Plan Your Meetings

Get yourself “in shape” for the new meeting year

So here it is, 2010, and all I see and hear about is getting into shape. And, I thought that I spent all last year doing that. But knowing that sometimes we (collectively) tend to not finish what we start, here are my resolutions and recommendations for the coming meeting year:

• Take the time to read more industry and trade publications. Knowledge is power and the best way to stay current is to keep in touch with current trends and issues.
• Ask more questions! It always seems that there is more to know that others are eager to share. No one I have ever asked help from has made me feel less important or intelligent for asking anything.
• Attend more educational/networking events. There is no real excuse for not doing this more often. With a better knowledge base and a stronger network, your capabilities and possibilities are endless.

My recommendations can go on forever, but in the spirit of not being long-winded, here are a few meeting planners might consider following for a better 2010:

• Not that dwelling on the past is what I am advocating here, but have a heart-to-heart with yourself about what went right, but more importantly, not-so-right in 2009. Don’t get too mired in minute detail, but there may be a pattern that you can break that will improve your business or your individual performance. It may be as simple as delegating more, or learning to say “no” more often to avoid getting overloaded. Small changes can often lead to large rewards in the long run.
• Identify what YOU really are good at … and do it with passion. I interview freelance talent on an ongoing basis, and I recall asking the question, “What can you do?” I got a list of every planning and marketing function imaginable. I quickly stopped and rephrased the question, “What ONE thing do you do better than any other?”  She smiled and immediately said, “Registration…I LOVE handling and managing registration!”  Moral of the story: When you do what you love, you’ll love what you do.
• Make it a point to mentor or share your talents with others as a volunteer. If you can, join an association or local trade group. If you can’t, see if your company will let you mentor a student or another employee that may aspire to your type of role or position. It is not only gratifying, but you will find that you’ll grow more than those you are assisting.

New Year’s Eve is a great time to resolve to make positive changes in your life, both personal and professional. Make 2010 the start of a new year and a new decade of positive growth and prosperity, and you won’t be able to count all the benefits.