This New Year, Just Say No To Resolutions—and Yes to Possibility at #CitrixSynergy
New Year’s resolutions.
No, this is not the blog post you think it’s going to be. It’s not about the typical resolutions that most of us make, but few of us keep—the ones that, by the end of January, are either forgotten or remembered with a twinge of guilt or regret.
No, this is a post about accomplishment and possibility. We all have achievements that make us proud. What were your greatest moments from 2016? Take a look back at the goals that you set for yourself — and met. Use them to shape your outlook for the coming year, and help support your planning for 2017.
Whatever you resolve to focus on, use one of the secrets used by successful people for getting stuff done: Create a plan. Make it achievable. Mix it up.
I have a few ideas for personal and professional goals, and this year, I’ll be able to meet a few of them at Citrix Synergy 2017, May 23–25 in Orlando, Florida.
Meet new people
For some of us, meeting new people can be challenging. That’s why Synergy has a combination of structured and informal networking opportunities. First-time attendees get tips on finding the best content and making the most of their time at the Navigators Reception, and the Event Connection Lounge has an in-app scheduling tool to help you set up meetings before you go. There are also organic meetups in Synergy Park, the interactive engagement zone at the heart of the conference, plus the networking feature in the Synergy Mobile app. By the time you get to the Final Night Party, you’ll be relaxed and ready to take on Universal CityWalk and Islands of Adventure with your new connections.
Develop new skills
Continuous learning is the best way to stay relevant, and in our field it’s critical. Are you considering training or new certifications? You can check both off your list at Synergy. The pre-conference Instructor-led Learning Labs workshop is two days filled with intensive labs focused on solution architecture, use cases, deployment, configuration and troubleshooting, plus how to monitor, scale, and optimize Citrix solutions.
If the classroom setting isn’t your style, Synergy also features programs such as Match.Geek and Hot Topic Roundtables that let you learn one-on-one from the experts, and get feedback on your specific challenges from CTPs, CUGC members, and industry experts. You can also validate your expertise right on-site at Synergy with a new certification. Exams are available for all certifications, and your first one is free. When you achieve expert-level certification (CCE-V), you’ll get your Citrix credentials in a digital image that contains verified metadata so you can share and promote your skills on social media and your personal websites.
Find inspiration
A little inspiration can be just the thing that drives you to take action—or have the courage to make a change. Every year, Diversity in Technology offers a refreshing take on an important subject. These special events have covered everything from feeding the talent funnel in technology to a scientific look at bias. They’re deep, thought-provoking conversations that I guarantee will stay with you for a long time. Another great way to get inspired is by volunteering for Simply Serve @ Synergy—it’s really moving to see how many of your colleagues turn out to give back to the community. This will be the fifth year that we’ve partnered with local organizations to support STEM education for at-risk kids. Volunteers have done everything from mentoring high-school kids to assembling solar wind turbines. More volunteers are signing up each year, and they are really feeling good about their participation.
We’re also putting the finishing touches on a guest speaker program that will truly excite you, with internationally known thinkers and leaders who will give you a glimpse into the future and share their perspectives. I’ll be telling you more about these new Innovation Super Sessions soon, and I promise you’ll be just as excited as I am.
When it comes to setting goals, making the commitment to yourself is the first step! Once you’ve done that, you’ve already changed your outlook, and you’re on the way to improving your satisfaction, both personal and professional. Say YES to possibility in 2017 at Citrix Synergy; learn more and register at www.citrixsynergy.com. I hope to meet you there for learning, networking and inspiration! Follow me on Twitter for all the latest from Synergy: @merisummers
