Setting Goals for a Conference

Setting Goals for a Conference

Hello, my fantastic reader. It’s come to my attention that the season of writing conferences is coming. I can still remember my first conference…I mean I’ve only been to two. At least at the time I’m writing this. Regardless, I remember it, and it was a really great experience. I’m a really big perfectionist, and I think that if my goals hadn’t been realistic, I’d have had a terrible first conference. Heck, all I did was take classes and talk to a few people. So it’s important to have realistic goals.

That’s why I’m doing my very first blog series. Setting Goals for a Conference, Preparing for a Conference, and Following Up After a Conference.

Large Goals:
Every writer, has some sort of end game. What you want to accomplish in the long run is ultimately up to you. This is where you dream. Where you imagine looking back on everything you’ve done. No regrets.

This goal size is equivalent to going to a conference and getting an agent. You want to get published, and getting that process started falls under the category of large goal. And these goals only get bigger and better as you go.

I personally didn’t even have publication on my radar my first conference. I truly believe this was the reason that everything seemed so grand, and I came away hopeful rather than defeated.

Medium Goals:
The medium goal is more practical, it’s also intentional and more in your control. It’s the goal that if you work hard enough, you really could achieve it. It’s not impossible, but it’s not entirely in your control either.

Making connections, and friendships that last, fall into this category. People at conferences are friendly and are usually willing to talk with you. So if there’s someone you want to meet and talk with, then you should go for it. Make it your mission to get that chance. Whatever your reasons, you should try to make as many connections as possible, so that you can follow up on the ones that matter.

I actually have a really funny story about connections. Click through the link at the end of the article to see my episode about it on Clever Gents.

Kaz: My Conference Experience

Small Goals:
Finally the small goals. If I’m honest these are really the only goals I ever reach for. Sort of like baby steps then I’m pleasantly surprised if my medium goal ends up working out. I’m not saying that you should only shoot for the dirt. In fact, dream. There’s a quote that I’ve never even cared about that I heard somewhere about the moon and stars…You probably know it…And maybe it means something to you. For real though if you aim high and miss, you’ll still reach one of your lower goals. And that is something to be extremely proud of.

Examples of small goals would be, sitting at a new table every lunch, so that you can talk to someone new. Approach the unfamiliar. If there’s someone you want to talk to them, make eye contact with them and say hello.

It’s the simple things that lead to great achievements.

Things To Remember:
In closing, I think it’s important to say that none of this planning will become a reality if you’re not going to take a chance and work hard for it. Some things aren’t in your control, but we can’t sit back doing nothing and then expect our goals to be met.

That’s my perspective on things, comment below and tell me yours.

Thanks go to DariuszSankowski & Unsplash For the edited images, and Thank you GotCredit &  Rob and Stephanie Levy for the unedited images.