I didn’t have participants sign a photo waiver, so I won’t share a big group shot.
BUT WOW. It was a really fun experience, and from my own perspective gets more enjoyable and less stressful every year.
So yes: there will be a BLP Live 4.0! As of now, dates are set for November 5 – 7. We had 30 participants this year; we are considering making it slightly bigger for next year BUT it’s hard because we’re at the limits of that traditional ‘classroom’ style!
One of everyone’s favorite things is to do a ‘rapid fire’ around the room with everyone sharing something and I do think that we are really at the upper limit of where such a thing would work well. SO, we’d have to change format, do two rooms, or a combination of the two.
(There’s also the option of two separate sessions – such as a BLP Live in January! But. The logistics! It’s a lot. And it would be even more a lot if we considered any other location. We have a wonderful coordinator but even so.)
That said, my mind is open to how I might do more things like this. I really enjoy it and truly believe the participants do, too. We just don’t get to carve out space for this kind of thinking when we are busy with the rest of life.
Laura did get stuck in FL at the end – but she (and I) made the best of it with her coming over for pizza and staying over. She even got treated to A + G’s Hanukkah gift wish list presentations (very highbrow entertainment). Thankfully her morning flight DID take off.
I am putting out into the universe that if you work for an organization that would be up for hiring someone to do a planning workshop, I am interested!
(I am also putting into the universe that I am looking to protect my Nested Goals concept and maybe Quintiles, so if you are an attorney that does this kind of work, let me know! Or let me know if I’m crazy and this isn’t a thing.)
AND NOW I will catchup on everyone else’s NaBloPoMo post. This is a CRAZY week for us and I have not even discussed the details of that but at least I am going into it feeling good!
17 Comments
I am glad the weekend was such a success! I would love to attend someday but need to not be traveling so much for work to make it happen. I hope it’s now an event that is profitable for you two? The pictures of the ocean are a balm for my soul!! It was in the 20-30s here this weekend so the weather is a-changing…
Congrats! I’m with Lisa in that I’d love to attend someday. Hey, the three of us have all been to the location, just at different times;-)
This looks SO fun. Love the yoga/running/walking on the beach. It sounds like the perfect mix of inspiration + relaxation.
so fun!
You are not crazy to trademark your intellectual property! I’m actually kinda surprised that you haven’t done it yet! It’s not my line of work, but I don’t doubt that there’s an IP lawyer in your readership. Hopefully someone who can help will speak up. (Also, I’m kinda surprised that you don’t sell your annual and quintile planning guides as standalone products people can purchase outside of workshops. Having taken your workshop, I don’t necessarily need the full blown guided workshop again, but would buy standalone guides to do on my own timeline. Both digital and physical workbooks would be amazing. If you haven’t thought about doing it, you really should consider it!)
1000% this!
I wasn’t able to make it this year to the live (as a testament to the power of the workshop, I hosted an event I planned at last year’s session to celebrate a family milestone birthday). However, I think you could do 40 if you did breakout sessions to share instead of a full around the room. I can’t easily describe a room layout that would work well for this, but I can send you a picture via email. Beyond 40, group organized dinners get more challenging but it’s probably workable.
I’m glad that this year’s BLP Live went as planned, Dr. Sarah Hart-Unger. And I, too, hope that it gets more enjoyable and less stressful for you every year.
The organization that I work at is not up for hiring someone to do a planning workshop at the moment, and I am not an attorney. That being said, I do predict the number of organizations that hire you to do a planning workshop to be growing next year, Dr. Sarah Hart-Unger.
Hi Sarah! Corporate attorney (non IP work though) here but recommend you reach out to Rebecca Fike to see if her new firm, Reed Ellis, can help!! I’m sure they can.
Glad BLP Live was amazing! sad to miss but looking forward to next year
This sounds like such an amazing weekend. I’d love to attend… why is this on the other side of the country? 😉
[…] my friend — and planner extraordinaire — Sarah Hart-Unger of Best Laid Plans (the podcast) and Best Laid Plans Live (the in-person planning conference) and Best Laid Plans: A Simple Planning System for Living a Life That You Love (THE BOOK!!) and the […]
What about a BLP Live Downunder for 2026? Hehe just kidding but I can dream.
So glad it’s gone so well, looks so great both in the classroom and the beautiful surrounds. Congrats on creating something so fab, and so lovely that Laura is your partner in this as well.
I’ll 2nd this one Sophie!
Hi Sarah, I work for an IP boutique that specializes in this! I practice on the tech/engineering side, but I’d love to introduce you to two of our partners who practice in this area. I’ll send you an email
Awesome! Thank you so much!
FWIW I was taught about nested goals as part of the agile framework around 2018, but I never heard anybody talk about quintiles other than you!