Solving the problem of creating a successful seminar, workshop or conference does not have to be as complicated or convoluted as this quote appears to be.  It will, however, be much easier if you adhere to the first few words (and the rest if you understand them).  Starting with Universe means looking at creating a successful workshop or seminar (or any task) from a broad, whole systems perspective and taking action based on that view.

If you do this consistently throughout the process of producing your event, you will succeed.  Whether you have the perfect topic or not, a fuller view throughout the creation process is essential in your journey to manifest successful seminars and workshops.  And you need to begin with this perspective, even if you’re just modifying your current event to be more successful.

So, start by stopping to step back and look at the big picture of your undertaking.  If you can also look through the eyes of your potential participants, you’ll be way ahead of the game and your competition because very few people are willing or able to do this.  Most of us start with the very limited perspective of only considering what we want to offer regardless of its impact on a larger environment or even the people who might most want it.

Take a broad perspective view of what you want to accomplish and how it appears to the ideal people you want as participants.  Then, you will have a much better sense of how to go about the various needed tasks to have them in your seminar and provide them with exactly what they need.

Perhaps you believe that you know what your perfect event will look like, but when you take the time to really consider your situation from a broad perspective, you realize that you are drawn to something completely different.  Or perhaps you step back and realize that the seminar or workshop you wanted to create does not have the potential for profit (if your vision of success includes financial profit) you initially imagined.  A broad view will help you assess what will bring you the joy of accomplishment as you define it.

And it’s your definition that’s important in this process.  You need to be satisfied with the results.  You need to feel that your time, resources and energy have been well spent in this endeavor.  And you need to create an event that you’re excited about.  It needs to give you a feeling similar to any other major event in your life such as the birth of a child or publishing of a book.  Your workshop or seminar needs to give you an overwhelming desire to send an announcement sharing it event and throw a big victory party afterward.  If it does not have that type of “juice,” I suggest you don’t have a viable venture, and it’s time to go back to the drawing board with a big picture view.

That view can be found using this basic template for success.  Although it can be applied to any endeavor, I am tailoring it to the production of live events.

Step #1.  Ask youself – “What do I want?” 

Take time to contemplate this question and write down your answers.  Initially, write down any thought or idea that arises.  Then, edit them down to the ones that really call to you.

Eventually, these ideas will morph as you spend more time just being in the question rather than searching for the solutions.  This may take a few hours or a few days.  If it goes on longer than a week, I suggest that you do your best to move it to completion.  And once this process feels somewhat complete, write down what you want in specific measurable terms.  It should look something like this  …  to produce a seminar focusing on ___(topic)_____ with __(#)_ participants no later than ____(date)_____.  Of the participants,  _____(#)__ will register for my next event, and I will sell $_______ in back-of-the-room products.  You fill in the blanks for your event.

This process will help you determine how you define success.  Is it money?  Is it making a difference in people’s lives?  Is it having the freedom to do what you want when you want?  These are all questions you must consider prior to taking the next step in order to move in the direction of success as you define success.  Once you have completed Step 1 from your big picture, broad view, you can move on to Step 2, with the knowledge that you can course correct at any time.

Most people believe that they have to commit to a single direction and “stay the course” regardless of what happens.   We’re indoctrinated to believe that we can’t “flip flop.”  Even when we obtain new information or insights, we’re supposed to continue in the original direction.

We often believe that we have to be tough and stick it out to prove that we are doing “the right thing.”  We believe that that’s how successful people function even though nothing could be farther from the truth.  Successful people are flexible and follow the flow of the energy and the changes that are now happening more rapidly than ever.

We need only consider one of humankind’s major achievements – sending men to the Moon and returning them safely to Earth.  Most people believe that computers kept those space vehicles on a direct course to the Moon when, in fact, the lunar vehicles were off course and being corrected nearly 99% of the time.  Course correction was critical to that enormous journey, and it is crucial to your journey in creating your dream event, especially when you continue to chart your path based on your broad view.

Step #2  Consider the questions:  “Who am I?  What do I have to offer?  What do others want that matches my offerings?” 

Although most of us want to “just do it,” we’re much more productive and successful if we continue with our big picture visioning through this step.  You need to see if what you want is consistent and in alignment with who you are, what you have to offer and if others want what you have to offer.

This involves inner work and more writing.  You need to take an honest look at yourself.  Perhaps asking your friends and family how they see you will help.  In any case, may take several hours over the course of a week or two, but, again, this will be time well spent.  You are laying a foundation that will serve you well once you have created your event(s).   Even if you decide that your next step is not to create an event, you will have learned a great deal about yourself, and that will be valuable in all aspects of your life.

Step #3   Determine the most important aspect of your event - your audience. 

You have your mission and specific measureable goals, and it’s time to shift your focus from “you” to “them.”  Your potential participants now become the most important people in your game plan and you need to determine who they are and whether or not you can attract enough of them in a viable manner to make your event successful, as you define success.

In other words, you need to find your niche.  If you discover that your audience of potential guests / customers / clients is too small or difficult to attract to your event, you may have to reconsider your direction and strategies.  If you find that what you have to offer and what they want are radically different, it is definitely time to course correct.  Since you have a broad view perspective, this will be much easier than it would be had you not laid a solid foundation.

The fact that these challenges may be making the creation of your event more difficult in the beginning does mean that you have to give up or throw your idea out.  Such challenges simply suggest that it’s time to step back and consider the big picture as you lay a foundation for a successful event.

While considering the questions in Step #2, you can begin to jot down ideas about the details of your event such as …
Where is the fit? 
What are your first steps? 
What resources or skills will you need to acquire?

Also look at these questions:
How can you be of service and create a successful event while remaining true to your vision and their needs?
Is this looking like more work than you initially planned or have time to take on? 

I have witnessed many a presenter fall flat on her or his face in front of an audience because they believed that they had what people wanted without taking the time to seriously consider these initial big picture steps.

This is also a great time to get the input of others.  I once worked with a client who believed that he had a brilliant idea but a very limited audience.  He had studied a bit with a shaman, and he wanted to do workshops on shamanism even though his expertise and credentials were primarily as a therapist.  Those workshops were successful and fulfilling for him because he was motivated to do them.  However, they did not attract nearly as many participants as his past life regression workshops, which were essentially taking his private practice and expanding it from one-on-one to a large group.

If you consider these larger questions first, your event will succeed.  It may not bring in huge amounts of money, but your broad view, big picture perspective will help you to lay a foundation that works well for you.  You will also discover what motivates you, and that is what brings in the “enthusiasm factor,” which is critical for success.

In this process, you may discover that making lots of money is not your primary intention.  Or you may realize that you really want to reach a far larger audience than you imagined.  Perhaps you will realize that you really can’t do this solo, and you begin to seek allies.

Whatever happens, always remember, you are in the driver’s seat.  This endeavor needs to bring more joy and fun into your life.  Looking at the entire process with your comprehensive view will provide the path to success and fun as well as helping you determine exactly what your new client / participants really want and need.  

Just keep in mind that it’s your game.  You are the creator, and you can have it any way you want.  The real issue is to discover your passion and move it forward with ease and grace.

I wish you well on your journey.  And if I can be of service to you, please contact me.  ssieden@gmail.com