I love a women’s conference! There’s nothing quite like being with a group of friends, learning something new and having time just to soak it all in.
As I see it, there’s only one down side to a conference; it’s usually just too much information to process. The saying “like drinking water from a fire hose” is completely applicable.
She Speaks definitely falls in this category, so how can you come away without getting a case of overload shutdown? You know what I mean. It’s that phenomenon when you can’t even begin to think of where to start, so you just never get started at all. It’s easy to leave with big dreams and high hopes and then sink into discouragement when the rush of the weekend is over. Pursuing the dream starts to look too complicated or too far away.
Here’s a simple, practical tip to help avoid this pitfall. Make an Action Item List during the conference. In each breakout session, listen for 1 or 2 actions that you want to take based on what you’ve learned. On a separate piece of paper, compile these actions into a list.
Once you get home, prayerfully narrow the list if you need to and prioritize the items. Then you can tackle one action at a time. (And I’m a girl who LOVES to check things off a list. Don’t forget the checks!) Dreams come true one step at a time.
beth willis miller says
July 6, 2011 at 8:29 amGreat tips! Love the analogy of “drinking from a fire hose”…when I am experiencing what I call, “analysis paralysis,” I like to apply the power of creative imagination for inspiration…I wrote about this on my blog recently…”When I served as the Florida Department of Education State Consultant for Gifted Education, I was frequently asked to provide technical assistance to school districts regarding strategies to improve creative and critical thinking skills for students. I have identified some of those strategies to inspire us to pursue our passions by thinking creatively using our imagination. Imagination is a powerful entity. It can cause the hair on the back of our neck to stand up, our spirit to soar, or our face to blush. Imagination is the power that holds our beliefs together; we believe with our imagination. Imagination is the wellspring of faith and hope. Our biggest and best dreams for ourselves and others rise from the imagination.”
Danielle Jones says
July 6, 2011 at 8:06 amI remember my first year being so emotionally, mentally and spiritually overloaded that I couldn’t remember the hour trip home.lol It was so worth it!!! Cannot wait for this year.
Thanks for the tips, Amy! You are such a blessing!
Kathryn Champion says
July 5, 2011 at 9:54 amThank you for this WONDERFUL idea!!!! I not only like to “check things off the list”, I LOVE to organize and this sounds like a wonderful way to try and keep thoughts organized during the conference 🙂
Only 16 days til I leave and 17 days til the conference – I’m sooooooo excited!!!!! (Oh – and somewhere in there is my birthday – lol – [July 14])