So tomorrow I’m heading off to Windy Wellington once again to experience the geek love-in that is Webstock.

The last time I punched my timecard in at Webstock was in 2011 and it literally made me rethink my life and my business direction. After chatting with some of the speakers and attendees, I was totally inspired to creatively mess up my business model and take some risks. The notes I made during the plane trip home loom large on my laptop to this day.

Unfortunately, my post-conference euphoria (and renewed business confidence) was rudely interrupted by the Christchurch earthquake on 22 February.

It’s taken two years of emotional turmoil, financial hardship and physical displacement to get back some semblance of life, let alone confidence in myself and my business. The earthquake stole the passion I previously had for my industry, as well as my ability to write and educate. My interest waned, my writing ceased and I stopped going to conferences. I moved with my family to Australia and had to cancel a whole year of speaking engagements because of mental and physical displacement.

We moved back to Christchurch a year ago. I thought about attending Webstock 2012, but an empty wallet and empty heart conspired against me. Plus I knew I wasn’t in the right headspace to soak up the inspiration and actually DO something with it.

Well, fast forward a year. We are back in our Christchurch house, repairs are underway, the business is humming along and I am about to roll out some of the exciting concepts I came up with during that Webstock week of 2011.

Booking my ticket for Webstock 2013 was an absolute no-brainer. I feel great, the cobwebs are clearing and I am can’t wait to get amongst it and speak geek non-stop for 2 days.

Expect postcards of joy and inspiration from me for the next few days!

Spread the joy!