OK, a disclaimer that applies to all of my posts, past and future: this thread is so big now, I can't remember what's been covered and what hasn't, so if it's already been talked about, let me know.
Quote
damagedbyassociation
My wife was labeled Damaged Goods from Impact. She didn't like it, but at that point she was pretty much stuck with going along with the whole Impact belittling routine - because she sincerely thought it was going to be "good" for her.
I totally agree with Army - it is abuse - but unfortunately, everyone there is subjecting themselves to it "voluntarily."
After sharing my experience and thoughts about Impact, someone said (I think in Impact terms you'd call them my "grand-angel" or something?):
"if it was so humiliating and bad for you, why didn't you just leave. I don't feel bad for someone who only had to be there for a few days, and could have left at anytime."
Damaged put "voluntarily" in quotes for a very good reason. Impact has many ways that psychologically keep people there. Damaged already related the scene they created when he tried to leave, and that they were able to keep his wife there, too.
Here are some of the things that kept me there for as long as I stayed:
-The price
It's $500 to attend (which includes a non-refudable $150 deposit). Right before the reading of the ground rules on the first night, is the "point of no return" The facilitator announces that from that point forward there will be NO REFUNDS. It's a lot of money, and you don't want to "lose" it by leaving before you can get all that they have to offer, even if you have to endure things you don't like. In my case, a family member paid for it, so I didn't want to "waste" their money by leaving, and I didn't want to disappoint them either, which leads to...
-using attendees as free salesmen
In a normal business transaction, a person will naturally spread the word, whether it was good or bad. At impact, however, they go much further than this. They say "if you really love and care about someone, you'll encourage them to come to Impact. Also, remember, there are excuses and there are results" MOST people who are there, were referred by family members and close friends. MOST of these people trust the loved ones who referred them, and many have promised these loved ones that they will stay until the training is finished. The people who referred them were most likely sucessfully indoctrinated, and therefore weren't allowed to tell the recruit what actually happens there. Thus the recruit has only to rely on the trust and love they already have for the person that referred them. Thus, when you are being attacked during the training, you think, well this must be for my own good, because "so-and-so" would never send me somewhere harmful.
-The buddy system:
On the first night, everyone is paired with a partner. Your partner has to be someone you've never met before, and you are told to pick someone who you "wouldn't normally choose". You are asked to be responsible for your partner, but especially for making sure that the partner gets there on time. If your partner doesn't show up, you get publicly yelled at, possibly kicked out and otherwise humiliated. Most people call their partners several times the next morning, to see if they will be coming, and if not, try every avenue to convince them to come. You don't want to be responsible for getting your new acquaintance yelled at because you didn't show up, or didn't get there on time.
-fear of further embarrassment
In order to leave during the training, you have to go out a specific set of doors at the back of the room. This door is in full view of the facilitator, which most likely means you'll be subject to questioning from him first, and most likely everyone will see you get up and leave. Also, this door goes through a corridor of offices filled with staff members, who will probably also intercept you as well.
-the element of surprise
since no one is supposed to tell you what happens at Impact beforehand, you are completely taken off guard when you are there. I didn't have a chance to really think about anything, i was simply reacting.
-sleep deprivation
the training goes late into the night (I didn't usually get to sleep before 3 or 4am), requires homework, and on the last two days, you have to be there by 11am. Tiredness can severely impair judgement. It may not be until you are back on a normal sleep schedule that you realize what happened (or it may be too late by then).
I know there are more techniques employed as well, so post them if you think of them. Which ones kept any of you from leaving?