026. What are you rethinking?

This is a little late, but better late than never, eh?

I’m rethinking risks, education, careers, volunteerism, professionalism, success, friendship, networking, businesses. The future. I’m basically rethinking my life. I couldn’t be more stoked about possibilities, opportunities, and how I’m willing to grasp them.

Saturday I had the amazing opportunity to attend the 2011 Student Leadership Conference. Hands down it was the best conference I’ve ever attended. The keynote speakers, the feature presenters and the workshops each had their own impact on the way I view leadership and especially, how I am beginning to plan my future. So let me entertain you with the highlights of my wonderful day of “rethinking”:

Opening Keynote: Drew Dudley
This man is an amazing motivational speaker. He was funny, inspiring and left the stage with a standing ovation. He spoke about how we need to rethink success and goals, how they are more than just having an exceptional resume. I can’t really explain everything that I took away from his speech, but every single thing he said was relevant to my life. He talked about “lollipop moments”. Those times in life when someone does one thing, says one thing, or leads by example, and it changes your life, how we may have orchestrated a lollipop moment for someone else, but we just haven’t been thanked yet. This entire conference was one of many lollipop moments I’m sure I will have this year, and in all my years at UBC. Heck, even my entire life. What am I most excited about? Being a part of someone’s lollipop moment without even knowing it. I don’t need to, just the idea that somehow by just being who I am I can affect the lives of others in infinitely positive ways is enough.

Lunch Activity: Documentary – Ghana: A Digital Dumping Ground
I’m so glad I went to see this. It opened my eyes to a world that I didn’t even know existed. Before this documentary, I’d never really thought of where electronic waste, or e-waste goes, I figured someone was taking care of it in ethical and environmentally friendly ways. But why would that be the case? Anyway, this was the perfect way to get my social justice juices flowing and reflecting on how I can be a leader for human rights wherever they may be. Even if I am unable to majorly impact this cause, I’m grateful that I had an opportunity to be exposed to the horrors of digital dumping and now I can change my actions and hopefully inform others so they may change theirs.

Workshop #2: Young Professionals by Erica Baker
Fellow BlogSquader and self-proclaimed “hipster librarian”, Erica, led a workshop on the 7 things she learned from being Youth Mayor of her city. I really liked this workshop because she gave great tips that are applicable regardless of whether you are Youth Mayor or about to start your own business. The tips were really life tips and it was great to have a new perspective on how to handle difficult situations, make yourself presentable to others, and be open to all kinds of opportunities. The one major lesson I learned: challenge yourself. As Erica said (although this is not a direct quote because my memory isn’t that crazy-good), “If you’re not being challenged, you should move on to something else”. Thank you, Erica for helping me rethink how to challenge myself constantly, no matter what I do.

Featured Presenter #2: Andrea Baxter
Out of the two featured presentations, this one was my favourite. Not only was she insightful and funny, she really got me thinking about taking risks and going after what you really want. At one point in her life she was faced with the choice of taking an executive marketing position, or putting her full efforts into the small business she had started with a few friends. Of course she stuck with her business, a risk that brought Smart Cookies all the way to Harpo Productions and onto the Oprah Show. Now there is a possibility of having a Smart Cookies show on the new OWN Network. Listening to her stories of success and of failure (she’s been fired three times), was a great way for me to think about how much I’m willing to risk my confidence and so much more to go after opportunities that I feel will be beneficial to me. She helped me feel more secure that even if I take a leap and fall flat on my face, I can still get up and move on and try again.

Closing Keynote: The Buried Life
Probably the most anticipated event at the entire conference, and it didn’t disappointed. Listening to four passionate, amazing friends talk about making real change, not only in their own lives, but in the lives of others was beyond inspiring. I loved that they were funny, and intelligent (and come on, I can’t not mention it, they’re so cute!). What I loved most is that they really connected with Drew Dudley’s speech when he said that leaders don’t have to these extraordinary people by society’s standards (super academic, involved in so many things they don’t have time to eat), but are ordinary people doing extraordinary things. And that is exactly who the Buried Life are. Seemingly ordinary guys who would never take “no” for an answer and have done extraordinary things. They got me thinking about what I want to do before I die. Hopefully you’ve already begun to do the same.

In short: I learned about new ways to approach success and community. It is not about how great your resume looks but the people you meet along the way that help to shape your life. I has reminded to hold onto them. I started to rethink the way I approach risk-taking. And although it may be hard to take a risk and leap forward into something new; it is something that must be done. Finally, I left looking forward to the future with brand new eyes. I am starting to rethink what I will be striving to do in the future. I was constantly inspired by stories of success and motivated by stories of failure. I learned how to be professional and what it takes to really put myself out there and start a project that adds value to my life. The theme for this conference couldn’t have been been more relevant to my life. As the second term of my first year begins, I am faced with decisions about what to do tomorrow, next week, this summer. Even next year. I am constantly rethinking now, and I love it.

Most importantly, I’d say, is that I approach leadership differently now. I was so afraid before that I couldn’t call myself a leader because I didn’t have any solid proof to show for it. Instead, I am now confident that I can be a leader for my friends, my family and the UBC community at large, just by continuing to be myself and believe in who I am and what I do. If I wasn’t looking forward to the future before, I most definitely am now.