5 things I learned at SOBCon

Just got back from the Successful and Outstanding Blogger Publisher Conference in Chicago, and am proud to say I have at least 50 new friends, and at least 50 other new people I can share ideas with. If you're looking for a full recap of the day in one article, Easton Ellsworth has a great recap called Thoughts on Better Blogging.

I'll share a few things I learned at this great conference, and how I'll apply them to my life.

5 Things I Learned at SOBCon: Phil Gerbyshak

1. Smiles and Hugs are Powerful Medicine - Friday night at conference kick-off, Christine Kane performed and proved why she is my favorite musician. And I thought it couldn't get better. And then Wendy Piersall bounced into the room, and hugged EVERYBODY! Thank you Wendy! Your energy is inspiring! Check out my Flickr photo gallery for many smiles and hugs, and know that 1 smile, 1 hug, can change the world! It changed mine!
   
2. Knowledge Sharing is the Life to Live - If you're thinking that someone out there is going to steal your ideas, then you are living a scarce life my friend. 110 people at Conference, and 110 different ideas on how to improve your business. WHOA! Share what you have, and you get more. It's quite simple. Thanks to everyone who shared their ideas with me. Rodney Rumford, the fact that you shared as much as you did about a fairly new company still in alpha inspires me. Thank you!
   
3. I'm a Publisher, NOT a Blogger - Mike Rohde said it best when he said "Why do we define ourselves by our medium. People with websites don't call themselves "websiters" why do we call ourselves "bloggers?"" Liz Strauss talked about this, and then David Armano really made this point. Think about what others value that you do, and talk with their vocabulary, not in "blog speak."
   
4. Open the door and let 'em in - When you write, make sure you leave some room for others to talk, or you'll be writing alone. And isn't more fun to write with someone amazing who inspires you like Lisa Gates? So leave some room, and don't tie it all up neatly. This is a place for you to continue the conversation, and help me improve.
   
5. BE BOLD - Lorelle VanFossen reminded me of something I know and talk about, but that I don't always do: BE BOLD! (NOTE: I am working on a bold move that will be done by September 1st. More on that soon.) Life is too short to be meek, so we must be bold and take action today. We are so close to breaking through, we just need a small push. Partner with someone who will push you to take action if you're afraid. YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO IT ALONE! Kammie says this all the time: Let your passion meet your purpose and GO GET IT! I'm almost there friends. Thanks for continuing to support me on the journey
   

I could go on about what I learned, and I will be writing a few articles around some of the ideas I learned, but for now, I wanted to ask a few questions:

• What are you afraid of?
• What's the worst that can happen?
• What's the best advice you've ever received and why was it so good?
• How can I help you make it better?
• Anything else I'm missing?

Thanks to all my new friends who shared their life with me this weekend in Chicago, and to all the new friends I know will come into my life the rest of this year. If you'd like some photographic memories of what I did this past weekend, I managed to take pictures with many awesome people this weekend. I posted them at my Flickr photo gallery. I hope you enjoy them.


Technorati Tags: sobcon, sobevent, sobcon07

Comments

[Char]

The pictures are fantastic!!! Thanks so much for sharing these with us. Next year I have to be there.

[Rick Cockrum]

You got your hug quota this weekend, Phil. :-)Thank you for the wonderful series of photos on Flickr.

#2, knowledge sharing is the life to live is a powerful statement. We don't live in a world of scarcity.

[Connie Reece]

Phil, it was great meeting you at SOBCon. I'm glad I got to share a hug with the Relationship Geek and to benefit from your wisdom. Thanks!

[Tammy]

Phil, I so loved that when we first met and I held out my hand, you smiled and said "I do hugs instead," then gave me one of your terrific hugs. It was instantaneous warmth and energy and I fell instantly in love with you (don't tell my husband!)...

What am I afraid of? That my fears will get in my way.

What's the worst that can happen? Gee, I'm usually the one that asks that question! The worst that can happen is that my days come to an end when I still have so many dreams I'm making happen. The other "worsts" really aren't.

What's the best advice I've ever received and why was it so good? "You can be anything you want and you will succeed." My mother said it from the time I can remember all the way through my teen years. It was so good because it was consistent, helped me keep dreaming, and was uttered from someone I treasured.

How can you help you make it better? Just keep being you, Phil.

[Easton Ellsworth]

Phil, thanks for capturing the feelings and lessons that stood out for me as well at SOBCon. Hope to see you at the next one too!

[Claire]

Phil:

Great stuff here on your blog and also on your relationship geek site. I can see why you're always smiling now...you got it goin on!

[Phil Gerbyshak]

Char - You're welcome. I have no doubt next year you WILL be at SOBCon.

Rick - Quota? No way dude! I've got a LOT more to go before I reach the lid. And you're right...Life is FULL, not scarce!

Connie - Great meeting you too. Glad to share a hug, a smile, and some smarts. That's what makes life great for me :)

Tammy - Glad to hug you. You rock! Promise, no hubby talk, though my wife knows about us already! Thanks for answering the questions.

Claire - Thanks so much. You are wonderful. Thanks for being a great hugger!

[DaveOlson]

The best advice I've received this week is: We are so close to breaking through, we just need a small push

A really good reminder to keep pushing. Thanks Phil for sharing that.

[Carma Dutra]

Hi Phil,
I can tell you are motivated with a capital M. That is great. I saw your picture on Liz's site.

I used to be afraid of the unknown. "Worry Wart" was my nick name. It's not that we are afraid of something, it is that what we do fear rarely comes to pass. So why spend all that time worrying and fretting about something that will never happen?

Accepting the "worst that could happen" and dealing with it before it happens can wipe out any fears that keep us from moving toward success.

I've always heard that I should trust my vibes and follow my first intuition.

[Rodney Rumford]

Phil,
It was a pleasure to meet you as well.... YOU shared some great information with the group and really inspired many people there as well...

I am a believer in sharing as much knowledge as possible. Sharing of knowledge can help and inspire people... there is an old saying that I follow: "If you help enough people get what they want, you will ultimately get what you want".

Thanks for the mention of http://www.videosticky.com this is a tool that really goes to my core belief of sharing... and allowing easy sharing of video content.

p.s. I will send you the audio recording of the business blog training session that i did with Brian Tracy. ;)

[Dawud Miracle]

Phil, in you I feel like I have a new, dear friend. Look at you, with your huge heart, electric smile and viral positivity. WOW! I was excited to meet you and you didn't disappoint. And now, we're blogging buddies. How great 24 hours can be...

[Adam Kayce : Monk At Work]

Phil, you're the best. I really enjoyed connecting with you this weekend, and I'm sure it's just the start.

Your 5 Things do a great job of hitting the highlights of a packed-to-the-gills experience.

And thanks for the pics!

[Phil Gerbyshak]

Dave: Glad to share some insights. I thought that was great advice too.

Carma: We missed you at SOBCon, and you're right...I am super Motivated. It was a great conference and I have 110 new good buddies. Hope you can make it next year :)

Rodney: You are a gem! Thanks for sharing as much as you do! And I can't help but mention VideoSticky. Cool stuff!

Dawud: We're in this world together. Let me know how I can help!

Adam: Thanks man! It was fun connecting with you too, and you can sure bet we're just getting warmed up!

[Lorelle]

Thanks for letting me beat on you, Phil. You were fantastic at the conference. Wow, we learned so much, my head is still reeling. I have so few words to express how incredible the whole thing was. Thank you for being there and it was a joy to be a small part of the experience. Wow.