Oh Crap Moment
September 28th, 2009 in General
I did it. I signed up for SXSW (Interactive) last week. Registration, hotel, and flight – all taken care of. So why is this news? Well, after getting all hyped up about it I realized I had one problem – I couldn’t find anybody else to go with me. At best, I have a friend who might be living in Austin, Texas at the time of SXSW, but he has warned me that it’s possible he may be deployed for the Army. With that in mind, I had every reason not to go – why would I want to throw myself in there alone. I knew SXSW meant being in the presence with some of the best interactive minds in the world of the web. People who inspire and innovate. In addition to that, it’s about going to the great SXSW parties in Austin where you get to know the people and network. While I’m a social person I am not the type that can go up to anybody and introduce myself. In fact that is my biggest shortcoming. With that as my barrier, I had accepted defeat. Then, all of the sudden something amazing happened, I took a deep breath and went to SXSW.com…and I registered.
The next day I woke up to my Oh Crap Moment. I just registered to attend SXSW and I’m going alone. No sidekick. No wingman. Just me and the driving force to go outside my comfort zone. The only way I can describe it is that it’s like when you are ready to go sky diving for the first time and you step to the door of the plane. What comes next is that Oh Crap Moment. Every thought and reflex in you mind tells you to turn around and sit down. But if you dig down deep and find the fire in yourself, you can take that next leap and start flying (or you’re pushed by your instructor). While you’re free falling the feeling is freedom. Freedom of pushing past a barrier. You’re now in control of yourself.
After you land safely, you take a long gaze up in the sky to determine if it really was worth it. It’s about pushing past that barrier that instinctively tells you to turn around. What I’ve learned is that if you want others to trust in you, you must first trust in yourself. You will succeed if you believe in yourself and the payoff will be as big as the barrier you’ll break through.
Stay tuned…
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It will be totally worth it. I went to MIX in Vegas earlier this year by myself and forced myself to try to meet as many people as possible. It was a great experience and all the people I met taught me a lot.
Good for you way to step outside the comfort zone. It should be a great experience for you.
@John – I’m pumped. I’m going to try to go in with the same mindset – meet as many people as possible. I’ve always wanted to attend MIX. I’ve heard MS knows how to put on a good show.
@Peter – Thanks! Hoping to meet some good people.
Take all the “if’s” out of the equation. Get rid of the “Hope”!
YOU, Jonny Thompson, are FEARLESS! What Jonny Thompson wants, Jonny gets!
We all tend to have those self fulfilling prophecies, might as well imagine it to be the best time you’ve had in your life to date. Stay pumped! People will be attending in hopes of meeting YOU! They may not know your name yet, but you are the IT person to know!
Shine on Jonny – shine on! Life is your show, and you are the star!
You are Joy!
Joyfully,
Janet
@Janet – Thanks! Time to make things happen.
Jonny, You will find you’re in good company. Many MIMA board members attend SXSW, including Matt Wilson, Michael Kraabel, Christopher Pollard. And, I know Jen Kane has done some pre-SXSW events for MN attendees. So, I’ll check to see who’s leading the rally from MIMA board perspective. Feel free to shoot me a note that I could forward.
(hope to attend myself….someday)
- Ben
@Ben – That’s fantastic, I would love to hear more. I’m just starting to get out and meet the Minnesota “interactive” people, so I’m hoping to make some connections before I go down. Either way, I’m excited overall.
Cool stuff!