How To Integrate and Take Action on Wisdom From Conferences, Events, and Retreats
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I recently attended a book festival. It was two very full days of workshops, author panels, and oodles of connections with other writers of all genres. Being in a space with so many other writers and potential writers was bliss.
I hadn’t gathered at a live, in-person, multi-day event since 2019. It proved every bit as inspiring as I had hoped it would be. Making a note to myself to look for more events to speak at and attend. If you know of any that would satisfy my writing heart, get in touch.
It was the first time I had my reMarkable tablet with me to take notes, which I'm glad I had because it made note-taking so easy and less fussy. No distracting page-flipping sounds, paper-ruffling, and no paper to lose or deal with when I return home.
Going into the event, I knew I’d have lots to learn and people I’d want to connect with.
I used to get home from events like this and jump right back into regular life without missing a beat. And that notebook filled with notes from the event sits unopened on my desk.
What’s the point of going to an event if you’re not going to incorporate your learnings and take action?
What you do before and after any learning experience is just as important as what you do there. You can apply this advice to any learning situation where you want to truly integrate the wisdom — an online course, a one-day workshop, or a conference.
How to prepare before the live event to make the most of it:
Keep in touch with the organizers and make sure you’re in the loop on events, changes, and opportunities
If there’s an opportunity to connect with people you’ll share the stage with, or if you’re an attendee, decide who you want to connect with. Make a list and start learning about these people. Follow them on social media and sign up for their newsletters. You can start reaching out in advance with a quick, “Hey, I’m excited to speak right after you at _____ event!”
Make space on your calendar to take at least one day off when you get home — certainly for logistical reasons like restocking the fridge, unpacking, laundry, and doing some batch cooking (I always come home and roast some potatoes)
Add a few hours to your calendar the week you get back and another hour a week or two later for reviewing your notes and following up
Review the event schedule and make sure you have time to reenergize at the start and end of each day (hermit and INFJ over here, so recharging alone is crucial for me).
Scope out the food situation. Since I eat plant-based and gluten-free and not a lot of processed crap, if I’m driving, I’ll often pack some food. It’s common to see me travel with my blender. I’ll also look for nearby grocery stores and juice bars to fuel my body with the extra nutrients. I often eat even healthier when I’m away from home because I know that all my systems will be challenged.
Figure out where you can get some movement in — walking trails, time at lunch to walk around, hotel workouts, gyms — waking up to sit and listen to workshops and keynotes all day won’t support your optimal leaning state
During the event
Write morning pages. You’re going to be processing a lot — even as your conscious mind is trying to learn, your unconscious mind is doing much more — sifting through everything you’re experiencing to see what to keep and where to file that information.
Get as much rest as you can, knowing you’ll be more active and socializing more than usual
You’ll probably notice that you gravitate toward the same handful of people. I get it. We want to feel safe, especially at an event away from home and stretched out of our comfort zone. Push yourself a little to get uncomfortable (that’s where the growth happens) and sit with some people you wouldn’t normally sit with. You never know where it will lead.
As you take notes, have a special way to record action items, like “look up book” or “email that podcast host about being a guest.” I like to add a star to the action items.
Put your phone away. I get it; I can be socially awkward, and I value my quiet time. Rest assured, most people are also worried about being socially awkward, so they’re not focusing on you — but on themselves. Just saying “hi” or “we haven’t met yet” instead of hiding in your phone. Did you travel to this event to be on your phone or to meet people, make connections, and open your mind?
After the event
Write morning pages — you’re still processing. You might be surprised at what comes out. This is why we show up to the page — to process, see what’s in there for us and dig up things we didn’t know were in there for us to see.
Even if you blocked time for integration and note review when you returned, you might be tired — give yourself wide open space to do nothing. You’ll have more energy to review and take action later if you honor your need for rest now.
If you’re an external processor, talk out your takeaways into a transcription app. Then listen to it later or read your transcribed notes.
Read your notes with no other action planned — simply read them, then put them away
Summarize your notes in a new note in your notebook or create a document with that event name and move over only the notes you want to keep. You may have written things down in the moment that doesn’t mean anything later or are irrelevant. Here’s how to keep all those brilliant writing ideas organized.
Write a blog post, newsletter, or social media post about the event, summarizing your key lessons.
Write action steps, list people to connect with, emails to send, and books to order. Add them to your task list, 12-week plan, or calendar.
When you slow down your consumption rate, you might discover that you have a greater capacity for retaining information, creativity, and focus. If you’re only going to an event just to get out of the house, then skip all these steps. I’m guessing you’re reading this because you want to take inspired action. Leaving those notebooks you excitedly scribbled in to collect dust probably doesn’t appeal to you. Instead, take this advice with you for every conference you attend.
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