Most of the leftover RAM was allocated to nervousness over my role as panel facilitator. I wanted to do it, but it was a big deal in terms of facing fears and doing it anyway.
Then there was the small fact I was leaving my baby for a whole day and night for the first time. All parents reading will remember how that feels.
With all that swimming around, it didn’t occur to me that I’d pick up some very valuable business wisdom.
My favourite business wisdom gem was from keynote Paul McCarthy. He reckons we need to take a close look at the five people we spend most of our time with, as they are the ones who’ll influence us the most.
Not only should we be careful who we hang out with, we need to stay mindful what else we let in. Books, TV, websites: all will touch us in ways we don’t realise.
I also discovered that a minibreak was definitely called for. Andrew May counselled that busy soloists need to schedule three day breaks every quarter to help them perform at their best, or they’ll suffer from lapses in concentration followed by burnout. I’d been in go mode for a while so this had me nodding along.
The very next day, I sent an email meant for Robert to a delegate named Robyn. Once I’d stopped kicking myself, I got on the phone to Brunswick Heads Holiday Park.
I learnt, too, that the conference was not necessarily about “Eureka!” moments. Some feedback from Andrew Penfold summed it up: “I took away some MAJOR areas where I can significantly improve my performance (and enjoyment) of work. Strangely they are quite small things.”
If you have recently busted out of your comfort zone, learnt a small piece of business wisdom that’s made a big impact or realised you need a holiday, tell us about it.
“ Not only should we be careful who we hang out with, we need to stay mindful what else we let in. Books, TV, websites: all will touch us in ways we don’t realise. ”
Sam Leader is a director of Flying Solo and the co-author of Flying Solo - How to go it alone in business.
