To My Readers
It’s been a full year since I started SMGP. I had never appreciated how far this blog had come until I started going over old traffic reports and comments from the past. I could trace, in some of you, your entire journey from the beginning to now and recount all the ways in which you’ve changed. I wanted to answer some miscellaneous questions, point out some things, and most importantly, get feedback from all of you.
What type of posts do you want to see more of? Game-related tech (openings, techniques, methods, routines, etc)? Inspirational posts? Examples of Alphas in fiction / non-fiction? Relationship advice? Career / business / money related posts? Physical health? Theory (evolution, social dynamics, etc)? Field reports? You don’t have to choose a topic that I’ve listed here, post anything that comes to mind.
In what ways do you feel this blog is lacking? I already have a good idea on how this blog helps people, I need to know how it doesn’t.
Some of you have asked if I’d ever consider doing this full-time – No. I love what I do too much and there’s no chance this blog could ever generate enough money to justify giving up my career. Even if I made millions here it wouldn’t be enough.
Taylor recently asked how I came across memes; and others have wondered how I post so much on stuff that doesn’t seem to “agree” with me. Back in college, I seriously considered dropping out to become a stand-up comedian. I ended up changing my mind but comedy always remained a passion. I don’t just like laughing at things, I see humor as a form of art and when I hear or see a perfectly executed joke, I don’t even laugh; I sit there in amazement and silently acknowledge the degree of genius behind the caper.
I still haven’t been able to fix the broken links that lead back to the black flag. I know it has something to do with the link structure of “product” pages; but I don’t know enough about word press to fix it. If anyone has any experience in this, help would be appreciated. Otherwise, let me know if there’s a specific article you’re looking for and I’ll re-post it.
The questions posted on this blog are getting out of hand. Pretty soon it will be impossible for me to answer every single one of them with an in-depth analysis. Some of you are recycling old questions or asking questions that can’t be answered. There are way too many comments asking for help with a “unique Oneitis situation.” Your situation is not unique, it’s the same as every other case I’ve seen. Stop reading this blog, go do some push ups, man-up, and get back to focusing on your life. Questions asking for value judgements will not be answered unless they relate to some conceptual problem. I cannot tell you how interested your girlfriend is based on a quick summary of your relationship.
The above problem has resulted from misuse of this blog. I lied, this is not a place to solve your girl problems. People are asking questions that they already know the answer to in a vain effort to confirm their already-made decisions. That’s not what this blog is for.
When you were in math class, did they make you memorize the answer to every possible math problem you might ever come across or the method by which you could solve those problems? I cannot give you the answer to every specific scenario in the world, only the principles you could apply to them. And even then, my advice should not be taken as prophetic elucidations; think for yourself. If you disagree with something I have to say, go fuck yourself, that’s good.
Besides questions, I encourage all of you to comment more. I think people are beginning to realize that they aren’t alone in their struggles and it’s helping them cope with whatever problems they’re facing, regardless of how specific, superficial, or extreme they may be.
Some of the best comments I’ve seen recently:
By bulgariBLACK:
Wow. So I’m reading this almost 13 hours later, and I SWEAR you’re writing this about me. All of these are issues I’m currently facing, as well as I’m about to smoke my last cigarette. There’s a ton of shit going through my head. For one, I realized tonight that I was AMOGing myself. I discover something new about myself every day, and tonight I realized…
1. My fear of approach is wishy-washy, and I let outside factors influence my mood. These consist of :
a. Fitness/Diet — I drink WAAAAAY too many sodas, and I looked in the mirror and saw I looked almost pregnant (could possibly be over exaggerating), but I had a belly. I’m not fat, so when I saw this, it fucked with me…hard. We can be as alpha as we want, but a guy isn’t sexy, so I felt a bit self-conscious.
b. Lack of sleep — I feel like I have too much to get done which shits on my sleeping schedule.
c. I feel like my friends, who truly mean well, feel almost sorry for me as I haven’t really pulled in bitches since I’ve been here in Florida (August 11, 2011). We went to a local bar/resaurant tonight, tons of potential there, filled with 8s and 9s to the brim, and I was introduced to a 7.5 mutual friend of my roommate’s girlfriend. I fucking SHOOK HER HAND, said it’s nice to meet you, and then froze like an artic cunt because of a and b.
2. The AMOGing myself…whenever I get an idea, I assume because of past events that if I don’t ZEUS that shit from the jump, I’ll eventually let the embers of inspiration fizzle out. I realized today (ad in recent days) that I need to continue to just live through the Kaizen method, taking smaller increments of intense workloads. I’ve turned my eyes to the prominent projects and set aside the apparel business for when I can actually give it a good time. The problem with the Kaizen method is that while you may make continuous strides toward one specific goal, if you’re stretching time out between things (business in my case), it’s nearly impossible to get something worthwhile accomplished in any sort of timely fashion.
I’ve also learned to let go. Never being able to trust others to get shit done properly and/or efficiently, I’ve developed this babysitting midset toward my goals that I’ve begun to shake in recent weeks. Tony Robbins said it best; we NEED personal assistants. Delegate minuscule tasks that are inconvenient to you to someone better suited.
Here’s to success, Shark. May our wildest dreams become our realities or die trying.
Thanks for all of your time and everything that you do and while we all say “OMG SHARK BADASS ARTICLE”, I really appreciate you sticking to your promise to help facilitate the victory and welfare of others. A man of his word is a true man, indeed.
“May our wildest dreams become our realities” – I couldn’t have said it any better.
By Fred:
“I’m surprised you saw this as a ‘rational’ counter-argument to game.”
I was referring to his earlier blog entries when i wrote that comment about how I find his arguments rational and contradictory. I agree that his latest entry is a bit strange and titled accordingly, so I just skipped it. Either way, strange or not, i generally start reading a blog poster’s entries in chronological order, since usually blog posters build on previous entries with newer entries, or they, when writing new entries, imply the reader already knows certain things covered in previous blog posts (you do this too).
I dont think it’s fair to judge his material as a whole just by his 2 earliest posts. I’m sure if some random person judged YOUR blog by only your 2 most recent posts, you wouldnt appreciate it. they would call your blog retarded for being only about defending game. Everyone who reads your blogs knows most of your gold is in the earlier stages of your blog (i’m not saying you’re getting worse and worse with each new blog post, it’s just that the most important thus most golden topics have rightfully already been covered earlier on. it’s no different in his case).
Lastly, if you do decide to check out some of his earlier blog posts, you’ll find that much of his ideas about pua and life make complete sense and actually relate to your ideas. For example, he says that sex and getting with women shouldn’t be anyone’s top or even near top priority because it isn’t the only way to be happy; pursuing women with pua tactics actually frequently comes with a lot of pain and confusion. Investing time in a sport, business, anything other than women has a much better and reliable payback for happiness. Furthermore, he notes in one of his mid blog posts that he agrees with everything that david deangelo teaches, except the perpetual subtext of doing everything he teaches just for the sake of getting with women, not for the sake of being a better person. I quote from his blog post:
“Jump farther
Run faster
Leap higher
… Because it gets women.
Or, alternatively:
Jump farther
Run faster
Leap higher
… Because it makes for a more fulfilling life.
Now which do you think is better?”
That makes rational sense to me. now is that surprising?Thanks for replying to me, and keep up the good work.
While I don’t agree with everything in lifestylejourney, this was a humbling post. Fred is right, you can’t judge a blog by only 2 posts and categorizing any school of thought as entirely “useless” would cause you to fall into the same narrow-minded trap you’re criticizing others for in the first place.
If there’s anything you should take from this comment, it’s that you should never take any knowledge, from anywhere, as truth. Derive your conclusions yourself, don’t take anything for granted. The quip about leaping further to make LIFE more fulfilling instead of to attract girls is a fundamental in this blog; which goes to show you that “rational” thinking often brings people to the same conclusion regardless of their respective ideologies. This is a Game Blog, lifestylejourney is an Anti-game blog, but some of our posts and maxims are identical.
By Taylor:
Padawan… you’re taking this wayyy too serious. Shark has stated time and again he doesn’t want us “regurgitating rote facts.” That said, don’t cite things (even though I just did that, I did it because it was an article I recently read) in your posts and in your head while in the world. It’s an attitude…
To me, this blog is a fountain, which I come to every so often to cleanse myself of the world I live in. I drink the clean, refreshing water and then go out with a fresh outlook on life. At first, I did spend hours reading, but that’s because I had to catch up from the beginning of the blog.Part of what I think Shark wants us to do is LEARN. We need to become independent of this blog.
After all, what’s a man if he’s subordinate upon something?
Brilliant, this is how this blog is meant to be used.
Keep up the good work, Shark. I enjoy reading your posts from time to time as they are entertaining and are straight to the point. What I enjoy reading the most though is inspirational, alpha/evolution theory typa stuff. More of these would be better.
I started reading this blog a good seven months ago. Never before have I read a blog so inspirational, logical, and consistent with its posts. Shark, your devotion to this site and to your community has touched many peoples’ lives and for that I thank you very much.
Hi Shark, just a few words:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I found this blog almost 4 months ago trying to find why my ex gf dumped me, just because “i gave her all (even my balls) and i thought she was the one for me”. im 31, architect, nice guy, smart, and i never heard before about: the game, puas, alpha man, shit test, oneitis and long etc. i read all your post and i was shocked because after a entire life of disney sense of love, i have been doing “homers” (yeah, just like the simpsons)about my relationships and womens and wondering what the hell was wrong…
After a intensive self-work time(including reading a lot about these subjects, body workout, painting, traveling, watching cesars millan dog whisperer etc) rediscovering my own, confronting my fears and bringing back my self steem and balls, i realize that the most important key is:
“Self mastery is always the goal, never “women mastery.”
i would like to share this video, i think would be useful for the readers comunity:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxvripCY6As
as the last reader says: Keep up the good work!!
i started reading this blog about 6 months ago and all i can say is thank you.
i just turned 18 and I am so glad to have found you shark.
you changed my life, for the good.
Preesh she ate the love, Shark!
So I remember when I first discovered this blog, it was on the day that I made the decision to never let another woman emasculate me again…
http://goingzeus.com/?p=86
(shameless plug)
Heh, I remember I said the site name a thousand times so that I wouldn’t forget it. It’s helped me in many a situations, and I recommend this site about as much as I recommend people read/watch The Secret.
I’d like to read more about:
Money/Business
More field reports (your Panera Bread report was, in my opinion, your greatest blog post ever)
“Approaching – Part 2″ (still waiting, sir)
More inspirational posts about YOU and your many adventures in life (you can’t always be alpha, you have to show us some vulnerability if you want to keep us… ;-))
P.S. You know, I really don’t text smilies anymore except ;-) after sexual innuendo (and above…awwwwkkkkwwwaaaarrrdddd) and =( when something playful and sexual is going on and they turn me down for butt secks (I don’t spell it butt sex anymore), threesomes, bukkake parties, whatever.
Oh, and occasionally you have to hit a bitch with the =/ or :-| or the 0.o or -_-…
And while ^_^ makes me happy as it reminds me of Alfa from Power Rangers (if she had a face), it’s probably the gayest smilie ever.
Thanks for everything sonDUNgodBEyo!
Personally ‘Alphas in Movies’ has been my favorite post of yours. Because well, I love movies, especially ones that contain ‘Alpha’ characters, such as James Bond. And you pointed out some small details that showed me some flaws in my own body language. I’d love if you did another one of those.
I have experience with Word Press. The code could be broken because when you put the link in it sometimez has 2 http:// (looks like http://http://) and fucks shit up. Make sure you check it as http://www.(whatever). Or just put the option field to _blank or for word press it might be “open in new window” option and no one will give a shit. Or it could be a glitch and you have to go in and redo all the links. if that’s the case make sure it’s “http://www.(whatever)” instead of “http://http://www.(whatever)” and set the target to “_blank” or “open in a new window” option.” If it’s not that then take a dildo and slap your computer. That might work better then anything.
PS. Shark, whenever I click on a link in your post It never sends me to the black flag. I don’t know if it because I have a mac but it could be the people having this issue are using Internet explorer browser (noobs).
@Big Bird – some of his older articles are linking to it, such as “Approaching”.
Shark, I still remember when I first stumbled across this website several months ago…in search of panacea to my “unique one-itis” and break up, I literally googled “solve my girl problems”.
Indeed, from reading your posts and the comments, our problems are mostly similar. Your posts really helped reconcile all the different game materials I’ve read over time and have really pushed me to improve myself first, then let it trickle into the relationship area.
I now treat this blog as almost a…reference book for my social/personal/relationship situations. Sometimes I re-read a post/comment after I encounter the problems described, I gain more insight…like learning any skill. Your teaching/writing skill is first-rate (must be the comedian), this plus all the media you’ve suggested (discovered Don Draper, what a BOSS!) really pushes my wits.
As for the subjects of your articles…
1) I enjoy your theory/social observation articles much more than Roissy’s, keep them coming. Fundamental principles are the most important after all.
2) Could you write a bit more on external game? You talk mostly of inner game, which I believe is the most important. But at some point, personality/game has to be delivered. Articulation is a practiced art form.
Perhaps more field report or even some “test your game” sort of exercises?
Thanks Shark
You’re right about the comments… I’ve been wanting to say something.
As far as oneitis, this blog is rich with that stuff…
I ENJOY reading field reports, but I think cold-reading and cold-approaching are two things I’d like to get more of.
Oh, also: The Crimson Arts. If you did do a follow-up on that, I missed it. But I think it goes back to Bulgari’s comment on external game.
Keep on keepin on bud
Honestly i stopped reading answers to comments and it was starting to get into the same shit different pile syndrome.
Shark -
Your blog excels far and away in your ability to analyze a reader’s dating situation and then provide the ‘alpha’ manner of dealing with it.
You are a master of the alpha mindset/inner game.
Shark,
thanks for answering my last question. In the time it took for you to write and post the answer I went back and re-read your blog and realized that the answer was already there. As for what kind of articles I’d like to see in the future? hmmm I guess more about overcoming approach anxiety and just how to approach in general. I’m working on the fundamentals of inner game, but its transferring to external game that I am having trouble with. Thanks again, and keep up the good work.
Dear sensei,
It scares me to think what my current mind set would be if I hadn’t come across this site. Who knows how long I would’ve been blinded by ignorance.
I say thank you all the time, but seriously
Thank you SO much.
When I first came on this site it was to try and get advice to get some girl i’d been sprung on for too long…
now I’ve ended up getting invaluable lessons on life which have let me grow as a person, in confidence, state of mind – in every way possible.
The feeling where you start not to give two flying fucks.
Where you ‘let that which does not matter, truly slide.’
Is amazing.
I owe you so much shark. Thank You.
I personally would like to see more field reports from you – getting a real life example of game in progress is entertaining and enlightening.
I’d also like to see more examples/analysis of alpha males. One thing that intrigues me is that Alpha is such a loose term when you think that characters like Hank Moody (californication) and Don Draper are both alpha yet different in many ways.
Another thing is social dynamics. I’m assuming cold-reading is linked to this topic; that mini section of the book interested me so much. The actual psychology behind everything.
Good morrow, Mr Shark.
Shark,
I’d like to see more posts on Game-related tech (openings, techniques, methods, routines, etc) since that is where I’m weakest by far. I feel pretty good about everything else about my game (obviously will always continue to improve every aspect) at this point. I have inner game and social proof in that I have a good job, I’m good looking, athletic, and I’m in great shape. I am confident and I’m not afraid of approaching at all…it’s just that I feel like I need something better to talk about. Something unique and different. I’m the type of guy that will just say hi, introduce myself, and basically make small talk. This works sometimes and other times it’s obvious to me that I’m coming across as boring or the same as every other dude. I feel that the times it does work is only because she had probably already noticed me earlier in the night and was hoping I’d talk to her anyway.
I’ve just started reading The Game and I feel like I need to learn magic tricks or NLP! I guess I’m looking for some good openers or routines without them coming across as being too canned and then some simple ways to DHV. Stuff I can do on my own or with another buddy or two.
Appreciate the blog and your commitment to helping boys become men!
Great blog! Short, to the point, the perfect combination of analysis and how-tos in each post.
I’d like to see your comments on “Overly Jealous Partner”, not the jealousy level that you describe, but really insecure. Example, a cashier leans towards me flashing her boobs and GF leaves with an angry look.
Also, “Shit Tests at Work or Work Interviews”. If you have any thoughts on that, it’d be great, especially in regards to the US corporate world.
As always, I greatly enjoy your posts!
I dont even know what to say anymore. Theyre all great. And I love how the commenters of this post in particular are all in unison. Amazing.
I appreciated your commentary on LifeStyleJourney. I have to agree with you that the comments et. al. are getting off your usual track. After some consideration, I’m going to have to stick to your blog primarily. As for what your readers might like, I think we’d all agree your posts on disgarding the Beta male persona in favor of the preexisting Alpha male archetype sort of posts are the most inspirational. You only once briefly mentioned the “Omega Male”. Maybe you could give your description of this type of man. What ideology or lifestyle constitutes an Omega if even an “unemployed recovering drug-addict” could be alpha. What could a self-identified Omega do? Is there a “Become Beta” post? In all seriousness, that actually is something I’ve wondered and I think you’d be the best person to ask.
Oh, and congrats on your one year anniversary. Keep it up!
Hey Shark….Wolfie here!!
Your blog has helped me tremendously since I have been following it exactly since last December 2010. I also bought your book “The Black Flag” which I believe reiterates a lot of the ideas in your earlier blogs. I have been focusing on my career and have been extremely busy…..it’s all about self-mastery, self-focus, and development first and foremost…that’s why latety I didn’t follow your blogs as often as I had done before. I agree with Fred’s observation…your earlier blogs were golden. It seemed they were more of the central ideas of being Alpha whereas your later blogs were more peripheral stuff trying to explain/convince people of its truthfulness….they don’t hit my awareness/development as hard as your earlier blogs.
Therefore I feel that some of your newer posts have become repetitive and you’re trying to help people who want quick a fix in life.
I would appreciate if you can cover more on approaching and early-gaming women especially for day-game. Why I am asking you to eloborate on day-game more because I feel I see more girls during weekdays (around office areas, malls, restaurants) and also during my business travels (i.e in airplane (stewardess), airport, other cities, etc.). I don’t want to be able only to approach at nights and at clubs. First, I am busy with work and sometimes I don’t feel like clubbing and getting drunks. Second, while most guys think club is the mecca to approach girls, I am pretty sure that its not. Girls have their defenses up and some of the hottest girls I know rarely go clubbing.
Unfortunatelty, most of game materials outthere assume night-game…and one cannot effectively transfer these night-game skills to day-game. For example in day-game you have to be more indirect and could not immediately escalate to Kino. She will think you are a pervert/potential rapist.
I believe you have covered enough of Alpha mentality and inner game, and your book does so. So it would be great if you now can cover the technical aspects of approaching women.
Thanks Shark and please keep up the good work!!
I have a bit of different issue that I have not seen posted yet…I used to be a huge player, slept with a LOT of women but NEVER REALLY got into relationships. I am maturing now and currently have a girlfriend. So as far as relationship-wise, I am still a baby. My girlfriend is REALLY SOCIALLY ADVANCED. She is often the life of the party, and guys GO CRAZY over her (more-so because of her personality than her looks…although she is banging!)….with this being said…she has been with A LOT of guys. Early on, she had a few REALLY BAD relationships and learned quickly how to stop being the victim and USE men. Not particularly for material items (although, I am sure this happened as well) but more-so for sex. She became a master at meeting a guy, mind-sexing him with her personality…then actually sexing him….and then throwing him away. These guys call/text her often…and for some its been YEARS. She has gotten really good at separating her emotions from sex. This disturbs me because the females I have been used to ALWAYS exhibit emotions after sex (I have always been confident and prided myself on the mind-blowing sex that I give women…as I am sure most men do). I almost feel like at a moments notice, she could just throw me away (for whatever reason) just like the rest. Should I be worried about this? Another disturbing item is that she has one guy that she would call periodically to have sex with her whenever she got out of a relationship (the maintenance man)…and this has been going on for 4 years. And he still calls/txts/FB msgs her…she told him she had a bf and his attitude is like “ok…I’ll check back in a few weeks”….Should I be upset or concerned here? Am I being crazy? Is’nt this a form of a RELATIONSHIP? She also has various other random dudes that hound her on FB, Twitter, and her phone, wanting to have sex with her again.
more insperational posts on getting over a person who hurt, as well as explaining what cold approach is. and somethings on self worth to change the mentality of how we see our selves. to better change our frame and state of mind. please and thanks shark