Countdown to National Conference 2015

[raebates]

Today is July 4. There are only 12 days until NC!Happy Independence Day!Do you snore? Sometimes I do. Talk to your roommates about what to do if someone’s snoring is disturbing you. I usually tell my roommates that if I’m snoring too loud they are welcome to shake me, wake me, turn me over, or suffocate me with a pillow—whatever it takes.This may seem like a small thing, but in my travels I have roomed with people who snored so loudly that at least one of the rest of us had to move to another room. Different people have different noise tolerances. What goes unnoticed by one sleeper can be an intolerable noise level to another. There's no shame in snoring; it's involuntary. There's no shame in being disturbed by snoring; we all have our sleep needs. However, it is a shame (though, not shameful) to lose sleep over something that can be addressed.That said, if you're a really light sleeper rooming with others, you might consider ear plugs. A good night's sleep is essential to good health.

 

[raebates]

Today is July 5. There are only 11 days until NC!You will have an opportunity to meet and learn from lots of people at NC. Do not spend all of your time with your teammates. You already know a lot of what they have to tell you. I realize that most people are a little more reserved than I. (Everyone who has ever met me has just fallen off their chairs, laughing at that understatement.) Using the buddy system is fine, but make sure that you’re surrounded by people you don’t know. Engage them in conversation. Go armed with the questions you want the answers to. (What is your best advice for getting bookings? If you were to name the most important thing you do in order to get recruits, what would it be? What are you hoping to learn at NC? What are the three things you’re anxious to try when you get home?) Who knows, you just might make a new friend.You can use your in-room time or the trip home to talk with your team about what you've learned and what you want to implement.And, as much as I’m looking forward to meeting up with CS friends, that sort of goes for Cheffers, too. After all, we do share a lot here. Just make sure you aren’t surrounded by Cheffers all the time.

 

[raebates]

Today is July 6. There are only 10 days until NC!Driving? Make sure you check out your vehicle before you leave. Do this even if you’re only driving to the next town to catch a plane, train, or bus. The Furry Guy will be checking my oil, water, washer fluid, and tire pressure. Trust me; you don’t want to break down on the way, especially if it’s something that could have been prevented.

 

[raebates]

Today is July 7. There are only 9 days until NC!You might want to take address labels with you. Some speakers might have handouts or offer additional information. If they run low they generally ask for names and addresses. A sheet of address labels is easy to carry and use. You might even want to bring a few self-addressed envelopes. That way, if you want someone to send something special to you, you can just write what you want them to send on the back of the envelope.

 

[raebates]

How ironic. I post about making sure you've got labels in case they run out of handouts, and now the HO asks us to print out the handouts and bring them with us. LOL! It’s still a good idea to bring along labels and envelopes. My timing it good. LOL!

 

[raebates]

Today is July 8. There are only 8 days until the start of NC!If possible, you might want to consider taking your own pillow along. I like my memory foam better than most hotel pillows. I sleep better, making me more wide awake and alert so I can absorb all those great ideas at NC! Of course, if taking a pillow switches you from carry-on only to checked baggage, don’t take it. Chances are good that your hotel will have very nice pillows.

 

[raebates]

Today is July 9. There are only 7 days until the start of NC!Only one week! Take some time while you’re at NC to simply enjoy the experience. You’ll be surrounded by wonderful PC people. You’ll be rubbing elbows with people who have reached the level of success you’re striving toward. You will never have that exact experience again (those exact people at exactly that place in their business). Be sure to take a few moments to just enjoy the moment.

 

[raebates]

Today is July 10. There are only 6 days until the start of NC!Check out the weather report for Rosemont. This will help you narrow down your packing choices. One place you can check is: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ . If you’re having trouble with that link, here’s the address:http://www.srh.noaa.gov/

 

[raebates]

Today is July 11. There are only 5 days until the start of NC!If you haven’t already done so, start packing now. It will give you time to remember the little things that may have slipped your mind. Don’t pack right into your suitcase, though. Lay everything out so you can see it. This way you’ll be less likely to over pack. For items that should be hanging on hangers until the last moment, gather them together. Section off a spot in your closet just for those items.Now decide how you’ll pack. Rolling clothes is popular. I prefer stacking everything with plastic in between and folding it gently together (shopping bags work well and can be used later). Sometimes I carry my more wrinkle-prone items in a garment bag.

 

[raebates]

Today is July 12. There are only 4 days until the start of NC!Don’t forget your meds and vitamins. As a diabetic, I take several prescription meds and a whole passel of vitamins and supplements. If you have regular medications you take, make sure to take plenty with you. These are not things you’ll want to put in your checked baggage if you’re flying. I always make sure to take an extra day’s supply just in case something happens to delay my return.I’m serious about the vitamins, too. If you’re used to taking a daily multi-vitamin, you’ll want to continue that even at NC. A tiny zippered bag would hold enough to get you through NC and would fit in just about any purse or bag.

 

[raebates]

Today is July 13. There are only 3 days until the start of NC!Have you checked the fridge? This would be a great day to make note of anything that’s getting low so that you can pick it up. You don’t want their memory of your NC trip to be that there was no milk for their morning cereal. This will also give you an opportunity to pick up those healthy snacks you’re going to take along. You can unpack them from the grocery bags right into your suitcase so no one else will be tempted to eat them.

 

[raebates]

Today is July 14. There are only 2 days until the start of NC!

• Clear my camera’s SD card so I’ll have plenty of room for pictures. Check.
• Extra batteries for camera. Check.
• Sticky note on luggage reminding me to grab my cell phone charger. Check.

Don’t forget to make sure you’re set for all of your electronic gadgets. If you pay roaming charges (do those still exist?) with your cell plan, you might check to see if you can add Rosemont to your plan for just a few days. It could save you a bundle.

 

[raebates]

Today is July 15. National Conference starts tomorrow!Don’t obsess too much about what you might have forgotten to pack. You’ll be in Rosemont. There’s little you could have forgotten that can’t be purchased easily near where you’re staying.See everyone soon! I’m leaving in just a little while, and I’ll be praying for safe travel for everyone. The fun is about to begin!Thank you for reading my notes and indulging me in my need to keep myself on track and to share tidbits of information.

 

[DebPC]

Thanks so much Rae for your daily "Getting Ready For Conference Tips". I know they were enjoyed by everyone even those not able to attend this year. And they were a big help to first timers. Have a fabulous conference!!!

 

[raebates]

Thanks! It was amazing. I usually come home with at most 2 4x6 cards full of "do it now" ideas. This time I have 7. Yes, 7! It will take a while, but I'll share my notes in the "Share What You Learned" thread.