053: Don't Ignore the Signs, It's Ignorant
How do we build thriving land projects & lives while Rome is burning?
Hola Amigos,
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about my relationship to work and there’s a shift occurring that is moving me from ambition to meaning—especially in the world of regenerative projects, land stewardship, and what I call “work.”
It’s a lesson I’ve had to learn over and over again. When I first started in Costa Rica, I thought success was about building the eco-village and retreat center, proving a new model that would change the world, getting my dreams constructed in reality. I had so many ideas and solutions, but I didn’t sit with the questions: “In service of what?” and “Does the world need more retreat centers?” Many more followed suit…
I moved quickly, set ambitious timelines, did manifestation rituals and countless meetings and pitches, and expected results. But I watched so many projects (including some of my own) struggle—not because the ideas were flawed, but because the foundations weren’t fully formed, my foundations weren’t fully formed.
The Power of a Fully Rooted Vision
This year, I realized something pivotal: our projects aren’t just about business—they’re about us. Our work is a mirror, reflecting our edges, patterns, and potential for growth. Every challenge, conversation, and deadline is part of our soul’s curriculum.
I learned this after seeing my friend Caroline’s weekly review. Mine listed achievements and business goals. Hers? Personal edges—how she showed up, spoke her truth, and collaborated with her team. It hit me: I was tracking outcomes, but not my growth.
So, I started mixing my business KPIs with personal KPIs. Three personal edges, three business goals—both equally vital. And something beautiful happened: life and work began to blend into one aligned journey that I’m slowly discovering each day.
Because what’s the point if we’re just chasing numbers? True success is when your personal evolution and your professional mission become one. That’s when the omelet sizzles perfectly.
What Do You Do When Rome is Burning?
No amount of money, parties, retreats, or luxury homes will shield us when society itself feels like it’s unraveling. AI, climate collapse, war—these aren’t distant threats; they’re reshaping our world.
For years, I told myself that if I just kept my mindset right, I’d be untouched. That if I focused on “positive vibes,” the decay of institutions, the fractures in community, and the unraveling of systems wouldn’t reach me. But they do. And they will.
Maybe, just maybe, we should be training for something different. Less about optimizing income, and more about cooperation, resilience, and coherence-building. Less about scaling business hacks, and more about shaping a new way of living.
That’s why I’m inspired by the work of Ronit Herzfeld and LeapForward, who are helping leaders develop emotional intelligence and cooperation skills—the ones we actually need to navigate this moment. Our work isn’t about escaping reality, it’s about preparing for what’s next, and I’m honored to be on this journey with Leap Forward for the last four years of my life, day-in and day-out.
This is the lens I try my hardest to bring to my work with land projects, retreat centers, and communities. How will your project serve not just you, but generations to come? Because resilience isn’t just about surviving the storm. It’s about building something strong enough to outlast it. Let’s wake up. Together!
Ignoring the Signs is Ignorant
Many times in my life, and especially with my land projects, I’ve ignored the signs instead of trusting my gut. Whether it was a business partner, investor, or overall strategy—if something felt off, I often brushed it aside.
At LeapForward, where we work on rewiring the mind and its engrained patterns, I realized I was doing this convenient “ignoring” constantly. Even when I saw a red flag, there was no “So what about that?” No follow-up action. That would be taxing :)
This pattern leads to costly blunders—even for seasoned developers and investors. That’s why I work with founders not as a consultant who claims to have all the answers, but as a mirror and sounding board. The truth is, they see it, I see it—but without accountability, nothing changes.
What signal are you ignoring from your body’s immense wisdom? Where can you take action today?
Money, Money, Money (It Tastes Like Honey)
I’ve seen so many people put in months of effort to create a vision and deck for a dream land project, financial models, and even buying land—without truly considering money. They live in a fantasy that “if you build it, they will come.”
So few actually test their offering with investors to gauge interest. Even fewer test their offering with potential buyers, retreat leaders, or guests to see if their project is relevant to their audience.
A little-known fact? Most investors want to be there from the beginning. They want to give advice, to be part of the journey, not just be pitched when you need money. The same goes for end users—retreat leaders, guests, or homestead buyers.
So what? Start talking to those you will one day pitch. Do focus groups, discovery calls, and practice pitching. This requires humility and empathy. Don’t take the path so many founders embark upon without clarity!
Regenerative Development: More Than a Buzzword
Many people throw around the term regenerative, but true regenerative development goes beyond sustainability. It’s not just about minimizing harm; it’s about designing systems that restore, replenish, and evolve. That applies to land—but also to you as a creator.
If we only focus on output—building, selling, expanding—we risk depletion. But when we take the time to align, to listen to the land, to check in with ourselves, we create projects that last.
Think about the best decisions you’ve ever made. Were they made in a state of exhaustion and desperation? Or did they come from a place of clarity and rootedness?
Cat Wallace & the LSA: A Workshop You Won’t Want to Miss
We’re honored to welcome Dr. Catriona Wallace to our upcoming workshop next for LSA members. Recognized globally for her groundbreaking work in AI, responsible technology, and leadership, Dr. Wallace is a force of innovation and impact.
She’s a Shark Tank Australia investor, founder of multiple AI-driven companies, and was named one of the most influential women in business & tech. She’s the author of Checkmate Humanity, an advocate for responsible AI & the Psychedelic Renaissance.
This isn’t just another speaker session. It’s a rare chance to engage with a world-class thinker shaping the future of business, technology, and human potential. And it’s also an opportunity to hear how top investors think & fund mission-driven projects.
If you’re interested in hearing from and meeting incredible humans like Dr. Wallace, consider joining us at the LSA, where we will be doing these monthly!
Check out the LSA where we meet monthly as a tribe of dreamers and doers, foreigners and locals, project founders and experts coming together to support each other on our journey’s to build thriving land projects and thriving lives!
Closing Thoughts
The best projects aren’t rushed. They are cultivated—like a thriving ecosystem, like a deeply rooted tree. So my invitation this week: Slow down. Listen. Trust the process.
Because when we build from a place of clarity and alignment, we don’t just create projects. We create movements that can have a lasting impact on our lives and others.
To your thriving journey,
Ed
⚡️ Land Project Compass Assessment ⚡️
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