Overload is a definite roadblock to production July 18, 2007
Posted by inspiredleaders in Leadership.trackback
The convention is over and everyone has gone home. How much follow-up is happening today? I spent five extra days in San Diego after the National Speakers Association (NSA) convention http://www.nsaspeaker.org/index.shtml. Part of my time was visiting old haunts as I graduated from San Diego State many years ago and part of the time was reflecting on the convention. To be fair, more time was spent recharging my soul than following-up on lessons learned. However, I did take the first tentative steps in moving forward and chucking unnecessary jobs on my To Do list.
Today I’m sitting in the airport waiting to catch a flight back to Calgary. You might say it’s my first real office day as I have a couple of hours before my flight. I’ve been very productive in these two hours and such a time always reminds me that short, dedicated work times are frequently better than long, drawn out work times. In just a short period I’ve put my plans in place for the rest of this week and next. I’ve also put some solid work into a session I’m conducting with a client on Monday. I’ve been productive and can see the positive results.
So how do you incorporate what you learn at conventions into your real world? For me it’s being smart and specific, if anything is going to work. Several years ago at my first NSA convention in New Orleans I attended all the sessions time allowed and took notes and more notes. Most got ignored because I was so confused when I got home that reality didn’t make way for anything new. After that experience I planned better before going to the conventions, primarily NSA and CAPS (Canadian Association of Professional Speakers) http://www.canadianspeakers.org/ and I only attend sessions that will help move me forward. Overload is a dangerous roadblock to progression.
At the 2007 NSA convention one of my focus areas was the brain and how it works. Definitely something I can use in my work with emerging supervisors and managers. I attended two excellent sessions that provided me with new information and the tools and desire to research further on my own. The two presenters, Dr. John B. Molidor from Haslett, Michigan http://www.nsamichigan.org/pages/MemberPages/moli.html, and Rohit Talwar from London, England, www.rohittalwar.com, shared their wealth of knowledge in a manner than regular folks could understand. What a gift to all of us.
Four other sessions also expanded my world and I encourage everyone to become familiar with Simon T. Bailey from Windermere, Florida http://www.simontbailey.com/; Dr. Sue Morter, Indianapolis, Indiana http://www.dynamiclifetraining.com/sue_bio.php; Dan Burrus, CSP, CPAE from Hartland, Wisconsin http://www.burrus.com/; and Dr. Joe Vitale from Wimberley, Texas www.mrfire.com. If you’ve seen The Secret, you know Dr. Joe Vitale. When you wander away from this blog, check out all the people I’ve mentioned.
Garth Roberts
I learned something about conferences a long long time ago. Actually two things, but they go hand in hand.
First and most important? Do nothing differently immediately upon arriving back in the office. Why? Because they KNOW you’ve just been to a conference and you’re all fired up with strange ideas.
They’re prepared for whacko acts of change from you. They’re ready to do their best imitation of the doggie in the car rear window. Nodding their heads in vacuous agreement. They won’t do anything different, but they’ll nod their heads until you’re lulled back into a stupor.
Next? Forget everything you learned at the conference — except ONE thing.
Make a promise to yourself to do THAT thing.
Do that one thing… and the conference was a success for you.
Fail to do that one thing - and you must really ask yourself if attending the next conference is the best use of your time.
Enjoy the day
Thank you for the comment, Peter. One concept is all that most of us will act on. I gave the same advise to many of the first time attendees at the NSA convention. All the other information just needs to be viewed in passing and if we want it, it will come out of the depths of our brain.