now.
I appreciate Luvvie so much for dropping so much knowledge on me over dinner, and she was my neighbor at the retreat!
Telling and Selling Your Story was taught by Myleik’s secret weapon, not sure if I should mention her name lol but she was amazing as well.
I have so many notes from her portion of the retreat and will share the four questions that I asked myself when I got home from the masterclass.
1. Is my story rooted in purpose?
2. What do I want that isn’t offered in my community?
3. What problems do I want to solve with my brand?
4. How does the world/community behave differently because of what I am doing?
5. Am I shifting minds and increasing awareness?
And lastly but certaintly not least, Myleik Teele, the keynote speaker of the inaugural MTY Retreat spoke to us on, “Living A Limitless Life”
First, let me say thank you to my good girlfriend who put me on to Myleik’s podcast about two years ago since then everyone in my immediate circle is tuned in, with their journals and mugs getting their lives together.
I still can’t believe that I was chosen to be in a place where black girl magic was evident.
Myleik opened up with, “No means not yet” and for me, I needed to hear that as I try to find my footing as an author, blogger and aspiring to venture into TV and film I sometimes get weary with hearing the word, NO more than I hear yes.
She told us that once we identify our fears, then we will able to fly. Spending the holidays in Paris was an eye-opener for her and that’s when she finally realized that once a woman becomes her own best friend, then you are living a life of content.
It’s all good to have a tribe of people that love, pray and support you but at the end of the day, have your back as well.
In closing, she left us with, “Action is required to live a limitless life” so what are you doing to live life without any limits? Ask yourself that.
The MTY Retreat was a life-changing experience for me, a weekend that I am still basking in and that’s why it has taken me so long to pen this blog.
It’s my prayer that I’m able to attend next year’s retreat and for anyone else whose interested in attending, please go with an open mind. I truly believe that we were able to establish new relationships because we came ready to receive and meet like-minded women.
I challenge you to sign up for the updates on mtyretreat.com I promise you will not forget it.
With Love.
NAKO
“Action is required to live a limitless life”