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How to Get Dreams Out of Your Head [And a Video of Me Wearing Tights]

Watch it with your Tweeple: Tweet that you’re watching this video

Last month I had the honour of speaking at the World Domination Summit in Portland.

Conference founder, Chris Guillebeau, gave me the brief of sharing my story and to share some tips and ideas for helping people to lead remarkable lives in a conventional world. He also said he didn’t want me to just talk about blogging – a task I found very refreshing!

I spoke on the topic of ‘Getting Dreams out of Your Head‘ and covered quite a bit of ground. In this video you’ll see my full keynote and hear about:

  • How I started my first business at 9
  • The words an ex-girlfriend said that changed my life
  • The 4 words that started me blogging and changed the trajectory of my life
  • A close encounter I had with Russell Brand in a mens bathroom
  • Where to look for your ‘next big thing’
  • The two questions I ask myself every day that have unlocked some amazing opportunities for me

Oh – and at the end of the video you’ll see me as you’ll never have seen me before (it involves wearing tights)! There’s also a special guest performance by the amazing Clare Bowditch which touched the hearts of many at WDS.

Grab yourself a cup of your favourite beverage, sit back and enjoy.

About Darren Rowse
Darren Rowse is the founder and editor of ProBlogger Blog Tips and Digital Photography School. Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Comments
  1. Ha! Something interesting

  2. Cool bro! You’ve a nice pix here… and man, it’s an honor starting your first business at age 9

    Kudos

    Keep the fire burning

  3. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this entire presentation, Darren! Your content was inspiring and encouraging, and your slides were beautiful (even the throwback photos!). Thanks for sharing it with us!

  4. Darren,

    I think that this is the first time that I comment on your blog. Your video has inspired me to do so. I only want to say thanks a lot for being such an inspiration. The video that I just watched was so profound, honest and wonderful. Everything you are has been perfectly captured in those 49.09 minutes.
    I also want to thank Clare Bowditch for her beautiful song. It is obvious that she is a unique and talented artist with a big soul. Her good energy reached me over here in Los Angeles, California. I can’t wait to find more of her music.

    Thank you, thank you, thank you. Have a happy Friday and a restful weekend.

    Elsa
    (I recommend everyone to dedicate some special time to watch this video from beginning to end, you won’t regret it.)

  5. Darren, Great talk. Thanks for sharing your journey. As a new blogger, it is helpful to see how others have achieved their dreams and goals. You have more guts than me with that suit though.

  6. Darren I haven’t been following you or your blog for quite a while. But I knew little of your story. In this video you have told it all in such a way that it has infused matchless motivation in young and struggling bloggers like me.
    You truly are a genius. Thank you!

    Looking forward to Mrs. Problogger starting her blog.

    • Steph says: 08/04/2013 at 1:08 am

      I would say Darren is genious enough not to waste his life away like so many people do.

      Darren, thank you for this video. You’ve worked very hard to make some of your dreams come true. Once again I’m encouraged to realize that ‘dreams don’t work unless you do’.

  7. I blog about blogging (in France) as well.

    And it’s far from being boring.

    My dream is to one day being able to inspire others to live their dreams as well.

    Your talk and Cliff’s at http://podcastanswerman.com/about/ are the more inspiring I’ve ever heard.

    THANK YOU SO MUCH !!

    You’ve inspired thousands of probloggers like me !!!

    Let us know if you come to Paris one day. I’ll be honoured to invite you for a drink :)

    Cheers,

    Ling-en

  8. I’ve finally managed to get the dreams I’ve been having out of me head during the past few weeks, I finally launched my blog and have been dedicating a LOT of time to it.. The time has paid off though! (July, the 2nd month of blogging I made close to $2k WOOT!).

    After having so much genuine fun with my blog, in both experimenting and creating content, traffic etc.. for it I’ve found that my dream is (slowly but surely) coming true.
    I’ve never commented on ProBlogger before, and I think I’ve finally sparked up the courage to do a lot of things, but I’ve read a ton of your posts before and awarding Matthew Woodward a top 75 spot was well deserved, he actually led me over to ProBlogger close to 4 months ago now, so your excellent link bait style stuff does work Darren ;)

    Great post and brilliant video :P

  9. Ahhhhhh the Power of a Great Headline .. The idea of seeing Darren in tights was something I just couldn’t resist seeing .. in a 100% non-creeper kinda way. :)

  10. That was a really refreshing post to see on Problogger – I understand everything you’ve been writing about now and what your site is really about. It’s great to know that you’ve gone through a similar to journey to everyone else who has that spark of creativity. Nice one Darren.

  11. Just Follow your Dreams

  12. I thoroughly enjoyed watching this entire presentation, Darren! Your content was inspiring and encouraging,

  13. Darren, I rolled out of bed at 4am on a Saturday (never – How do I make this bold?- happens) and yours was the first email on my box. An outstanding presentation.

    I don’t blog, I just started podcasting.

    very inspiring to see you describe what could not be seen at the inception.

    many thanks – TJ

  14. Truly inspirational. I already knew Derek’s journey, but hearing it told with such profoundness was really a gift and a kick in the butt. I’ve been trying to pursue my dreams, and this is added motivation.

    It reminded me of the Confucius quote “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.

    Let’s all take that step. Thank you Darren.

  15. I wish there was a way to edit the comment. I refereed to Darren as Derek. Oops… Sorry.

  16. This is very motivating for noob bloggers myself. If I can make it as half as good as you are then I’ll be pretty darn good!

  17. outstanding presentation, some excellent points on how to move forward and live your dreams

  18. Hi,

    I can read this video from my iPhone 5?

    Is it normal ?

    Any other link where I can see this video ?

  19. Thank you Darren for this video, I just finished watching it and it’s what I need right now. I have already made the biggest (so far) dream of my life come true, but right now I’m waiting for the next one. I have a feeling that I’m a bit afraid to make the leap, even though I already know how amazing it feels when your dream comes true. So I have decided, right now, to talk about my dreams in my blog next week, to share them as you adviced us to do.

    Thank you again for the inspiration!

  20. It was really very inspiring and shows your dedication. Its a must watch video for all the youngsters who have got dreams in their mind but not coming out.
    I have never followed your blogs and this is my first comment but i am so much impressed that now you will always have my comments.

    Best luck for future..

  21. Loved the “energy” part.. Its the energy that drives us and then you develop passion for it.. Well said

  22. Laura says: 08/04/2013 at 9:39 am

    I laughed, cried, and cheered. Thanks for reminding me to remember, live, and share my dreams!

  23. Bummer. Can’t see it on iPhone or iPad. Will have to dust off laptop. Hehe

  24. I loved the talk Darren.
    The perfect and rare mix of inspiration and practical advice.
    Thanks for sharing it.

  25. First time i have sat down and watched a Darren video. I found it very intriguing with some very good ideas that got me thinking so a big thank-you. Lizzy

    xxx

  26. Love the title on you blos made me chuckle. Really good advice your sharing

  27. This is a classic and very insprirational, I had been waiting for the video since the completion of WDS. thanks Darren.

  28. Thanks, Darren, for a totally inspiring video – I usually can’t spare the time to watch something of this length and today turned out to be a day I could and lo & behold, your newsletter landed in my inbox.

    I’ve always had way too many dreams. As part of the steps to trying to realize them in full or in part, I’ve taken a bunch of marketing courses or entrepreneurship courses and most of the time I get told to narrow my focus, choose one thing and just do that and what can I say – the more I tried to do that, the more new and seemingly incompatible ideas just keep bursting out.

    Your talk was just the grounding and inspiration I needed to hear right now – may you be blessed with all good things in life and the tools and skills to cope with anything else the crops up.

  29. Wow, that’s close an hour of an amazing presentation you promise to deliver Darren!

    I’ll ask my partner to watch it first, and then I’ll watch it myself soon; I’m in vacation now, and only have about 30 minutes to answer/write emails…

    Best!

  30. Worth every minute… thanks Darren. A great reminder to keep reconnecting with my dreams. I particularly liked your recommendation to examine what gives other people energy.

    There are some excellent quotes in your slide deck. Any chance they’re on SlideShare?

  31. Hey Darren, what a great speech is that. You’ve got me dreaming again. Thank you!

  32. Great talk, Darren. Thanks for sharing so much of yourself with us.

  33. like thes : Worth every minute… thanks Darren. A great reminder to keep reconnecting with my dreams. I particularly liked your recommendation to examine what gives other people energy.

    There are some excellent quotes in your slide deck. Any chance they’re on SlideShare?

  34. Very nice! Don’t give up!

  35. Hellow Darren,I am new here and I just posted my 1st comment here.Truely inspiring video and you are totally right about the dreams to hold on and then just nurturing them in your own way.
    From now on I will regularly follow your blog and I think,I also will succed oneday if I follow your footprints,
    You are very honest man and it reflects in your talkings,just keep your good wok Darren!!

  36. Nice post.Thank you for taking the time to publish this.

  37. Hi Darren,

    Thanks for sharing your amazing journey. Very inspiring. I will follow the dreams again.

    Thanks again.

  38. Hi Sir,

    On your advice I grabbed a cheeky little beverage and sat down and watched. And I’m very glad I did.

    Brilliant. Really brilliant. Love it.

    Accountability with dreams. So good.

    And you have amazing pecs in that Superman costume … *cough*

    Great work sir.

    Cheers

  39. This is simply the best post on Problogger I have read since I started following this blog about 4 years back. Thanks Darren for reminding me to follow my dreams. In my desire for stability and financial comfort I seemed to have lost track of my dreams. You have once again ignited that spark to realize my dreams through consistent action.

  40. I loved this presentation! After a two-year hiatus, you’ve helped me remember that blogging energizes me, and I’m inspired by the idea of focusing on what gives me energy. I feel really excited for the first time in months–thank you! My next step is to focus on my niche. I’m going to do that today, even if it’s not perfect. :)

  41. I rarely watch online videos this long, but I really enjoyed this one. Thanks for giving this talk and sharing it with us.

    These tips are great for implementing dreams and translating ideas into reality. However, for me, taking action, getting things done, and working out an idea is exciting and gives me lots of energy.

    The harder part is actually being visionary and HAVING big dreams like you talk about. Does anyone else feel the same way? How can us less-creative people cultivate a visionary, entrepreneurial mindset? Have you ever talked or written about it from this perspective?

  42. Inspiring story! Really needed to hear your message about tuning into what gives you energy and to look for the little sparks. I can finally put the months of self doubt to rest, thank you Darren. By the way, you rock the Superman outfit :)

  43. I will regularly follow your blog and I think,I also will succed oneday if I follow your footprints. I have read since I started following this blog about 5 years back. Thanks for reminding me to follow my dreams. In my desire for stability and financial comfort I seemed to have lost track of my dreams on ap

  44. Tanzeel says: 08/07/2013 at 12:16 am

    Nice post Plz visit my blog Blogger & WordPress for SEO tips blogger templates and widgets

  45. Shelley says: 08/10/2013 at 2:49 am

    Holy Moly, Darren-I feel like this talk was directed just for me. Perfect for where I am in my life right now. Serendipitous, grace, divine timing – whatever you want to call it, I am so very thankful for this post, your talk, your work and the wonderfully genuine way you share your life and your Australian talent-loved the song, too!

    I’ve been mulling over starting a blog for about a year now, heard about you in various other blogs I follow and now I finally feel ready! Not only do you give us inspiration in this talk, you give us concreted ideas and steps to follow, amazing photos and many laughs.

    Thank you for sharing your experiences, your life and your talents. You have touched a life today, Darren, thank you so much.

    Sincerely,
    a soon to be new blogger;-)

  46. Hi Darren,

    Great presentation which makes everyone think about what are the opportunities & what we can do for grabbing those & making its best we can. Its really very inspiring as well as very practical. It is like a motivation for me to pursue my dreams. Thanks

  47. Hi Darren,

    Love your presentation. We need to make the best of the opportunities we gain. If we are demotivated, we need to find a way for inspiration.

    Thanks

  48. Nice Post, i really love these kind of things. Thanks Darren for reminding me to follow dreams.

    Thanks again …

  49. . Very inspiring.Thank you for your share

  50. Thank you for being so inspiring. Sometimes I feel like such a failure and this video is a spark in my heart again. Thank you.

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