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For the sake of my friend, I have been desperately trying to see a postitive side to this. I am just so shocked that she would have been taken in by this, something that just reeks of BS to me right from the get-go! And I knew that before I even found this website! What makes some people able to see them for what they are, yet others buy it hook, line and sinker?? Critical thinking? Skepticism? She is the only person I know that's into this so I have no basis for comparison of the types of people that buy into it.
I am a general manager of a wholesale supply and a small business owner who runs a computer repair service. My IQ has been measured at 148. I studied Logic in college and was mentored in critical thinking. My educational background is classical and my worldview is rounded by continual study. I FELL FOR THIS tripe lock, stock and barrel.
Intellectuals might just be more willing to wait for the final clarification, the final argument, the last word. I don't know. You ask what makes people buy into Landmark and other LGATs. Perhaps my recent experience could help you in understanding.
Obviously, since I am involved in two businesses I am under stress. A good friend of mine told me of the Cannon Training seminars in San Diego. [You can read my post in this forum about that, 'Cannon Training...Lankmark Lite?] He said that the seminar would 'empower' me to reach my 'goals.' Being busy, I ignored him for months. He kept the pressure on.
With the economy doing a stutter-step and rising prices came greater pressure to make the money necessary to live in San Diego county. Feeling the weight of the stress I decided to take Fran Cannon's "Great American Business Owner Seminar." Supposedly I would learn ways to 'leverage' my time, be on 'purpose,' set my 'goals' and be 'successful.' There would be a 'support circle' too. I had already seen my friend at a 'formal' graduation where everyone was looking and talking 'success.' I bit in to the hook partly for these reasons:
[list:234768bd69]
[i:234768bd69]The idea of a 'support circle'[/i:234768bd69]
[i:234768bd69]Seeing the 'graduated' looking so successful[/i:234768bd69]
[i:234768bd69]I thought I needed to 'Leverage' my time [/i:234768bd69]
[i:234768bd69]Success seemed so far away[/i:234768bd69]
[i:234768bd69]My friend kept saying how much more time he had[/i:234768bd69]
[i:234768bd69]Fighting to take my life 'to the next level' made sense[/i:234768bd69]
[i:234768bd69]My friend repeatedly told me "you only need a few tools to be a success"[/i:234768bd69]
[/list:u:234768bd69]
During the 3 day seminar I was told over and over that by sticking with the program I would be a success. Successful people stuck with the program.
My wife, bless her heart, is the leader of our emotional life. She wanted to bolt fromt the program the first night. I talked her out of it. Fran Cannon had infected me with the "I can't do it alone" bug.
Much of what was programed into us was about personal change. This was supposed to be a business seminar. Fran Cannon said we needed to get through personal issues before we could concentrate on business. In my opinion looking back we were railroaded into areas that had no business connection whatsoever. We were told that we would understand later, the breakthrough would come. Stick with it. It's just another way of saying put your rational mind on hold. We spent a whole lot of time coming up with our "life's purpose." It's hard to recall how long we spent but my purpose was: "to empower others to achieve through my intuition and powers of persuasion." What the H%ll does that have to do with business?
The point is that I kept looking for the rational answer just around the corner. It never came.
At one of the weekly "success meetings" an attendee complained that the parties and the formal (expensive dress up) had nothing to do with business. He was sharply criticized for this comment. Of course, parties are business. Connecting with people is business. Putting seminar logos on shirts is business. Doing "personal work" is business. Everything is business and the seminar is ALL about business no matter what is said.
I suggested to Mr. Cannon, in a private letter, that he teach how to conduct mastermind groups using Robert's Rules of Order and help people build a business plan with Bizplan instead of having parties. He used his MBA in negotiation skills to bring this to the group I am told. The parties are still on but they are loosely discussing mastermind groups. One of the attendees left a message on my cell phone that included, "it's feels so good to have a support group around me..." This person is a self-made success in business already with a thriving business!
Remember, you can't do it alone. You need a support circle! H%ll, I haven't felt that way since I joined a Pentacostal Church when I was 13! There was this pretty girl you see and I wanted to date her...
I am already married to the prettiest girl in the world, what do I need a seminar for?
Really.
CN
From The Who, We won't get fooled again... "For I know that the hypnotized never lie..."