How to Wow a German (or Prepare for an Avalanche of Enthusiasm from the World Domination Summit)
Photo by Armosa Studios
Wow! I am completely overwhelmed at all the totally awesome vibes that have been radiating on the Web since the World Domination Summit last weekend. Words transporting the emotions, ideas, inspiration and connection the 500 #wds attendees experienced throughout one of the most intense and mind-blowing conference the world has ever seen. Want proof? Read the utterly inspiring Dave Ursillo’s blog post on a different perspective on leadership. Discover Devon Mills’ sharing her story about how she discovered what she wanted was An Unhurried Life (which by the way I can relate to on so many levels.) Check out the stunning portraits taken by photographer Karen Walrond. Or just find out why you better not miss next year’s World Domination Summit and read Caleb Wojcik’s wrap-up.
I didn’t expect that this conference would have such a profound impact on me. You have to understand: I’m German, and it generally takes quite a bit to wow a German. Admittedly, I’m probably not your typical German specimen in the first place what with leaving Germany for the US and being married to a Latino. However, there was this moment at #wds where I felt like I stepped aside and looked at myself saying: Nina, you’ve been officially wowed.
What was it?
So what was it that got me so fired up with enthusiasm? And yes, Danielle LaPorte, the queen of fire starters, definitely did her bit to ignite the spark in me. How can you not get excited when hearing Danielle’s hot and wise words boiling in your ear: “How do you want to feel when you have achieved your goal?” and “What do you have to do every day to create that specific feeling?”
But there was more. Beyond all the wonderful speakers and workshop leaders (Pam Slim, Leo Babauta, Jodi Ettenberg, Jonathan Fields, and the Mondo Beyondo girls – to name a few), this conference’s life blood was its attendees. Shockingly powerful, amazingly unconventional, genuinely super nice people coming together to share their experiences, connect over a common attitude to life and work, and make friends in the process.
Here are a just few fellow world dominators I connected with during #wds 2011:
@chiefcrkrjack Sheira Furse, Brand & Marketing Strategist
@DavidPDiana David P Diana, Marketing Director, Author & Blogger
Nina Yau, Castles in the Air blogger
@NailahBlades, Nailah Blades, Writer, Speaker, Coach
@brittawein, Britta Wein, Social Player from Berlin
So what’s next?
“What did you get out of the conference?” asked me my friend Karin Lehmann, the brilliant life coach, yesterday while sipping tea on her porch in sunny Santa Monica. Well, 2 things:
1. In an exercise during the Mondo Beyondo presentation, we ended up with discovering a word that describes us in a nutshell. My word was INDEPENDENCE. I wasn’t surprised. It all made sense to me. I have strived for independence throughout my life, starting with my teenage years (well, haven’t we all at that time?!) into my early 20ies where I started exploring a life independent from what was expected of me. Up to the point where I quit my day job in London to live on the beautiful Greek island of Kos for a while and the time in 2004 where I left Germany behind and moved to California. My commitment to continue my journey of independence has been revitalized at the summit. I have been living in a state of not-quite-fulfilled-but-not-really-unhappy for too long. This needs to change. Action is needed. The note with my blessing that was pinned under my chair during #wds said: “It’s time to take a risk on behalf of your dreams.” There you have it – it’s all pointing to my independence.
Photo by Armosa Studios
2. In his closing speech, Jonathan Fields talked about how you can overcome uncertainty and amplify it to create great things. To be able to take action in the face of uncertainty, Jonathan suggested to make changes in 3 areas of your life: 1. your environment, 2. workflow practices, and 3. personal practices. I’m taking Jonathan’s advice to heart and will adjust some of my working practice and introduce rituals to become more happy and efficient in my work. I will also continue to practice meditation every day (check out Get Some Headspace for practical meditation tips) and embrace mindfulness. “Anxiety is an anticipatory emotion. If you live in the presence, it can’t exist.” ~Jonathan Fields on mindfulness
For those who attended, what did you get out of the 2011 World Domination Summit? What actions are you taking coming out of this amazing experience? For those who are planning on attending next year’s summit, what makes you want to join the #wds tribe?
