Random thoughts on a train from Edinburgh

On the train back from Edinburgh after a few days of listening, learning, laughing and maybe a drink or two i started writing this as post which exceeded the character limit (opppsy) so now its an article.

Footnote first

So a small note for the Rugby fans first

So only I can work out on the way to the train station that yes you are in Edinburgh, Yes it is Saturday, Yep it is six nations this weekend, and YEP SCOTLAND ARE PLAYING WALES IN A FEW HOURS IN MURRYFIELD. Idiot honestly, ock well next year maybe ;)

In the beginning there was a conference

So why am i in Edinburgh was dealt with in a previous post so i wont go over it here

How was it ?

Many Thanks to Niki Hutchison & Abi Sea for creating and hosting the brilliant event I thought it was a great success, I hope you both managed to enjoy it and had chance to take a minute, breathe it in and and see what you created.

I took pages and pages of notes and now its going to be down to Karla Fuller and Claire Jenks to temper my enthusiasm into a actionable list thats achievable in some form or another ;)

As with all conferences some speakers resonated more than others, all were VERY good and had messages that even if I “couldn’t understand” i knew was a golden nugget for another day when my education progresses to the point that i can understand it.

But one of the biggest things i took away from this event wasn’t actually anything to do with the event per-se (sorry ladies).?

We as business owners (whatever your field) attend industry events or partake in communities to learn, unfortuntly they can have the possiblity of turning into an Echo Chamber or simply a excuse for a social.?

Attending a non industry (and non local) event, has given me chance to realise that thats ok as long as its monitored, Nuggets of information can come from many places the sessions, from the bar, from someone in the lunch queue, its all information that you will gather and use.?

So what did i learn, Make use of your time out of the office to grow in whatever way you can however you can.

Some unwarranted advice

So my advice for everyone is :

First of all support Abi and Niki, get to their event next year you wont be disappointed,

Secondly get out of your echo chamber, other view points should always be welcomed they allow you to grow personally and professionally

Thirdly feel the fear and do it anyway, yep this one is a complete rip off but this week reminded me that sometimes our fear of the unknown or simply not being with your “tribe” stops us in our tracks, if possible just remember Silenzo Bruno (yep reference to a Disney film you peeps are so lucky with this post)?

The wrap up

Lastly thanks to my wingman at the event Wayne Stanley who took the journey with me (and somehow managed to not go via Iceland and Greece (if you know you know ;) )), its great to catchup in and out of the event, your a good man with a big heart, its events like these that allow you find people on similar journeys going through similar things.?

Life is a journey, the people you meet along the way can add hurdles or help you cross them. It doesn’t matter where you’re going or if where you end up isn’t where you meant too. What matters is you do it with integrity, pride, your head held high, on the brightest days and darkest nights.

Much Love

p.s

The post was too long so sitting on the train I’ve simply copy and pasted it as a article which i will post instead its not really formatted or pretty but it is an honest stream of consciousness on a 5 hour train journey.