8 takeaways from the NAPO Summit
It was 2007, and I was on the fence about attending the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) conference. I had two small children and a growing business. It was my first significant investment into my business, but more importantly, myself.
I attended and could not believe it was truly off-the-charts amazing. Three and a half glorious days of networking, educational sessions about systems, marketing differentiation, and expanding your offerings. The keynote speaker was Jack Canfield, who shared excerpts from his book, The Success Principles. My brain was overflowing with ideas and inspiration that would carry me through the next twelve months until we would gather again to inspire and educate our community on the latest and greatest in the organizing and productivity world. It was a pivotal moment in my business, and this gathering has continued to serve me well all these years.
This year was no exception. The NAPO Summit was in beautiful Long Beach, California. I connected with new members, saw familiar faces, and had much fun along the way. Sessions were packed with content, ideas, helpful reminders, and strategies to improve and/or enhance your organizing and productivity approach. Sessions on digital management are always at the top of my list, and this year had a great lineup. The annual meeting and awards ceremony was by far the highlight of the entire event. I was honored with the Service to NAPO Award. It was a complete surprise, and I believe it reflects my commitment to this work.
This year, I thought I would summarize some of the key takeaways that I think are worth sharing. Here goes…
Sustainability should be an integral part of the organizing conversation with our clients. Why? It goes without saying that we are facing climate challenges, and there is something we (you) can do about it. As we (you) evaluate organizational habits, we (you) must also evaluate sustainable practices. This is an important topic I will dive deeper into in the future!
Understanding our consumption habits is important for consumers prioritizing convenience over sustainable choices. Some easy ways to reduce consumption are to:
Bring a water bottle vs. buy a plastic throw-away
Shop in bulk; bring your own bags or containers
When it comes to shopping for clothing - make good choices (fast fashion is a huge problem): shop second-hand, swap with friends, or shop local
Practice minimalism when it comes to asking yourself, “Do I really need this?”
Inventory your technology systems. An annual review of your technology is a helpful step in keeping your digital life organized. If nothing else, update or document your passwords and delete programs you no longer use at least once per year.
Creating templates and standardizing documents can save you time. Templates can be used for frequently created messages or documents. Gmail has email templates available. I did not know this and have started using it. It’s a GAME CHANGER.
Today, planning your legacy goes beyond a will. Our digital footprint is much more complicated than we realize, and it’s critical to have a plan. Start by identifying some key elements in your legacy plan. It takes time, and waiting until the last minute can have huge consequences for your loved ones.
We must be proactive when it comes to managing our digital life. Digital hoarding is a real thing. Things like photo libraries, documents, files, external hard drives, email inboxes, or cloud storage are all “spaces” within our digital sphere that need to be managed, just like our stuff. Establish rules to help you handle your digital clutter before losing something important.
What do we know about AI? AI is based on human insights actualized, while human intelligence is behavior drawn from experience, environment, and situation. We’re seeing huge advancements in AI in the healthcare world, and the concerns around education are glaring. We need to be watching what’s happening in this arena.
Microaffirmations are a small way to show someone they are seen, valid, and supported. Diversity and inclusion are important parts of my life and work. I always look for ways to show kindness and ensure those around me know they are seen. Microaffirmations are a pathway that is easy to embrace and incorporate into daily life.
Brian Herbert said, “The capacity to learn is a gift; the ability to learn is a skill; the willingness to learn is a choice.” I look forward to incorporating and enhancing what I’ve learned into my client experience.
Is there something that stuck out to you? Something you can prioritize to help you simplify? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment or email me!
