# It's time to change my calendar...
*Published: 2015-01-29*
*Tags: insights, marketing-communications, business-advice*
*Source: https://chrislema.com/my-calendar*
---If you don't know me well, I come across as a confident person with strong opinions.

Actually if you know me well, I come across exactly the same way.

But if you know me really well, and hang around at the right times, you'll learn that I constantly deal with the [Impostor Syndrome.](https://chrislema.com/impostors/)

Yet, I have developed a system for dealing with it - mostly a combination of tools that help. And the result is that I discovered there is power in the [Impostor's Curve](https://vimeo.com/77747759) - to help me grow.

If you don't have time to watch those presentations, here's the simple reality:

**Every time I get comfortable, I choose to step back into areas where I'm uncomfortable so that I can use that Impostor fear to fuel my growth.**

Four years ago, I stepped into a WordCamp and just watched. I was silent. I had no idea if I could add anything to this community of brainiacs and internet superstars.

I was nervous.

Today I step into a WordCamp or Pressnomics, and honestly, I'm not stressed anymore.

Sure there are tons of smarter people than I (so maybe I should feel more stressed), but I've found my corner and it's one where I can hold my own.

And as a result, I can enjoy a huge gathering without much nervousness or stress.

**And that's when I know it's time to make some changes to my calendar.**

### This year I'm going to different conferences

**February**

I'll be attending the [Traffic & Conversion](https://trafficandconversionsummit.com/) conference here in San Diego. I'm not only not presenting, but I have tons to learn. I'm a newbie in this audience.

I'm also going to be at [WordCamp Maui,](https://maui.wordcamp.org/2015/) but not as a speaker. I'll be interviewing people. It's a different role and one I'm looking forward to.

And I'll be at [Prestige Conference](https://twitter.com/prestigeconf) at the end of the month, but again, being interviewed, not speaking. Again, another change.

These changes are purposeful. I want to keep changing what I do, and the role I'm in, so that I put myself in a learning posture.

**March**

[WordCamp San Diego](https://sandiego.wordcamp.org/2015/) is in March ([tickets go on sale soon](https://sandiego.wordcamp.org/2015/tickets-going-on-sale/)). I'm helping coordinate the conference rather than doing a lot of speaking. I have a small session, but maybe one of the least important as I've invited tons of brilliant friends to come share their insights. Each one of them is awesome!

**April**

[MicroConf](https://microconf.com/) is a conference for bootstrappers. Crowd Favorite qualifies as a company that's never received an investment. But I'm also going because all the attendees are awesome and doing amazing things. The speakers are great. And as I reboot our approach to products, I thought this would be a great place to hang out with non-WordPress peers.

It means I am going to a conference without answers. And without pedigree. Simply going to listen and learn.

**May**

[LoopConf](https://loopconf.io/) is a WordPress developers conference in early May. I'll be honest, this one gave me impostor syndrome right away - because it was shaped as the ultimate developer's conference. And then they asked me to speak! Oh man.

But here's what I know - the conference is a place to help WordPress developers become awesome. So they're not running tests on your [knowledge of wp_kses](https://www.tollmanz.com/wp-kses-performance/) at the door. I'm nervous for my talk, but that's the point of this year's calendar. So join me!

[Authority](https://copyblogger.com/authority-2015/) is a conference in May that is run by CopyBlogger. You'll notice a trend when I tell you I won't be going as a speaker, but rather as an attendee with questions for people there that are killing it - way bigger than my blog. I honestly can't wait!

**June**

[WordCamp Europe](https://europe.wordcamp.org/2015/wceu-2015-lets-go/) was just announced for June in Spain. One word: YES!

**September**

How do you get better at storytelling? And innovation? How about going to the single conference that gathers storytellers to discuss innovation every year. It's called [BIF2015](https://www.businessinnovationfactory.com/our-summit/bif2019-live-stream/) and I'm finally going this year. I think I'm getting a t-shirt printed that says, "I'm not worthy."

### What are you doing?

So what are you doing to challenge yourself? To grow your skills?

if you're a WordPress person (likely since you're here at my site), seriously check out [LoopConf](https://loopconf.io/) as you might find it the perfect place to help you grow, and they've just lowered their prices!