When over 500 Gutsy people of all ages, and all nationalities converge in the Portland Museum of Art, you can be sure of one thing: there is a ton of energy bouncing around.
And when the theme of the event is, “How do we live a remarkable life in a conventional world?” with a mix of all kinds of artists, students, young and less young, entrepreneurs, travelers and non-profit leaders, you know that this is a group of people who are not afraid to take risks, live their passions and get back in the driver’s seat.
Chris Guillebeau wrote, The Art of Non-Conformity, and decided to put together this event during his 63 city Unconventional Book Tour. Together with an eight-member team, as well as many volunteers (those dressed in blue T-shirts in the video below), Chris created an “awesome” event. This seems to be his favorite word.
Highlights from WDS in Portland, Oregon, June 3-5. 2011
Some of the speakers in this video are:
Leo Babauta from ZenHabits, who’s topic was how to change your habits. follow the path of simplicity, and something we rarely hear, “Have zero goals.” Leo said he used to make weekly, monthly and yearly goals, but that became too stressful to achieve. So now he claims that by, “Letting go of goals, you’re free of the management of your goals.” I personally like his suggestion. Leo continues, “When you don’t have a destination, there’s no failure.”
“Jodi knew she wanted to travel to faraway places.” She worked as an attorney for five years in New York and saved her money so she could travel. She says, “Find your passion and keep on the path despite the obstacles.” She believes that by keeping an open mind, freelance opportunities come to you, and that you have to believe in what you do. “We all have fear and anxiety, there will always be negativity and criticism, because people can’t understand.”
There were so many inspiring authors, world travelers, artists and TEDx speakers, like Neil Pasricha from 1000 Awesome Things, that I shall share in future posts.
Chris Gullebeau has an amazing question which I’d like you to think about.
1). “What do you really want to get out of Life?”
and the second part to this is:
2). “What can you offer the world that no one else can?”
Please share your answers with us.
Thanks for stopping by.
He's going to be in Honolulu December 1st. Will have to bookmark it.
Wow, I had forgotten that you were going to be in Portland!! Sounds as though you were fairly busy at the conference.
Sounds like an amazing event!
And to answer your question on my blog – my brother is nearly six foot, my sisters pretty tall and I am short!
I totally agree that sometimes our goals need to be scaled back. Not meeting our preset expectation is the golden road to failure and self loathing.
@Pseudo
Is that Chris Guillebeau you're talking about?
@Robert
The weather was fabulous last weekend. I love Portland: the people, the lifestyle, the bikes, the attitude. You live in a great place.
@ladyfi
It was extremely inspiring. So you're "really" short. Just kidding!
@The Substantive Mom
Yes, sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves with our goals.
Must have been an outstanding experience. Hope sometime to get to one of Chris's conferences.
What an energising event that must have been! And to answer your questions:
1. A sense of achievement and of knowing that I've done as much as I can
2. A way with words that will encourage people to see the lighter side of what's around us.