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| Founder Chris Guillebeau brings it all home at WDS. Copyright www.amandacastleman.com |
So the World Domination Summit (WDS) rolled around again. And like many supervillains, I just couldn't bring the same passion to the sequel.
Founded in 2011, this conference rallies bloggers, entrepreneurs and non-profit leaders – among other intrepid souls – to trade tips on having adventurous lives while giving back to their communities. It's like summer camp for creatives... and tickets remain rare as unicorns (released in just two waves, they sell out in minutes). I happened to wake up early enough one year, a minor miracle in and of itself, so I decided to check things out.
WDS13 felt transcendent. After 19 years as a journalist, chasing from assignment to assignment, I stepped back and finally thought about steering Ms. Toad's Wild Ride. I even took action. Imperfect action, but bold and brave action nonetheless. And I celebrated the stumbles as well as the triumphs, just as the summit taught me. Because they're part of the process, and that's OK.
But in 2014, distraction and impatience ruled the roost. Why was I hobnobbing with all these shiny, happy people when I could be writing, working, moving forward? Or at least biking around Portland, eating phenomenal food with friends?
What changed?
Absolutely nothing, except me. I found WDS when I needed it. Now I don't.
So grateful as I am to the conference, I won't be back in 2015. It's time to free up that space for someone who needs a big, bright bolt of inspiration.
Dominate wisely and well, my friends!
Interesting stuff, Amanda! Did you write about your results from the first conference?
ReplyDeleteBTW, love your supervillain analogy!
Amanda! I wish I had known you were there. Would love to have met you IRL. I don't do shiny/happy very well either.
ReplyDeleteI found the same thing - 2013 was my first year, and 'transcendent' is a good way to describe it. This year was totally like a stale sequel, but with excellent commercial breaks.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words, Gayle! I didn't blog the first conference beyond two photos – I wanted to stay in the moment and soak it all in, rather than putting my reporter's hat.
ReplyDeleteLanora – what a bummer. I hope our paths cross soon!
Caelanhuntress, it's good to hear I wasn't alone, thanks! I felt so off-kilter around the crowds having their transcendent experiences. I didn't want to humbug and diminish their "eureka" moments, but I also struggled to clap along this time.