I’m stoked and ready to head to Vegas for SHRM11 next week. I’m also excited to be going as part of the press/blogging team and for the awesome invite to participate. (I know, a total dork – check it out: Me in my SHRM11 shirt)
I have printed out all my emails, travel docs, programs and I’m spending time reviewing what sessions I want to attend, what after hours events to go to, and a list of my online industry celebrities that I want to meet in person (no, not stalk). The next thing to do is figure out what I want to take to wear. I’ve been instructed to dress for warm weather outside and freezing cold weather inside which makes it difficult to pack since I refuse to pay for my bags when flying. I will somehow cram it all in one suitcase and hope for the best.
While I’m not as anal as some when it comes to lists and in my organizational skills, I do not like to be unprepared. Especially, for something like this. I don’t want to be wandering the halls, running here and there trying to do everything but I want to have a strategy in place; a plan of action ahead of time. I don’t want to be one of those people that was referred to on True Faith HR.
Have you ever gone to the grocery store without a list? I know for me, I wander around in circles like I’ve never been to a grocery store before. I go up and down the isles thinking, “what did I come here for and where is everything?” I then get home and have a crap load of cookies, chips, and junk food and nothing to prepare a meal. The best thing I could do before I leave for the store is to create a menu for the week and then make my grocery store list from that. That always works best for me.
Having a plan of action ahead of time helps us in so many areas of our lives. I’m not saying that we can never be spontaneous, but for the most part – being prepared is key. It is crucial for time-management, productivity and in leading others. How can we expect to lead others when we are wandering around in circles just “happy to be there?”