WSO Conference 2014: The Recap

If you're like me, you're tired and irked by all those online lists telling you how to live your life and find success. You know the ones. The ones with hyped-up titles like "17 Things You Need to Stop Doing To Yourself Today To Be Happy and Successful."

Then you start reading it and it's full of vapid platitudes like "Stop caring about what other people think" and "Do what makes you happy."

Well-intentioned as they might be, these lists will not help you. Why? Because they're vague and offer nothing of substance in their present form, without a success story to back them up.

We were privileged to hear the stories of some who walked the walk behind those platitudes in a forum much more real and valuable than seeking life advice on Buzzfeed: WSO Conference 2014.

Take for instance, the phrase "Pick your battles." An Internet writer would likely just leave it at that before rushing onto the next item on his list for "social lift."

Major conference speaker Gene Rubio (@monty09) backed up that advice with a story...

When he was starting RTC and working at the same time, Gene's boss called him into his office...saying that he didn't want Gene doing such inane things as helping college kids with energy recruiting. He demanded 100% focus on making money for the firm.

And, in the only disagreement he ever had with his mentor, Gene tells him, "I'll do whatever I want, with MY free time and MY money."

Pick your fights. RTC has been a solid success and has a bright future ahead ever since Gene walked away from that firm's paycheck.

Getting to hear stories like that in person was the most rewarding part of the 2014 Conference for me.

Or @"Aswath Damodaran" and his keynote address, which made 45 minutes of company valuation feel like 5. He also told a great story about clandestinely teaching his valuation course under the guise of another class for 22 years before the NYU admins finally caught on. Suckers.

And for those who were there in person, that trick of his with the envelope was the best explanation of banking valuation I've ever seen. So, hats off to the Professor! We were lucky to have him.

The mood at the pre-party and afterparty was solid but a bit more subdued from the last couple (and it's all your fault for not being there, @chicandtoughness). Some of that, frankly, is probably my fault for overemphasizing the social aspect of Conference a bit. They were both a good time, just not the total blowout of Conferences 2012 and 2013. Next year, let's REALLY show up to party.

I was talking to someone at the bar whom I believed I recognized from earlier in the day, but it took 30 minutes before she told me she hadn't been at Conference at all (even though she worked in finance). She was a model, though, so that was awesome.

Even in the waning minutes of Conference, our thoughts were already turning to the 2015 event. I promise you, dear monkey, it is worth it.

Given the choice between reading lame, "How To Be Happy" lists on the Internet and hearing stories by Aswath, Gene, Pat, and the other panelists, I know which one I'll pick. And so should you.

What was your favorite part of WSOCon 2014? Who impressed you most? What was your biggest takeaway? Did you anybody interesting (models or no)? Give them a shoutout in the comments!

And check out my other writeups of WSO events:

2013 WSO Conference: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/wso-conference-2013-the-recap
2012 Energy Rodeo: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/energy-rodeo-2012-the-recap
New York Happy Hour: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/new-york-happy-hour-recap-feb-6-2014
Toronto Happy Hour: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/blog/happy-hour-review-wso-toronto