It was like old home week at last night's cocktail reception as we reconnected with some old friends, but also made some new friends. Everyone was ecstatic to be here and networking away.
Dinner gave us all an opportunity to debrief about flights, work focus, and catch up on family events. There are a few new expecting moms here--Congrats to them!
We also had a chance to experience the local cuisine and of course, find the nearby hot shopping spot called the Promenade. Starbucks is a mere 3 blocks away for the coffee junkies in the crowd.
This morning, the rain has stopped, the sun is shining bright, and we have an amazing view of the beach from the hotel. What more could we ask for? The locals seem laidback and diverse--think very fit and tan surfers to the pin stripe suit business types--and the architecture is a combo of electric and edgy.
Today's early bird speaker, a professor at Stanford, was a hit. Her topic was happiness and she summarized years of research on the topic and our 'Survey Monkey' responses, as well as providing pointers on how to achieve balance between work and play. It was a lively, interactive presentation, rich in insight, and practical pointers. The perky Kelly Ripa video clip evinced a loud roar of laughter from the crowd.
She spoke to us about minimizing multitasking and regimenting ourselves to increase productivity and improve work product. Learning when we are most creative and productive (that is morning, noon, or night) can guide how we carve out our day. Find your "temporal sweet spots."
The takeaway from this one: Go to more DRI Women's Seminars in Cali and . . . The meaning of happiness is personal and defined differently by each of us. Stay away from people who "deplete" you and gravitate toward people who energize you. Stop chasing instantaneous happiness (i.e., instant gratification Gen-Xers and Yers) and instead, seek long-term real enrichment. Work smart, not hard, and laugh often.
Marisa A. Trasatti
Semmes Bowen & Semmes
mtrasatti@semmes.com
