Workshop Suggestions (Blog)

[Steve Pavlina]

Use this thread to discuss the following entry from Steve Pavlina's blog:

Workshop Suggestions

[skinnyninja]

The workshop is an awesome idea for two reasons.

One, like you mentioned already Steve, Las Vegas is an end in itself for most people. What an awesome vacation it makes, even without the workshop.

Two, having all of us growth-oriented people come together would just be exciting in general. Imagine all the positive energy.

I would consider booking a trip around it.

[Angela]

I would happily come to Las Vegas, and pay around $300 for the right seminar with you and/or Erin.

What would make it most appealing to me would be:
-- mix of both Steve and Erin material, all in one long weekend
-- very experiential, rather than lecture/presentation based material
-- fun -- very important!
-- small group preferable, but not necessary
-- Erin: anything she wants to do is fine with me
-- Steve: I wouldn't be as interested in a general, top-down rehashing thing, since I've already devoured everything you've written, along with tons of other pd material. I would be more interested in a seminar aimed at folks who have some experience with this stuff under their belt. In other words: a challenge!

For both, physical moving around as much as possible would make me happy -- those seminars in which you sit in a chair for hours at a time are so last millenium.

I would also be interested in assisting you during your weekends, if you need someone to come out a day or two early for administration or facilitation of an event.

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

I am there (as long as I have that notice you mentioned...for someone in my position a couple of months or more notice would be helpful).

Angela's suggestions are great...especially that part about not sitting around all day.

It would be cool if Erin set aside some time for in person readings on the days surrounding the workshop (if that's even possible). Maybe she would have a couple of days where she only does readings for people who came in for the workshop??? I would show up a day early for that.

Highly interactive is great, $300.00 sounds very reasonable. All in all I trust that you guys would make it a very worthwhile experience.

Do it!

ETA: The reason I voted "I'd probably attend" is just a matter of getting the time off work .

[gvvaughan]

I live between US, UK (and soon the Phillipines) and while my schedule is my own, I usually have meetings, visits, appointments et al booked up for several months in advance. If I was already (scheduled to be) in the US during the seminar, I would most definitely come -- partner in tow! If I had more than 6 months notice (i.e. if it is next year ), I would do my best to shuffle my travel plans to attend. Anything else, I'd still really like to be there, but logistics might make it difficult. Even with two of us to pay for, I think $300 is a good price point.

I read both of your blogs regularly, and wouldn't want to have to pick between simultaneous talks by the two of you. I don't mind how big the attendance is, and I appreciate that a larger attendence makes for better economies of scale. Some interactivity can be fun, but it's also easy for it to feel forced and trite, especially with large groups when huge amounts of time can be lost to trivial exercises.

As a long time lurker I too would like to have new material to absorb, and a light enough schedule that there is still time to socialise and maybe see a show... perhaps a semi-formal meet and greet to network with other attendees would be a neat way to get to know the introverts? Although I'm sure you can invent a novel ice-breaking activity to add interest.

Did I miss anything?

[Calculusaurus]

I would look into every possibility of attending, but I voted #2 since it seems unlikely that I could afford the traveling costs on a student budget (no harm in trying to make the poll as representative as possible)

However, the appeal of this workshop is high enough that I'd probably be willing to make significant schedule/finance sacrifices to attend at least once in the future.

[Mnemosyne]

What a great idea! I would love to attend a workshop!

Personally, although I would be interested in attanding a workshop by Steve, I would be a lot more interested in attending a workshop by Erin.

I know that initially your workshops will be local to you in Las Vegas, but once you start venturing out, is there any way you could give a workshop in the Southeast US??? (Ideally, North/South Carolina). I live in the Charlotte area and it seems like there aren't many people down here in the Bible Belt that are open minded about subjects such as metaphysics - I feel so alone and would love to attend a workshop by Erin!!! However, I also feel that there would be a *lot* of people down here who would attend a personal development workshop.

My answers to your specific questions are below. Thanks for the opportunity to submit my opinion!

If we host a workshop or seminar in Las Vegas, under what conditions, if any, would you choose to attend?
-- For me, location matters the most, and unfortunately, Las Vegas isn't viable.

On a scale of 1-5, how appealing is this idea to you (1 = I’d never go, 5 = I wouldn’t miss it for the world)?
-- 5; If it was in a location closer to me then I wouldnn't miss it for the world.

What personal development topics are of greatest interest to you? What would you want to learn?
-- Leadership; something career related

In what area(s) of life are you struggling the most (finances, relationships, health, career, etc)?
-- Career

If you could make only one specific improvement in your life by attending such a workshop, what would it be?
-- Learn to effectively lead a group of diverse people

What is your preferred learning style? Do you prefer highly interactive, experiential workshops with lots of activities? Or do you prefer more lecture and/or PowerPoint presentation, packing in as much raw content as possible? Or do you enjoying mixing it up?
-- Highly interactive, experiential workshops with lots of activities.

How significant a role does pricing play in your decision? Does $300 for a 3-day workshop seem reasonable to you? (That price is near the low-end of typical pricing for a 3-day personal development workshop.)
-- Although it seems a bit pricey, I could probably swing $300; I think it would be worth it.

Do you prefer big seminars with hundreds of attendees or a more intimate setting with a few dozen at most?
-- I think this is one example where smaller is better.

[Sam988]

im not even from the US, so no chance for me to go

[{aspiring_to_clarity}]

Maybe one day they'll go international!

[Tobias Zimpel]

Hi Steve,

great idea!

1. If we host a workshop or seminar in Las Vegas, under what conditions, if any, would you choose to attend?

Not very likely, since I'm from germany. Flying over to the USA just for a workshop is nothingt I can easily afford, and even if I could, I can't say if I would do it.

2. On a scale of 1-5, how appealing is this idea to you (1 = I’d never go, 5 = I wouldn’t miss it for the world)?

It it would be in Europe. preferrably in Germany, I'd give it a clear 5.

3. What personal development topics are of greatest interest to you? What would you want to learn?

Steve:

• Finding my purpose and start transitioning my life towards it
• The Law of Attraction and how to use it to fulfill my dreams
• The Green Stuff - how to bring more money into my life

Erin:

• Finding my purpose and start transitioning my life towards it
• Learn to talk to my guides and higher self
• Astral Projection

Both:

• Finding my purpose and start transitioning my life towards it
• Personal and psychic development combined ("toolset")

4. In what area(s) of life are you struggling the most (finances, relationships, health, career, etc)?

More or less in all areas of my life... The most pressing ones are finances, career, health, purpose and relationships

5. If you could make only one specific improvement in your life by attending such a workshop, what would it be?

Have a clear understanding of what I'm here to do: Finding my purpose and turn it into a specific purpose that works in all areas of my life (body, mind, heart, spirit)

6. What is your preferred learning style? Do you prefer highly interactive, experiential workshops with lots of activities? Or do you prefer more lecture and/or PowerPoint presentation, packing in as much raw content as possible? Or do you enjoying mixing it up?

That depends on the topic, but I'd enjoy a good mix.

7. How significant a role does pricing play in your decision? Does $300 for a 3-day workshop seem reasonable to you? (That price is near the low-end of typical pricing for a 3-day personal development workshop.)

How about a workshop with the topic of attracting the money for the fee?

Nevertheless, 300 for a 3-day-WS are more than OK, if there is huge value in it.

8. Do you prefer big seminars with hundreds of attendees or a more intimate setting with a few dozen at most?

That also depends on the topic. When a lot of coaching is involved, small groups are much better (at a higher price). For other topics, big seminars would be a better match.

Tobias

[seeker5]

That's a great idea to have a workshop. The $300 range makes it reasonable. However, going to Las Vegas for 3 days would probably add $700 for me, and I can not find it reasonable for me to pay $1000 at this point when there is so much more for me to read - both your blog posts and all the books you've recommended. If I lived in Las Vegas, or you came to a city 1-2 hours from where I live, I definetely would go. If I can find a cheap way to get there and stay in an area cheaply so I wouldn't spend more then $500 total I definetely would consider it. If you came to a city within 1-2 hours of where I live, I definetely would go.

I am not exploring the physic world at this point, so I am much more interested in hearing about Personal Development topics from Steve. However, I would have a lot of interest to hear a relative brief session (1-3 hours) from Erin about what happens to us once we die.

I would NOT want the workshop to be a "Personal Development for the Smart People" for the Newbies. That is, I'd prefer to expect everyone or most people to have read most of the article and blog post you have written about. That way we can go in deeper into the stuff without having to spend too much time explaining the basic of what you've already written.

If we host a workshop or seminar in Las Vegas, under what conditions, if any, would you choose to attend?

Financial is the most important consideration for me as I am a student.

On a scale of 1-5, how appealing is this idea to you (1 = I’d never go, 5 = I wouldn’t miss it for the world)?

4 - Very Very Very Appealing.

What personal development topics are of greatest interest to you? What would you want to learn?

How to choose your life purpose, how to develop your career.

In what area(s) of life are you struggling the most (finances, relationships, health, career, etc)?

Life Purpose, Career, financial.

If you could make only one specific improvement in your life by attending such a workshop, what would it be?

To develop a very clear life purpose with a path to fullfilling it that is very clear and that every fiber of my being agrees with.

What is your preferred learning style? Do you prefer highly interactive, experiential workshops with lots of activities? Or do you prefer more lecture and/or PowerPoint presentation, packing in as much raw content as possible? Or do you enjoying mixing it up?

I like lectures with discussion as well as mixing it up with interactive sessions.

How significant a role does pricing play in your decision? Does $300 for a 3-day workshop seem reasonable to you? (That price is near the low-end of typical pricing for a 3-day personal development workshop.)

Price is the One and Only Factor. However, Travel and Hotel cost to me would probably be around $700, so the $300workshop would only amount to a fraction of the total cost. $300 is a very reasonable price for the workshop. I'm suprised (and glad) you're not considering much higher prices.

Do you prefer big seminars with hundreds of attendees or a more intimate setting with a few dozen at most?

The less people, the better so I get more of a chance to ask my questions! But I realize the economic advantage of having more people so the price per person is cheaper. The number of people attending the seminar will not impact on my decision to attend.

[Dan.Linehan]

1. If we host a workshop or seminar in Las Vegas, under what conditions, if any, would you choose to attend?

Possibly, but money would be a concern. I think it might be better to travel and hit up the top ten cities instead of keeping it all in Vegas.

Also, what exactly are the attractions in Vegas you speak of? I don't gamble here, and as a vegan all you can eat breakfast buffets don't have much i can eat.

2. On a scale of 1-5, how appealing is this idea to you (1 = I’d never go, 5 = I wouldn’t miss it for the world)?

Five.

3. What personal development topics are of greatest interest to you? What would you want to learn?

Steve:
How to be at peace in a non-peaceful environment.

Erin:
How to meditate without falling asleep.

Both:
How to build a system that has a worldwide impact.

4. In what area(s) of life are you struggling the most (finances, relationships, health, career, etc)?

None really. My life is pretty awesome. Trying to build some systems to help others get there.

5. If you could make only one specific improvement in your life by attending such a workshop, what would it be?

Manage a company that has a positive worldwide impact

6. What is your preferred learning style? Do you prefer highly interactive, experiential workshops with lots of activities? Or do you prefer more lecture and/or PowerPoint presentation, packing in as much raw content as possible? Or do you enjoying mixing it up?

Not really sure. A mix probably. Lecture, then application.

7. How significant a role does pricing play in your decision? Does $300 for a 3-day workshop seem reasonable to you? (That price is near the low-end of typical pricing for a 3-day personal development workshop.)

I'd pay $500 probably, if travel expenses weren't an issue.

8. Do you prefer big seminars with hundreds of attendees or a more intimate setting with a few dozen at most?

Smaller. Two dozen or less.

[Andrew Russell]

If it were anywhere in Australia, I wouldn't miss it for the world.

So, Steve, when do you start touring?

[Catlover]

1. If we host a workshop or seminar in Las Vegas, under what conditions, if any, would you choose to attend?

I would travel to Las Vegas as long as it wasn't 115 degrees like last week. My maximum is 105 degrees.

2. On a scale of 1-5, how appealing is this idea to you (1 = I’d never go, 5 = I wouldn’t miss it for the world)?

4-5.

3. What personal development topics are of greatest interest to you? What would you want to learn?

Law of Attraction, building passive income streams, overcoming fear, finding your passion

4. In what area(s) of life are you struggling the most (finances, relationships, health, career, etc)?

Career--am at a great point in a career that I don't really love
Relationships--fewer friends in my life than I would like
Health--working on weight and weight-related health issues

5. If you could make only one specific improvement in your life by attending such a workshop, what would it be?

Figure out what I really want to do with the rest of my life

6. What is your preferred learning style? Do you prefer highly interactive, experiential workshops with lots of activities? Or do you prefer more lecture and/or PowerPoint presentation, packing in as much raw content as possible? Or do you enjoying mixing it up?

I prefer a lecture/presentation with opportunities to do exercises and activities independently in order to apply the content

7. How significant a role does pricing play in your decision? Does $300 for a 3-day workshop seem reasonable to you? (That price is near the low-end of typical pricing for a 3-day personal development workshop.)

I think $300 is great. And if it could be done during a period of time when the bigger hotels are offering great deals (one time per year that happens is the week before Easter), even better.

8. Do you prefer big seminars with hundreds of attendees or a more intimate setting with a few dozen at most?

It doesn't matter to me. However, I hope that it would lend itself to meeting others. I would love the opportunity to meet and network with people of similar interests. I am a recently converted vegetarian working on becoming a vegan, in addition to the other interests/concerns listed above.

[Erin Pavlina]

One thing that could happen is that you can maybe pair up with others who are attending and share a room. That would cut your costs. You could post on the forums if you were looking for a room or roommate.

[Bonkers]

One of the things I'd really like to see is the seminar released on dvd for a fair price so that those that definitely cannot visit can still learn from it.

Also $300 is extremely cheap In my opinion and if you ever came to Australia I wouldn't miss it for the world.

[Steve Pavlina]

I originally intended to do seminars in multiple cities, even outside the USA, if there's enough demand for it. I enjoy traveling and always saw myself doing that eventually. For now we want to start locally to see how it goes, since arranging things in other cities would be more complicated.

As for vegan options at Vegas buffets, you just need to know where to go. The Mandalay Bay and the Luxor have some of the best vegan options. Excalibur's is among the worst. The fruit selection at the Mandalay Bay is especially good, including strawberries, blackberries, and other decent choices. At the Luxor on weekends, there's a full salad bar, fresh fruit, dried fruits, hash browns (cooked in oil), bagels, oatmeal and cream of wheat (both made with water) with cranberries or raisins, and usually a couple Asian options like a stir fry.

Often my family and I go to the buffet brunch at the Red Rock Casino, which is 5 minutes away from our house. They have similar options to the Luxor but with more Asian items. Last time I ate lots of vegetable nori rolls with pickled ginger and wasabi. They also have a vegan mango sorbet for dessert.

Generally the higher quality buffets will have plenty of vegan options, so you won't have to go hungry. The days of the super-cheap Vegas buffets are long gone though. A good quality brunch runs close to $20 now.

[geekchic9]

1. If we host a workshop or seminar in Las Vegas, under what conditions, if any, would you choose to attend?

As long as I had 6 months notice, I could probably scrounge up $300 for a workshop in Las Vegas.

2. On a scale of 1-5, how appealing is this idea to you (1 = I’d never go, 5 = I wouldn’t miss it for the world)?

3 -- I'm undecided because it depends on what the focus of the workshop was. An overview is nice, though.

3. What personal development topics are of greatest interest to you? What would you want to learn?

Entrepreneurship.

4. In what area(s) of life are you struggling the most (finances, relationships, health, career, etc)?

Finances, career.

5. If you could make only one specific improvement in your life by attending such a workshop, what would it be?

I want a purpose for my computer business.

6. What is your preferred learning style? Do you prefer highly interactive, experiential workshops with lots of activities? Or do you prefer more lecture and/or PowerPoint presentation, packing in as much raw content as possible? Or do you enjoying mixing it up?

Interactive

7. How significant a role does pricing play in your decision? Does $300 for a 3-day workshop seem reasonable to you? (That price is near the low-end of typical pricing for a 3-day personal development workshop.)

Keep it low, as I don't have a lot of money to spare.

8. Do you prefer big seminars with hundreds of attendees or a more intimate setting with a few dozen at most?

As long as there is interaction within small groups, it doesn't matter to me if there are 1000 attendees or 10.

[Max Power]

I'd say that most will find the cost of travelling and participating a barrier, how many people here don't even live in the US?

Why not run a live web televised seminar and charge people for access, seems to solve logistic and financial concerns and surely would be more profitable.

Would you pay $40 for a two day web seminar from the comfort of your own home or $1000 min. to get to LV?

People are going to buy the DVD of the event anyway.

Max

[noid]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

I originally intended to do seminars in multiple cities, even outside the USA, if there's enough demand for it. I enjoy traveling and always saw myself doing that eventually. For now we want to start locally to see how it goes, since arranging things in other cities would be more complicated.

Hi Steve,

Would love to see you here in Metro Manila, Philippines. I have been spreading the word about you and your site among friends and in my site, FilipinoWriter.com. $300 might be a bit steep for Filipinos, but $150 or less would be affordable.

More power to you and your future endeavors!

Dino

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Bonkers

One of the things I'd really like to see is the seminar released on dvd for a fair price so that those that definitely cannot visit can still learn from it.

I agree with the suggestion for a DVD of the seminar. I often buy the Companion DVD of events I attend if there is material that I found especially useful. I also buy DVD's of events that I am unable to attend in person.