Looking for some convincing to sign up for CGW#2

[zackster]

I'm looking for some convincing to sign up for CGW #2.

Reading threads, it seems like the primary benefits people have gotten out of CGW #1 were....

1) A socialization experience
2) Being able to overcome social anxieties


Seeing as how I'm not especially prone to social anxiety (talking to strangers is not a problem for me), I'm looking to be convinced. What kind of specific material changes have happened in your life since the workshop? Which ones have already "manifested"?

e.g.

* I now make an extra $20/day
* I now weigh 10 fewer pounds
* I am noticeably happier on a consistent basis

[Bing Wu]

Wow, good question. It really makes me think. Here's what I have to say:

Don't underestimate the "socialization" aspect of it. In fact, many of the other benefits people will be able to point to stem from the networking that took place at, before and after the workshop.

You're not just meeting some "new friends". Many of these are highly conscious people. Many of them will inspire you. You will bounce ideas off of them. Some might mentor or coach you. Seeing what the other attendees are doing with their lives will kick start your own ideas and get you to take the dust cover off your dreams.

Let me illustrate some of the most tangible effects this has had on me:

1. I met a humor specialist at Steve's Toastmaster's club after the workshop. He's helped coach me and edit my humorous speech... with that speech, I went all the way to the District level of my Toastmasters speech contest. There were 300+ people in the audience. That was a new experience for me, it's pushed me out of my comfort zone immensely.

That experience has now gotten me exploring stand-up comedy. I attended a performance at a comedy club for the first time last night and I'm planning on doing a routine the next time they take entries for amateur night.

2. CGW refocused my priorities. It rekindled my interest in psychic development - when I told a few attendees I had psychic abilities and would eventually like to develop them as an intuitive coach, they didn't let me off the hook - they wanted me to read and coach them on the spot. I was frightened but it went well. I'm now working with a psychic coach, I've acquired books and audio resources and I'm doing cold readings for people to sharpen my skills. It's now a believable "career" path for me.

3. Diet. Seeing so many people with more expertise on diet than me has inspired me to eat healthier. I'm eating more raw foods, getting more creative with my smoothies and learning more about how to add variety to my vegan diet.

4. Friends. Making so many new friends at CGW opened my eyes to the opportunities that I had to make more conscious friends back home. In fact, I've met as many people in my home city in the 45 days or so since CGW as I had in the entire previous year.

5. Intimate relationships. Again, CGW was an eye-opener in this area. I've also dated more people since CGW than in the entire previous year. I feel like I have more to offer now, and I'm less afraid of putting myself out there because my attitude towards relationships has changed. I feel like a more loving, giving person. And I love people more now!

That being said, if you're really skeptical and need a reason to convince you to go, maybe you're not the best match for a CGW. But I feel you're very curious, so maybe the right question is, what's the potential upside, what's the potential downside, and how much are you willing to push your boundaries and change, because that's where 99% of the benefits will come from.

[Savage]

I personally found the social environment we co-created to be the best part of the workshop. It affected me more than I ever expected. New connections were created that I know will last a very long time.

Since the workshop my social and relationship life has been massively transformed. It's been a period of adjustment as Erin and I separated a month ago, but we're both much better off for it. I'm enjoying deeper and more intimate friendships and talking to people one-on-one more than ever. Yesterday I got a new smartphone (Motorola Droid) to help me keep up with the increased communication flow. The level of abundance in this area has just exploded -- pretty much the opposite of what you might expect from someone going through a divorce.

My diet has improved (more greens and fresh veggies, more juicing), I'm exercising more intelligently, and I've lost 8-1/2 pounds since the workshop.

I'm ridiculously happy. I can't even be around mildly depressed people because they can't handle me.

I'm branching out and doing fun things I've never done before. Last weekend I went indoor skydiving. Some other cool things are in motion too.

The LoA is working on overdrive. I've had to intentionally slow things down just so I can catch my breath. Manifesting what I desire is easier than ever.

And I even switched to a Macbook Pro after being a diehard PC user for 20+ years.

[yoopersmith]

Originally Posted by zackster

I'm looking for some convincing to sign up for CGW #2.

Reading threads, it seems like the primary benefits people have gotten out of CGW #1

were....

1) A socialization experience
2) Being able to overcome social anxieties


Seeing as how I'm not especially prone to social anxiety (talking to strangers is not a

problem for me), I'm looking to be convinced. What kind of specific material changes have

happened in your life since the workshop? Which ones have already "manifested"?

e.g.

* I now make an extra $20/day
* I now weigh 10 fewer pounds
* I am noticeably happier on a consistent basis

Hey Zackster,

I'm with you...those social issues are not a focus area for me right now...

Here's what I got out of it:

- A better appreciation for my responsiblity to make my realtionship with my wife better.

Instead of blaming her for what is wrong with me...I am learning to love her "As IS" and change myself.

Also, I learned "love" strategies which I discussed with my wife to learn how to ellict that "awwww" feeling...that's golden.

- I am more focused in my goal to be a speaker. I wanted to skip to end and just show up and talk with very little prep...I have since learned that I need to practice, practice and more practice to hone and polish my skills...so some day, I can just show up with very little prep time...

- I am maintaining new friendships with the workshop attendees, and we are growing together and helping each other grow...this is huge...you should check out our skype meetups...they are for anyone.

There are many more examples...but I think you get the idea. The social skills and interactions seem to be popular issues that a large number of folks are dealing with...but this workshop has something to offer anyone that is ready to grow consciously.

CHEERS!

[Mabel]

Hi there Zackster,

Thank you for your question. I hope to meet you at CGW #2. Let me answer your question with a concrete example--like the ones that you gave as examples...

Before the workshop I had a problem with perfectionism that was inhibiting my ability to post material to my website. The last post I had made was in August of 2008 and I had less than 5 pages all together. Right now, I am on day 27 of my "I am the boss of me" 30-day trial which involves posting an update every day as well as writing 10 pre-defined articles in the 30-day period. So as of today, I have 37 pages completed on my website of which most are the daily updates and 7 are articles. Between the workshop and doing the Leftkoe excercise to get rid of the belief that failure is bad, I got over my mental constipation and started writing and posting! So although I am experiencing some failure in what is a pretty involved 30-day trial, I am getting results! The boss of me is winning out over my perfection complex.

Your question is timely because one of my remaining 3 articles that I will post by Sunday night is a review of CGW #1. And you Zachster are my target audience. I have found that in writing my articles it helps to have a focus before starting and I have decided to write about my experiences with a purpose of #1 providing you with an idea of what to expect from the workshop and #2 Tips on how to prepare for CSW #2 to get the most out of the experience.

I will let you know when my review is posted. There are many conrete benefits I could report. Another one is the conversation I had with my boss--informing him that I plan to become permanently unemployed in 2010. Social connection is huge as well--arrive early and leave late.

More later!

Sonya

[zackster]

I'm still not fully convinced. Not interested in public speaking. Growing up I was a naturally gifted public speaker so this isn't something I feel I need to focus on. People mention "they eat more raw foods", "public speaking", ... but I see this more as "Now I feel more entrenched and secure in my position in the Pavlina tribe" rather than truly enhancing their life.

I am however really intrigued by the prospect of the workshop: I like the idea of having breakthrough moments of insight that will lead to radical changes in how I approach my finances, friendships, and overall lifestyle...

Let me know,
Zack

[Michelle]

Originally Posted by zackster

I'm still not fully convinced. Not interested in public speaking. Growing up I was a naturally gifted public speaker so this isn't something I feel I need to focus on. People mention "they eat more raw foods", "public speaking", ... but I see this more as "Now I feel more entrenched and secure in my position in the Pavlina tribe" rather than truly enhancing their life.

I am however really intrigued by the prospect of the workshop: I like the idea of having breakthrough moments of insight that will lead to radical changes in how I approach my finances, friendships, and overall lifestyle...

Let me know,
Zack

Why not just spend the money and go? It is $500 and 3 days. Why not take the risk?

If you are really that far from being convinced, perhaps it simply isn't for you.

One of the main reasons I signed up is to connect with people like me. I recently set the intention to form deeply meaningful and satisfying relationships with compatible people. This has already manifested to some extent, and I expect it will continue to do so at the workshop.

Another reason I signed up is to be challenged into doing things outside of my comfort zone. It takes a lot to really challenge me, so taking a course where I may experience and overcome challenges which will enhance and improve my life experience is exciting and inspiring and fun.

Another reason I signed up is because of Steve. He seems like a cool guy. He doesn't want or need me as a follower. I sense his honesty, integrity and generosity of spirit. Those values are very important to me in life, so I choose to surround myself with and be inspired by people who embody them.

For me it is an absolute no brainer to fly 15 hours across the Atlantic to attend.

[mattyblu]

I'm not trying to be mean, but if you need this much convincing to attend, maybe it's your intuition telling you not to go. There's nothing wrong with wanting more information -- it's a good idea in fact -- but you should ask yourself if there's a reason you're so hesitant.

I attended the first workshop, and the biggest thing I took away from it was all the great connections I formed. I had never been in that kind of loving environment before. It blew my mind. It makes you want to change your life for the better.

[Mabel]

Hi again Zack,

It does sound like you are trying to be convinced to go to CGW #2 but are still trying to figure out if there are tangible benefits to doing so. Let me turn it back around to you.... What are you seeking to change in your life? What would you hope to get out of this or any workshop? You mention some general areas, but it may help you to envision what is possible by focusing on something concrete, like the material changes you asked for examples of in your first post.

For myself, I was able to make changes after the workshop that in some ways felt foreign or different to me--i.e. I don't think that I would have obtained certain results at all, in the same way or as quickly as I did had I not attended the workshop. I believe the opportunity cost of not attending the workshop was greater than the opportunity cost of attending the workshop.

Also--let me address your comment about the "Pavlina Tribe". Yes, there are people at the workshop with similar interests, but it is my no means uniform in any sort of cultish manner. I think it is great that I can find someone to talk about lucid dreaming with at the workshop more readily than I can in the general population, but that does not mean everybody at the workshop follows everything that Steve does and says. I have experienced the difference in my life as I previously attended workshops from the Landmark Forum. I now intermittently refer to it as the Landmark Cultdom. With that group, you are constantly pressured to recruit all your family and friends into the Landmark Cult because it is good for one and for all. The rationale, is how can you support all your wonderful changes without everyone around you also being similarly indoctrinated. Steve does not do this at all--he states and it is clear that he truly means that he has a specific target audience for his workshops.

Although I am trying address your concerns in detail (which is a reflection of my style), don't mistake that for trying to convince you to attend the workshop. I am trying to help you answer that question yourself by providing you with information based on my understanding and experiences.

Here is the article that I promised in my first response to you: Steve Pavlina Conscious Growth Workshop: 1.5 Months Later


Good luck Zack!

Sonya

[Manomanman]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

My diet has improved (more greens and fresh veggies, more juicing), I'm exercising more intelligently, and I've lost 8-1/2 pounds since the workshop.

I'm ridiculously happy.

You're also looking 10x sexier

[Manomanman]

Originally Posted by zackster

I'm still not fully convinced.

1. Settled a raging identity crisis.

2. Finally found "my calling" in life after spending 6 months freaking out about what to do career-wise. I'm now starting my own business (see my blog for progress updates).

3. "Automatically" changing my diet, much like Steve Pavlina. I'm craving more raw foods - unhealthy food is just too difficult to eat now, and it's becoming less appetizing with every passing day.

4. Started a Mastermind group that is becoming more successful each passing day.

5. Enjoying the presence of other people more (a simple, yet powerful benefit).

6. I look sexier than ever. (Steve Pavlina does too).

7. Happiness.

The changes you will experience will be unexpected, especially if you go in willing to change. A HUGE part of conscious growth is opening yourself up to truths that you've been unwilling to admit to. You'll learn SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much about yourself you may not recognize yourself afterwards.

It's like trying to convince somebody they should take a psychedelic drug in the sense that you may not like the person in the mirror staring back at you when you're no longer able to hide from the truth, when the layers of ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ melt away.

This workshop is not a self-help book that you read and throw on the top of the pile of books you read and didn't apply. If you're not ready for a heaping dose of truth, followed by pain, followed by healing, the workshop will not benefit you - Steve is clear about this in his ad.

I am extremely skeptical of the personal development field (I am a scientist by training), and I found the workshop to be very "real", practical, and beneficial on many levels.

[zackster]

All right. I signed up. See you there. But only because of Jesse.

[Manomanman]

I also wanted to add that the CGW keeps giving. As I continue to grow beyond the immediate effects, I reflect back to the conference and continue to have "AHA!" experiences about my current trajectory in life.

I remarked to somebody the other day that I'm actually "happy" now, even though my life is going through a period of extreme difficulty and uncertainty. I actually see a future world with me in it.

I spent the last 7 years in abject misery, but I now see a bright future.

[Kevin V]

Hi zackster,
I just wanted to thank you for making this thread. I too was unsure about attending CGW. But after you made this thread and people brought to light some of the positive things that could be gained from it, it definitely helped me say "Screw it, I'll do it!" and buy the ticket.
Cheers, and I look forward to meeting you there.