I’m less than 24 hours away from flying to Portland for the second annual World Domination Summit (twitter: #wds and #wds2012). Last year’s event was truly amazing, and I wrote updates on day one and day two straight away, while sipping coffee at Stumptown Roasters attached to the Ace Hotel. Reading those updates again, I remember the pulse of excitement and optimism that was coursing through me at the time. Hearing great speakers like Jonathan Fields and Pam Slim discuss, in essence, being all you can be and going after your dreams, you can’t help but feel inspired.

But what happens when, twelve months later, you don’t feel like you’ve done enough (or much of anything)? What if you’re like me, full of ideas, but with a sad track record of not converting most of them to momentum and energy? (Or to use the common term in the creative world nowadays, I haven’t “delivered”?). How should I approach the idea that I’m going to yet another conference to hear yet another bunch of people tell me I can do it when I really don’t have much to show for last year’s inspiration? 

I was going through my WDS 2011 notes last night, getting my head around some of these questions. The quote that stood out to me, and one of the things that has impacted me the most in the last twelve months, was said by Karen Walrond during her particularly incredible presentation. She made it clear that making comparisons between yourself and others is a complete waste of time for one reason:

When I compare myself to others I’m comparing my insides to their outsides.

When I look back on not achieving the things I hoped to in the last twelve months, it’s an emotional response (and as you can imagine a negative one at that). Going into a weekend of meeting and listening to particularly creative, energized, and amazing people puts some fear into me until I remember Karen’s words. I can’t compare what’s in my emotions to what others display outwardly. It’s apples and oranges.

So to myself I say this, but I also hope it helps others this weekend at the World Domination Summit:

The success of others is an energy to tap into but not compare yourself to.

Seeing that others have blazed trails is inspiration. You can blaze your own or walk on theirs, and either is okay.

There is no failure as long as you keep moving forward.

Image by Flickr user bjormeansbear