How to Get the Most out of a Professional Conference or Seminar

When you attend a professional conference or seminar, you usually receive a wealth of information. This information can be divided up into five categories:
1 – I already know this and am implementing it.
2 – I already know this, but I’m not fully implementing it.
3 – I already know this, but I’m not implementing it.
4 – I didn’t know this. It’s interesting, but it doesn’t apply to me, so I don’t need to implement it.
5 – I didn’t know this, but I want to implement it.
If you want to know how to get the most out of a professional conference or seminar by taking full advantage of the information shared, let’s take a brief look at each category.
1 – I already know this and am implementing it.
Terrific! Two of the key traits shared by successful people are staying positive and acknowledging victories. You just received affirmation! Be sure to give yourself a pat on the back for already implementing what you need to.
2 – I already know this, but I’m not fully implementing it.
Give yourself a high five for already being familiar with this knowledge. Then conduct an informal cost-benefit analysis on your current method of implementation. Are you performing successfully using your current implementation plan? Should you fully implement this piece of knowledge or continue as is?
3 – I already know this, but I’m not implementing it.
Whenever you learn something new, you’ve just logged another instance of self-improvement, so congratulations! Examine this piece of knowledge and determine how implementing or not implementing it will affect your job performance, quality of life or viability of your company. Should you fully implement this piece of knowledge or continue as is?
4 – I didn’t know this. It’s interesting, but it doesn’t apply to me, so I don’t need to implement it.
This is where it can get a little tricky. Humans naturally want to brush aside information that will require change or effort. It’s built into our psychology. If your brain downplayed the information the first time, consider taking a second look at it. Think about situations you’ve encountered in the last six months. Does this information truly not apply to your professional or personal life? Or is there something you’re avoiding?
5 – I didn’t know this, but I want to implement it.
When you exit a seminar completely jazzed and fired up about implementing what you just learned, you feel invigorated. But then life can set in. Work at the office perhaps piled up. Or maybe a personal situation caused you to spend time on it that you hadn’t planned on. To help you focus on what you want to accomplish, follow these three quick steps:
*Choose only one change to implement. This can be what you deem to be the easiest one, or it can be the change that will bring you the most benefit in the shortest amount of time.
*Spend a couple of minutes notating what resources you’ll need, who you might need to talk to and what your next three steps will be in beginning this implementation.
*Make an appointment with yourself on your calendar to complete your first step.
By reflecting on and synthesizing the knowledge you walked away with from your professional conference or seminar, you’ll be able to truly capitalize and improve your current professional or personal situation.
When you attend a time management and productivity seminar I presented, here are some additional resources you might find helpful:
Time Management Strategies
How to Plan a Meeting: 3 Little Bonuses to Rock It
How to Improve Your Time Management Skills
Distractions and Scheduling – How to Improve Your Time Management Skills
What can you accomplish in 5 minutes?
How to Create the Best Morning Routine
Mindset
Secrets to Success – Perspective Is Everything
What “Little Beirut” Taught Us About Priorities
Lessons Learned from Meeting Han Solo
Productive Workspace
Office Organization Ideas – Office Intervention
How to Choose a Height Adjustable Standing Desk
How to Work from Home More Effectively
Remember, time management is all about mind management. You do have the power to tell your time what to do!