An Extrovert's Guide to Conferences

AKA Jane Random is at the airport! Woo Hoo! Yes, yes, I know I’ve said time and again how much I hate to fly but I’m heading to Pennsylvania for a er…professional development conference. Oh, alright. I’m not a professional. It’s just a blogging conference.

Now, I’m an extrovert so the thought of meeting all new people for the next four days feels me with nothing but glee. For real! I love small talk and continuously find myself having to force myself to stop talking. I blame my Mom. She’s super good at small talk too.

However, I know some of you out there aren’t extroverts and don’t like the thought of new faces and new places. So, in order to help you deal with your anxiety at conferences I present to you the oh, so serious (ahem…) list of:

AKA Jane Random’s Strategies For Conferences

Let’s face it, even for an extrovert like me, at some point this weekend I know I’m going to be standing in a crowded ballroom with no one to talk to and mentally I’m going to want to check out. That’s when it’s time to STRIDE PURPOSEFULLY. Why is it in all caps? It’s because thats how I deal with any big gathering anxiety I might have.

Let’s look at how it pans out:

Now when I get nervous the last thing I need to do is just stand still or aimlessly wander. That would just make me all angsty and if there is one chick I don’t like to hang out with it’s Madame Angst.

Here’s how you can stride purposefully without looking like a moron:

1) ‘PRETEND YOU SEE SOMEONE/SOMETHING ACROSS THE ROOM AND THEN STRIDE PURPOSEFULLY TOWARDS IT.’ You are clearly needed on the other side of the room! Go! This will give you time to think about your next move.

Hey, look! It’s my super helpful illustration of a girl pretending to see something she needs to check on! 

Now, what happens when you’ve already employed the first method and are ready to try something different. Here is one I’ve also used in the past:

2) The ‘Oh, Look at the Time’ Strategy. This one is simple. Simply, look at your watch and then act shocked by what you see. “Oh, no! I’m totally a VIP and I’ve got to be somewhere right now!” Go on and stride purposefully, Girl!

I mean, what could be wrong with this picture? Clearly it’s a girl looking at her watch! Right?*Crickets Chirping*

The third strategy is an oldie but a goody.

3) The Urgent Call Strategy. You know the drill. You’ve seen it used in movies on bad dates. Heck, maybe you’ve even used it on bad dates! Simply pretend to get a call and then, you guessed it, stride purposefully!

“She’s on the phone and it’s very important! I bet she even has a business suit!”

Conference strategies for introverts ; )

So, walk purposefully, look at the time and go on and take that urgent call! You got this.

I suppose I should also go on and say something about being comfortable in your own skin and transparent and you’re a daughter of the King and we’re all in this together and blah, blah, blah.

Whatever. All I know is that you should never underestimate the power of a good purposeful stride.