World Domination Summit

Thinking Differently

 I sat next to a woman on my flight this weekend who was returning from an intensive corporate training session for an well-known chain.  When I asked her if she could define the central belief of the company she responded, ‘profit is in the little details.’  That is an actionable sentiment but I was perplexed as to how it could reflect the organization’s core belief.  It might be a ‘how’ in Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle but not the ‘why.’ It was a safe response but not different or inspiring.  After three weeks this was at the top of her mind.  It reminds me of Hugh Macleod’s cartoon about climbing a ladder to nowhere.  The tag line feels like progress but it is unsupported.  As Simon says, ‘people do not buy what you do they buy why you do it.’

Looking to think differently and surround yourself with those who choose an unconventional approach?  Chris Guillebeau’s World Domination Summit is about to open the next round of registration.  This is the most compelling and inspiring conference I attend each year.  It fascinates, expands my way of thinking, and provides a safe platform from which to discuss innovative ideas.  If you are looking to lean your ladder against something, make sure it is worth climbing.

The Amazing Part About Seeking Rejection

I do not seek out rejection.  I prefer collaboration and diplomacy.  It strikes a cord of harmony.  If an enterprise is going to build momentum it is best if everyone shares the same belief.  However, I am always on the lookout for great questions and unique perspectives, techniques to view a location from multiple vantage points.  One places this magic reveals itself is during the annual World Domination Summit, a gathering of creative people living unconventional lives.  The speakers, their messages, and the attendees were so profound in 2012 that I encouraged my wildly creative and young adult book aficionado wife to attend with me this year.  Perhaps the most potent moment of the weekend was a talk given by Jia Jiang.  He purposely placed himself at the edge of the proverbial rock ledge know as rejection and looked for people to push him so he could build a desensitization to the fear of rejection.  He shared his narrative and the amazing twists in his story when he started asking strangers to engage him in unique ways.

Jia Jiang from Chris Guillebeau on Vimeo.

Permission
No seat belts?
The Wright brothers did not wait to get their pilot’s license before attempting to fly.

What actions have we delayed and convinced ourselves that we need permission before proceeding?  It is human to desire the perfect conditions before launching, even for a test flight.  we wish for a day so ideal that it is worthy of a visitor bureau’s marketing campaign.  Which brings me to yesterday, a day worthy of postcards and opportunity.  As an attendee at the World Domination Summit, I was handed $100 cash .
Rarely have I had the privilege to sit in the presence of so many inspired people.  Or more precisely, it was remarkable to attend an event in the company of individuals who are enthused to share their transformational stories.  Every session, the person on the left and right would gladly share their dream project with just a single prompting question.  At the end of the summit the fearless leader of the nonconformist tribe, Chris Guillabeau in conjunction with an anonymous donor presented all the attendees with an envelope containing a $100 bill and an investment card.  The restrictions on the funds are minimal but the sense of responsibility daunting.  What to do with the funds?  That needs a few moments of inspirational thinking but I look forward to sharing some of the best ideas from the summit over the next couple posts.

What would $100 do towards your dreams?