The Insanely Simplified Guide To The Blissdom Conference

Next week, I'm headed to Nashville to speak at the Blissdom Conference. I'll be talking about harnessing social media for social good with some amazing women, doing a professional writing workshop with yet more amazing women, serving as the special needs tribe leader, and also showing off my world-renowned baton-twirling skills. OK, not that.

I've been seeing some newbies on Twitter getting a wee bit anxious about what it's like to be at Blissdom, so I thought I'd share some helpful advice.

Clothes: Bring some.
Clean underwear: Recommended.
Sequined black gown: Save it for the Oscars.
Shoes: Your call.
Pajamas or sweats: A considerate thing, since your roommate might not appreciate your sleeping in the buff. Unless she does that too. In which case you might consider forming your own tribe.
Toiletries and makeup: Looking and smelling good may increase your odds of not looking or smelling bad, according to the Surgeon General of The United States.
George Clooney: Yes, bring him if you can.
Pens and paper: So 2001, but a good idea. Come to think of it, there is a really great How To Move A Pen Wisdom Workshop on writing, and though it does not specify that a pen is required, one might be. Play it safe.
The kids' pet hamster: Nah, he'll be fine, but then again he might benefit from the Vlogging or Advanced Branding Wisdom Workshops.
Integrity: Necessary (duh!) but there's no need to bring extra because there is a "Integrity & Strategy" panel about having "unflappable character and consistent core values as a key to implement bliss" and word is that either "integrity" or "strategy" will be in the swag bag.
Snacks: Not necessary if you like to chew on your pen (see above).
Business cards: Yes, definitely, so you will have one to hand to George Clooney in case someone decides to bring him.
Your child's IEP (Individualized Education Plan), for my special needs peeps: Bwahahahahahaha
Your concerns: Leave 'em behind. This is an incredibly warm and welcoming conference. You will learn lots, you will learn stuff you didn't even know you needed to know, you will make many new friends (some of whom may or may not be George Clooney), you will be highly entertained and—bonus!—your family will come to understand that houses do not magically clean themselves.

Got even better Blissdom advice to share? I am so very sure you do. Feel free to link up to your Blissdom post; just enter the title of the post and the direct URL.

You're welcome. I am nothing if not helpful.