2016 - ignite - being an introvert and at a conference, not as hellish as you think it is
TRANSCRIPT
Being an introvert and at a conference, not as
hellish as you think it is
JJ Asghar | [email protected] | @jjasghar
"crippling introvert" Extroverts are energized by interacting with people, while introverts
are drained by interacting with people.
Disclaimer(s): These are my tactics, this is how I've learned over the last 2 years of
conferences around the world to coupe and get the most out of it
These may work for you, but you need to find it in yourself to make conferences enjoyable, no one likes a crabby-
conference goer.
Your first technology conference is always the hardest. It gets easier, less awkward, and so so much more enjoyable.
Tactics Carry around a game or two in your bag.
For example: Coup, Resistance, Exploding Kittens are easy and perfectly sized.
Tactics Do you best not to open your laptop or notebook, you'll want to play
or work, it's really hard to have a conversation over a laptop.
Tactics Sneak looks at what people are huddled around, who knows it might
be something you're interested in.
Tactics Be willing to start an open space about something so off the wall that
people will be curious.
Tactics Take breaks, you aren't at school, you can skip a session if you need to
recharge.
Naps are awesome too.
If you identify as an introvert, it's not an excuse not to enjoy tech conferences. You just need to figure out how to
make yourself comfortable.
There's a huge chance I put this talk together so people would come up to me, instead of me having to make the
first move.
Thank you, and any chance anyone wants to play a game?
JJ Asghar | [email protected] | @jjasghar