Alright retreat leaders, let’s have a little fireside chat (imagine we’re cozied up at Retreat Ranch, glass of wine or cup of tea in hand ).

Because I’ve gotta say it:
Cynics aren’t looking for solutions. They’re looking for excuses.

They’ll talk circles around the “bad economy,” the “saturated market,” the “people just aren’t booking right now.”
They’ll blame algorithms, timing, weather, Mercury in retrograde… you name it.

But let me be real with you:
It’s not the economy that’s keeping them stuck—it’s the mindset between their ears.

The Economy Between Your Ears 

Let’s call it what it is: victim mindset.

This sneaky little voice tells you:

• “No one is signing up because of the recession.”
• “I can’t raise my prices right now, people aren’t spending.”
• “Marketing doesn’t work anymore, the algorithm hates me.”

Sound familiar?

That voice LOVES a good excuse. It thrives in fear. It clings to comfort zones and points fingers at everything except the one thing it can actually control: YOU.

And I say this with love, because I’ve been there. I’ve told myself those same stories in tough seasons.
But let me tell you what else I’ve seen:

Some of the most successful years in my business—and in the businesses of retreat leaders I coach—have happened during “bad economies.”

Why?

Because they refused to shrink.
They refused to wait for circumstances to change.
They shifted their mindset, got creative, stayed consistent, and kept showing up.

Cynics Talk. Leaders Move.

Look—trolls are gonna troll.
Cynics are gonna sit around and poke holes in every idea without offering a single solution.
And naysayers? They’ll always have something to say when you’re doing something bold.

But here’s the truth: cynics don’t actually want results.
They want company in their stuckness.

You? You’re not here for that.
You’re here to lead.
To guide.
To create spaces that heal and transform lives.

That mission doesn’t stop when the economy dips or the algorithm shifts.
If anything—it’s needed more than ever.

So What Can You Do Instead?

Here’s what I want you to do the next time you catch yourself spiraling in scarcity or listening to the noise:

• Audit your environment: Who are you surrounding yourself with? Are they dreamers and doers—or complainers and doubters? Unfollow the trolls. Distance yourself from the drainers.
• Check your mindset: Are you looking for opportunity or are you scanning for obstacles? Because your brain will find whatever you tell it to look for.
• Shift into action: What’s one thing you can do today to move your retreat biz forward? Email your list, write a blog, record a reel, nurture your community. Don’t wait for motivation—take action and let that build momentum.
• Double down on value: When others are shrinking back, this is your moment to shine. Pour into your audience. Be visible. Be helpful. Let your leadership speak louder than your marketing.
• Invest in yourself: Not just financially, but energetically. Retreats aren’t just a business—they’re a reflection of YOU. So make sure you’re doing the inner work, too. Mindset, support, community—it matters.

Final Word: You Are the Economy

I’ll say it again for the people in the back:
It’s not about the economy out there—it’s about the one between your ears.

When you commit to growth, alignment, and action—no matter what’s happening in the world—you become unstoppable.

And just in case no one’s told you lately:

• You are allowed to thrive.
• You are allowed to fill your retreats with ease.
• You are allowed to build a wildly successful business in any economy.

But only if you stop making excuses and start making moves.

I’m here cheering you on (and yes, lovingly calling you out when you need it). Let’s go!

With love and high-vibe hustle,
Shannon Jamail
Retreat Leader Mentor | Truth Teller | Creator of The Retreat Leader’s Playbook + AI for Retreat Leaders Course