"Life is constantly providing us with new funds, new resources,
even when we are reduced to immobility."
—Henry Miller (Taken from Instant Health and Happiness Boosters)

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Are you stuck? One of my favorite authors is Libby Gill, who wrote, YOU UNSTUCK." Doesn't it seem like we can't get unstuck no matter what we try sometimes? And we need someone like Libby to give us concrete suggestions to get our butt in gear.

I heard a story about a woman who was paralyzed by her inertia. She just couldn't seem to do anything, so a friend of hers took her to the kitchen, put soap in the sink piled high with dishes, and said, "Wash a fork." After the fork came a spoon, then a cup, then a dish, and before you know it, she had the sink clean and felt much better about her life. It turned out to be a turning point in her life.

What can you pick up today to get you working on your CTSM portfolio today? A photo caption, a picture, a list of goals for your event? Do something, anything — pick up that fork!


Gail Hernandez, Gold-level CTSM
aka The Trade Show Maven

"Wherever you are is the entry point."
The Poet, Kabir (Taken from Transitions by Julia Cameron)

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Jon Kabat-Zinn, a medical doctor and advocate of meditation for stress reduction, wrote a book titled, Wherever You Go, There You Are. The essence was you just can't get away from yourself no matter how hard you try.

Writing your portfolio is a little like that. No matter where you are in writing it, you have to start from there and go forward.

Won't you pick up your portfolio again today? No matter where you are in the process. Do it for you.

Gail Hernandez, Gold-Level CTSM
aka The Trade Show Maven

"Focus on the journey, not the destination.
Joy is found not in finishing an activity, but in doing it."
—Greg Anderson, cancer survivor

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If you're having trouble writing your portfolio, try writing about how you FEEL about writing your portfolio. Maybe there's something holding you back that has nothing to do with your portfolio, or maybe there's some part of the process that you need help with. That's OK.

I sometimes discover that it's just one part of a project that I'm dreading, so if I can work on something else, I'm still moving toward my goal and enjoying the process more. When I was in the sixth grade my mother typed my report on ancient Greece. To my teacher, the important thing wasn't the presentation of the material, but how I put my thoughts together. Yes, form is important, but your portfolio isn't a typing test.

Remember, one page a day or one image prepped and inserted into your document is one more step towards the end. Focus on the part of the portfolio process that you love and you'll be moving along again.

No one said it would be easy, but it WILL BE worthwhile.

Gail Hernandez, Gold-Level CTSM
(aka The Trade Show Maven)

"We develop commitment to whatever we've spent time on:
the more time, the stronger the commitment."
—Nancy Anderson, Work with Passion

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When you spend time in a daily practice it becomes second nature to you. What if you spent 10 minutes a day just thinking about your portfolio and writing down your thoughts? Not actually writing your portfolio, just thinking about it? I think you'll be surprised.

Like any practice, when you focus on it often enough you get into a rhythm, and you start to enjoy the process. At first, the thinking will be just that, thoughts jumping in and out of your mind, but after a few days, you begin to write down some really good thoughts, and that will lead to thoughts of how to organize your portfolio, what photos and illustrations your might use, and what words you might use to describe the event.

Give yourself a chance. Try spending ten minutes a day, thinking about your portfolio, and before you know it writing and organizing your CTSM portfolio will flow.

Gail Hernandez, Gold-Level CTSM
(aka The Trade Show Maven)

"You must do the thing you think you cannot do."
—Eleanor Roosevelt

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Do you really want to finish your CTSM portfolio? If not, that's OK. You tried. Maybe next year.

But, if you really do want to finish your portfolio in time to be certified by the EXHIBITOR2011, then you'll find a way.

If you wrote 1 page of your portfolio per day, in 30 days, you'll be done. Really. Something to consider.

Gail Hernandez, Gold-Level CTSM
(aka The Trade Show Maven)

"We were put here to be an influence and to add to other people's lives."
—The Journey to Spiritual Maturity

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Have you even considered that publishing your CTSM portfolio might be helpful to other trade show marketers?

I review a lot of portfolios in my role as CTSM advisor, and I've seen some incredible marketing. I learn something from every portfolio I review.

Consider that when your portfolio is done and published (if you give permission,) you may give someone a fabulous idea.

Gail Hernandez
Gold-Level CTSM (aka Trade Show Maven)

"By merely setting out, there is always something bigger,
better, and more life-giving to be found."
—The Road Back to Yourself

 

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Starting your CTSM portfolio isn't about the portfolio, it's about celebrating you.

You work hard every day to deliver effective events, and this is your time to take a moment to reflect on how much you've accomplished. The event you've chosen to base your portfolio on is one of many of your accomplishments and you should celebrate.

Why don't you set aside 30 minutes, just 30 minutes, grab a cup of tea or coffee, and write down some of your thoughts? Try starting with your summary and work backwards! After all, you know the ending.

"Everybody has won and all must have prizes."
—The Dodo, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

When you think about it, you've already won the race; you completed your trade show or event successfully, and now all you have to do is give the winner's speech.

Everyone is a winner in the CTSM program. And the prize is your certification. Step up and take the accolades that are due to you. This is your time to shine.

Gail
Gold-Level CTSM, prize winner (aka The Trade Show Maven)

Sixteen years ago I earned my CTSM certification; the first woman to do so. It was one of the proudest days of my life.

I remember how much fun I had working with my account manager and the designer at the exhibit house to pull samples of laminate and carpet and to create little images of the signs I used in my booth. This was before the age of electronic portfolios. My portfolio was and still is, a green three-ring binder about an inch and a half thick with pages typed using Powerpoint because I didn't know how to use Word!

I spent weeks collecting the information to put in my portfolio, but wrote almost all of it in one weekend.

You can finish up your portfolio in no time, too, if you approach it with an attitude of expectation and joy.

The next time you think about your CTSM portfolio, instead of thinking of it with dread, consider the joy you'll take from crafting a beautiful representation of one of your favorite or most successful events. Your CTSM portfolio is just like one big post-show report, and you know all about the event. Get your thoughts flowing and the rest will follow.

Gail Hernandez, Gold-Level CTSM (1st woman to earn certification, 1994)

Are you working on your CTSM portfolio and need some encouragement? You've come to the right place.

Finishing your portfolio takes dedication and perseverance, but it's well worth it. December 1st is the deadline to complete your portfolio in time to be recognized at EXHIBITOR2011. Let's do it!

Join me every day for new thoughts of encouragement and advice to help motivate you and make your portfolio experience a positive one. For those of you who've already completed your portfolio, please add your words of encouragement and advice.

Let's make it happen!
Gail Hernandez, Gold-Level CTSM (aka The Trade Show Maven)



NOTE: This site is NOT affiliated with EXHIBITOR or the EXHIBITOR Media Group.