A Post-Conference To-Do List
Many of you will be reading this after attending the amazing Proverbs 31 Ministries’ She Speaks Conference. Or maybe you’ll need this post later after attending a different conference, perhaps this fall after attending Communicator Academy’s Leverage Conference (where Amy Carroll will be one of the presenters!).
I’ve found speaking and writing conferences to be both motivating, and, simultaneously, overwhelming! Can anyone relate?
How do we hold fast to the lessons from the conference without being caught in the whirlwind of swirling, nonproductive thoughts?
Get rest
Preferably extra sleep, but if you can’t get that, find some quiet, restful time. Also, I find I just need to turn off my brain a bit, as it’s been stimulated for days. Honestly, sometimes I just need some mindless HGTV after a conference. I’m an introvert, so some of you extroverts may not need as much downtime as I do. However, I’ll never forget an extroverted speaker friend saying that after a conference she just sits on the couch, cries, and she’s not even sure why!
Love your people
Family has missed you. They’ve held down the fort, but it’s different when you’re away. Love them well. And spend some time with friends, talking about the conference, or not. Whatever you need. Love on them, and let them love on you.
Make a list
I love lists! They allow me to transfer all that’s whirling in my brain to a landing spot–the list. List everything you thought about doing as you listened and learned at the conference. Write it all! Be specific. Here’s an example:
- Create bio sheet – get a professional photographer for headshot; look at samples from workshop; write rough draft; work on design; get friend to review.
- Work on 3 blog posts, so I am not writing less than stellar posts at the last minute.
- Write one talk I feel good about. Follow Amy Carroll’s guidelines found in her eGuide bundle, Creating a Message that Connects. I tell everyone I can about this resource because I know if I’d had this at the beginning of my speaking ministry, I would have had so much more confidence in the way I crafted messages.
- Contact Melanie about her writing services. As a writing coach and editor with affordable prices, I’d love to do a free consultation call with you about your next writing steps, or talk to Amy Carroll about your next speaking steps. Just click here and fill out the form. We’ll be in touch with you soon to set up a free consultation call.)
Sit with Jesus
Take your thoughts to Jesus. Sit with Him, and ask Him to show you what to hold on to and what to discard. Sift your thoughts and ideas with Him. Everything you learned at the conference is not an action point for you. Let Him show you the next steps for your life. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 gives us this beautiful reminder: “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good.”
Take the Next Step
We call ourselves Next Step Coaching Services for a reason: We believe in taking one step at a time toward our callings.
Another nugget from 1 Thessalonians 5:24, “Faithful is He who calls you, and He will bring it to pass.”
God knows your dreams, for He is the one who planted them in you. You can count on Him to let them come to fruition.
I’d love to know what was valuable on this list, or what you’d add to this list?
~ Melanie
p.s. A big welcome to all of you who heard Amy speak at She Speaks and registered for the coaching call drawing. We’re so glad you’re here!
Cindy Ayouch, you’re the winner of the free 30-minute coaching call. Congratulations! You can reach out to Amy any time in the next year to schedule a conversation to answer any of your speaker-y questions.
