I just walked out of an expensive seminar

I’m in Southern California for a 3-day seminar about storytelling.

Today was the first day. I left early. I’m not going back for the two final days.

Don’t ask what seminar it is. My intention is not to criticize the person leading it. As far as I could tell, everyone else was having a good time. He’s clearly providing a lot of value to a lot of people, most of whom I assume were there to work on their own material.

I signed up because I’m looking for new tools to help my clients identify and develop interesting stories. Stories that can be told — with purpose — for attracting clients, for connection, for retention, for ascension — to move people, to get them involved, to make money.

When I’m talking to someone one-on-one, I can listen to them talk and pick out the good stuff as it comes up. 

“Oooh what’s that? Tell me more.”

I’m good at that. It’s one of the most valuable things I do, but I can’t work with everyone individually.

I was hoping this seminar would help me figure out how to translate what I do with my private clients into something I could offer that people would be able to implement on their own — without needing me to be there.

I used to go to A LOT of seminars. Marketing seminars, mostly. My favorite way to do it is to show up, listen, wait until I hear something I can use, then step out of the room and implement it.

This theater wasn’t ideal to do that. It’s in close quarters. It’s too intimate. It’d be a dick move for me to walk in and out.

I’m a little disappointed that I didn’t leave with some hot ’n fresh insights to use and share, but I am encouraged, nonetheless.

Encouraged that I’m onto something — that my way of doing the story-telling thing is unique and dare I say, way fucking cooler.

Also, the seminar wasn’t cheap, and there were at least 100 people in the room.

So I had one of those “if this guy can do this, surely I can…” moments.

When I wind up in situations like this — where my expectations aren’t exactly being met — I try to figure out why. What don’t I like? What don’t I want to emulate? What feelings am I experiencing that I’d prefer to not to invoke in others?

So while everyone else was using their 7 minutes to write a “defining moment” story, I was writing about what I want to avoid in my work with clients.

I don’t think the seminar leader did enough to get me ready for such a penetrating assignment. How ‘bout a little foreplay, daddy?

Besides, I’m still in the middle of my “defining moment.” It’s unfolding right now.