This past weekend I was thrilled to attend the annual Mid-Atlantic Regional NAPO Conference The primary reason I went was to have the opportunity to meet and learn from three of the most amazing women in the organizing industry today.
Here are the highlights:
- Judith Kolberg (Left in the photo)
- Author of Conquering Chronic Disorganization and Founder of NSGCD. She gave an awesome opening keynote on "The Super Powers of Disorganized People" which I felt truly honored the innovative and individual ways our brains work. She pointed out how when you really listen to what's going on in the mind of a chronically disorganized person you can see how their situation is actually often coming from a unique and incredibly creative way of seeing the world. I can't ever thank Judith enough for pioneering the study of chronic disorganization and a framework for helping people overcome the intensely painful experience of people who suffer from trying to use traditional one-size fits all organizing strategies that simply don't work for a lot of people.
- Denslow Brown (on the right in the photo) is one of the Founding Members of NAPO and NSGCD, a certified MASTER Coach, a certified ADD coach, and the brilliant Leader of The Coach Approach for Organizers with is co-taught by the awesome Cameron Gott who is also an ADD coach. I'm currently in my 8th week of attending The Coach Approach for Organizers training. It is one of the single best investments I've ever made. It covers Coaching skills, ADD Organizing, and ADD Coaching. Her hybrid approach to working with people is so empowering. It includes coaching, education, consulting AND truly advocating for your clients whose self-confidence and esteem is almost always shattered by the years of negativity surrounding their difficulties with organizing and managing time. Facilitating and empowering are at the core of my coaching services and Denslow's 34 years of experience in the field has so enriched my skillset, I'm sure I could never thank her or honor her enough.
Her first presentation at conference was "Deepening Client Commitment and Connection". It provided an excellent framework for avoiding the "driveby organizing syndrome" in which "you organize them and then go away and pray they can maintain it". Her approach advocates facilitating true long lasting change by encouraging clients to take ownership and pride in their accomplishments, learn from setbacks, and empowering them to design organizing strategies that work for their unique needs.
She presented a second session titled "Positive Inquiry = Business Success" which was an completely innovative approach to finding your niche in the organizing industry. I can't wait to take even more training with Denslow and I hope she publishes soon! : ) Learn more about Denslow here. - Monica Ricci (in the lower center of the photo) is not only an award winning blogger, she is an outstanding author, TV and Radio host, spokesperson, speaker, motivator and of course, organizer extraordinaire! See Monica's Post NAPO D.C. Hosts Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference. Seeing her show on TV was so helpful and inspirational to me in my career and I was so thrilled to get to see her do her thing LIVE. Her energy is unbelievable! Her keynote speech "Fearful to Fabulous: Embracing Boldness" was phenomenal. She had everyone in tears. I'm so inspired by her - I wish I had it recorded! She talked about all the ways we learn to be fearful and how we can overcome them. As with any change, your desire for what you want must be stronger than the pain and discomfort of taking action in spite of your fear. You have to trust that you will live through the pain and ultimately get what you want! It's soooo worth it! Thank you so much Monica for sharing your wisdom and experience so generously!
Much appreciation goes out to NAPO D.C. Metro Chapter for organizing this inspiring and educational event and choosing the such awesome speakers! It was extremely well organized and worth every penny!
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Ariane, thank you for such a great review of the event and most especially for your very kind and generous feedback on my closing keynote. I loved seeing you and am so gratified that I was able to inspire you!
Hugs,
Monica
Posted by: Monica Ricci | March 06, 2008 at 07:00 PM
Thank you so much for sharing tid bits and photos about the conference. If it wasn't for me finding you I would't even know about this conference. And what a treat to see the photos. What you said about fear struck a cord in me also, I would have liked to have heard that talk.
Posted by: Marilyn | March 07, 2008 at 09:18 PM
Monica, Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a note. It was great to meet you too!
Marilyn, thank you for your comment, too! It was a great little conference. Monica' keynote was fabulous! I highly recommend the smaller conferences : ) Over 200 people attended and it was a perfect size to get to know people.
Posted by: Ariane Benefit | March 08, 2008 at 06:53 AM