I'm at Agile 2019.

I don't have a post written up for this week; so I'm pre-planning this no-op post.

Since January 2018, I've gone from knowing zero people at conferences to having had face to face conversations with 31 of them. Multiple conversations with many of them.

For a massive introvert who didn't get a Math degree (in addition to Physics, yes -flex) because there was ONE class that required black-board time. ... I'm talking at conferences (not this one unfortunately) and with other speakers...

That's 31 speakers I recognize. I bet there's at least 50 people I've had multiple conversations with at the conference.

This is fantastic to me. I'm getting to know, socialize, and lean on some AMAZING minds in the industry from speaking and attending the conferences. I definitely wouldn't be where I'm at without speaking.
Most of the conversations I have at conferences have started with the topics I speak on. I've gotten to know a number of people well enough that we talk about other things.

It's something that, until January 2018 I'd have NEVER thought I'd have the opportunity to do. It's worth the fear to do it.

First Planned Talk

The first conference I had a planned talk at was Chicago Code Camp 2018. That morning, I had to decide to be sick and hide in my hotel room or suck it up and go do what I was there for.
I went.
I wanted to throw up the entire walk to the conference.

I went because... If I didn't go, I'd never be able get myself to speak at another conference. It's scary.
I had so many people interested in what I was talking about that it was a blast to talk with them.

Future?

I get burned out from too many conferences. I did 3 in a month... shudder I'm going to try to avoid that.
I want to continue speaking though. What I do is important enough to share; I want to share it.

Happy to entertain invites to conferences! :)