American Dietetic Association Leadership Institute in AZ

I have been such a blog slacker, but with good reason! Last week I flew from the Food for your Whole Life symposium in NYC to the stunning Scottsdale, Arizona for the American Dietetic Association’s Leadership Institute. Jess and I headed there a few days early for some major R&R at the Intercontinental Montelucia. Seriously, if you ever want to stay at the nicest resort ever with the most relaxing spa, gorgeous views, and pools…pools…pools…go here.

I’m very fortunate I got to go to this conference, joined by a handful of other stellar dietitians from Massachusetts. I was surrounded by over 250 talented dietitians from all over the country, American Dietetic Association board members, and inspiring speakers. For three days we learned about time management, organizing groups, balance, improving our work, and communication. It was just what the doctor ordered, as I was feeling a bit frazzled in all of the above. I took lots and lots of notes that I’ve looked at every day since we returned to remind me of the helpful tips I received.

One thing I’m really working on is creating white space. You know, when you have absolutely nothing to do. Or maybe you don’t know, if you’re like me. If you are like me, you’re juggling lots of balls in the air and you’re always trying to get something done at every moment. We’re plugged in, tuned in, overbooked, overworked, and stressed! Since I’ve been home, I’ve created white space in my car. Usually I like blasting the radio and rocking out to pump me up on the way to work or stuck in traffic, but lately I’ve just left myself alone with silence and my thoughts. It’s amazing how many more things come to me in this white space, than when the radio DJ is talking over my thoughts. Where can you create white space?

Some other great words of wisdom from the conference include:

• Hitting rock bottom is a catalyst for change
• Enthusiasm and affirmation is contagious
• Hearing is a courtesy, but listening is a compliment
• If you fail, fail forward
• When something goes wrong, reassure yourself that “nobody died…nobody died…”

If you’re a dietitian and ADA member, do whatever you can to get yourself to the Leadership Institute next year (it’s at the same gorgeous resort again in Arizona!). And if you do wind up there, head straight to the private spa pool on the roof. Talk about white space…