I’m buzzing.
That’s a tip of the hat to caffeine, here, and the copious amounts of coffee I’ve been downing, but also a nod of recognition to something deeper — something surprising, inspirational, and all-around life-changing in a way I honestly didn’t expect.
You could bundle it all up and call it WDS. The World Domination Summit rocked Portland, Oregon in spectacular fashion, collecting some five-hundred of my favorite people in the world in one great place. I’m still trying to process everything that happened there (and still trying to catch up on the terrible sleep debt I raked up as a result), but I wanted to steal a moment now to rant and rave in semi-delirious fashion about my biggest takeaway from the whole incredible event.
You can probably guess it.
Connection.
I’ve lost track, now, of every person I met. I have a big stack of business cards in my backpack, thirty-something new friends on Twitter, and the memory of shaking every hand I could find, but one realization stands well above the rest: the simple act of connecting is what made all the difference in the world.
I’m inspired, now, in so many ways, and I’m still running on the combined energy — the combined enthusiasm — of every brilliant person who attended. That’s the value, I think, in surrounding yourself with people you know and respect. That’s the value in surrounding yourself with like-minded people, and that value is exactly what I stumbled into this past weekend at WDS: five-hundred people with similar ideas, ideals, and desires, the combination of which has left me stronger and happier than ever before.
Ready for the kicker?
I could have met just one person and left the same way. I’m lucky to have met so many incredible people, but the real value lay in what every single one of those connections came to offer: respect, support, and friendship, which are — at the end of the day — what we truly all need to thrive.
The number of connections, in other words, doesn’t mean a damn thing. I could have met one person, or I could have met a hundred, and in either case I would have rode the train back to Los Angeles with a satisfied (and terribly sleepy) smile.
Again: I’m inspired. I’m reminded of the incredible good this world has to offer, and I’m reminded, further, that even the smallest taste of it can make all the difference.
That’s my big takeaway from WDS, and likewise the Big Damn message of this post: connect. Find at least one person in this world who supports you, who understands what you want to achieve, and let them build you up as high as possible. The more the better, of course, but even one true friend is more than enough to help you become the person you want to be.
That’s what I found at the World Domination Summit. That’s why I have every intention of attending next year, and that’s why I hope with all of my heart that you can find your own support group to carry you where you want to be.
And hey! If no single person comes to mind, don’t hesitate to contact me. I’m happy to help, and I’m even happier to offer my support in whichever form you need it.
A Few Final Words
I’m just grateful.
I’m battered, bruised, and more exhausted than I’ve ever been, but I can’t even express how incredibly happy I am to have met so many wonderful human beings — so many people who challenged me, inspired me, and maybe even jumped out of a plane with me at 13,000 feet (more on that soon!).
In a few words, then: thank you to everyone who attended the World Domination Summit, and thank you to every person who didn’t — the wonderful people online who have reached out to me in the last year, and the new friends I made while blundering my way through California and Oregon.
I’ll be running on this energy throughout the next few weeks, I’m sure. Three New Leaves, in an exciting twist, will be relaunching soon, with a brand new design and something of a refined message to accompany it. Keep an eye on this space! Roots will officially go on sale, too, alongside an exciting contest to reward every wonderful person who reads this site.
Good things, my friends, are headed your direction!
26 Comments
I'm a writer, minimalist, and health dork with three goals in mind: to teach you how to lose weight, move more, and be happier by living a simple, natural life. It works. Like what you read here? Get 3NL delivered straight to your inbox!
Connecting was the biggest piece for me too Matt. It wouldn’t have been the same just watching all the presentations.
Also, you definitely had WDS groupies. Or at least a possie. Haha.
Asians! Female asians! Not complaining, of course, but I’m still scratching my head as to how exactly that happened.
It was great meeting you, Mr. Wojcik!
Matt, it was a pleasure meeting you at WDS and I agree that the true connections made over the weekend were what made it such a great event. Oh, and Portland has some damned good beer.
Definite pleasure meeting and chatting with you at the opening ceremony, Vic. I never did get to sample some of Portland’s famous brews, but the stuff at the opener was still pretty enjoyable.
World Domination Summit? What are we talking about? Even the website by that name will not let me see anything but the date and a map of the word. Sorry Matt, but his post is a complete mystery to me. LOL
Haha! Sorry, Marie!
WDS was a conference for bloggers and internet entrepreneurs that was held in Portland Oregon last week. It was a glorified networking opportunity, for one, and a chance to jump out of planes for another.
Inspiration is wonderful. I feel your excitement!
I am happy for you. Looking forward to updates.
Thanks so much, Betty!
So freaking awesome to get to meet you and hang out up here, dude! You are badass, my friend- can’t wait til next time!
Complete and utter ditto, sir. Our time to hang out was one of the highlights of the entire damn trip, so fingers crossed we’ll have a chance to meet up again soon.
Keep kicking ass!
I’m right there with you, Matt! I am so grateful for the experience and the incredible connections that were made last weekend. I haven’t experienced anything like it in my life, and it’s still sort of overwhelming at times. Following the hashtag stream has kept me connected with the people I met and introduced me to a ton of others that I wasn’t able to meet. What an amazing resource to stay in tune with everyone!
Thanks for the thoughtful recap. It was great to hang out with you and share the skydiving experience together!
Exactly, sir. I can’t help but feel that all of my skydiving friendships are forged stronger than most.
Amen, brother.
Yes, having people around you that inspire you is truly an exhilarating experience! I’m lucky that my mom is one of those people. I can be so down in the dumps about my own dreams and wishes, but then, after talking to her, I will feel like I can tackle the world! I definitely understand that ‘high’ feeling you are talking about which is why I also try to choose very carefully who I am around. The wrong people can suck every ounce out of you before you even realize it.
Anyway, thats really awesome that you continue to meet so many people that you can really connect with. Its seems a rare thing for me where I live, but every single one of those connections is absolutely precious to me. And the blogs like this are what help me make even more connections that would otherwise be impossible.
Can’t wait to see the new changes!
I personally vouch for the Asian girl posse.
You would!
Blunder, lurch, and lunge down to SoCal sweet sweet Matthew. Look forward to meeting your 3D-live-real-deal personage soon.
Utterly excited for it, sir. Let me know!
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A great reminder of what it’s all about. I like your emphasis on remembering all the goodness in the world! And I especially like the way you feel that connecting with even just one person can make a difference.
Thanks so much, Sandra. It was a realization I was glad to make, and one I’m still so grateful to have uncovered.
Wow, appears you had a lot of fun Matt!
Connecting with people is so important and especially in person (and not from the computer) in a completely out of the ordinary setting. Thats where the best memories and friends come from I think.
Man, sounded like so much fun. Im jealous… Just a little bit.
I should hope so.
You’re absolutely right, though — there’s an undeniable distinction between face-to-face encounters and the kind of relationships we form online. So much food for thought!
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