Badge of Honor

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Any of you that have kept up with me over the past 10 days knows that, last week, I was in Dallas at the 2009 People Report Best Practices Conference. It just so happened to be the best conference I’ve ever attended. Hands down.

I even considered writing a love letter to it. Couldn’t quite find the words though.

I considered making a list of the people I had the incredible fortune of meeting, and the people with whom I reconnected. Couldn’t do that either. It would have gone on for days.

It finally hit me as I was unpacking after returning home. I pulled this out of my bag:

I’ve started referring to it privately (guess it’s not private anymore) as my badge of honor. And I’m not quite sure what exactly I did to deserve it.

The first time I saw it, I was signing in at the registration desk. The first time I saw it, two things immediately came to mind:

1. “Hey. Do you think we could add some more ribbons to the badge? There’s not enough.”
2. “Can I get an assistant to carry this for me? It might affect my posture.”

The truth is, I didn’t feel like I deserved all those ribbons. Chances are, no matter what I do in the future, I’ll never feel that way. The question for me really became, “What have you done to earn this?”

The simple answer to that question is, “Not enough.”

The overwhelming current of the entire conference swept us all away in meaning and purpose. While I would like to think that the past year has found me living and working with meaning and purpose, I’d be doing nothing but applying transparent spin if my mind continued to exist in that space.

Which is why, at the time (and even now), it didn’t seem quite right to be wearing that badge.

So. Where does this leave me now? What am I going to do in order to earn that badge of honor? What am I going to do to thank the people and events that led to the creation of that conference, that led to the inspiration of those two and a half days, that led to a high which isn't subsiding?

I’m going to live and work with meaning and purpose. I’m going to connect with all of the extraordinary people with whom I didn’t properly connect. I’m going to use the apparent gifts I’ve been given to provide a voice, to provide inspiration, to provide challenge, to provide connection, to provide collaboration.

As a final note, I believe the success of this conference will be found in the ways it touches the lives of those who weren’t in attendance. I think it already has. Thank you, People Report, for providing this incredible experience.

Next time, if there is a similar badge of honor, it will be held around my neck with meaning and purpose.

Tags: Chris, PRBPC, People, Reed, Report, Revolution, Talent, meaning, purpose, voice

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Comment by Chris Reed on November 25, 2009 at 10:29am: @sexythinker...YOU completely inspire ME.

@Nate...Incredibly grateful to have crossed paths with you, no matter where it happened to be. Looking forward to what the future holds for us all, and the inspiration you're providing in the process.

@Tammy...You're welcome! Thanks so much for taking some of your valuable time to comment on my post.

@Sarah...Really enjoyed reconnecting with you, and looking forward to next time! Thank you.

@Kacy...Same here, please don't hesitate to contact me if there is ever anything I can do for you. Thank you so much for the incredibly kind comments. Truly blown away.

@Matt...Well said, my friend. Thanks for adding to the post, and it was great to finally meet you!

Comment by Matt on November 20, 2009 at 1:39pm: Chris- As everyone else said, "I'm ALL in" on living with meaning and purpose. "We" also need to dive hard core into the dialogue about how to inspire others to do the same. You, the TR Crew, People Report and It Starts With Us are way out front in leading the charge. The rest of us need to walk lock step with you and spread the word!

Comment by Kacy Oden on November 20, 2009 at 10:58am: Chris - thank you for being there & for giving us all inspiration to live & work with meaning & purpose everday. It really is not about what you have done but what you consistently do every day for yourself & anyone who is fortunate to enter your orbit - no matter how briefly that may be. I hope to see you soon! Please let me know if I can do anything for you.

Comment by Sarah Atkinson on November 19, 2009 at 12:59pm: Great thoughts Chris on a conference that definitley impacted my life as well. Keep up you great work, you and the TR team, no doubt, have purpose and meaning that will change our industry. Im glad I can be around to see it:) Looking forward to seeing you next time!

Comment by Tammy Colson on November 19, 2009 at 11:10am: "I’m going to live and work with meaning and purpose. "

Lather, rinse, repeat.
Thanks for a kick in the pants this morning.

Comment by Nate St. Pierre on November 19, 2009 at 10:47am: "I’m going to live and work with meaning and purpose."

Amen to that, brother. I believe that's the best we can possibly do. I'll be right there with you.

Comment by Amanda Hite on November 19, 2009 at 10:37am: Chris,

You never seize to amaze me with the talent you have for putting a voice to what we all are feeling and thinking. I agree this conference had an incredible impact on every person that attended. I'm still digesting and reflecting its affect on me.

It's been so powerful to be around you lately. You completely inspire me.