CGW 4: How'd it go?

[Bing Wu]

I'd love to hear an update about how CGW 4 went. How was the workshop? What kinds of exercises did you guys do? What kinds of social activities were organized? I want details!!

[Gene]

Yes, please tell how you experienced the workshop!

[Mabel]

Me too...me too! I'd love to know how it went. Perhaps some of the CGW4 attendees are still in the Vegas area spending time with new friends!

[Erin Pavlina]

You guys know how it is the day after. People are traveling and getting their wits back on line I'm sure the reviews will come soon.

For me... I think this was the best CGW yet. The intimate environment was rockin'. Steve wasn't on a stage, he was right in front of the room, so it made it more personal. We did a lot of group exercises and partner sharing which was great too. And because of the smaller size it was easy to get to know everyone. Really great group of people too.

We did some power exercises as groups. So into the casino we went and did our power exercises together, using our social support to encourage each other to do the things we were afraid of.

I told my star trek speech again. that was fun. I did a meditation at the end of day 3. That was cool.

I think the group was very cohesive, a great mix of all sorts of people, and everyone supporting each other's goals.

CGW 5 is gonna be off the hook. I know a lot of CGW 1 and 2 folk are planning to come back for a reunion. And I think you will all get a lot out of the material. Steve has altered it quite a bit and I think it flowed really well.

[Gene]

I plan to attend CGW #5 and I am eager to see old friends, make new friends and experience the energy there.

[Burris5000]

As a CGW 4 attendee, I would say that it went well. I was sort of disappointed in the fact that nobody ran out of the room crying, but at least no one got sick like last time. There were plenty of tears in some exercises, especially during the love portion where we looked each other in the eye and took turns hugging each other. I felt surges of love and strong emotions as well.

For me, I just seemed to get the tip of the iceberg in terms of my career. I realized how fuzzy I am regarding my true passion in life. Instead, I found out what breaks my heart, and it relates to human suffering to some extent. When that was mentioned by Barbara, it touched off something in me emotionally, so I am exploring it. I also realized that I need to set boundaries, and that my feelings of being stuck were self-created and that I need to really work on boosting my self-esteem. I had not realized this before. Therefore, I have made some small changes in my life for now, but in the next month, I hope to make some larger changes in my life.

For now, I will explore some new truths, and I plan on starting a blog. I am mainly doing it for myself to get experience in blogging. One of my first posts will be a series of in depth reviews of CGW 4, as I believe it will another resource for people to look up when they are deciding whether to attend future CGWs. I looked up as many CGW reviews when I was trying to decide whether it was right for me and to get me excited about attending.

As for future CGWs, I plan on coming back eventually. However, I do not plan on staying an entire week in Vegas because I realized that it Vegas is not my kind of town. The main thing I did not like was that the environment was too stimulating, especially with the noise of the slot machines, and this wore on me. The daytrip to the Hoover dam with Tina was a welcome relief.

I did love the wonderful people that I met in the workshop as well as the interesting people working in the casinos and even on the street. Another thing that I got from the workshop is that I now feel less judgmental about other people from different walks of life than I did before the workshop.

[Mikki]

I think overall Steve's workshops will have a different effect on you depending on where you are in life, and where you are on your path of personal growth. For me I felt it unlocked and released alot of blocks I've been experiencing. I wasn't quite sure what to expect going into the workshop, but I have to say I'm very satisfied with the outcome. I learned alot about myself and met a ton of new growth-oriented friends.


One thing that surprised me is how shifts in my thinking kind of snuck in behind the scenes. Post workshop, approaching strangers was always somewhat of a daunting task. I've studied alot on the art of communicating and connecting with other, and I'm great at it once I get to know someone, but creating connections right off the bat has been something that I never really developed. One of the reasons was that I've never really put myself out there, partly because fear of rejection, but after the workshop I'm beginning to think it was also because I was out of alignment with the principle of love. Before, even if I approached someone, it would just be for the sake of approaching, not because I really cared to talk to them. But now I find myself alot more open, playful, and loving, so approaching people and talking with strangers feels alot more natural and fun. I'm not sure exactly when in the workshop this shift occurred -- maybe it was while having fulfilling conversations with the amazing people Steve gathered -- or perhaps it was when we did the powerful workshop exercises -- or maybe it was the wonderful environment. Most likely a combination of them all .


One of the coolest things about the workshop was how for me at least, the shifts I experienced and my new attitudes and beliefs weren't really forced. Sure there were times when I had to say "**** it, let's do this" and push myself a little, but for the most part I feel I've made changes at levels which I can't really explain at this point -- changes that can be best described as feeling natural.


Another cool thing was that at no point did Steve tell you what you should or should do or can or can't do. Instead he explained the 7 Principles of growth, let you experience them, and showed you how you could use them in your life in whatever way fit you best, to achieve whatever goals or dreams or desires you have in life. ... For anyone who's freak out they can't [insert self indulging habit here] after a workshop, fear not, Steve will not deny you. Though you might make a shift yourself .


Oh, and so on to the people. We all have had that friend (or maybe we are that friend) who's met some "online buddies" in real life, and they turned out to be complete weirdo's. And this was one of my concerns as I departed to Vegas for the workshop. "What if these people are like.. some kinda conscious growth freaks???". Lol. Well I'm happy to report that not only were there no weirdo's or freaks, but that everyone at the workshop was truly ****ing awesome amazing. Even though people came from all over the country (and some out of country), and even though we were different ages, from different fields, and had different goals, we were still all able to connect and share very positive experiences together.


How about the exercises? I think Steve summarized the exercises pretty well in his CGW4 post-workshop post, so I won't go too much into the specifics... Hmm, now where do I begin.. jackhammers or seagulls? ... We did a variety of different exercises, some on paper, some with each other, and others with strangers. Steve made an awesome list of power exercises for everyone to do, broke us into teams, and unleashed us on the unsuspecting tourists and citizens of Las Vegas. Bwahahaha. ... I think the power exercises made some pretty big shifts in most people. Within our supportive groups we were pushed forward, motivated, and inspired, and some of the exercises that we felt were too hard to do slowly melted away like a margarita near a Las Vegas pool . Some of my favorites were the love exercises.


And what of the environment? I gotta say, I loved the energy of Vegas and was a little sad to go. I had a bunch of stuff to do at home and was running a little short on cash, otherwise I would've stayed for a couple more days.


One thing I realized during the workshop was how much potential I had to make new friends, using strangers as ingredients. I asked hostesses out and she accepted . ... though I think she forgot cause she went home after work when we were suppose to meet . BUT, let's not overlook the fact that I asked her out and got a positive outcome. I've never really done that, but after the workshop I found it easy breezy. At anyrate I'll definitely be going back to Vegas. The girl at the Burger Joint owes me a date


In another incident, while hanging out with fellow CGWs, I informed them of my ill-fated date, and my plans to acquire a new one that night. They recommended I go over and chat with a cute girl selling cologne across the hall. There was a bit of hesitation, but I soon found myself darting over there and striking up a genuine conversation -- letting her know right off the bat I most likely wasn't going to buy anything. She was a little persistent still so I reiterated that I didn't want to buy anything and really just came over to chat with her. Then I asked her out. Then she said no . ... But the reason for this short story is to also point out that I've also made shifts in Truth, Authority, and Power in addition love. I've found myself alot more assertive in asking for things. And trust, I am going to abuse this to the fullest .


Post workshop has been a little interesting as well. At work I find myself engaging alot more, and having an overall better attitude. There's this guy who sits across from me whom I've seldom said a word to. My thoughts before were "This guy's super quiet, he never says anything, and when he does it's only about work", so I've never really bothered to strike up a conversation with him. But the first day back from the workshop, I asked him if he got a chance to check out (blah and blah), and he totally lit up. He's actually a really cool guy. ... I've also been in a much more loving state while interacting with people. As far as I can tell they're digging it, but maybe me moreso. Feels great . Though it's funny how there are still a few people whom are just hard to win over.

Kinda makes you think.

"What's a guy gotta do to get a little Truth Love and Power around here? Boy I tell ya.

I was listening to a Steve Pavlina podcast the other day when my electricity just all of a sudden goes out. I go outside and see the utility guy cutting off my power. I says to him 'Hey you're cuttin' off my power. Show a little compassion will ya. Ya know, truth love and power'. He turns to me and says 'Well the Truth is, we'd Love it if you payed your Power bill. Bada-Bing.'"

...

HA HA HA. Be here all night ladies and gentlemen.