Declining Value

[theoldtimer]

This is my first post in this forum. I am writing this post because I care about the success of this site.

For starters I have been accessing this site since 2005. I have always been amazed at the content and the ways it has challenged my thinking in the past. It has radically changed my thought process in several areas.

I have been observing this for the last several months. The quality and the usefulness of the Steve's posts have been drastically declining in value. In my humble opinion the last quality post from Steve was in February this year.

Please take a look at the archives and be truthful in your analysis: Personal Development Blog Archives

The frequency of the posts have also come down. The CGW marketing messages also eat up some of this.

I wanted to post this earlier but I was glad to see someone else also had the same impressions (Where is your Genius Content, Steve?). I was also disappointed to see that this honest post was being torn apart into pieces. I agree with the gentleman that posted that I have to go back to 2005 and 2006 articles to see the "real" personal development articles.

I am voicing my concerns as a huge fan and the last thing I want is this becoming like just another blog that dies a slow death. I don't want to be entertained, all I want is some high quality, thought provoking, action inspiring articles.

For whatever it is worth

[Savage]

In the future you can save time by using template #1 from this 2005 post:
My Favorite Feedback

When you have the opposite impression, please use template #2.

Also go outside.

Thanks.

[Mounds]

This is interesting as I've recently had a similar yet different train of thought.
What I'm wondering is if it's time for Pavlina Industries to evolve. Or revisit some old topics with a new perspective.
Reason I say this is that new information is not always good information. The earlier blog posts on this site are filled with information that is tried, tested and true. It is excellent info.
I would love to see a revisit of the old material and... wait for it... the eventual evolution of SP. Less blogging, more online courses! Another book! More inspiration!
The thread, "Where's the genius content, Steve?" should've been titled, "Where's the content I can use, Steve?". The old articles were awesome because you could use them. His book is great because you can use it. I'm sure his course is a life changing experience.
End of the day, it's his blog .

-Tim

[Anna Conlan]

Originally Posted by theoldtimer

I am writing this post because I care about the success of this site.

Maybe your idea of success for this site (i.e. it produces articles that YOU want) doesn't match Steve's right now.

[secrets0stolen]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

In the future you can save time by using template #1 from this 2005 post:
My Favorite Feedback

When you have the opposite impression, please use template #2.

Also go outside.

Thanks.

That is hilarious.

[Savage]

In all seriousness... if you no longer find enough value here, don't linger around and post general complaints. That's silly. Simply move on and seek other sources that align with what you desire. Recognize that it's utterly unreasasonable to expect me to go back and crank out more content on topics that interested me 5 years ago but that no longer inspire me today.

If you need help letting go, I could give you the "It's not you; it's me" speech. Blame me for not living up to your expectations if you think that will help.

Also recognize that I frequently receive the exact opposite feedback from yours. What annoys you delights someone else, and vice versa.

That 2005 feedback article still applies today.

We've grown apart. It's OK. Let go.

[Angela]

Boy, Steve, sometimes you're just like the sensitive girl who wants to break up the first time her boyfriend suggests she wear sexier clothes.

[Curtis2011]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

In all seriousness... if you no longer find enough value here, don't linger around and post general complaints. That's silly. Simply move on and seek other sources that align with what you desire. Recognize that it's utterly unreasasonable to expect me to go back and crank out more content on topics that interested me 5 years ago but that no longer inspire me today.

If you need help letting go, I could give you the "It's not you; it's me" speech. Blame me for not living up to your expectations if you think that will help.

Also recognize that I frequently receive the exact opposite feedback from yours. What annoys you delights someone else, and vice versa.

That 2005 feedback article still applies today.

We've grown apart. It's OK. Let go.

I suppose it is unreasonable to expect someone to NOT change.

People change. Their values change. Their stories change. Etc.

And it makes sense that if Steve changes, or I change, that unless we somehow change in a parallel direction, that one of us will lose interest in the other, or lose appeal to the other, or whatever.

As an analogy, this is my same argument against marriage: People change, yet it somehow expects them to stay the same, and even punishes them (with legal hassles) for changing. I suppose that makes it a fear-based commitment. Fear of change, that is.

Steve, I think one thing to consider is that there aren't many people out there who are actively trying to give valuable insights to others in such a personal way as you do. I doubt many business owners would reveal a comparable amount of detail about their personal lives and values to others as you do. So, when you change, or one of US changes, and we lose interest in your new work, perhaps we aren't even missing the "old Steve"; we are missing something interesting to entertain ourselves with, if only for a few minutes out of our day.

So naturally, we blame it on you! Why, Steve? WHY DO YOU HAVE TO CHANGE!!!

[Lionman]

As a fellow Aries type, I'd suggest you don't try to tell Steve what to do. It has the oppositve effect as intended.

I'd say he's now much less likely to post anything like his older post because your nagging faces are now assossiated with that material, resulting in reverse inspiration.

[Mounds]

Originally Posted by Lionman

I'd say he's now much less likely to post anything like his older post because your nagging faces are now assossiated with that material, resulting in reverse inspiration.

I sincerely hope that he does not see my nagging face when he thinks of posting, lol.
Anyhow, I just thought it'd be neat to see if he has any new perspectives on those effective habits. Thats it, thats all. No need for the cold "Don't like it, leave" reaction.

-Tim

[cylon]

If I started seeing nothing but articles on action and working hard, then I would stop visiting the site. I've been here for 3.5 years so I am a bit invested in the site too. I've noticed the quality steadily increasing over time.

Seems to me there are enough blogs in the world to cover all the bases so that everyone is happy.

Unless a reader is one of those hard-working types who always has to be doing something or else they get antsy and nervous. When I've been that way, I've always been less happy. The last thing a busy mind wants to hear is "go within".

[Knk]

Steve, I don't really see the issue here. A reader had a suggestion and he voiced it. He didn't do it in a negative, demeaning or inappropriate way, and I always thought that forum posters had the right to contribute their thoughts about the site. Your response seemed a little defensive.

[Andrew Brunelle]

I have noticed a less frequency of posts and some posts that were useless to me, but I'm sure everyone has some posts they don't like. Whenever Steve writes posts about ideas and not about his personal life, I enjoy those better. I'm not terribly interested in his Canada trip, but love the way he writes and thinks from different perspectives in his more PD-oriented blog entries.

I believe Steve has provided enough value for a lifetime in the first 4 years of his blog, so I am in no way complaining or saying he has lost his touch. His touch is still there, just not as frequently as in the past, but he has worked so hard to get all those previous posts up on his blog that I don't think this blog will ever die, except when Steve himself dies.

[James81]

Heh, funny thread title.

You think that his site is declining in value over time.

I think you're just declining the value in what you see right now.

Declining Value? Yep!

You: "Value? For me? No thanks. I decline it. I only want it in a certain way. I decline your value."

[Plays With Life]

Originally Posted by theoldtimer

Please take a look at the archives and be truthful in your analysis: Personal Development Blog Archives

Honestly, I stopped reading Steve's "personal growth" type posts years ago. If he had continued posting on topics like that, I still wouldn't be reading. I enjoy the posts on sex, D/S and travel much more.

Originally Posted by theoldtimer

I am voicing my concerns as a huge fan and the last thing I want is this becoming like just another blog that dies a slow death. I don't want to be entertained, all I want is some high quality, thought provoking, action inspiring articles.

For whatever it is worth

Maybe you could write some o' them. You know exactly what you want, right? Go ahead and create it.

[James81]

Originally Posted by Plays With Life

Honestly, I stopped reading Steve's "personal growth" type posts years ago. If he had continued posting on topics like that, I still wouldn't be reading. I enjoy the posts on sex, D/S and travel much more.

I keep anxiously awaiting the debut of your sex blog.

[Plays With Life]

Originally Posted by James81

I keep anxiously awaiting the debut of your sex blog.

Lol - well, I don't have the free time to do it right now. It'll be a while! Thank you for the ping!

[vicente]

Maybe the persons that complains should open a blog and fill them with the rich and interesting value content that they demand.

[James81]

Originally Posted by vicente

Maybe the persons that complains should open a blog and fill them with the rich and interesting value content that they demand.

Maybe you can blog about people who should open a blog to fill with content that they demand.

If you do that, then maybe I'll blog about you. Then I can be the guy who blogs about the guy who blogs about people who should open a blog filled with value.

[vicente]

Originally Posted by James81

Maybe you can blog about people who should open a blog to fill with content that they demand.

mmm... sounds like a really crazy blog, thanks for the advise Kool-aid-boy!!!!

do you think that we can sell the idea to google??? we can share 50/50

[Theobinomy]

Maybe its time Steve took an apprentice. Like the sith lords, except for light. Time is a cycle, and ok, steve is spiraling out from where he was. I respect that, it means there is real value. Could we see an official Steve endorsed blog, maybe from a CGW attendee? 5 years is a long time to be doing one thing (especially in the 10 reasons not to get a job framework [ha, maybe the recession is really pointing people here with all the laid off workers]). With the dedication that steve puts forth, it might take us mere mortals 10 years to do it. At the same time, if steve had a mentee we could follow that person, and maybe find refined gems of what is there. But until then, there's still the "random" button.

[Stuttgart]

I was just listening to padcast number 2, Truth and Awareness.
And i gotta say, it is brilliant, so helpful and beneficial. Im sure theres a lot more of stuff that will help people, you just have to find it.

Some topics are done, when theyre done, i dont want Steve to write about, lets say, productivity again. There are useful posts about this already.

Continue the travelling posts, or whatever Steve, its always fun to observe you exploring new areas.

Greetings from Germany.

[lifetimelearner]

Originally Posted by Plays With Life

Lol - well, I don't have the free time to do it right now. It'll be a while! Thank you for the ping!

James you should have known that he doesn't have the free time !!

[Savage]

Originally Posted by Plays With Life

Lol - well, I don't have the free time to do it right now. It'll be a while! Thank you for the ping!

I could offer you a temporary ban from the forums, which may give you about 40 hours more free time per week.

Is your forum participation serving as a crutch that prevents you from starting cool projects on your own?

[Plays With Life]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

I could offer you a temporary ban from the forums, which may give you about 40 hours more free time per week.

Thank you for the kind offer.

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Is your forum participation serving as a crutch that prevents you from starting cool projects on your own?

I have other cool projects I'm focusing on, right now. I could have said more accurately: I'm not focused on writing a sex blog right now.

[aabbcc]

Originally Posted by Andrew Brunelle

I have noticed a less frequency of posts and some posts that were useless to me, but I'm sure everyone has some posts they don't like. Whenever Steve writes posts about ideas and not about his personal life, I enjoy those better.

Yes, I agree.

Originally Posted by Andrew Brunelle

I'm not terribly interested in his Canada trip, but love the way he writes and thinks from different perspectives in his more PD-oriented blog entries.

Me neither and I live in Canada.

As others have mentioned, it is Steve's blog and he can write whatever he chooses. If he happens to write about something that doesn't interest me, I just go hang out in the forums. I can usually find plenty of good stuff there to wrap my brain around. And, of course, there is the blog archive as well.

[Lioness]

...it is Steve's blog and he can write whatever he chooses.

Of course, but as this is a PD site, I'm finding less and less PD info. It's like you get used to a restaurant that serves a variety of delicious, filling, and nutritious food. Gradually, the menu changes to tiny portions of exotic cuisine. Steve is saying, if you don't like it, don't complain, just go to another restaurant. The thing is, there just isn't another restaurant that is as good as the old one was!

I still find value here. Steve has evolved and I totally get that he is not going back to old recipes. Maybe the change in direction could be an opportunity for new chefs to recreate more of the classic dishes that some of us still thrive on.

[Liz Caitlin]

FWIW, I like Steve's recent articles about his travels. To me it's sort of like personal development in action - I remind myself that when I've achieved some of my major goals, I'll have the free time to travel & do other fun activities I like that are out of my price range right now. If there were STILL nothing but articles on hard work & self-discipline, I might go crazy feeling like I can't live up to them all the time, but instead I get to see that developing those skills leads to a momentum that does allow for relaxation on occasion. And that is a key part of the good life for me.

[Lioness]

I like Steve's recent articles about his travels.

I do too. His adventures are interesting. I'd just like more meat and potatoes also. (Sorry, but these food analogies keep on coming.)

If there were STILL nothing but articles on hard work & self-discipline, I might go crazy ...

I never thought that Steve wrote exclusively about hard work/discipline. It's just that the articles were more helpful and inspirational. When he wrote about his own life, it seemed to have more of an aspect of "here's how this can apply to you".

To me it's sort of like personal development in action - I remind myself that when I've achieved some of my major goals, I'll have the free time to travel & do other fun activities

I just feel that I still need more PD tips and techniques in order to achieve goals. But this is making me realize that I have to take real action, instead of continuously seeking "THE answer" from someone else.

[Cochonette]

I believe Steve has provided enough value for a lifetime in the first 4 years of his blog, so I am in no way complaining or saying he has lost his touch.

I agree. I could spend a lot of time re-reading all his articles and gain a lot. Currently I'm just re-reading the book. I haven't read through any new articles since the Procrastination one (which I haven't gotten around to).

Seriously, though, I am just reading less blogs these days and focusing more on books. As I am working on improving my own blog, I've realized that if you wanna contribute more to the blogosphere/internet, you gotta bring info that isn't already there... either be really intelligent and just come up with stuff on your own or read books like crazy (not just other blogs), which other people are less willing to do. Plus, I wanna read more comprehensive stuff instead of having to organize all the information myself.

That and the fact that I've already read so much of Steve's blog, I feel it's easy to procrastinate on it now. :P Like you meet someone you're crazy about and want to spend lots of time with them at first, but then you settle for a much more relaxed/loose relationship.

And I'm not worried about the content anyway because I know that Steve has taken a new direction with the CGW and is traveling lately, which he hasn't taken the time to do before. And anyway, I think the quality of Steve's posts has improved. He got a lot of the basic stuff out of the way already and shouldn't need to write new posts about it. If you want to read more on those things, read someone else... they'll have a different, and therefore fresh, take on it anyway, if they're good.