Last week was exciting! The Tempe Chamber of Commerce held their annual Women in Business Conference and I was nominated as a finalist for their Business Woman of the Year Award.
It was a real honor to be nominated alongside such amazing women as Tracy Bullock, President of Bullock Training & Development, and Dawn Hocking, Director of Development for The Centers for Habilitation. They both do so much for their community and in their leadership roles within the Tempe Chamber. These women are my friends and colleagues. We’ve worked together on projects and have become close in the process. I rooted for them as much as I did for myself.
In addition to the nomination, I was a participant in the event as a facilitator, presenter, and mentor. I also hosted a booth for Wave Productivity and unveiled a new logo and look. The day-of was a flurry of activity, nerves, and fun. And I knew going into it I needed to have strategies in place for getting back to business after the award ceremony was over.
Pro tip: 2-3 weeks before a project deadline prioritize what needs to be pulled forward to keep momentum going.
My plan to stay on track began weeks before the conference. I looked back on goals and projects that were ongoing. My list included a video series, coming up with presentation ideas, and sending out marketing materials. I focused on parts of each of these projects and noted key actions I could take post-conference to keep things moving along.
Pro tip: Cultivate a support system and resources for celebrating the good times and providing a boost during the more difficult days.
An experience like the Woman in Business Award is an especially exhilarating one. It can throw even the most focused off their footing. Whether I won or lost the award, I needed time with friends and colleagues to decompress and refocus. Supportive colleagues are there not only to celebrate and lift up, they are important for resetting and recharging after such a big event. Before the conference even took place, I booked a bunch of coffee dates with people who could help me do that.
Being a part of a supportive network is a two-way street. It involves reaching out in support and showing gratitude when others do the same. I also set aside time after the conference to send thank you notes and follow-ups via email.
Pro tip: Schedule downtime after an event to feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
The day of the conference was packed with activities. Besides the award ceremony and after-party, I facilitated two workshops, helped out onstage, met up with invited guests, and hosted a Wave Productivity Booth to answer questions. In addition, I had another speaking engagement at the Phoenix Public Library that evening, a workshop I facilitate on the last Wednesday of each month.
One of the productivity topics I presented at the conference was about self-care. Even before the event started I knew I would need downtime afterwards, so I scheduled a day after the event for taking care of myself. This included quiet time, time with my darling dog, and some time to create art through drawing and painting. These are the kinds of things that replenish me.
Pro tip: Pre-plan your post-plan to maintain your energy and avoid last minute scrambling.
In order to enjoy downtime, I did some pre-planning before the conference to prioritize what needed done after my batteries were recharged. My list included sending out thank you notes, following up with people who wanted a consultation, and scheduling social media posts. Prior planning allowed me to go to the conference and the post-conference relaxation with a clear head and no stress. I knew exactly what I needed to do, how long it would take, and I had lined up all the tools I needed to make it happen smoothly.
Pro tip: Be grateful everyday for the opportunities and blessings you have.
The Business Woman of the Year nomination was a fantastic opportunity for me. I am grateful to the Tempe Chamber, my colleagues, and my clients who supported me and cheered me on.The award went to Dawn Hocking of The Center for Habilitation. She is a dear friend and colleague and I know first-hand how deserving she is of the award. It was thrilling to be a part of something so special and to see someone so deserving receive acknowledgment of her work.
Margo Crawford is a Productivity Coach with Wave Productivity. She works with entrepreneurs, small business owners and business professionals to help them get more focused, organized and productive in their workplace. She serves the Tempe and Phoenix area in Arizona. If you want to get more organized in your office call 602-677-8275 or email [email protected]