Trying to figure what's holding me back

[htasker]

Hi all-

I'm trying to work up the courage to take this workshop. I was all set to pull the trigger a few weeks ago but for some reason fear has gotten a hold of me. I have the money for it, so that is really not my concern. I guess I'm not sure if I'm ready for it. I mean...I've read the articles, the book, and I'm ready for the movie I'm not sure if that will be enough though. I feel like other people will be much farther down the conscious path than I will be and I won't "get it". I definitely need a lot of work in a lot of different areas.

I know this sounds weak as well but I am not sure I am comfortable telling my family, friends, and co-workers that I am going to a conscious growth workshop. I think they will think I am blowing my money and push me toward a regular counselor or something. I want to tell them the truth but I feel like if I sign up I will lie and tell people I am going to a business seminar or something and feel bad about it. So I keep coming up with weak excuses like I just started my job and my boss won't like me taking time off. Or, I'll do the workshop later when I'm "ready" for it or its "better for my schedule".
I know that's BS though.

I was just wondering if anyone has the same thoughts that I do. Thanks for letting me get this out.

Dave

[Kevin V]

Hi htasker,
I too almost let fear and weak excuses prevent me from signing up for CGW#2. When I found out about CGW#2, I already had a Vegas vacation booked from 1/9 - 1/12. I came up with all kind of excuses: "Oh, I'll have to book another trip or I'll have to extend my stay. Oh well, bad timing I'll just sign up for the next one!" That's such a weak excuse because I knew it was in my ability and in my power to make going to CGW#2 happen. I determined why I was making these excuses (and I suspect this may be a big reason for you too) - because going to something like CGW#2 was out of my COMFORT ZONE.

A lot of your post repeats "I guess" and "I'm not sure". You have to be sure of yourself htasker! You're thinking about negative thoughts in the future that are all in your imagination! Who cares what other people in your life may think? Who cares if the people who show up are further down the conscious path? Who cares if they think you're blowing your money? It's YOUR MONEY and it's YOUR LIFE. You're free to do whatever you want!

Instead of thinking about the possible negatives that may occur due to you signing up, think of all of the positives that WILL OCCUR. You WILL meet and connect with other people that are going down the conscious path. You WILL learn a lot that will make your life better. You WILL "insert another positive outcome here".

Also, here's a post by zackster that had some valuable information that did assist me a little bit in signing up: Looking for some convincing to sign up for CGW#2

Edit: If the people who do show up are further along the conscious path than you, why is that a bad thing? If anything, it'll help you and motivate you to be just as far along as they are! Also, I signed up for CGW#2 when I hadn't even finished the book EARLIER THIS MONTH. I started reading the book a month and a half ago!

[mattyblu]

The fact that you have the self-awareness to ask this question in the first place tells me that you're ready.

[Bing Wu]

Meeting with resistance from others is natural. The first time I booked a reading with Erin, I told my friends - and one after the other they told me what a terrible idea it was, one well-meaning friend even left a drunken message on my phone when he found out thru someone else telling me to save my money and don't waste it on a psychic. Turns out, it was one of the best things I've done. Why let people who have no interest (or a real understanding) of PD ruin it for you?

Ever since reading Steve Pavlina, I've expanded my social circle, joined Toastmasters and competed in speech contests, switched to a vegan diet, learned a lot about psychic and spiritual development, and made well over 50K in additional income in projects that I pursued because my courage and attitude got a tremendous boost. I just think back to the results I've already gotten to realize that PD is a good investment - naysayers aside.

I too was on the fence about the first CGW, whether I was ready, whether it was the right thing to do. I had doubts all the way up until I boarded the plane for Vegas. And guess what... by the time I hopped on a plane bound for home, I was a totally different person than when I came. It was a transformational experience.

I may be behind Steve (and many other attendees) on the path of growth, but just being on the right path, creating my own purpose and courageously exploring what life has to offer is 10x more rewarding than sitting at home wishing things were better and simply drifting with the currents of life. In that sense, it is the journey, just being on the path, that matters. Who cares how far you get, it's not as though you're trying to become exactly like Steve or anyone else - you're here to create your own life, not emulate anyone else's. PD is your tool to become a better expression of... you.

You've read Steve's blog and his book, and you know what he has to offer. You're going to have a great time, and you'll be in great company. Think of the potential upside, and then the worst possible downside. What kinds of odds are you up against? I'd say, pretty good ones

[ecky788]

Ask yourself what's the best thing that can happen, the worst thing that can happen and what's the probable issue and you'll be able to make a clear decision.

[Manomanman]

Read Steve's initial pages and do the exercises.

Envision your life having gone vs. what you would be doing with the time not spent at the workshop.

That really made the decision clear for me. The risks are marginal compared to the rewards.

[Odyssey]

"Meeting with resistance from others is natural."

Says who? Maybe that's just an indication of being in social networks where a person doesn't belong, or are outdated for him.


In contrast, every one of my friends who I told about going was supportive if not excited for me... Good sign!!

Easy and effortless maximum growth -- with the minimum number of setbacks possible and necessary -- has been an intention of mine for a while now. The results are delightful. Emphasis on effort, difficulty, and expectation of others' resistance is an unnecessary belief system from societal baggage IMO. (What looks like great effort to others can be performed with the *feeling* of effortlessness; there's still work being done, but not in the attitude of fighting through resistance.)

Maybe they have their resistances, and that's their problem. Maybe you're ripe for developing a new friend network that would support you for what you're actually into. If you're not comfortable telling your current ties, they're probably not comfortable hearing it, which could be a red flag that maybe you're letting them have too much influence in your life. Where are the people comfortable with who you really like to be these days? Come find them at this workshop, if you like.

=)

[danoodle]

Most of the people I told thought I was meeting with a bunch of weirdo vegan hippies. The only good thing was the fact that it is in Vegas and that I need to "win big." Sigh....maybe that's some of the reason I am going. To meet other open-minded people that I can't seem to find around here. I believe it will be a very good experience for me to meet others that are further along in the personal development realm.

This is something you gotta do for you. Don't let others influence your decision. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best!

edit: I guess I should add that I live in rural Kansas where one of the biggest industries is livestock...

[htasker]

Alright...alright I'm in. I'll see you in Vegas.

Dave

[Maria Erving]

Originally Posted by htasker

Hi all-

I'm trying to work up the courage to take this workshop. I was all set to pull the trigger a few weeks ago but for some reason fear has gotten a hold of me. I have the money for it, so that is really not my concern. I guess I'm not sure if I'm ready for it. I mean...I've read the articles, the book, and I'm ready for the movie I'm not sure if that will be enough though. I feel like other people will be much farther down the conscious path than I will be and I won't "get it". I definitely need a lot of work in a lot of different areas.

I know this sounds weak as well but I am not sure I am comfortable telling my family, friends, and co-workers that I am going to a conscious growth workshop. I think they will think I am blowing my money and push me toward a regular counselor or something. I want to tell them the truth but I feel like if I sign up I will lie and tell people I am going to a business seminar or something and feel bad about it. So I keep coming up with weak excuses like I just started my job and my boss won't like me taking time off. Or, I'll do the workshop later when I'm "ready" for it or its "better for my schedule".
I know that's BS though.

I was just wondering if anyone has the same thoughts that I do. Thanks for letting me get this out.

Dave

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” ~Anais Nin