Questions

(Quotes from Ed in Red)

Answers

Wed, 19 Jan 2005

Trying to Reach Ed


Ed,

I don't want to bore you with my life story in an e-mail, but the long and short is I've been looking for the "right" thing to do with my money since I was literally 17 years old (when I was a student I threw my entire student loan money into the market and promptly lost it all ! ).

Thank you for your inquiry - see Investment - Jan 4, 2005 for rules of thumb about futures trading. 

Congratulations for accumulating  100K - after wiping out.

What you are dong now seems to be working for you.

You might consider continuing to do more of the the same.

Everyone Wipes Out

from time to time

Masters keep getting back on the board.

Clip: http://www.mavsurfer.com/photos/

image_photo/mavericks_12_17_03_fq/

Wed, 19 Jan 2005

Consulting


Hi Ed,

You probably get asked something similar to this 1000 times a day but I’ve always professed when asking a question where you want the answer to be “yes” that the worst that can happen is that the answer is “no”.

I of course know about you from trading lore ala market wizards, etc. Long story short, I’m a trader (and family man, my first love) who has been through the first couple of learning phases I believe as I now have tight money management, am more focused on exit than entry, can take losses without a tear, etc.

I also know in my heart and soul that I am a trend follower. Nothing else makes sense to me. If prices are rising they’re rising, if they’re not, they’re not. But what I can’t nail down right now is which markets to trade and how best to go about determining for myself how to trade them. I don’t necessarily want a canned system because it’d be like buying someone else’s shoes. The chances of fitting me are slim.

I’ve been doing a lot of meditation, preferring Zazen, and what has become clear to me is that I need a point in the right direction.

Like any endeavor, be it a sport or other, learning in a mentor / protégé relationship is far more beneficial than going it alone. If I could get Michael Jordan to teach me about b-ball I’d learn more faster than if I went it alone.

Wed, 19 Jan 2005

Pumping Up

Thought that you may want to see this [news item].

"... unique software -- day-trading on steroids -- pumps up profits ..."

The ad might prove that it's easier to get a news-o-mercial into the paper than to make money by day trading.

The choice of language indicates targeting a body-building audience.

30 bid for 400 SPUs

Clip: http://www.globalhealthandfitness.com/

Wed, 19 Jan 2005

Right Livelihood

Dear Sir,

I was watching TV when it showed a clip of Anna Kournikova, the tennis player who hasn't won a tournament but had huge endorsement contracts because of her look.

The show I was watching, as well as the general opinion about her, is that no one has much respect for her, that she's a joke in tennis, that she sucks, and the only thing that keeps people interested is that she's cute.

Admittedly to a certain degree I hold those same opinion about her. But that day, all of a sudden, I thought, wait a minute, what's wrong with that? Maybe she isn't meant to be a tennis player - maybe that her interest, desire, and right livelihood is in modeling? So the way she gets into modeling is through tennis. So what's wrong with that?

Why is it that she becomes the laughing stock? Why am I not happy for her, even when I always feel finding the right livelihood or one's unique talent is the most beautiful blessing of all?

By the same token, I remember you've said that someone may find that his right livelihood is not in trading. But I always feel that it is unacceptable for me - I cannot imagine myself quitting as a trader. Even if I move on to something else, it'll still be a thorn inside that I fail as a trader.

I then realize I am holding the same prejudice as many others - if you don't succeed at first in your chosen field, you're like a loser. And in this society we have little respect for losers, even when they move on to new path which may better suit their talent. It's like, once a loser, always a loser, and whatever they do next, we just remember how they failed.

It is shocking for me to realize how I am holding judgment about people's past (my own included), and not focusing on what they are NOW.

I appreciate your thoughts on choosing right livelihood. Thanks.

Right Livelihood is not your job - it's what you bring to your job.

You might take your questions about right livelihood, respect and losing to your Tribe.

If Anna is a Joke

guess who is laughing

all the way to the bank.

Clip: http://www.zejack.com/perso/

women/img/anna_kournikova_05.jpg

Tue, 18 Jan 2005

Report from the Interior

Hey, Chief, get a load of this(!):

I jump on the hot-seat. Geez, I feel nervous! How am I supposed to do this anyway? "Hey ... why don't you take that feeling and see if you can feel it a little more ... Yeah, turn it up ... And while you're at it, keep rubbing your chin! Yeah, do more of that!"  Sure, I trust you, and I'll do just that, yeah more of that. And then, ya know, I really close my eyes and breathe in and out and see the squiggles in my head and all of a sudden POOF! Fred arrives and boy he's got some important stuff he's getting off his chest and I can just barely hear my teammates pulling for me, my tribe rooting for me:

"CRANK THAT UP! BOY, YOU SURE HAVE BEEN WANTING TO FEEL THAT FOR A LOOOOOOOOOONG TIME!"

They're right, of course you know that. So I sit and feel and surf, and god knows it is just the craziest thing I have ever done and I sure do like it.

Wouldn't it be neat to hang out with Fred in between tribe meetings if that's what Fred wants to do every now and then? I think so. So, yeah, I'm gonna do that, I'm gonna figure that out.

Okay, come visit soon. There's lots to see.
Seriously. In fact, there's a good chance we'll be levitating by then.

Thanks and take care!

OK.

Figuring it out between Tribe Meetings sounds like a variation of the DIM (Do It Myself) process.

Tue, 18 Jan 2005

New Horizons


Ed:

I have made a good use of your FAQ and TTP throughout these years. Yet I have always felt that limiting its application to trading issues is a waste of resources and genius.

TTP seems to be working its way into various other communities.

You might ask your fund manager what margin / equity ratio means -  how he computes it and how he uses it in his trading algorithms.

Addictions

are dramas surrounding k-nots

To unwind an addiction,

experience all the feelings

validate all the judgments

and integrate all the forms.

http://calvaryslc.org/ministries/

addiction/images/have-a-nice-day.jpg

Tue, 18 Jan 2005

Incline Village Trading Tribe.


Ed,

I will attend the trading tribe in the Incline Village once per month for the next six months and then once every two weeks. I conduct research on systems almost every day (my own). :) I'm willing to take the hot seat every meeting (I want to).

What is the address/times of the next meeting? Please keep in mind I'm coming from Utah and don't get to Nevada except once per every few years. Please give good directions.

Thank you for your interest.

Here are your directions:

Go to the Directory Page, and follow all the instructions.

Tue, 18 Jan 2005

Radial Momentum Cone Lift


I ran across your website while looking for information on venturi pumps. I was searching for venturi pump theory in an attempt to determine some parameters related to orifice size in a short (3.2meter) solar chimney. I have seen chimney draft inducers which are an inverted cone shape and was wanting to apply same at the base of a short solar chimney. A Bernoulli obstruction flow meter in reducing the area would yield a pressure drop (1/2 diameter location from textbooks), but this is not necessarily the largest that could be obtained. if an inverted cone were placed at the base of the chimney and the pressure tap were at the center, the velocity being increased due to a reduction in area and diverted outward from the cone shape- would the pressure drop be significantly increased from a comparable simple orifice due to induced lift from the radial velocity (momentum?). If so, given a chimney diameter what diameter inverted cone (45degree?) would yield the highest pressure drop (this is very slow laminar flow (1.2m/s for 3.2m height for a given diameter chimney at approx 16degC temp rise)? It has been a long time since I have been involved heavily with higher level math and would be difficult for me to work thru some differential equations. I also would wonder if there were some critical maximum diameter for a given velocity in the chimney at which the radial momentum induced lift would not reach to the center tap (laminar flow momentum much like stream functions). any words or direction you could provide would be much appreciated. the solar chimney-inverted cone device would function similar to a venturi pump - swapping volume flow for pressure.

1. A solar chimney intends to convert air flow energy into electric energy.

2. A draft inducer does the opposite.

3. Putting a draft inducer in a solar chimney merely places two very inefficient process against each other.

4. Radial Momentum effects appear in a small active area, just past the start of the expansion zone. Your sketch shows a large low pressure zone over the cone. You might more likely find the effect in a very thin ring right above the circumference of the cone.

5. Radial Momentum effects appear for high velocity flow (say, 50+ m/s and up) - that you can get with pressure drops of, say, 10 + psi.

6. Your Solar Chimney operates at about 1 m/s with very small pressure drop, so you might have trouble finding the effect.

You might consider taking your desire to get something for nothing into TTP as an entry point.

The Dipping Bird

appears to run forever, for free

if you don't count the heat

that evaporates the water

on the bird's beak.

Clip: http://www.exploratorium.edu/

snacks/dippingbird/

Tue, 18 Jan 2005

Composing a Song

Hi Ed!

I'm having difficulties with an assignment on composing a one-page musical score. I don't know where to begin or how to end it.

Once I have a beat going I lose it. I think a lot of it has to do with my fear of commitment. It's a pattern I see in many areas of my life. I start something then stop when I start to get better at it. I'm having a hard time understanding the reason I do this. I know you don't give advice but I am asking for some insight into it.

Thanks again.

You might take your feelings of "losing it" into TTP as an entry point.

Alternatively, you might try converting your feelings about being stuck into a score.

Music

is just another form

of experiencing feelings

Clip: http://www.artlebedev.ru/studio/

posters/music/music-800x600.jpg

Tue, 18 Jan 2005

Visit

Dear Ed,

Please accept an invitation to visit the [City] Tribe at your convenience. We meet every two weeks and have just added a new member to give us seven. Since we began over a year ago, the Tribe has been a catalyst for positive changes in our trading and in our lives. Nonetheless, we still have a lot to learn about TTP. In 2005, we intend to take our trading -- and the Tribe -- up to the next level. Your personal input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Tue, 18 Jan 2005

Breathwork Reflection

Hi Ed,


On reflection of the Breathwork weekend I had so many experiences. Some I wanted, some I didn’t know that I wanted and others that I am still unsure about. But I wanted to share one AHA with you and FAQ.

After hugging and saying good bye to you on Sunday, I walked to my car with luggage in hand a little sad that the weekend was over and that I was leaving for home.

But I threw my bag into the car, waved, beeped the horn and drove off. Upon driving back to Reno airport I look out the car windshield and I say “boy is this windshield ever clear”. As a matter of fact it is so clear that I actually touch it twice with my finger on two separate occasions just to confirm there is a windshield in the car.

As I drive further down the winding road it hits me, it isn’t the windshield that is clear, but it is me that is clear. AHA, AHA, AHA!!! Words do not do justice to what I experienced that weekend, Thank you.

OK.

Tue, 18 Jan 2005

One Less Whys Guy


I know with myself I ask fewer and fewer questions of why. For me before TTP I asked why so many times I couldn’t count them.

Not now, I just go with the positive intentions of my feelings. The answers are always looking at me in the mirror.

OK.

Tue, 18 Jan 2005

Tribe Report

Hi Ed,

I trust this finds you well.

At our first meeting ... all 3 members are present.

As it was our first meeting, I believe it important that we spend some time getting to know each other, getting to know the subject we were going to be working with, and laying down the Ground Rules for future meetings. (One of those Ground Rules - that there is no stipulated end-time for our meetings - was relaxed for the first meeting, since that rule had not been communicated earlier, and one of us had to leave by 9 pm.)

I was keen to not "push the pace" in this initial meeting, and had decided that it was OK if we did not have any one on the Hot Seat on Day 1. We started with a check-in, and then spent the next 4 hours talking about ourselves, "getting to know" each other, and sharing experiences - trading and otherwise - with each other.

I had prepared summaries of your webpage: "TTP - The Trading Tribe Process" and your pollinator article "How to run a Tribe meeting", and used these as references to guide the evening's "discussion". (As an aside, I want you to know that I consider the "How to run a Tribe meeting" an exceptional piece of work, and a fabulous resource for a leader of a new Tribe. Thank you for it.)

Even though there was no TTP (read: "Hot Seat") at our meeting, the discussion was very "feelings-intensive". At the end of it - during check-out - each of us said he is keenly looking forward to a Hot Seat session at the next meeting.

We have now decided to meet every alternate Wednesday at 5 pm. Our next
meeting is on Wednesday, January 19 2005.

I look forward to that meeting, and shall report to you on the experience.

Thank you, Ed.

OK.

Mon, 17 Jan 2005

Trend Following

Hi Ed,

Been reading your website and the Turtle Trader website and am considering
applying myself and learning the method.

I am an aspiring trader and so not
very long on cash at the moment. I am hoping you might be kind enough to
provide me with some quick advice.

I cannot afford the Turtle Training course for $1,900. I am wondering how much the Trend Following book resembles the course??

Is it the same principles but just all the important details left out? I am just seeking your counsel on how to get started. I
appreciate your time and consideration.

-----

p.s. Some quick background on me is that I am currently trading methods learned from Dr. Elder's, Larry Connors and Dave Landry's books.

FAQ does not tell people what to do.

You might consider what advice you might give someone who ...

Following a trading system may require living through substantial drawdowns.

You might consider taking your feelings about being frugal into TTP as an entry point.

Being Frugal

sometimes snaps over

into its opposite.

Clip: http://www.notsosketchy.com/

frugal.jpg

Sun, 16 Jan 2005

Expectations

Hi,


I’m much more disciplined at following my trading signals when my system performs within my expectations. Trading the system feels almost automatic, like driving a car. I create this discipline for myself by back-testing my system over hundreds of trades and basing my expectations on the back-tested results. However, I’m trying to develop plan of action for when my system performs unexpectedly.

For example, historically, I’ve seen a Max. drawdown of 11% from paper trading, but don’t know what to do if I experience a larger drawdown in real trading. Do I stop trading the system, figure out if anything fundamental has changed, further reduce position sizes, all the above?

I’m not asking what I should do, but was more interested in what your thought process or feelings are when something unexpected happens to you.

Do you try to figure out if anything has changed, simply change your expectations going forward, or do you simply have the mindset that anything can happen and therefore have no expectations.

Your back-test model does not seem to have any code to account for your expectations.

In your your actual trading, however, you do seem to take your expectations into account.

Likely, you are not actually following your back-test system.

If you have strong feelings about what do about "surprising" events, like drawdowns - you might consider taking them to your Tribe as entry points for TTP.

Surprises

tend to support existing trends.

Clip: http://www.jameswjohnson.com/

Sun, 16 Jan 2005

More From the Plunger

I just realized the being younger than me connection last night. I am never jealous of rich people older than me. My mother was 13 years younger than my father, hence the connection. This morning I purposely watched the show Cribs on television. Cribs shows all of these young rich stars showing their mansions. I am still cautious but since I figured out the young part of being jealous of rich and young, I think the feeling has dissolved? Is that possible? I had no feeling viewing the program. Maybe you guys can prod me a bit to see what happens.

Watching TV by yourself sounds like the DIM process.  You might ask your tribe to hot seat you about it.

Thinking about jealousy is no substitute for experiencing it - and discovering its positive intention.

Jealousy

supports vigilance

in guarding your mate

and your money.

Clip: http://www.thejokefactory.org/

JF_pictures/Pictures_by_date/

Sat, 15 Jan 2005

The Plunger

Hello,

The 10% commitment saved me in stock LPHI. The stock had bad earnings and got crushed Friday. I actually have been only trading less than 8% just for good measure. Most of my trades since my failure that I wrote about have been at about 5% risk.

The plunge feeling came to me again and I want to buy many PNRA shares.

I did not know why again. I stopped and thought "I will not plunge because I committed." and so I tried to figure out why I felt like buying.

I was at the gym (Not in front of my computer screen Yeeehaaaa !) At the gym there was the Worlds Strongest Man Contest playing on television. The 2 time champion ... was on. Then he was on a commercial for MetRx a fitness drink.

Later I figured out that I was jealous of [him] making all this money working out and advertising a protein drink. Believe me the protein drinks did not make him that big and strong, steroids did!

You might consider taking your feelings of jealousy into TTP as an entry point.

Plungers

There's always another one,

younger and richer,

pulling up

Clip: http://www.factsfacts.com/

MyHomeRepair/images/toilet_plunger.gif

Sat, 15 Jan 2005

Radial Momentum


Ed,

I am sure the sailing community would be interested in your work in radial momentum, especially sail makers ... Keep up the inspiring work.

Advances in basic physics seems to take about 25-50 years to work their way into the Church of Science.

Radial Momentum Theory is barely 10 years old.  It seems to be getting through the denial and distain phase.

I am receiving some serious inquiries and design questions from engineers.

Fri, 14 Jan 2005

Any sites may link to the materials on this site. 

Commercial sites may not copy or reprint or re-format the information on this site or in any way imply any endorsement of their business by Ed Seykota or by The Trading Tribe.

Note: 

Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005

Investing

Dear Mr. Ed Seykota,

... My question for you is whether you would be willing to accept me as a new client of yours. Now I am fully aware that you have only had a small number of select clients in the past (so I do realize you are likely to not accept another one), but I would be so grateful if you would allow me the opportunity to at least invest some money with you. Regardless of your decision I do appreciate your time in reviewing this email.

Fri, 14 Jan 2005

Finding the Feeling

Here's a question I haven't seen on FAQ : Is there some "judo" way to find a feeling that is influencing my trades?

Background - I do well for a while, then somehow find myself giving winnings back. It isn't because I am dumb, it isn't because I don't work very dedicatedly to research trading vehicles and trends, it isn't because I don't have a working, profitable, follow-able system. But after I do well for 2 days to 2 weeks, I inexplicably (to me) mess up and "give back" money.

It is as though I don't feel that I deserve it. This takes many forms, from bad trades outside my system to typos when entering orders to physically losing cash by dropping it on the ground. Such behavior has followed me in some form all my life, in a hundred different ways. My conclusion that "I don't feel that I deserve it" isn't from psychotherapy, just from objectively looking at the bottom line of my spreadsheet. The results are plain fact, and I can no longer attribute it to "bad luck".

Now, my problem today - I cannot find any physical feeling associated with this to take to my TT session. I didn't have intentionally toxic parents, I cannot recall anyone ever telling me I don't deserve to win. In the rest of life, I have a reasonably strong self-esteem. I feel pleased when a trade works as I intended, I don't seem to have anxiety over the profits ... But in the next few days, for no apparent reason, I "disappear" the winnings.

I am annoyed, depressed, and angry after those specific losses although other losses from the normal course of trading don't bother me a bit. If I acted according to my plan and got whipsawed this time, that's just part of the game.

Back to my question : Any clues on how to find this Fred feeling that causes me to do stupid things after I get ahead?

Thanks,

You might try taking your annoyance, depression  and anger into TTP as entry points.

Anger is a Feeling

Violence is a form of drama

that associates with

unwillingness to experience anger.

Clip: www.pp.okstate.edu/ ehs/KOPYKIT/ANGER.HTM

Thu, 13 Jan 2005

Trading Tribe First Meeting

I prepare by reviewing the TTP philosophy and structure. The meeting place is readied and invitations are confirmed. I feel excitement and anticipation at the embarkation of a new adventure. The candidates arrive and check in begins.

Seven of us discuss our concerns, interests and backgrounds. Feelings and Ideas appear. Clarities are attained. Group welcomes first volunteer for the hot seat. Sending and receiving appears.

Everyone participates and gathers experience. Three candidates notify group of issues that require permission to leave. Session is broken for departure and regroup. Feelings settle and refreshments are enjoyed.

We resume hot seat session. Forms are amplified, demonstrated and clarified. Feelings are explored in depth. Forms are polarized and integrated. Skill and empathy is practiced in both sending and receiving.

I feel gratitude and appreciation. Sender experiences a greater peace and shares how the physical sensation clearly indicates an emotional trigger. AHA is shared.

Informal discussion of commitment and calendar is shared. Four candidates commit to further trading tribe meetings and philosophy. We all pledge to our turn in the hot seat. Trading tribe appears. Four members. Two Americans, two Canadians. Three male, one female. All welcome and honored. Meeting ends. I continue my study and work to enrich the meetings, group and myself. I contribute. Regards.

You might try re-writing one of your paragraphs in SVO-p.  The subject seems to disappear every time it's you.

You might consider taking your feelings about being a leader into the process.

Leaders Have to Be Willing

to butt heads

once in a while.

Clip: http://www.hmz.stuph.org/

ranimg/leader.jpg

Thu, 13 Jan 2005

Trend Trading Consultation


Dear Chief: Ed Seykota,

Do you do money management for others?

I am fascinated by what I perceive as an ability to make fantastic returns by following strictly certain learned rules.

According to what I am reading, you ... have achieved over a 30 year period returns of [percent] net of fees. That's awesome.

I would like to have you manage some money of mine.

What is your minimum amount that you require from investors?

I have a very urgent need to get your expertise. I have metastatic cancer,
and according to statistics [which I don't believe] I have less than 24 months to live.

I need to invest money to take care of my family.

Your track record gives me great comfort as to your returns and integrity.

I am a former teacher [more than 40 years ago] and would love to learn the trend following method.

I am a perennial learner. There isn't enough time in the day to be aware of all the fabulous occurrences that are happening.

Life is magical. I still get a thrill from each sunrise and sunset.

If you are clear you are mortal you might consider focusing on how to enjoy what you have, while you can still enjoy it.

For example, you might think of your three favorite things to do and see if you can do them every day.

You might consider other dimensions of taking care of your family, like connecting with them and sharing a little love, now.

That can provide another form of inheritance that you may pass along to them, right now, while you can enjoy the giving.

A long-term plan to increase wealth, particularly one with high short-term volatility, might not fit well with your current situation.

You Only Get to Die Once

So you might as well

make the most of it.

Thu, 13 Jan 2005

Receiving at First Tribe Meeting


Hi Ed,

... I attended the first gathering of the [City] trading tribe. We had seven people in attendance. Three of the seven were unclear about the TTP process and thus we spent a couple of hours on check-in discussing the intent and mechanics of TTP. After this discussion the group agreed to get started with someone on the hot seat, and the sender began.

The sender was interrupted in the middle of his process when the three tentative attendees had to leave, and I am curious about whether this was reminiscent of some theme related to the sender's entry point. I didn't think to ask that question then, but will do so.

I felt very privileged to be with this group of people. I am thrilled to witness myself participating in the gathering of people who are actively practicing taking responsibility for their feelings and actions.

I know this is what I want more of in my daily life, so manifesting 4 committed members and a place to meet within practical driving distance tells me I am getting clear in my intentions. The member who took the hot seat has a near-photographic memory, also, and is great at mentally pulling out information related to questions that arose in check-in regarding process.

He inspired me by risking taking the hot seat despite our having some attendees who were unclear as to whether they wanted to be present or not. I intended to be the best receiver possible to help open the space for him to maximize his experience. I became aware of a fuzziness in my understanding of how to be an optimal receiver once we started intensifying the form that his moves were creating.

This lack of clarity within myself as I was acting as a receiver informs me that popular themes for me are "not being good enough", "not knowing enough" and "not being sure of myself". I wanted to be totally present for him and kept bouncing back into analysis of whether I was doing a good job of being there for him. I want to do it better. I want to learn more. I want to keep going with this process. I will take all of this to the hot seat when we meet next, near the end of the month.

As I sit and review our first meeting to summarize its results, what comes to me is simply that I am very grateful. We began our group. That is good. So many under-Fred nudges have occurred to guide me to this moment in my life. I will keep stepping forward to confront (join with) this process since it clearly encourages me to "stay awake", in the largest sense of that concept I can imagine.

Thank you for birthing this "hobby" of yours into something beyond borders. I join with you in the intention that some day we will experience it as a passing AHA.

New Tribes typically spend a few sessions exchanging thoughts and opinions and information.

As you progress, your Tribe may become more facile with experiencing feelings.

If Your Sender Starts Analyzing

his own thinking

encourage him to do it even more.

Clip: http://www.rhs62.org/Misc%

20Pics%20and%20Jokes/

Kids%20Thoughts%2005.jpg

Wed, 12 Jan 2005

What Should I do ?

Mr. Seykota,

... I am currently a Marketing Analyst at an Internet company in New York . Less then 2 years ago I graduated from the [University] with a degree in economics. After graduating I still was unsure of what career path I was interested in. I knew I liked numbers and business, so I decided to work for this Internet company. Currently, I am doing marketing analysis and I do like it. I love that the company is new and there is a huge potential for growth. It is just not my passion.

If you haven't stopped reading by now you are probably thinking, "Why do i care?" or "What does this kid want from me?" Two thoughts that I probably would be thinking as reading this.

I have recently been teaching myself about all types of markets. I have been reading various books on how to invest and how to trade. I have especially been interested in ForEx trading. I read "Trend Following" by Michael Covel and was very interested in your biography. I always say, I can read all the books I want but if I do not apply it to real life it all means nothing.

I am a 23 year old, with the desire to learn how to trade. I do not have the money to enroll in classes and I have a minimum amount of money to invest myself. I have the desire and the capability to become a great trader but currently do not have the correct direction. The resources that I have are a few books and the ability to ask a professional. Where do i start? If you were in my shoes, what would you do?

I understand that this is a broad question and there are probably many young people with the same questions. The only thing I can do right now is ask the people who have been where I am and now are very successful like yourself.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. If you could give me any advice please e-mail me back at [address]

FAQ does not tell people what they should do.

If I were in your shoes, I would likely notice they don't fit, take them off and return them to you.

You might consider joining or forming a Tribe in your area.  See the link above.

Hmmm ...

What Shoe'd I Do Now?

I don't know, I'm following you.

Clip: homepage.ntlworld.com/ matthew.overment/holland/

Wed, 12 Jan 2005

Frustration

Ed

I find myself very frustrated with the sales industry that I work in. The industry has developed a situation where the customer is best served by being totally self centered at the expense of any loyalty he may have to a previous sales associate.

At the same time the sales associates are best served by totally taking care of themselves and putting the needs of the customer second. Serving themselves and not the customers, which is contrary to what is right.

This is nothing new, I have been in the business for a long time. And it has always been my beef. I have wanted to bring in up in the tribe, but I always seem to find clarity before the meetings and realize that there is nothing wrong with everyone looking out for their best interests.

The rules of the game are the rules of the game. As I type this to you I think I may have answered my own question, I may be struggling with a right livelihood issue. Which is my issue not the industry.

You might take your feeling of frustration into TTP as an entry point.

You might find frustration has something to do with knowing what is right and wrong for others to do.

Frustration

depends on you

thinking something

"should" be different

than it is.

Clip: http://www.working-well.org/

articles/frustration_1.html

Wed, 12 Jan 2005

Positive Thinking / Empowering Beliefs


I wonder what you think of positive thinking, such as this from [a famous positive thinker.]

-----

So now that we know what our beliefs are, how can we go about changing them? You define new ones. Once you know what you don’t want it is easier to understand what you do want. The best way to describe the process of changing a belief is through example. So let’s take a common problem, lack of money.

· What is the don’t want? - I don’t want to be poor.

· What is the limiting belief? - I have always had to struggle for money. I am not worthy of success.

· What is the want? - I am financially sound, I have money in the bank and I buy what ever I want.

· What is the empowering belief? -  Making money is easy. I am successful and I accomplish whatever I want.

It sounds simple, and it is. But we have to go through the deliberate process of taking our limiting beliefs and redefining them into empowering beliefs and positive wants.

Once you go through this process you can move onto the step of implementing your empowering beliefs into your life.

If holding a thought of success were enough to produce success:

Purveying positive thinking is a fine way for many  "opti-mystics" earn a living.

People are already getting exactly what they want.  Attempts to change behavior by "positive thinking" go against the grain.

If you wish to discover right livelihood and move toward it, you might consider taking the feelings of the judgments that define positive and negative into TTP as an entry point.

Positive Thinking

may lead to drama

that features pleasant illusions.

Clip: http://volker.dnsalias.net/Jokes/

image/general/positive-thinking.jpeg

Tue, 11 Jan 2005

Responsibility

Hi Ed,


I had some questions on accepting responsibility. From what I understand the main point of accepting responsibility of results, versus blaming others, is to ensure that you are in position to take charge of your life and make the necessary changes to do so. The opposite of that is to be a victim and blame others, blame the system, blame your parents, etc.

In a world where it is quite accepted to blame others, are we doing ourselves a disservice at times?

For example, if you look at some of these T.V. reality shows like the Apprentice, if you don't defend yourself and blame others for overall failure you will be seen as weak and will probably be kicked off the show. In real life, if you end up in court for some reason, would it not be wise to take arms and start blaming versus accepting responsibility?

All in all, is it only good / safe to accept responsibility in private, versus accepting responsibility in public or if there are financial ramifications to accepting blame?

In my life, I have adopted this philosophy as to accepting responsibility. I feel by doing so, I will be inclined to look for any errors I might have made, decide on the correct action for next time and learn a thing or two about myself.

During heated moments with family members, I have noticed that my acceptance in responsibility usually results in me being the fault bearer as everyone as deflected all the blame from themselves. (By the way, I am including an instance where I wasn't even participating with the conversation / argument; I was just in the room with the opposing parties.)

Thanks for the opportunity to receive a reply.

In the responsibility model, there is no cause, no fault and no blame.

Fault and blame are notions that derive from the causal model.

The causal model typically identifies two events that happen around the same time and around the same location. 

The first event becomes the cause and the second, the effect.

If someone runs into your car, they cause the accident and it is their fault. 

In the responsibility model, we consider that, at the moment of impact, the positions and velocities of the two cars is the "current evolutionary solution" of a complex network.

This network includes all the stoplights the two drivers encounter on the way to the "accident," all the other drivers that interact with them along the way, all the people and events that have to do with accounting for the positions and velocities of all the other cars on the road prior to the "accident," etc.

In short, the network, and thus the responsibility for the "accident" includes everything.

The causal model, even though logically indefensible, is culturally important. 

The causality model supports the notions of blame and guilt.  These, in turn, support enforcement our basic societal institutions like law and politics.

The responsibility model works well in small intentional communities, like the Trading Tribe.

If you try to impose Responsibility on the world at large, expect resistance.

Trying to impose Responsibility on others is just another form of drama.

Proselytizing TTP is drama.

To view the causal model from the responsibility model, you might try seeing the causal model as just some more stuff that evolves along with everything else.

Then, you may simply choose to go with the flow or against it.

TTP is an exercise in celebrating the flow, no matter what's in the flow.

In the case of your family quarrels, you might acknowledge the role you play in creating them.

Typically, people who harvest blame do so in order to justify feelings of guilt.

You might consider taking your feelings of guilt to a Tribe meeting as an entry point.

Perhaps you might discharge some of  your motivation to engage in dramas ranging from trying to change your family all the way to trying to change the world.

Q: How many people does it take

to change a light bulb?

A: The change, if it occurs,

 is the result of the collective intention

of everyone on planet.

TTP practitioners

test for willingness to change

before applying encouragement.

Clip: http://www.omnis.net/develop/