I just returned from New Orleans and the P2P Technology + Innovation Summit. Going into the event, I was nervous. Those who know me know my nerves prefer to express themselves around 2 a.m. when I worry about an assortment of things — the vast majority of which thankfully never come to fruition. In this case, I was worried about moving P2P to a city with less of a drive-in audience, the impact the hurricanes that were wreaking havoc on Texas and Florida would have on our attendance, and how the new things that we were implementing would be received.

In August, loyal readers (hi, Mom!) will recall that I wrote about Apple's Health App and how measurement has dramatically increased the amount of running and walking I do. This month, my obsession is podcasts, which is what keeps me going on those walks and runs.

I was a competitive swimmer throughout junior high and high school, and I used to get exceptionally nervous before every swim meet — so nervous that I would imagine injuries that could befall me that would get me out of the meet: a concussion, maybe a few stiches, ideally something just serious enough to get me out of the meet but not too debilitating. How and why I continued swimming for seven years in the midst of this self-inflicted worry is the topic for another column.

I'm excited about a new hiring tool PSDA is introducing to members, and I've also been thinking lately about smart ways to help employees grow. These topics are joined at the hip — getting the right people in the door, and then cultivating a culture that helps them stay engaged and productive.

Let's not forget that ours is a service industry. The success of companies individually, and the association collectively, is predicated on people.

You know that feeling, just before you go on vacation. You've cleaned out your email inbox, returned voicemails, finished tasks that needed immediate attention and noted what you need to handle after your trip. You've notified people in advance about the vacation, so they know not to bother you. Your bags are packed. You feel calm, ready to relax and enjoy your time away. It's an amazing feeling!

Why do we do that only before a vacation?