I’m not sure if this morning’s blog is dedicated to those who went to WPPI or those who didn’t, but here a few ideas following the convention.  

For those who are just getting home from WPPI…you just spent the last week having every nerve-ending tweaked!  Your NN, (Network Nerve) has been totally over-stimulated with all the new people you met as well as the ones you didn’t meet!  It’s an eye-opening experience to learn you’re not the only one on the planet worried about business, looking for new ways to improve your marketing or on a quest to create the ultimate image.   Since you just got back, consider doing a quick “inventory” of the new people you want to “friend” or “follow” and then send them a quick email just to connect.  They’re in your network now and good networks require communication – sort of like the mortar between the bricks that hold a building together.

Your NIN (New Ideas Nerve) is totally fried.  It’s on information overload and has been over-stimulated, leaving you sleepless and exhausted.  Sure, a few parties added to the challenge, but it’s the ideas running through your head that really takes it all out of you.  The bottom line is that you don’t have to implement everything you learned right now, just put them in order. 

Even more important is that if you don’t inventory these ideas soon, they’re going to go into that informational ”shoe-box”.  Then it gets kicked under the bed and not taken out until you’re in a panic mode months from now, realizing you never took any action on all these great solutions.

Last but not least is your PN (Priorities Nerve).  This is the toughest one to deal with because you have to sort out the mess they’re in.  You simply don’t know where to start first.  You’ve got new ideas about the business, your photograhic and creative skills, your marketing skills and your relationship skills.   They’re all screaming for attention at the same time and you’re fighting to keep from going psychotic!  So, at the risk of sounding like Dr. Phil here’s the priority list to consider.

First, to thine ownself be true.  Take care of you first – you won’t be good to anybody if you don’t straighten out the mess in your head at the very beginning.  And, here’s the cool thing about taking care of you – you don’t have to do anything – in fact that’s the prescription – just kick back and relax for a few days before dealing with everything new you learned last week.  Second, pay attention to your family and close friends.  More than likely they weren’t with you, so they only know you’ve been away.  Give them some attention, share what you learned last week, welcome their input on all those new ideas.

Third – now it’s time to attack the challenges, but prioritize them into the categories they represent.  Remember, you don’t have to do it all at once!  Start with the low hanging fruit, the easiest new ideas to take on and then branch out into the harder ones.

For those of you who didn’t go to WPPI, whatever you do, don’t “should” on yourself.  Walking around mumbling, “I should have gone!” or “I wish I had gone!” isn’t going to get you closer to anything except an over developed FN (Frustration Nerve).  That’s the one that can really hurt, turn you gray before your time and create too many sleepless nights.  If you look in the mirror and the bags under your eyes are making you look like Yoda, it’s your FN and you need to relax!

It’s not the end of the world just because you didn’t go to WPPI.  It was a great convention, but it sure isn’t the only convention and it’s NOT your only access to so many great speakers and educational opportunities.  Here are some easy ideas to pick up on what you missed.

1) Go through the WPPI list of speakers and identify the ten top speakers you wish you had heard.  Every speaker has a website.  Many of them have material and presentations you can download.  There’s nothing out there you missed that can’t be duplicated with a little travel through cyber space.

2) Who are the companies that make products you wish you had seen?  Same thing again, visit their websites.  Many of them have WPPI specials still up on line, giving you an opportunity to make the purchases you need.

3) Check out your favorite blogs and forums.  I noticed yesterday that DWF (Digital Wedding Forum) has a ton of information starting to fill the forum on things that happened at WPPI, new ideas etc.  And check out the community at Pictage.  You might not have been at the convention, but there are so many resources for you to gain the knowledge you missed.

4) Look for future programs that will give you a similar experience.  The Ohio convention is going on right now. The Texas School is in early May.  And registration for Skip’s Summer School opened up last week.  Check out the line up of speakers!   (Hey, you didn’t honestly think I’d avoid some shameless promoting here did you?)  There are also a lot of speakers doing their own programs.  For example, Mitche Graf and Ken Sklute are hitting the road in April and Sam Puc’s Family Tour has another month to run.    

Many of you know I’m a guest editor for PDN.  Focus on Weddings was the first project and PDN’s Virtual Trade Show in late May is within days of being formally announced.  Here’s an opportunity to ”attend” some outstanding programming, a great trade show and all while sitting with your feet up at your computer! 

You only missed one convention.  You’ll have to be a little more aggressive on your own, but all the information is out there and available.  Opportunities for you to pick up on new ideas on marketing, business, creativity, photography and networking are right at your fingertips – but you’ve got to make the first move to chase them down!

Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.  Thomas Edison

Every day, you’ll have opportunities to take chances and to work outside your safety net. Sure, it’s a lot easier to stay in your comfort zone.. in my case, business suits and real estate.. but sometimes you have to take risks. When the risks pay off, that’s when you reap the biggest rewards.  Donald Trump

And my favorite from Sun Tzu, over 2000 year’s ago…

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.