Alex Shalman, Erin and Steve Pavlina Talk Blogging, and Personal Development
I woke up bright and early this past Saturday and went into New York City to meet our favorite personal development guru, Steve Pavlina. He was visiting our great city, from his residence in Las Vegas for the week, and had a small meet up for his friends that read his personal development site. His companion on the trip was his lovely wife Erin, who is a real life psychic medium (the first one I’ve ever met).
As soon as I walked up to Steve and Erin, I could automatically sense their aura. They just radiate confidence and tranquility. They’re both really nice, and very present. What I liked about talking with them was that I could tell their mind wasn’t elsewhere, it was with me.
The community that surrounds the Pavlinas is really nice as well. Exactly what I imagined everyone at the meet up to be like. Very friendly to introduce themselves, and quick to make me feel welcome. I also got to meet a fellow blogger, Jenny Mannion, who I’ve been interacting with via e-mail for a while. Many other great people were there, but without any blogs to link over to. I gave out some business cards while I was there, so if you find this post, please comment below, it was great meeting you!
Steve Pavlina Talks About Blogging
We asked Steve what the key to making money online was. (paraphrasing)
It’s all about traffic. It’s like getting people into a warehouse. Once they’re there, you could put up signs and sell things, such as coffee, and based on the shear number of people there, someone will buy, and money will be made.
The next obvious question was, how do you get the traffic to come. I hoped he would say something other than content is king, and he did! (paraphrasing)
Honesty. I write about what I believe, and am not swayed by current trends or hype. Aside from being transparent, the trick is to write to people on an individual basis, rather than standing in front of a podium. People want to feel connected with the writer, so you want to cater to that.
Personal Development and a Special Message
During the end of the meet up, Steve and Erin did a short Q&A session to address some of the questions that were on our minds. Richad, the youngest member of the group (I believe he was 16), asked a really powerful question.
What is your message to the younger generation? This kind of took Steve by surprise, since with a shocked expression he replied “Younger generation? But I’m only 36!”. Yes, Steve is also a really funny guy. However, Steve and Erin took this question very seriously, and both replied with what I consider two cornerstone life lessons.
Steve Pavlina (paraphrasing)
Pursuing money and financial abundance is not what we’re here for. You could be really good at what you do, and make a lot of money doing it, but still be unhappy doing it. Joy and happiness is what we should strive for, and we can do this by taking the things we already love to do, and getting good at them. By doing the things that we love, we will not only generate value, by bringing genuine value into the world, but we will be happy NOW, instead of chasing the happiness at the end of some rainbow.
Erin Pavlina (paraphrasing)
Live consciously in all the decisions that you make and thoughts that you have. Do not follow the leader, just be conscious of yourself as an individual.
Well said guys!
The overall experience with the Pavlina NYC meet up was a great success. It was a pleasure meeting them, and everyone else that had attended. If you haven’t had the opportunity to read their blogs, you can do so now, by clicking through to Steve or Erin.
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Posted by Alex Shalman in Blogging, Networking, Personal Development | October 25, 2007 | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumble | Print | 19 comments
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Dude! What’s up! I’m Richad (not Richard
) the kid you met before. How’s it going? E-mail me back!
Thanks Alex for sharing this.
Jenny is a friend and a member of a group I belong to. I will ask her experience and share this post with her as well.
Great advice by Steve! It is never about the money.
Thanks Alex for the link! It was so great to meet you in person. I had a great time as well and thought Steve and Erin exuded calmness and Steve was very present when we were talking and gave me wonderful advice. Thanks again! Talk to you soon. Jenny
Adebola, it’s my pleasure to report on such great findings =)
Jenny, you’re right about them two. Everything was perfect, and meeting you was great. Keep in touch.
Hey Alex, thanks for sharing your thoughts about meeting “the guy”. What he says about going after passion is very true and I’m sure it resonated with a lot of hearts at the meetup. Wished I could join you guys!
Hmm… Steve looks kinda different from his picture on his blog
Cheers,
Ellesse
Youtube is not ideal for the hosting of this video. It’s a little over 20 minutes, which means I’d have to split it three times. Do you have any other hosting options?
Try blip.tv Richad
Hi Alex,
I think your summary of what transpired last Saturday was spot-on. I wish we’d had the chance to meet (somehow I missed conversing with any of the bloggers in the room), but perhaps we will get a chance to talk next time I’m in the big city.
I agree with Ellesse – Steve (and Erin) do look different in persona than the pictures on their blogs. I suppose that we all would – I, for one, look a lot less like David Hasselhoff than the picture on my blog would have you believe.
All the best,
Neil
Hey, Alex.
It was nice meeting everybody!
Really looking forward to Richad’s video.
My girlfriend Vera say “hi”
Serge
Neil,
Next time I’ll make sure I look for a Neil!
Serge,
It was nice to meet you too, even if it was for a brief moment!
Hi Alex,
This was a great article, thanks for posting it.
I felt really connected with this: “the trick is to write to people on an individual basis, rather than standing in front of a podium”
It’s so true… when we are running towards a goal sometimes, we forget that all people want to do is to feel connected. So many articles out there are just cold content with straight facts. It’s good to be reminded to be ourselves and include humanity in our writing.
Love & Gratitude,
Tina
Think Simple. Be Decisive.
Productivity, Motivation & Happiness
Isn’t it nice when people are even better in person?
Having a conversation with Steve Pavalina must be a good experience for you.
Hey Alex,
Man, Steve is an inspiration to many people, you’re lucky to have met him. And thanks for letting us know what everything and everyone was like. It’s interesting how spiritual his approach has gotten lately, and like you said it will show through in his person.
Cheers,
Albert
UrbanMonk.Net
Modern personal development, entwined with ancient spirituality.
Hey Alex, thanks for sharing about Steve and Erin, this is a nice read.
I admire Steve’s work and his contribution to the community. I like what
said about doing it from the heart and not chasing after the money part and
most importantly about honesty. A mark of a great leader.
Warmly
Gamy
how cool. what a neat opportunity to meet these positive leaders.
Stevepavlina, Saint or Scam ? Further discussion on this link.
http://nicevilblogs.wordpress.com/2006/07/25/stevepavlinacom/
Please check it out, and give your real honest opinions about Steve’s website.
It’s sad that Steve does not give his readers a chance to voice out their real opinions. All the comment postings are closed before any real discussions can be made.
I’ll leave this up here, but I’ll also voice my opinion and say I think you are full of it, and I do not believe the things you say in your article.