Managing FOMO and All Those People Everywhere - An Introvert's Guide to Thriving at Rally
Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2018 1:50 pm
hi guys -
I joined Taxi roughly a month ago, at the suggestion of my local music licensing mentor.
That was just enough time to book the travel plans, decide on a handful of tracks to share, and develop a website and marketing materials, but not enough time to properly (mentally) prepare for the Rally.
As an introvert, being around crowds and large numbers of people can be very draining, so while I'm married to someone who loves to attend conferences, I typically avoid them at all costs.
So if you self-identify as being an introvert, and are avoiding going to the Rally because of it, this post is for you.
A couple of suggestions from a fellow introvert, hope this helps in the true "paying it forward" Taxi style:
#1. STAY AT THE CONFERENCE HOTEL
If you're at all like me you will need time to hole up, rest, relax, take a nap, meditate, or just generally take breaks from All Those People Everywhere. This time around I stayed at La Quinta which was just down the block and a nice place to relax. But, had I stayed at the conference hotel I have a feeling I would have been able to eek out a few more sessions or encounters. That's worth whatever the extra room cost is.
#2. IGNORE YOUR FOMO
FOMO = Fear Of Missing Out.
There's so much happening during Rally, it is literally impossible not to Miss Out on something - many somethings in fact.
Accept it now. If you go to Rally, you WILL MISS OUT on many things.
That's OK.
Roll with it.
Relax and try to enjoy yourself.
#3. PACE YOURSELF
A three and a half day weekend doesn't sound like that long of a stretch of time, but remember that's 3.5 days of being surrounded by roughly 2,000 energetic music lovers and creators.
And there's so much information to absorb it really is like trying to drink from a firehose.
I personally burnt myself out on the first full day of the Rally, and on Friday night around 7:42PM I heard and felt my brain go Frrrrtz. The rest of the weekend I was barely present, but managed to absorb a little bit more information, I think.
My sweet spot for sessions is probably two per day, definitely no more than three, and spaced out if possible.
Your mileage may vary, but remember to be kind to yourself and trust your instincts.
#4. LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE
This may seem obvious to experienced Rally attendees, but I wish I had seen this in advance so I hope this helps someone:
Don't focus so much on the sessions. (they are where your introversion will be challenged the most, often the rooms were loud and crowded)
Realize that you can learn from Everyone there.
Let it happen.
#5. GO TO THE MENTORING SESSION
Prior to the Rally, my thought loop was something like this:
"Oh, I won't go to the mentoring session. I don't know enough, it will be a waste of time, they could be spending that time on someone else."
At the Rally, after awhile I gained the courage to ask one of the helpful staff members to help me partner with a mentor.
The staff member (Eric) was very helpful and guided me to a friendly mentor who I felt really listened to my concerns of the moment, and gave specific advise that I'll be following up on shortly.
Hope this helps, see you at the top!
James Hagarty aka Jay Williams Productions
I joined Taxi roughly a month ago, at the suggestion of my local music licensing mentor.
That was just enough time to book the travel plans, decide on a handful of tracks to share, and develop a website and marketing materials, but not enough time to properly (mentally) prepare for the Rally.
As an introvert, being around crowds and large numbers of people can be very draining, so while I'm married to someone who loves to attend conferences, I typically avoid them at all costs.
So if you self-identify as being an introvert, and are avoiding going to the Rally because of it, this post is for you.
A couple of suggestions from a fellow introvert, hope this helps in the true "paying it forward" Taxi style:
#1. STAY AT THE CONFERENCE HOTEL
If you're at all like me you will need time to hole up, rest, relax, take a nap, meditate, or just generally take breaks from All Those People Everywhere. This time around I stayed at La Quinta which was just down the block and a nice place to relax. But, had I stayed at the conference hotel I have a feeling I would have been able to eek out a few more sessions or encounters. That's worth whatever the extra room cost is.
#2. IGNORE YOUR FOMO
FOMO = Fear Of Missing Out.
There's so much happening during Rally, it is literally impossible not to Miss Out on something - many somethings in fact.
Accept it now. If you go to Rally, you WILL MISS OUT on many things.
That's OK.
Roll with it.
Relax and try to enjoy yourself.
#3. PACE YOURSELF
A three and a half day weekend doesn't sound like that long of a stretch of time, but remember that's 3.5 days of being surrounded by roughly 2,000 energetic music lovers and creators.
And there's so much information to absorb it really is like trying to drink from a firehose.
I personally burnt myself out on the first full day of the Rally, and on Friday night around 7:42PM I heard and felt my brain go Frrrrtz. The rest of the weekend I was barely present, but managed to absorb a little bit more information, I think.
My sweet spot for sessions is probably two per day, definitely no more than three, and spaced out if possible.
Your mileage may vary, but remember to be kind to yourself and trust your instincts.
#4. LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE
This may seem obvious to experienced Rally attendees, but I wish I had seen this in advance so I hope this helps someone:
Don't focus so much on the sessions. (they are where your introversion will be challenged the most, often the rooms were loud and crowded)
Realize that you can learn from Everyone there.
Let it happen.
#5. GO TO THE MENTORING SESSION
Prior to the Rally, my thought loop was something like this:
"Oh, I won't go to the mentoring session. I don't know enough, it will be a waste of time, they could be spending that time on someone else."
At the Rally, after awhile I gained the courage to ask one of the helpful staff members to help me partner with a mentor.
The staff member (Eric) was very helpful and guided me to a friendly mentor who I felt really listened to my concerns of the moment, and gave specific advise that I'll be following up on shortly.
Hope this helps, see you at the top!
James Hagarty aka Jay Williams Productions