No Man Is an Island—Or, Why You Don’t Need to Go It Alone

Committing ourselves to education and networking opportunities helps us grow personally and professionally. “None of us is as smart as all of us.”

I don’t remember where I first heard that phrase. Wherever it was, the thought has stuck with me and guided my career. Knowing and accepting that I don’t know all there is to know is a liberating concept. Why is it good to accept that we don’t know all there is to know, especially when it comes to our work? Because the pursuit of the next great idea is what keeps things interesting.¿Se habla Español?Some of you may have heard me speak, or write about how I started learning Spanish, about four years ago. I talked about it for a while before getting started. First, I let the cost of Rosetta Stone hold me back. I focused on the number, not the result. After I bought it, it took months until I loaded it onto my laptop and began using it. Once I did, I kicked myself for not starting sooner. Four years and many hundreds of dollars later (in software and audio learning programs), I’m more than conversationally fluent, and I even presented in Spanish last year in Panama, Uruguay, and Mexico. How? I made learning a priority. When people ask me why I did it, I tell them, “Because it’s hard.” There’s no challenge in only doing things that are easy.You can’t teach someone who doesn’t want to learnWhat’s the lesson here? I’m reminded of another great phrase from entrepreneur Malcolm Forbes, “Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” I love learning. I love going to conferences and hearing new ideas. Whether it’s a local meeting or national conference, I’m always glad I’ve attended. It’s great to hear ideas that support your beliefs. But, it’s also great to hear ideas that challenge your beliefs. None of us truly knows what we’re capable of achieving. We only know what we’ve already achieved.Make it a priorityIt’s easy to say, “No,” to a learning opportunity. It takes little time to decline, or ignore the upcoming association meeting or conference. It’s easy to say, “I don’t have time for that.” And, the more you pass on, the easier it is to do so the next time. I didn’t have time to learn Spanish; I just made it a priority—doing a little almost every day. The hard, and obvious fact is that if we won’t meet anyone new or learn anything new, if we always pass up these opportunities or believe we don’t have the time, we won’t grow. I see it quite often. Local associations schedule great content, great speakers, and fantastic learning opportunities, and then, people wait until the last minute to decide to register—if at all.What if…What if, instead of waiting until the last minute, you prioritize your personal growth? You don’t have to attend every meeting or conference, but what if you commit to attending a certain number of meetings and conferences? That’s what I do. I have the annual National Speakers Association meeting dates blocked off on my calendar through 2020 (that latest year posted). I will not take a speaking engagement or client for those dates. Why? Because the ideas I’ve learned and the people I’ve met have made me more money than that one gig would bring.Where are your opportunities?Start with industry associations. Go to local meetings. Go to annual conferences. Learn—both in the sessions and casual conversations. Then look to local wedding groups and associations. Networking with your peers is great, but networking with those who can refer you is even better. It’s been said that we refer people whom we know, like, and trust. People will know you, like you, and trust you more, if they see you at these events.The major annual conferences, such as Wedding MBA, WeddingWire World, The Special Event Show, Association of Bridal Consultants Annual Conference, and more, post conference dates at least a year in advance. Decide which you’re going to attend. Block them off on your calendar. Put them in your budget. And then—attend! The more ideas you hear and the more new people you meet, the richer you’ll become, both tangibly and intangibly. Conferences provide more ideas than I can implement. That’s a good thing. I’d rather have to prioritize the ideas, than not have any.Are you making growth a priority?What are you going to do to make your growth, both personal and business, a priority? Start by taking a good look at the next email about a local association meeting that comes your way. Many groups meet the same day each month. Put it in your calendar, and vow to make at least six meetings this year. Go with no agenda, bring an empty mind, and you just might come out with a more open one. Hope to see you at an upcoming conference!__Alan Berg, CSP®, www.AlanBerg.com, Kendall Park, N.J.