When's The Last Time You Put Yourself Out There?

Happy 2020!
For the first official blog of the year, I felt led to write in the “mindset motivation” segment of the blog because having the right mindset in life is the foundation of it all.
I’m going to share a quick story of a time when I had a go-getter mindset to just go for something and put myself out there.

Once upon a time…just kidding lol! I used to feel like every story started with that phrase lol.
Real story time: Last summer, I volunteered to travel with the youth at my church to a youth conference called “Forward Conference.” I did a whole post about how amazing my experience was and how I probably got just as much or even more out of it than the kids did. You can find that post here: 
​www.theabnormallife.com/mindset-motivation/forward-youth-worship-conference-experiencereflections-from-a-1st-timers-perspective

However, in that post, I didn’t get a chance to talk about a poignant moment I experienced while there.
Ok so, a short version of what the Forward Conference is:
Forward Conference is a youth conference that gathers around 13,000 youth in an arena to be a part of an incredible weekend of worship and fun. It was my first time being there and it was mind-blowingly amazing! Check out my “FwdCon 19”  highlights on my Instagram page:
www.instagram.com/ab.k_/
So my purpose of being there was to chaperone. But the way my mind works, I’m always making the most out of every moment.
 One of the days at the conference, I’m just sitting in the arena waiting for the performances to start when I had this epiphany.

“Abigail, you are in an arena that’s hosting a worship conference for over 13,000 kids…and for those 13,000 kids, they have provided MULTIPLE clothing vendors for the youth to spend their coins. 
You are an influencer that motivates and inspires others through fashion. This is a GOLD MINE! A PLAYGROUND. Put yourself out there and go connect. “

Whew!
So, the conference had just started. For me, this was the opportune time to go to the vendors and network while most of the youth were in the arena. I build up enough “umf” to do it. I make sure my lipstick is refreshed because 1st impressions are imperative. I make sure the kids are covered and I let one of the other chaperones know I’m stepping out for a second. (smooth criminal vibes lol)
I have my business cards easily accessible and ready to whip out.
I take my time and walk around the entire arena. Yep. Got my steps in that day.

As I visit, I’m looking at all the apparel and observing the sellers.
You should know by now that I am very intentional with what companies I work with. I don’t do it just to get a check. If I plan on producing quality content and introducing my supporters to it, their quality and overall mission needs to be legit.

​SO, I’m going around and when I find a company I vibed with, I made my way to the front, I introduced myself and smoothly gave them my card while engaged in great conversation.
I finally made my way around and went back into the arena to enjoy the performances for the day session.
​We then leave, grab a bite to eat, and head back to the hotel to get ready for the night session.
As I was getting dressed, I got a text from one of the businesses asking if I was coming back to the night session because they’d love to meet me……...!!!! 

SEE what happens when you put yourself out there!!!

Met with the guy, he had already taken a look at my Instagram page (Remember that’s your visual resume) and saw the quality content I put out. We made a great connection and I left with multiple pieces of apparel that night. He let me choose what I wanted and that was that.

He definitely took a chance because I could’ve taken that apparel and not given him any content in return, but I showed myself worthy, gave him fire content, built a trustworthy work relationship and we’ve been working together ever since.

I put myself out there.

That wasn’t the initial reason I happened to be at that conference, but I thought outside of the box, and made the most of my experience while there.
He was the only vendor to reach back out to me and that’s okay. I’ll take one solid relationship over multiple mediocre ones.
We still work together today.

Lesson: Put yourself out there. You never know how much of a blessing you can be to someone with the special gifts you have.
Keep that top of mind.

Xoxo,
ABnormally AB