Tag Archives: apartments

Living (socially) Authentically

July 19, 2016 RoadWarriorFit Leave a comment

So as I write this, I am sitting on a plane heading back to Dallas from Sin City. My company’s annual user conference is complete and it is time to head home. Just me and about 200 other coworkers and clients on a late American Airlines flight.

As I look back on 6 years of attending this particular conference, I realized that I have both a higher volume of relationships with clients as well as deeper relationships than ever before. Now, building relationships is actually something I struggle with and have written about before. I am great when there is a purpose to a conversation or in front of groups of all sizes but when it comes to really developing a relationship, I suffer from a lack of self-confidence/self-worth that can become paralyzing. (Want to read more on that? Here is how I cope).

This year felt different though. I didn’t have that nagging feeling of worry of having to facilitate small talk. People I have barely met/know were approaching me with comments like:

“Hey RoadWarrior”

“Oh you’re Andrew Bowen!! You’re the new hotness!!” (seriously, that happened)

“Your posts inspire me”

“Don’t judge my food choices”

“You and your wife are sickening, in a good way”

And my personal favorite……..

“I love your wife!”

So if you were one of the many who shared your opinion with me,

THANK YOU!!!!

It means the world to me to know that the crazy that is me is speaking to people. I even appreciate the trolls out there that do nothing on social media except consume. In fact, I think your comments meant the most to me. Consume away, it is why I post (but the occasional like, comment or share doesn’t hurt either 😉 )

The comments did get me thinking though……

“Why is it that what Joy and I do on/through social media is able to touch so many?”

The answer came to me through a conversation I had at the pool party last night that went something like this:

Co-worker 1: I think your Facebook feed is my favorite thing on Facebook. It’s hilarious.

ME: Really? How so?

Co-worker 1: Well, I know you! So I love that here you are, this straight laced, smart, asset optimization guy at work but on Facebook you put out this alternate persona with the videos, workouts, crazy pants and all that. I think it is hilarious that you have this alternate persona on social media.

Co-worker 2: Seriously? You think the Facebook Andrew is the persona? That is totally him. Actually, they both are.

And that really is it in a nutshell. What Joy and I both post and share really is us. We don’t sugar coat it and I think the authenticity is what people resonate with. And with me being a ‘friend whore’ – not only are coworkers seeing my posts but so are several clients and their friends (and their friends and their friends, etc…)

We really do prioritize our health (4 major medical scares in 4 years will do that to you)
We really do want to help others do the same
We really do love sweat dates
I do really try and make sure her life is as easy as I can before I travel
We do really struggle with living a life where I am on the road 60% (ok – 80%) of the time
I really do struggle at social interaction until I am comfortable with those I am interacting with…..Joy? Not so much
Our kids do really think we are insane

I think the most beneficial aspect for me in dealing with the social anxiety is that when we are recording, or doing FB live, or posting, I am in my absolute comfort zone. I am with my best friend and not worried about whether the content of my conversation is engaging or if I bring any likable characteristics to the conversation. I am simply hanging with Joy and in that I am completely comfortable. It is authentically me. I just then put it out for the world to see.

Fortunately for me, it seems to be resonating with all of you. So again, thank you. So what do you take away from all of this?

Live authentically – even on social media. People want to know you not the ‘persona’ of what you wish you were.

City Reviews, Diet, Fitness, health, healthy living, RoadWarrior, Travel, Uncategorized

Get the most out of your RealWorld Experience!!

July 16, 2016 RoadWarriorFit Leave a comment

Yep, it is that time again already, the annual RealPage User Conference aka REALWORLD 2016!!!

Now this is going to be my 6^th RealWorld Conference (how can that possibly be?). For those not in the know, RealWorld is the conference specifically dedicated to RealPage and their partners where we showcase the latest developments in the industry, the product improvements being delivered/developed and most important, thank our partners for their continued partnership. It is 3 days of networking, learning, previews and fun but let’s face it, it is also long days, longer evenings and tight schedules. In order to make the most of the sessions and travel fit, you have to have a strategy to thrive.

This is also my 3rd year of providing a few of my tips and tricks to not just surviving the conference but really making the most of it for both education and fintess. So here are my RealWorld rules to live by:

Tip #1: Plan ahead:

I know I say this every year but I cannot over emphasize this one enough; Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail. If your plan is showing up at the conference and “figure it out” you are in for a rough time.……not going to happen. There are just too many great options of sessions to attend and fellow RealPage users to meet. If you don’t plan ahead you are guaranteed to miss a ‘can’t miss’ session and for sure your workout is not going to get done.

So if you haven’t already, go download the RealWorld App right now. Seriously, I’ll wait.

Now, immediately start adding your must attend sessions to your calendar. Might I suggest ‘Stack the Deck with Business Intelligence’ on Tuesday morning as a starting point? I hear the speaker for that one is sub-par but the material should be great!!

Once you know when your ‘Can’t miss’ sessions are, you can fill in the rest of the time slots for meetings, networking, product demos and down time.

Tip #2: Stay hydrated:

You know you should normally be drinking 8 glasses of water a day. Well , this year we are at the beautiful Wynn hotel. If you have never been to a conference at this hotel, I will give you fair warning, it is a long way from the rooms to the conference center. A LONG WAY!! So you are going to be walking more than you normally do and potentially imbibing on an alcoholic drink or two in the evening, and oh yeah, this is all happening in the middle of the dessert. I am going to recommend you up your water intake from the standard 8 glasses. Trust me, you will thank me when you are waking up on days 2 & 3 of the conference. Now this is where planning comes in again. I find that it is a very rare thing to find a conference center that keeps the water pitchers/bottles full throughout the conference.

SO BRING YOUR OWN!!

You may not always be able to find a nice chilled bottle of FIJI but you can usually find a water fountain to fill up your own bottle. And if you are anything like me, you find an empty water bottle strangely motivational.

Tip #3: Recharge:

This will look different for each of us but I find I need a point in my day to recharge more than just my phone. For me, it is time in the gym. I can get my head on straight and work all the kinks out that I am feeling from standing all day. For others it is a power nap in the room, others it is 15 minutes in the sun out by the pool. Whatever it is that recharges and helps your re-center your mindset, make sure you have time built in each day to accomplish it.

Now we also need to think about that phone, so don’t forget your mobile charger! We want to hear your thoughts throughout the day (follow the hashtag #RWconf2016 to join the conversation).

Tip #4: Eat well & Eat often:

Make sure you take the time to eat like you should. Do not sacrifice the quality of your diet because you need to rush somewhere. Stop by the store on the way to the hotel and grab some snacks for the room (don’t get me started on the mini-bar options for $10 bucks each). Put a bar in your purse. Throw an apple in your bag for later in the day. Your body needs fuel to thrive vs. survive. Give it what it needs.

Bonus Tip: Most hotels that host conferences have pretty good gyms. Gyms where they actual stock fruit for the taking.

Tip #5: Have fun:

If this is your first RealWorld Conference, you are in for a treat. It is a blast, especially the party on Monday night. Although not themed this year, in the past we have celebrated the lives of people like Dr. Seuss or given our best superhero impersonation.

The party is a celebration of our partnership with all of you and we pull out all of the stops. This year promises to be a lavish affair….even if Wolverine will not be showing up.

Bonus Tip #6:

For those of you who are runners (or are even thinking about running), I cannot recommend skipping the treadmill in the morning enough. Running the Las Vegas strip in the early morning is in my top 5 runs in the country.

Seriously, the people watching is unbelievable!!!

In fact, even if you don’t run, wake up a bit early on Monday or Tuesday and head out for a walk. I promise that not only will you feel better but you will have conversation topics for the rest of the day!!

Time for me to go pack and finish my presentations but hopefully I will see you at RealWorld!!

Fitness, health, healthy living, RoadWarrior, Travel

NAA is coming!!! Are you ready to put you first?

June 11, 2016 RoadWarriorFit Leave a comment

MY TOP 5 CONFERENCE SURVIVAL TIPS

As a part of my ‘real life’, I participate in the occasional conference.

Actually, I live in conference hotels from mid-June through the end of August.

Over the course of the next 3 months I will attend, participate on the exhibitor floor, be a part of the host organization and/or speak at at least a half a dozen conferences. In fact I will be packing this weekend to join 9000 other people from the apartment industry for the annual National Apartment Association Education Conference in San Francisco. This season is a brutal but very necessary season for my industry and through experience over the last few years, I have developed a strategy to make the most of both the conference material and my health while I am on the conference circuit. Here are my conference rules to live by:

Tip #1: Plan ahead:

I cannot over emphasize this one enough; Failing to Plan is Planning to Fail. If your plan is showing up at the conference and getting a workout in ‘whenever there is time’……not going to happen. How would that play out if you planned on getting together with your clients ‘whenever there is time’? It wouldn’t.

Plan your day and block out your workout time. How much time do you need? Where is the gym? Is the conference so far away from your room that you will be walking 20,000 steps each day anyways? As I look at my calendar for this upcoming week, I know I have to get my workouts in in the morning or they are simply not going to happen, my afternoons are filled with appointments and evenings with industry events. For me it means running early (this year we are running the Golden Gate – so excited) and hitting the weight room in the early evening before dinner to accomplish Tip #3.

Tip #2: Stay hydrated:

You know you should normally be drinking 8 glasses of water a day. Well if you are going to be in a ginormous conference facility, walking more than you normally do and potentially imbibing on an alcoholic drink or two in the evening, I am going to recommend you up your water intake from the standard 8 glasses. Trust me, you will thank me when you are waking up on days 2 & 3 of the conference. Now this is where planning comes in again. I find that it is a very rare thing to find a conference center that keeps the water pitchers/bottles full throughout the conference.

SO BRING YOUR OWN!!

Tip #3: Recharge:

This will look different for each of us but I find I need a point in my day to recharge more than just my phone. For me, it is time in the gym. I can get my head on straight and work all the kinks out that I am feeling from standing all day. For others it is a power nap in the room. Others it is 15 minutes in the sun out by the pool or on the deck. Whatever it is that recharges and helps your re-center your mindset, make sure you have time built in each day to accomplish it.

Tip #4: Eat well & Eat often:

Bonus Tip: Most hotels that host conferences have pretty good gyms, gyms where they actual stock fruit for the taking.

Tip #5: Have fun:

I just added this one to the list this year. I usually enjoy myself at these conferences but this year I am being intentional about it.

So even if you are already on the ground enjoying the “fruits” of Napa Valley– these are little things you can do to set yourself up for a great time without feeling too much wear and tear.

Time for me to go pack and here is hoping to see you on the road.

Diet, Fitness, RoadWarrior, Travel

So you’re heading to RealWorld – – now what?

July 22, 2015 RoadWarriorFit Leave a comment

This upcoming weekend marks my 5^th RealWorld Conference. For those not in the know, RealWorld is the conference specifically dedicated to RealPage and their partners where we showcase the latest developments in the industry, the product improvements being delivered/developed and most important, thank our partners for their continued partnership. It is 3 days of networking, learning, previews and fun but let’s face it, it is also long days, longer evenings and tight schedules. In order to make the most of the sessions and travel fit, you have to have a strategy to thrive.

Over the last 5 years, I have developed a strategy to make the most of both the conference material and my health while I am at RealWorld. So here are my RealWorld rules to live by: