I recently had a work event scheduled for the evening, and if I’m being honest, I wasn’t thrilled about going. It was on a day I was working from home, meaning I wasn’t already dressed for work, and I had to drive over half an hour to attend. I had signed up, but I wasn’t sure if I was actually going to go.
In the past, I’ve skipped similar events, telling myself they weren’t worth the effort. I had this story in my head that they would be pointless—just another obligation that would take time away from the things I’d rather be doing. “Why am I going? I don’t want to be working at night,” I thought.
But this time, I decided to approach it differently.
The Power of Intention
I told myself that no matter what, I was going to make this event worthwhile. I was going to create value from it, take value from it, and make it a meaningful experience. And that’s exactly what happened.
Three amazing things came out of that night:
1. A Meaningful Connection
I met someone new—a really nice woman who is also a physician and a mom. As we got to talking, we realized our kids go to the same school and are even in the same activities! It was such a fun and unexpected connection that would never have happened if I hadn’t gone that night.
2. A New Tool for My Work Life
At the event, I was introduced to a new technology program through one of the vendors. I ended up signing up for it, and I truly believe it’s going to make my work life easier and more efficient. I wouldn’t have discovered this resource had I stayed home.
3. A Thought-Provoking Takeaway
The keynote speaker shared some insights that really resonated with me. I found myself deeply connecting with certain points, so much so that I took them to heart. In fact, I plan to discuss them in a future post because they were that impactful.
The Lesson: Your Mindset Matters
I went into this event with the belief that it would be valuable, and because of that, it was. Had I stuck with my old mindset—seeing it as a chore—I would have likely had a completely different experience.
This was such a clear reminder that we get to decide how we experience things. The way we think about something shapes the way we feel and act, which ultimately determines our results.
So next time you find yourself dreading an obligation, ask yourself:
“How can I make this experience valuable for me?”
Because when you go in with that mindset, you just might be surprised at what you walk away with.
What is something valuable that you took away from a work event?
