UNITED 2013. Where to begin? Last week I headed off to Santa Barbara once again. To be a part of something much bigger than myself. Even bigger than I had imagined. You see I attended UNITED last year in Las Vegas. And although I gained a little from the classes I gained more from the connections I had made with people there. I knew UNITED2013 would be better as I had seen some of the planning unravel but in the end I was blown away. I left Santa Barbara full. I couldn’t stop attending classes. At times starting in one and then sneeking out to jump in on another one so I could get something from each of them. But it didn’t stop with just the classes.  After classes I was drawn to meeting new people, getting to know them, finding out what could I do to help them.

I’ve been thinking about this blogpost for a few days. Trying to figure out how to sum up this event. The truth is that summing it up isn’t possible. And although I can’t sum up the whole event for you, I feel the need to share the moments that made the most impact on me. The moments that moved me.

The first night. There was a big snow storm in Salt Lake so I finally arrived in Santa Barbara about 6 hours after I had planned to. It was ok. I was greeted with BIG hugs from amazing people in the doorway of DJ’s house. The night went on and it was just Lauren, Jessica, DJ and I. Deep in conversation, full of laughter, the wine flowing and the pushing of one another. None of us wanted that conversation to end. Learning more about each other, having grace for one another. And ultimately pushing each other to be better, sometimes forcefully 😉  Finally at 3am we shut it down. Which was really 4am for me and 5am for Lauren & Jessica. Hands down the best fireside chat to date 😉 Fortunately this didn’t end there. Hanging in rooms each night til the wee hours of the morning, talking, playing games, laughing. Amazing friendships have blossomed.

I have so many pictures of fun stuff I’ll do another post of photos for you to see the fun that was had 😉

Some of the most impacting moments for me during the event came from 3 people.  3 I had never sat in a class for. The first Trevor Dayley. I told Trevor this, but I almost didn’t come to his class. It was the morning of the last day I was a little overwhelmed with information from the previous few days and I was going to relax. Now I’d never heard Trevor talk on this level. But he’s a friend. I’ve taken and seeked out his advice many a times. Him and I endure Fight Club together. I knew his class would be amazing, but thought it was one I probably could pass up. That morning, something came over me. I walked in, I sat, I listened. I even took notes. The moments that stuck out to me.

• People become tools of their tools.  Think about that. How often do we have a tool that we use thinking it will make our lives better but instead we are slaves to it, we are a tool to that tool.  The purpose of these tools is to help us, not to become their tools.
• Cleaning the email. Now we all do this right but he talked about automating this. Saving time. Labeling. Making email to-do folder. Unsubscribing from junk (unroll.me).
• LawDiminishing Returns – At a certain point adding more effort will not add significantly more gains.
• Have the attitude of gratitude.
• Talents & Gifts ripple, they do not reduce or diminish when shared.
• Visualize what you want.

The biggest statement for me from Trevor was:

• Turn have-to’s into get-to’s.

I instantly thought back to the many times that week I was running low on energy and would say “I have to go do….” When my statement should have been I get to. It’s changed my outlook in these last few days. I’ve even corrected my daughter after she said she always has to do this… now she gets to do this.

Mary Marantz ended UNITED. No one else better to do it. She has such a beautiful heart and I’m so blessed to now call her and Justin friends. She challenged us to be a part of something much bigger than ourselves. I’m still mentally taking in her talk. It was evident that she moved people. The highlights for me from Mary:

• It’s not about who we are, but who we are becoming.
• Gifts are obligations not opportunities.
• Regret is to mourn your own life while you’re still living it.
• Don’t make a living, make a life doing it instead.
• Live a life of significance, leave more than you took. Life of significance > life of success.
• Your gifts are not yours, who are you to use them, who are you not to. Gifts are to be shared.
• We wear “busy” like a badge of honor, WHY?!
• Give more of yourself than you receive.
• It’s better to fail at things that matter than to succeed at those that don’t.
• Fail forward.
• Write a story that’s bigger than you.
• “I dare you to be the change you want to be. I dare you to move.”

Mary, I don’t take dares lightly 😉

I’ll end with Kevin Hall. I had never met Kevin prior to UNITED. Nor had I read his book, Aspire. So I had no idea what was to come.  Kevin’s speech sank deep. Motivated me to stop saying something and do them. I gained a new understanding of words. I have huge respect for him. For a man who has no real ties to a photographer/designer group and conference Kevin didn’t just show up to teach his one class. He was there from the beginning. Stepping into each class hearing all of us. Eating with us and so forth. Even still there the last day (a day after his speech) for classes and the get together at DJ’s finishing off the event. Who does that?! Kevin Hall. A man who cares more about others than himself.  If you haven’t read the book I highly recommend it. It flows almost exactly with his speech he gave us, which I love. It’s like having his talk with me all the time 😉

• Genshai – Never treat another person in a manner to make them feel small. Not even yourself.
• 5 affirmations – I am worthy. I am capable & grateful. I forgive. (myself & others) I am abundant. I trust myself.
• Nature gives all & loses nothing
• What you throw out, you get back.
• Namaste – I salute you. I salute your dreams. I salute your desires.
• Do what you’re great at. Not what you’re good at.
• If I want to be free, I have to be me.
• We become what we think about.
• Never let your mind talk you out of what you’re great at.
• The cave we fear to enter holds the treasure that we seek.
• Humility – opening my gifts & mastering what I’m best at
• Growth is Happiness.
• Coach- to take value from where they are to where they want to go
• Inspire – to breath life into someones dreams
• We receive what we truly desire for others.
• Passion – willing to sacrifice for what you love.
• Pain is forgotten. Memory of the victory lives on forever.

Now if you didn’t have the opportunity to come to UNITED, missed Kevin’s class or just feel like the few things I listed have touched you, I have a treat for you. I’m giving away a copy of Kevin’s book Aspire. And not just any copy. He signed it with you in mind.

I will announce the winner on Friday, March 8th. To enter comment on this blog post with what you are passionate about. From the book, Aspire – “The real meaning of passion is being willing to suffer for what you love.  When we discover what we are willing to pay a price for, we discover our life’s mission and purpose.” “Those with passion do; those without passion try.” What are you truly passionate about? Then share this with a friend that you think would benefit from Aspire. Seriously share it with a friend. Or share it on Facebook with a lot of friends.  Real friends want to see other friends win 😉 I’ll announce the winner via the blog and Facebook!

Contact Jackie |  Join the Facebook Fanpage  |  Check out the Website