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Jessica Connor Kennedy

Facilitator

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UNEARTH 2025

Reflect with wisdom, plan for success

Ended

About

There is often an inclination to rush towards the new year, to the promise of a fresh start. But don't be too fast. Each year deserves our reflection and inquiry to put it in perspective. To dream and plan with clarity for 2025 we must first review what has come before. You are invited to join us and a supportive, creative, professional community of people in this two-part online group retreat designed to: * ensure you make the most of the lessons you have learned in 2024 * set your clear and inspiring intentions for the year ahead (and openness to what may come) * build support for accountability and wellbeing into your year ahead * give you the time and space to get this done so you do not miss the opportunity * provide a philosophy and approach to life-planning that gives you a greater sense of meaning and helps you make the most of your precious life

Dates

Part A - REVIEW - December 30th, 9am - 11:30am (AEDT)
- We will focus on your reflection of 2024 and unearth gems of learning and inspiration from the year that was

Part B - CREATE - January 3rd, 9am - 3pm (AEDT)
- You will bring your understanding and perspectives of the past year to create your vision and support structures for 2025

Who is this event for?

Anyone who is interested in how to make the best of your most precious resources...time, attention and energy! Most people who come to our events are working, travelling or a combination of both. We work with educators, engineers, people from the health sector, artists and many others. If you are curious to experience an event with us, please don't hestiate to register. All are welcome.

You can join the UNEARTH retreat from the comfort of your own home, your tent while on holiday, a campervan or wherever works for you! If you would like to attend with your partner or a close friend, we provide a buddy experience. In the buddy experience you will go to breakout rooms together, or you can be in the same room during the retreat and plan alongside each other. Let us know if you would like to do that when you register.

How does this retreat help you?

Successful businesses have a plan. Sometimes too many plans. But if they don't have any plans, how do the staff know where to invest their time, attention and money? They end up making day by day decisions, based on how they feel, what others tell them and short term goals.

Likewise, people who have taken the time to think about what matters most, what their strengths are, what brings them happiness... and have written it down into some form of a plan, are more likely to realise these things. We know that's a simple idea but daily priorities can take over, and then we don't even write a plan or we forget we had one.

This retreat is all about you making your plan, and sticking with it.

What to expect?

You can join the UNEARTH retreat from the comfort of your own home, your tent while on holiday, a campervan or wherever works for you! If you would like to attend with your partner or a close friend, we provide a buddy experience. In the buddy experience you will go to breakout rooms together, or you can be in the same room during the retreat and plan alongside each other. Let us know if you would like to do that when you register.

We prioritise you having an experience that enables you to go inwards and do what you need to do. The sessions draw upon and activate different parts of your intelligence and creativity through a mix of:

support for individual creative practice
time for small group work and conversation
mindfulness and free flow writing practices
coaching in the group for anyone who would like it
inclusive facilitators who aim to create an environment where we are all respectful, listen generously and we don't shy away from the challenging moments

Our aim for this retreat is for it to be motivating, creative, thought provoking and fun of course! We want it to set you up for a positive and intentional transition into the new year. Please join us by clicking the link above.

What do people say about UNEARTH?

"Doing UNEARTH for a few years now has led me to tackle bigger goals, to achieve things I would not have otherwise thought possible. It is amazingly true how supported small steps can lead to much larger ones. UNEARTH is now an annual must-do for me." ~ Michaela

"I’m a person who loves to be busy and productive and I generally find it hard to sit still; but having done UNEARTH three years in a row I find myself spending a lot more time reflecting on the weeks and months as they pass. It’s easy to forget all the good things that happen and all that I’ve done. I also love that creativity tends to be the bond that draws people to this workshop…the conversations I’ve had have invariably planted themselves in my mind and given a sense of a connected community across the country; a really special feeling for someone living in a more remote and isolated area." Maria

"The most valuable part of UNEARTH was coming from a different angle, not an action plan or 'to do' list. As a result I have a more holistic outlook and focus." ~ Irianna

"Your workshop was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the past year and set some goals for how to move forward in the new one. I personally benefited from the side chat room experience. The experience was engaging, inspiring, comforting and connecting." ~ Wendy

Meet your guides

Jessica Connor Kennedy

Jessica is an experienced facilitator and coach. She brings to UNEARTH her knowledge of strategy, leadership development and organisational design, combined with a huge commitment to wellbeing and peace. Jessica has led large-scale community engagement processes for government and non-government organisations and has supported organisations through periods of community outrage and crisis. Jessica enjoys facilitating powerful, constructive communication and self-inquiry. Her previous roles include Manager of Spiritual Care at University Hospital Geelong where she supported people through many major life transitions.

Adam Kennedy

Adam is an experienced educational leader, keen international traveller and sportsperson. For over five years he worked as a leader of a large school campus in Geelong. Adam's educational work is underpinned by his belief in the power of life-long, real-world learning experiences, and his passion for sustainability. Adam has recently been involved in a project led by Harvard University, investigating how transformative repair as an artistic practice can create supportive conditions for individuals and communities to find personal and broader purpose in times of unprecedented uncertainty and challenge. Adam is a skilled and experienced coach helping people tackle seemingly insurmountable challenges at work so they can grow, thrive and bring their best gifts to the fore.

Need anything?

FAQ's about UNEARTH

How much of the time do we get to work on our own versus listen to presentations?

We carefully plan the 1.5 days we spend together on UNEARTH so that you get more time reflecting as compared with many typical workshops and programs. As a guide, we aim to have about 30% of the time with us presenting, sharing content and hosting group discussion, with the other 70% as individual time for you to focus on your inquiry. We try not to rush the process, so while some people want to go faster, others want to go a little slower. We find a balance and we give people the option to finish some activities between the two sessions.

I’m a bit anxious in group settings online, will UNEARTH be social and will I have to talk to strangers?

We are known for facilitating in a very inclusive way so that everyone has their needs met as much as possible. We won’t put pressure on you to share in front of the group. Some people will share if they are comfortable but that’s all. In the past, we have had someone ask to not go in a breakout group. We have had someone keep their camera off because they were in bed with a bad back. We want UNEARTH to work for you. To discuss your specific needs, please email us.

Is there group coaching?

There is a little bit of time where people can ask questions in the main room, get a little bit of coaching and share their reflections. This doesn’t take up much of the UNEARTH schedule but we find is an important and enriching experience for everyone to hear the challenges and successes that other people face in the process. During your individual time you can also request coaching and one of us will meet you in a breakout room.

The second day is a long time online, will there be good breaks?

Yes, there are regular breaks that most people find ample. For anyone who needs more time away from the computer you will be able to do individual work away from the screen for up to 40 minutes at a time. You’ll be able to make a cuppa, stretch and meet your needs from the comfort of your home.

What if I have done UNEARTH before? Is it worth joining again?

Yes, we have many participants returning who tell us that every UNEARTH year builds on the year before and that it becomes part of their annual wellbeing ritual to start the year. We hear amazing stories of big things happening, after (for example) three years of UNEARTH, a small seed that was considered in year 1, sometimes blossoms fully in year 3.

I have done UNEARTH before, can I just do it on my own?

We are happy to hear when people would like to try the process for themselves. The downside is missing out on the improvements we make in the process every year based on feedback, and on new research that comes out, including about the science of achieving goals. Plus there is a bit of group magic that happens, just by all of us being focused at the same time, some beautiful kismet occurs! And being together helps ensure we all get the process done to completion.

Can I do it with a partner?

Yes you can, please contact us once you have booked in so we can tailor your experience. People booking from the same household can access the reduced UNEARTH rate.

"Thank you for your thoughtfully designed, well-paced hand-hold... allowing me to deeply reflect on the past year, capitalise on all the beauty and wonder, delve into the hurdles and emerge with an unexpected though totally rational action plan... As an artist with a science background I often lean toward the analytical; your sessions were a wonderful mix of the intuitive and systematic – perfectly pitched!”

Jean

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