Comments on: How Do You Measure Success?

By: Rocko

Rocko — Mon, 14 May 2007 13:40:36 +0000

Thank you very much for your blog Eric. It’s very inspirational. I used to think that it was impossible to get better at this stuff, but it truly is a process that doesn’t happen overnight. Like your client, I’m very good at rapport but am too nervous to do cold approaches. The best thing I ever did was start small. Ask people for directions, say something funny to coworkers, strangers in an elevator, cashiers/waitresses everywhere I go. Eventually, I’ll be able to do it to anyone I meet, then the natural skills of rapport I have will carry me on.

Then, I’ll have to learn how to deal with flakes when I close. That still is an issue for me. Sigh. E-mail, phone numbers, it’s still the same thing. Sometimes they don’t respond. It sucks, but it’s still fun learning all this. Keep up the good work!

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 11 May 2007 16:47:56 +0000

Eric, your efforts, blog and stories are helping guys big time. And girls too. To be able to approach, to overcome our fears. To offer people freedom. To offer people happiness. To know that it can be done. Not Tom Leykis bullshit woman bashing, but true beauty. Thank you.

By: Gary

Gary — Fri, 11 May 2007 01:59:37 +0000

Thanks for sharing your client’s story Eric, it resonated with me a whole lot. I remember doing a workshop last year and being absoultely shit-scared doing cold approaches. Problem was, my coach gave me a minimal ‘workshop’ session of a whole hour before we hit the bars and he had me simply approach trying to think of situational queues. Of course, my mind was blank! He suggested things like, “Hey guy, just thought I’d come over and be social”. I got a few conversations, but felt a bit frustrated. My only bookstore approach was a disaster, I was so nervous all the girl did was walk away! Then I went on from the workshop doing nothing, and one year later am no better off. The suggestion to do something simple every day like ask for time or directions is perfect – I plan to implement this starting from today. It’s like a gym workout, gradually increase the ‘weight’ when it becomes easy.

By: MikeNYC

MikeNYC — Thu, 10 May 2007 22:35:04 +0000

I wish him well!!!

By: jools

jools — Thu, 10 May 2007 21:57:08 +0000

yeah, that’s cool. also inspiring to know that i’m more confident than i thought. some people have it real bad…

i still can’t approach consistently on the street, in fact i don’t think i’ve ever transitioned into normal conversation on the street, not that i haven’t had chances. hmm.

i’m gonna try it with a friend to get into the feel of it, maybe having somebody with you who’s trying to do the same thing would be really helpful. seems to help your workshop guys!

By: a (nice) guy

a (nice) guy — Thu, 10 May 2007 20:51:35 +0000

I like the Kerouac-ian ending. :)

And the fact that you offered to refund his money and he declined.