Today I head to the second annual Blissdom Canada event, a conference run by women for women in social media. It will entail a great deal of formal and informal learning, networking, business development, community building and, as the Blissdom site says directly, “a whole lot of mapletastic awesome.”
I attended last year and realized I was readily unprepared for what I was about to partake in. I was overwhelmed by the diverse, inspired and supercharged room full of ladies I encountered (and a few upstanding men thrown in for good measure). They were amazing.
I did my best to try and connect with whomever I could although my discomfort may have been obvious at moments (shyness). I hadn’t realized that I needed to be more thoughtful about what my purpose was for being there.
Who did I want to connect with?
What did I want to learn?
What did I want to walk away with in the end?
What would my costume be for the end-of-conference costume party?
Critical questions, you see. Ones I did not give enough thought to.
And despite my best efforts (OK, plain old poor planning and too much to do in the weeks leading up to it) I have yet to organize my purpose again this year.
So I will attempt a few meagre “goals” for my three-day adventure this weekend (and we'll stick with threes since they seem to be a nice, round number):
* Re-connect in a meaningful way with at least three people I have met before
* Introduce myself to at least three new people who I will learn at least three things about
* Have three solid takeaways that I will immediately apply to my work/life to help take things to the next level
* Create a BlissdomCanada 2011 playlist that I will post on www.maplemixtape.com for further inspiration and regular motivation (there always has to be something musical on my to-do list)
And as I always tell my daughter, "don't ever be afraid to be yourself." {deep breath}
Bring it, Blissdom! I am so very ready for inspiration, enlightenment, friendship, and if all works out well, a clearer path ahead for my work/life aspirations.
Let’s also hope everyone can figure out what character I’m supposed to be at the costume party.
Keep in touch via Twitter @CynthiaCrumb .
Perhaps that's what my life is missing right now - clear cut goals that come in threes...
ReplyDeleteI'm going to wash my hair.
I'm going to book our rental car for our next holiday.
I'm going to... um... watch Hawaii 5-0.
I know I'll achieve at least one of those tonight...
Ya, I probably should set some goals as well. I like yours....can I copy??
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see you!!
Okay, so sad that I didn't get to see you :( Went to the She's Connected Conference, hoping to see you there :( Maybe next year I'll be able to make it to Blissdom :) Can't wait to hear all about it through your posts! xo
ReplyDelete@CrazySister - everything should be done in threes. It's so much easier to feel accomplished that way. And I bet you got through all three of yours last night. Bet that new hair cut is looking all fresh and beautiful!
ReplyDelete@mapsgirl - You can totally copy! Goals aside, I'm totally going to whoop it up over the next few days (and that means with you, Wendy!)
@C - so sad to have missed you, too, but eventually we will connect! I'll be tweeting it up through Blissdom. See you on "The Twitter"!