Reflections on a Personal Development Weekend During My Time at Erewhon Market

Brief Pause from Retail Life

Last year while working at Erewhon Market, I decided to take a weekend away to revisit a personal development program I had previously attended at the Landmark center in Century City. Having experienced this program before, I was curious how my perspectives might have changed and how the concepts might apply differently now that I was working in the unique environment of a high-end organic grocery store.

Weekend Structure

The program ran from Friday through Sunday, with long days that began in the morning and extended into the evening. The setting was straightforward—a conference room with chairs arranged to face the facilitator. Approximately 100 other participants attended, creating an environment that balanced personal reflection with community sharing.

The format generally consisted of presentations by the facilitator, followed by group discussions and individual sharing. Throughout the weekend, various concepts were introduced that encouraged participants to examine their thinking patterns and how those patterns influence their experiences of life.

Day One Impressions

The first day introduced some foundational ideas about how we perceive events in our lives. Without going into the proprietary details of the curriculum, the discussions centered around the relationship between what happens to us and the meanings we assign to those events.

I found myself reflecting on interactions with customers at Erewhon—how differently I might interpret the same request depending on how busy we were or my preexisting ideas about certain types of customers.

Middle Journey

As the weekend progressed, the conversations deepened. We explored how past experiences shape current behaviors and decision-making. The facilitator guided discussions about patterns we develop early in life and how these patterns might continue to influence us, even when they’re no longer serving us well.

During breaks, I found myself thinking about team dynamics at work and recognizing certain recurring situations that had been sources of frustration.

Closing Perspectives

By the final day, the focus shifted toward practical applications and moving forward. Discussions touched on authenticity in relationships, keeping commitments, and creating new possibilities in various life domains.

I particularly appreciated the emphasis on translating insights into actionable changes rather than merely accumulating new concepts or theories.

Returning to Work

When I returned to Erewhon after the weekend, I noticed subtle differences in how I approached interactions. Customer requests that might have previously seemed demanding now appeared in a different light. I found myself less reactive during busy periods and more aware of how my interpretations colored my experience.

Team communications also seemed to flow more smoothly as I became more conscious of assumptions I had been making about colleagues’ intentions. While not dramatic transformations, these small shifts created noticeable improvements in my day-to-day work experience.

General Takeaways

Without delving into specific techniques or exercises from the program, some general insights I gained included:

• Greater awareness of how quickly we assign meanings to events

• Recognition of recurring patterns in how I respond to certain situations

• A clearer distinction between what actually happens versus my story about what happens

• More conscious choices about how to approach challenging interactions

• A refreshed perspective on taking responsibility in various contexts

Retrospect

Looking back on that weekend away from Erewhon, I value how the time for reflection created space to examine habitual ways of thinking and interacting that I had taken for granted. The contrast between the intensive self-examination of the weekend and the return to regular work responsibilities provided a useful context for applying new perspectives.

While personal development programs aren’t for everyone, I found that revisiting these concepts while working in a fast-paced retail environment offered practical benefits that extended beyond the program itself. The experience reminded me that sometimes stepping away from our routines, even briefly, can provide valuable perspective on how we engage with our daily responsibilities.

xoxo,

Mitchell Royel