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Convention Ideas: Meet the Teacher

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The summary of the convention ideas series is here.

So you want to add more professional stuff to your convention or conventions.

Do you have any schools, colleges, educational facilities near you?  Then you've got a ton of potential guests right there.  In short, start inviting teachers, trainers, and so forth to your convention.

First, this is an easy way to get guests – odds are that the people in question will have some interest in your convention subject, if only tangentially.  This also means they may be willing to speak for free memberships, or just out of a chance to network.

Secondly, the teachers and educators may have great ideas.  The convention may give them a chance to make new suggestions, do unusual things they don't often speak on or lecture on, or try out new material.  You're going to the experts – who knows what they're going to come up with.

Third, the teachers and educators you invite may already have fantastic materials to use, hand out, or just plain sell (don't begrudge them a bit of cash here).  They'll likely come well-prepared, and may surprise you and your audience – there's nothing like having people attend a simple lecture on, say, writing, and walk out with handouts or a book.

Finally, the educators you invite may be grateful for the attention and publicity.  It gives  them a chance to be recognized, make connections, and try out some new things.

So next time you're asking how to make your convention more professional, go to one of the sources – teachers, trainers, and educators.

– Steven Savage

Discomfort Is a Sign of Growth

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Ever feel like you're both achieving something and incredibly uncomfortable at the same time?

I think we all know what that's like – you're facing your demons, building something new,writing that great story – and right as you're feeling great, you're also feeling a bit nervous, uncomfortable.

When this happens it's because you're stretching yourself, pushing yourself, and that's always a bit uncomfortable.  But it's also a good sign – because it means you're going beyond your boundaries and limits.  Like a good stretch you're limbering yourself up.

Discomfort, in short, is often a good sign that you're growing as a person (or a writer, or artist, etc.)

When you look for it, you'll see these moments of "pleasant discomfort" as you break your boundaries and limits.  Keep aware of these moments as you can start catching when you're growing (which may happen at surprising times) and can take advantage of them.

One reason it's important to do what you like in your life and career is that it improves your tolerance for these moments of "stretching discomfort" so you don't back down.  When you're driven, motivated, in touch, then when the discomfort comes its easier to power through.

Next time you feel you're walking on the edge?  It's probably a good thing.

– Steven Savage

News of the Day 10/12/2009

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Career:
A depressing must-read about the economic downturn's effect on Younger workers – It helps put things in perspective of just what the long-term impact of the recession will be in America (and to an extent, other countries). I will say simply if you're young, out of work, or both, you need to work hard on beating the odds, because times are tough and you need to be aware of the long-term impact of this recession on your career. All the more reason to pour your passions into something you like, really.


Economics/Freakonomics/Geekonomics:
Hotels still in trouble despite a bit of a recent uptick. Something to remember in a travel career. I'd also note that, much like apartments and houses, people can just double up more – or look for alternate housing if they travel.

Animation:
Voltron may be the next big giant-robot-animated-thing adapted to movies – Sounds like a plan for a big multimedia blitz. I just have doubts based on previous treatments I've heard of. I suppose if it does go big there will be some career opportunities.


Green Tech:
George Soros to invest $1 billion in greentech – Could stimulate the market and bring in other interests. I'm pro-greentech on both principle, and because I think it will eventually have a place no matter what – and that means career opportunities.

Mobile:
T Mobile stops selling Sidekick due to massive hardware failure – A big issue for them in a tough time. Read the article – this is really pretty bad. Not a resume target for awhile. Props to them for letting people drop their contracts though.

Technology:
Hey Android Developers (or hopefuls), a book review on a book on that very subject from O'Reilly.

Video:
Streaming video device maker ZillionTV is laying off staff. Looks like they don't even have a business model. My guess – eventually sell-off of technology and closure, or restructuring into something else. Not promising, and another one down in the video arena.

Video Games:
Must-read article: A look at Nexon America's plans. There's a lot to chew on here, from Nexon's plans, cultural differences in gaming, and more. I'm very curious as to how Dungeon Fighter will go over as it looks like a great game – now I need to get my Windows partition set up on my Mac . . .

– Steven Savage