Steve's Immersion Method?

[Scipio]

Steve mentioned in his calibration article that he likes to follow a method of immersing himself in something and totally getting the skill down. I think he made an article of a similar vein called Overwhelming Force or something.

How does one keep up their other skills while they immerse themselves in something?

For example, a person wants to train submission wrestling twice a day for a few month period, but they don't want to lose their Muay Thai skills.

Or should they simply not worry about anything else, and just train Muay Thai again afterwards, since their skills won't decrease so much anyways?

[Matt Willard]

I was also wondering about this, especially since I'm not very good at focusing on things for an extended time at the moment.

[Savage]

It works best when you de-couple your income from your time, so you don't have to work 50 hours a week just to pay your bills. If you live without traditional employment, you can invest plenty of time in pursuing your primary interests full-time w/o starving.

Of course most people won't do this.

It's pretty important though. I'd rather be homeless to free up the time to pursue these sorts of things. Time is more important than having a roof over my head.

[Matt Willard]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

It works best when you de-couple your income from your time, so you don't have to work 50 hours a week just to pay your bills. If you live without traditional employment, you can invest plenty of time in pursuing your primary interests full-time w/o starving.

That's easy, I haven't even bothered to look for a job yet :V

Then again, I am trying to get my website more off the ground. I basically figure that, to calibrate, I read a lot about site building and traffic and whatnot and work a lot on the site (within my admittedly minor focusing capabilities). But see, I'm also an aspiring fiction writer. Are you suggesting I forget about that for now and go really gung-ho on exclusively building my site?

[Scipio]

I already have a pretty non-traditional job, which is 8 hours per week.

I guess I will go ahead and take the advice from the article Overwhelming Force.

However, the psychological issue of having to give up on other things, to let other skills at least stagnate, I'll have to get over. However I'm a much better all-or-nothing guy so Im just gonna go for it.

[pyrogen]

It can be helpful too to just find a job that doesn't require banker's hours. I'm in health care and there is a lot of flexibility with my time. Right now I do three twenty-four hour shifts (doing home care) but soon I hope to get a hospital job, and I'll be doing work where I can do just two twelve-hour shifts to make the same money as I am now. At that point, I can be an almost total immersion student with the rest of my time. Plus, I'm able to connect (in my mind at least) my future goals with the thing I'm doing for a living. I would not be able to stay focused if I were working at, say, Target.

When I had to make a living working for minimum wage at a job that required five eight hour shifts, there was no chance of going to school.

[lifetimelearner]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

It works best when you de-couple your income from your time, so you don't have to work 50 hours a week just to pay your bills. If you live without traditional employment, you can invest plenty of time in pursuing your primary interests full-time w/o starving.

Of course most people won't do this.

It's pretty important though. I'd rather be homeless to free up the time to pursue these sorts of things. Time is more important than having a roof over my head.

I understand where you are coming from but what about a roof over your kids heads ?

[Savage]

Originally Posted by lifetimelearner

I understand where you are coming from but what about a roof over your kids heads ?

In that case it's even more important. Why on earth would I want to teach my kids to sell out for money and spend the rest of their lives living like chodes? They'd be so much better off in the long run if we were all homeless for a while. Then they'd really grasp the importance of commitment.

My kids deserve better than a sell-out for a Dad. A homeless Dad is like 10x better.

[MasterD]

Originally Posted by lifetimelearner

I understand where you are coming from but what about a roof over your kids heads ?

Did you see the movie "The Pursuit of Happiness" with Will Smith (it's based on a book, though I didn't read it). It's pretty cool. He takes his sun sleeping in dumps while pursuing the life of a stock broker.

[lifetimelearner]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

In that case it's even more important. Why on earth would I want to teach my kids to sell out for money and spend the rest of their lives living like chodes? They'd be so much better off in the long run if we were all homeless for a while. Then they'd really grasp the importance of commitment.

My kids deserve better than a sell-out for a Dad. A homeless Dad is like 10x better.

is a chode a putz ?

I get your drift you are teaching your kids how not to
9-5 until they die

I guess I am struggling because I do have kids and my only educational training is nursing and I hate that career

and I am kind of glad I got fired

[Savage]

For most of history, human beings didn't have jobs -- unless they were slaves, that is.

The notion that you need a job has been socially conditioned into you since birth. You were taught by others (mostly slaves themselves) to think you need a job. But you're always free to reject that model if you don't like it. It's entirely possible to get by in this world without having a job.

I haven't been employed by anyone in over 15 years. And yet I'm still -- somehow -- able to eat (raw, organic food too). And I'm certainly not alone.

[Matt Willard]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

For most of history, human beings didn't have jobs -- unless they were slaves, that is.

The notion that you need a job has been socially conditioned into you since birth. You were taught by others (mostly slaves themselves) to think you need a job. But you're always free to reject that model if you don't like it. It's entirely possible to get by in this world without having a job.

I haven't been employed by anyone in over 15 years. And yet I'm still -- somehow -- able to eat (raw, organic food too). And I'm certainly not alone.

Well, clearly you're living the example of such a kind of life, so it's definitely possible. The trick's getting there, and I can imagine that would be tough on people as well. I'm trying to get to that point right now, and I'm worrying about it all over my brand-new carpet. But I know it's definitely possible, so that's how I'm truckin'.

[Savage]

Originally Posted by Matt Willard

Well, clearly you're living the example of such a kind of life, so it's definitely possible. The trick's getting there, and I can imagine that would be tough on people as well. I'm trying to get to that point right now, and I'm worrying about it all over my brand-new carpet. But I know it's definitely possible, so that's how I'm truckin'.

Getting there is actually quite easy. You need only follow two simple pieces of advice.

1) If you have a job, stop showing up.
2) If you don't have a job, don't apply for one.

Once you've done that, the rest pretty much takes care of itself.

Of course people come up with all sorts of silly rules and fears as to why they won't be able to handle not having a job. But the real fun happens once you get past the fear.

It's really not that complicated. Having a job, making a resume, showing up to work, obeying commands, etc. is a heck of a lot more complicated.

[Matt Willard]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Getting there is actually quite easy. You need only follow two simple pieces of advice.

1) If you have a job, stop showing up.
2) If you don't have a job, don't apply for one.

Once you've done that, the rest pretty much takes care of itself.

Of course people come up with all sorts of silly rules and fears as to why they won't be able to handle not having a job. But the real fun happens once you get past the fear.

It's really not that complicated. Having a job, making a resume, showing up to work, obeying commands, etc. is a heck of a lot more complicated.

I will admit I'm having a much better time working on my website than actively hunting for a job. Of course, my ultimate goal is to make money off of it, and I've only got three months left on SBI, so I'm kinda panicking a little bit But it's still a great experience, and if I do have to go for another domain later, I can still reapply what I've learned from the program and be that much better off. I'm fortunately in a position where I can spend the time getting this set up...I just want to start making enough to renew SBI at least at the new monthly level they set so that I can take it from there.

[Bleicke]

What I'm interested in: everyone knows Steve hates 9-5 jobs. But what about college?

What's everyones opinion on going to college to study something?

[lifetimelearner]

Originally Posted by MasterD

Did you see the movie "The Pursuit of Happiness" with Will Smith (it's based on a book, though I didn't read it). It's pretty cool. He takes his sun sleeping in dumps while pursuing the life of a stock broker.

yes I loved that movie

but
he was pursuing a JOB

not self-employment as Steve suggests

[dmauder]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Getting there is actually quite easy. You need only follow two simple pieces of advice.

1) If you have a job, stop showing up.
2) If you don't have a job, don't apply for one.

Once you've done that, the rest pretty much takes care of itself.

Of course people come up with all sorts of silly rules and fears as to why they won't be able to handle not having a job. But the real fun happens once you get past the fear.

It's really not that complicated. Having a job, making a resume, showing up to work, obeying commands, etc. is a heck of a lot more complicated.

Steve:

You make it sound like everyone should just quit their job, burn all bridges, and start (magically) making money from some business. What you are forgetting is that you are in a very small minority. The rest of us inferior mortal beings have bills to pay and families to care for.

I've been trying since 1997 to make a solid full-time income for myself, and it hasn't happened yet.

In your blog post about making money blogging, you state:

Can most people do it?

No, they can’t. I hope it doesn’t shock you to see a personal development web site use the dreaded C-word. But I happen to agree with those who say that 99% of people who try to generate serious income from their blogs will fail. The tagline for this site is “Personal Development for Smart People.” And unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your outlook), smart people are a minority on this planet. So while most people can’t make a living this way, I would say that most smart people can. How do you know whether or not you qualify as smart? Here’s a good rule of thumb: If you have to ask the question, you aren’t.

So I guess you're going to come back and tell me I'm not a smart person, right? I'm a computer engineer working for one of the largest computer manufacturers in the world, and I'm out installing / maintaining enterprise systems that cost anywhere from $100K up to over a million dollars.

In that respect, I'm no dummy. I know my profession and I'm good at it. I'm also pretty darn smart with money. I'm debt free except for my mortgage. I also have enough cash set aside to comfortably live on for about 6-8 months, and a sizable retirement account. Granted, it's shrunk a little over last month or two, but we're still investing new funds at bargain prices.

Having said all that, I'm not even sure why I posted a response here. I guess it just frustrates the hell out of me that you make it sound SO simple.

Believe me, if I could replace my income and work for myself on my own terms, I would do it tomorrow. I would love to be able to pursue all the other interests I have without worrying about paying my next mortgage payment or electric bill.

And it's certainly not for a lack of trying either... My wife and I have owned a vending business, catering business, and various Internet ventures. I also had an SBI site, and never made more than about $50 month from it.

Dave

[Savage]

Originally Posted by dmauder

I've been trying since 1997 to make a solid full-time income for myself, and it hasn't happened yet.

I also failed when I came from that mindset. Just sank deeper into debt.

As I explained in this article, this is the wrong focus for creating financial abundance.

Doesn't matter how smart you are. That isn't the issue. Read the last two blog posts, and then take a look at how much value you're really creating and delivering for others. If the value isn't there, the income won't be there either.

I know this can be frustrating. Part of the reason it's frustrating is that the correct mindset goes against our social conditioning. In truth it really is quite simple though. You just have to get your mindset to the right place, and the rest will follow.

I know it sucks to look at how much work you've done and then admit that it just didn't deliver much value to people, and that this is why your income still tanks. I had to admit that I wasted years doing work that didn't need to be done. I was even sleeping at the office sometimes. But just because it sucks to admit it doesn't make it any less true.

One of the big challenges in going from employee to entrepreneur is that as an employee, it's easy to be infected with the belief that work = pay... or time = money. Just put in the time, and you get paid. Reality doesn't work that way though, and entrepreneurs are forced to deal with greater realities than employees.

[dmauder]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

I also failed when I came from that mindset. Just sank deeper into debt.

As I explained in this article, this is the wrong focus for creating financial abundance.

Doesn't matter how smart you are. That isn't the issue. Read the last two blog posts, and then take a look at how much value you're really creating and delivering for others. If the value isn't there, the income won't be there either.

I know this can be frustrating. Part of the reason it's frustrating is that the correct mindset goes against our social conditioning. In truth it really is quite simple though. You just have to get your mindset to the right place, and the rest will follow.

Thank you Steve! This is definitely something I've struggled with for many years. Shifting focus from making money to creating/delivering value is very difficult in this society.

Needless to say, you are a MASTER at creating and delivering value - I don't think anyone would dispute that. But most of us can't even figure out what it is we can do to create true value for others. That's where I keep getting stuck...

Anyway, I'm in the process of reading your last three blogs and then I will make a serious effort to shift my focus and meditate on what I can do to create and deliver real value for others.

Much easier said than done...

Dave

[Ralph]

Immersing yourself is an incredibly effective way of learning anything new. It's one of the quickest paths, but also one that requires a lot of courage and ability to embrace your failure.

You can do research about the topic, ask about opinions and all that, but truth is that the vital is always unconscious.

Most of the mentors won't be able to express the unconscious process to you, and even if they do, they'll share it in metaphors that you'll understand only when you immerse into something.

A skill is always an unconscious course of action triggered by a conscious action. For example the pick-up artist won't go anal about his emotional state, body posture, what to say etc. He'll just be like "let's do it" and get into the so-called flow state where everything is ran perfectly by unconsciousness.

The true mastery is teaching your unconsciousness to perform complicated actions. The conscious process you go through seems quite easy, while a newbie would see it as extremely complicated.

You can do research and learn what to do consciously. However, only by actually doing it you get this process installed into your repertoire of unconscious skills.


Immerse yourself and even if in the eyes of the world you'll fail - you succeed in internalizing the mastery!

[Gazzali]

Originally Posted by Matt Willard

I will admit I'm having a much better time working on my website than actively hunting for a job. Of course, my ultimate goal is to make money off of it, and I've only got three months left on SBI, so I'm kinda panicking a little bit But it's still a great experience, and if I do have to go for another domain later, I can still reapply what I've learned from the program and be that much better off. I'm fortunately in a position where I can spend the time getting this set up...I just want to start making enough to renew SBI at least at the new monthly level they set so that I can take it from there.

How long have you been doing your blog with SBI?

[Lupe]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

I also failed when I came from that mindset. Just sank deeper into debt.

As I explained in this article, this is the wrong focus for creating financial abundance.

Doesn't matter how smart you are. ...
If the value isn't there, the income won't be there either.

I had to admit that I wasted years doing work that didn't need to be done. I was even sleeping at the office sometimes. But just because it sucks to admit it doesn't make it any less true.

One of the big challenges in going from employee to entrepreneur is that as an employee, it's easy to be infected with the belief that work = pay... or time = money. Just put in the time, and you get paid. Reality doesn't work that way though...

Did sleeping at the office mean deep thinking because of shock ensuing from realizing that you've been wasting years of your life?

I've been experiencing the same emotion these days. Why did I do well in high school only to be able to waste more time in university? I should have deliberately failed high school and become a pro blogger.

[Matt Willard]

Originally Posted by Gazzali

How long have you been doing your blog with SBI?

Got four months left...I'll admit there was a time where I wasn't focused on it, but now my priorities and what's really important to me have been straightened out, so I'm working doubletime on it. An impending deadline helps too :V

[dice]

I'm trying this with guitar over the next 2 weeks of xmas break.

its reccomended you practice about 15-30 mins/day as a beginner, i/m going to be doing between 2-4 hours.

I can get myself into an OCD mindframe if i don't let myself get distracted for the first 25 mins. then its smooooooth sailing.

[paulbc]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

I also failed when I came from that mindset. Just sank deeper into debt.

As I explained in this article, this is the wrong focus for creating financial abundance.

What amazes me is the way Steve refers so nonchalantly to "this article" (how to make lots of money in a recession) as if it's just a throwaway. 5 hours, 6000 words...more than the average person thinks I'd say!

The article has blown my mind. It speaks directly to me in this exact moment.

I'm on the brink...in two ways.

My wife and I sat down 4 weeks ago and calculated income, savings and bills...that we could last 60 days if nothing changed. I've had a new creation "almost" ready to launch since September, but one thing after another has gotten in the way. Not sure why that is happening as I've done my research and there is a need. Perhaps I've chosen the wrong people to work with.

However, it is so amazing to me that after 10 years of ups and downs working for myself...this week I was actually looking at my friends who don't have the "curse" of the entrepreneur like me wondering how much simpler my life might have been if I had stuck in a job all this time.

But the article has reminded me of who I am. It has reminded me that my passion is my most important asset...that no matter how scary things look, creating value for others is always going to win in the end.

It's just that the apparent reality of not enough money gives some pretty compelling distraction to the equation for me right now.

All I know is that what I am developing for people and their health will be picked up by tens of thousands...so in effect, Steve's investment in time with that article has touched thousands more people than perhaps he even imagined.

Anyhow, I'll stick around this forum...already I feel at home.

cheers Paul

[magi13]

focus and concentration. this book tells a lot about the subject

The Power of Concentration by Theron Q. Dumont - Project Gutenberg