This weekend I spent time with 500 other entrepreneurs (both aspiring and well-established) at Chris Guillebeau’s inaugural World Domination Summit.
This event was one of the most profound experiences of my entrepreneurial career.
Why?
Simple put: the event wasn’t about information or knowledge, but that was there. It wasn’t about tactics or strategies either, but I got plenty of those too. It was about a tribe of awake, open, like-minded people ready to change their own little part of the world. It sounds trite, but if you’ve ever experienced being in a room where everyone’s energy is focused on the same path, you know what I’m talking about.
I went to the World Domination Summit (WDS) to maybe meet some new people and get exposed to new ideas. I walked away a changed person. To hear the success stories of some truly amazing people, to talk to and listen to speakers whose wisdom runs deep, really gave me a renewed sense of purpose and energy. Judging by the amount of crying, poignant pauses, and electricity in the air, I wasn’t alone.
Sharing Some WDS Gems
WDS isn’t an event easily shared – you know the saying, you had to be there. But I can share with you some pithy words of wisdom that I think you might find helpful.
The Universe wants you to win. – Danielle Laporte
Regret is always optional. – Pam Slim
Making comparisons is a colossal waste of time – you’re comparing your insides to their outsides. – Karen Walrond
Slow Down. – Mark Silver
I could share quotes for days, but I’d rather you take some time to sit quietly and think about this question, which vaguely sums up my WDS experience: “If I could open my arms and trust that I will find my Right Customers, Right Products, Right Services, Right Prices, how would that affect what I am doing right now?”
I am already implementing changes to my business, after a couple of days of serious reflection, introspection, and other things that end in -tion. I’m not ready to share them (though some of them are already in motion!)
Taking Ideas and Actioning Them
Great places to think: in the shower, and, er, in a hammock. 
I didn’t sleep well the last night in town – so much weighed on my mind. Earlier in the day I’d received some advice that hit me like a kick in the chest. And I’d felt clobbered over the past two days with new ideas and perspectives that I wasn’t sure what to think.
The real epiphany happened in the car on the way home. My dear friend and startup-junkie-business-maestro Melody Biringer was driving, and I asked her: Melody, what do you do when you have conflicting advice?
Her answer (I paraphrase, too dumbstruck in the moment to have written it down):
You have to go with your gut - it’s always right. And if your gut doesn’t know, you haven’t got the right option in front of you, so keep looking. It might be that you need to go out and fail fast.
Next Year
Melody said that last weekend, a movement was born. She’s right. World Domination is coming back to Portland in 2012. It will sell out – possibly on the first day. Don’t miss it.
Were you at WDS? Please share your favorite quotes or wisdoms below.
Not at WDS but got questions? Shout
Speaker photo credits – Ambrosia Studios
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
One of the women I went to school with attended, and you might appreciate the post she wrote right before going: http://rachelwcole.com/2011/06/02/on-the-world-domination-summit/.
Wish I could’ve been there. Definitely hope to make it next year!
It’s a small world after all. I ended up randomly sitting next to Rachel on the first day. We kept getting interrupted by people coming to talk to me, but we did exchange cards, glances, and a sliver of a chat. Looking forward to keeping in touch with her – if that post is any indication, she is a smartie!
highlight for me was having lunch with you!
Aww aren’t you sweet. That WAS fun!
I’ll be honest here Andy. The reason I’m drawn to what you do as an entrepreneur is because you don’t oversell yourself, your products, or your services. You make sure everyone knows they’re available, but there’s a quiet confidence that is very reassuring.
Also, your love of bacon.
I have all the ideas and energy in the world but focusing that and simplifying it is a struggle for me. I swear I have ADD.
All that to say, if you were that blown away by this conference, a guy who rarely raves about something this way, I need to check it out for sure.
(Already signed up on the early registration list
Well, shucks – who knew bacon and quiet confidence could be so powerful?
I understand you when you talk about idea overload. I ask you two questions:
Sure sign of an entrepreneur is too many ideas. Welcome to the club.
One line that keeps coming back to me is from Jonathan Fields:
“Harness the Butterflies”
I love that.
See you at WDS 2012
Love it. (And I sure as heck I hope to see you before 2012!)
Sounds like an very interesting summit. Will definitely keep an eye on it. Thanks for sharing, Andy!
No problem – thanks for stopping by Jeremy. Hope you had a nice birthday!
So bummed I missed this. Thanks for sharing!
You’re quite welcome. Looking forward to seeing you there next year!
I had a wonderful time, even though we didn’t get to hang out together near as much as I would have liked! I think next year I want to come up for a full week to make sure I get plenty of face time with everyone, there just wasn’t enough time in the weekend. I’m still soaking everything up and kind of mentally reeling, I think it will take me a while to organize it all in my head…you know? (If that doesn’t make any sense, I blame post-conference mental hangover.)
Maybe I will come down to Austin for a visit – SXSW seem a long time away. I think lots of us wanted more face time, but hopefully we can all stick together online for support.
Definitely let me know if you do hit Austin in between now & SXSW! I’ll meet you at the airport with burritos
You had me at burritos.
Like you, I came away changed by WDS, though it’s going to take me a long time to process exactly how…
As for quotes, oh my, so, so many! Danielle LaPorte seems to be especially gifted when it comes to memorable, inspiring “soundbites.”
One thing that stuck with me is her focus on spending time on her “most precious gifts,” rather than just her gifts. Big difference, as we all have many things we’re good at, but a smaller subset that constitutes our “genius zone,” as Laura Roeder would put it.
As I clarify my own direction and purpose, reminders from these two smarties (and so many others besides) were just what I needed.
Hope to get more time with you at the next WDS, Andy!
Oh now those were some good ones – love the pattern that you have identified here. Was great seeing you – hope to bump into again soon.