Making the Most Out of Your Seminar Experience

Are you 100% satisfied with where you are in your life and career? Are you the best person you could possibly be? Have you accomplished everything you would like to? Unless you’re an egomaniac, the answer to these questions is probably “no.”

And you’re not alone. According to nationally known educator and speaker Jeffrey Gitomer, “The average, growing manager spends $758 each year on some form of self-improvement (books, CDs, software, seminars, etc.).” Now, obviously we consider our seminars to be the very best self improvement you can find. But before you make that kind of investment of your time and money, it’s a good idea to consider how to make that training seminar be as worthwhile to you as it possible can be.

Before You Attend a Seminar, Think About This…

1. Keep an open mind. Some ideas may not apply to your situation. Some ideas may seem too
difficult, some too simplistic. Rather than focusing on the things that may not work for you, focus
on the things that will.

2. Be ‘there’ — not just physically, but mentally. Being away from work and family for a day, it’s easy
to let your mind wander. If you find that happening, bring yourself back and actively focus. Obviously having an organized, energetic, varied and interesting presentation helps, but you can contribute to this by “being here.”

3. Participate. Try to interact with and talk to people you usually don’t. Who knows? You might actually
find a new friend, employer, employee, mentor, or customer.

4. Dig for pearls. Search for things you did not know. Listen for that one idea … that one book … that
one Website that might influence you forever. Ask anything, and challenge anything, anytime. If you
don’t understand something, ask why.

5. Don’t disregard things that are talked about because you couldn’t hear or see yourself doing things quite the way that is suggested. Figure out a way to make ideas your own, using your own personality and communication style. Don’t be so quick to criticize. Having said that, don’t be afraid to give your honest feedback. Good presenters will take all your compliments and criticisms to heart. I’ll ask you to .

6. Realize that the event, is a beginning, not an end. Take good, thorough notes. Develop an
Action Plan (this is critical). Make a small investment in your future success. Consider continuing your
management training on your own or in a group. Go to more classes and seminars, read books, listen
to audios, etc. Thank whoever is responsible for making this training available to you.