Wasabi's Bootcamp

[Wasabi]

This is a post that I’ve spent a considerable amount of time and planning on.  I’d like to begin it with an introduction to what my current experience within this community has been.  Throughout the last couple of years, I’ve been observing posts on the ArizonaPUA website and alt.seduction.fast, going out into the field on various (although admittedly not frequent) occasions in attempts to apply learned knowledge in the field, and reading books that include material related to seduction, psychology, NLP and human interaction and dynamics.  I’ve done many of the things to prepare mentally for the game itself, however when it’s come to direct application I often have found myself lost or in situations where I felt unfamiliar and even afraid, not even beginning conversations because “I don’t know how”.  

The reason for this post hints at a situation that may be more common than most people would like to admit, but may have much to do with a lack of understanding in how theory is generally transferred to application.  From David DeAngelo’s material to Mystery’s book on Venusian Arts and the Don Juan Bible and related Boot Camp (which is the closest I could personally find that wasn’t this case), most introductory material into the community is centered on boosting self-confidence and awareness that one is “the prize” in social interactions, which is fine for some but in my opinion invalidates much of the process.  The ultimate result of much of this outcome-oriented approach is a hodgepodge of anecdotes, narratives and interesting quotes with little understanding of the practice itself.

Unfortunately, I find this approach to be ineffective.  Confidence and self-esteem have their foundations on relating similar experience to applicable situations.  To draw an analogy from music, an underskilled musician will have a very frustrating experience if handed a difficult piece of music and then told that he can play it if he tries really hard.  How/where do you start trying really hard?  Maybe only a handful of musicians would find the necessary motivation to actually succeed from this trial-by-fire approach and plug away at the material mercilessly, but most would need to start by learning basic fundamentals, play easier pieces of music, engage in deliberate practice, and develop techniques to play certain portions of the piece before being able to combine the experience into one musical whole.  This method naturally not only builds confidence in the ability to play music, but also gives the musician the goal to reach for of being able to play potentially difficult pieces by making early technical skills more automatic.  

Why should what we're trying to accomplish here, which (the way I see it) is becoming better communicators with the overall intent of attracting women, be any different?

Therefore, I’m opting for a different, holistic approach and I’m hoping to receive feedback on how this may work out.  I am an engineer, and therefore I choose to approach things from a scientific perspective by observing quantifiable information, carrying out small experiments and combining the experiences learned into an integrated whole.

I’m creating a curriculum that will utilize the principles of acquisition of expertise by starting on fundamentals such as presentation and content, and working up to being able to monitor progress and alter material as necessary.  I’m going to be open in all of my methodologies to this board in the hope that as I progress from RAFC to PUA, an accurate log of the process will be left for anyone who is interested in a process-oriented approach.  The list is a compilation of many of the most popular books on the subject such as Venusian Arts, DJ Bible, Double Your Dating, the ArizonaPUA website, and many others (note that right after I finished this document, I acquired all of the stylelife challenge topics, so much of the introductory stuff will be based off of these challenges).

I’ll also need feedback, input, and most importantly, to meet up with a few of you to go over some of the material and to critique how I’m progressing.  After all, the best method of learning is by modeling directly someone that’s better than I.
______

Objective: To transform myself into an interesting person that naturally attracts women.  To build a larger base of social contacts, enhance the quality of my own life by being a more outgoing person, and understand what women want and how I can “give” it to them.

Level 1: Personal Presentation.  
Focus: The way in which the pick-up artist is perceived toward others even before the approach, conveying the role of a high-status alpha male both outwardly and inwardly.
Items to focus on:
Outward appearance: Eye contact; voice inflection; body language, posture & presentation; facial expression; fashion; physical health (diet & exercise)
Inward attitude: positive self-talk & anchors; NLP exercises (time-lining. visualization); media intake (movies & music); daily routine
Goal: To heighten probability of initial success when entering into situations, reduce possibility of rejection due to personal appearance or perception.

Level 2: The Approach
Focus: Open sets in an effective manner which creates an immediate, positive impression and allows for transition into further stages of the pick-up.
Items to focus on:
Content: Writing good openers; writing good stories; implementing time constraints; chaining openers; hooks; internalization of routines
Situations: day and night game; single-target, multiple and mixed sets; online; other.
Style: 3-second rule; minor cold reads; methods of approach (situation based)
Goal: To reduce the occurrence of approach anxiety, structure initial interactions and gain experience in vibing, which will help in transition for following interactions.

Level 3: Higher-Level Communication
Focus: Implement chunking of learned information, move from content presentation to communicative presentation
Items to focus on:
General: C1-C3 material
Target: recognizing IOIs; implementing negs; implementing IDVs; kino; calibrating the target; eliciting values; vibing; reading body language
Group: Displaying higher value; social proofing
Goal: To recognize patterns in human communication, and use this pattern recognition as a means of establishing and advancing rapport and communication.

Level 4: Continuation/ Sexual Amping/ Sex
Focus: Cumulation of efforts that leads to successful lay
Items to focus on:
Isolating the target; kiss-close; venue change/extraction; phone game; time bridges; lmr; lay
Goal: What do you think?

Level 5: Advanced Material
Focus: To extend skillset to include more PUA-specific and situation-specific material.
5A: NLP Patterns
5B: Chick Crack (Cold reading and other gimmicks)
5C: AMOG
5D: Peacocking
5E: Cocky/Funny
5F: Relationship Management
5G: Modelling Other PUA Styles
Goal: To become more well-rounded and flexible in communication.

Level 6: Flow
Focus: Fulfillment of overall objective.
Requirements: Successful internalization and integration of the previous exercises.

So here I go.

[Wasabi]

Unfortunately, I don't have any of the audio or video files for this challenge...however, I think that I can discern what they're about for the most part, so portions in which I am asked to listen to, or watch things, have been deleted.

I also strongly urge anyone who wants to follow along with the challenge to create their own separate bootcamp log and join in with the exercises.

DAY 1

TASK 1

Write down the following:

a. One or two sentences describing how you believe other people currently perceive you.
b. One or two sentences describing how you'd ideally like to be perceived by others.
c. Three of your behaviors or characteristics that you would like to get rid of.
d. Three new behaviors or characteristics that you would like to adapt.

a.) I think that people currently perceive me as someone who makes an effort to accomodate to others, and tries to resolve conflicts. I think people see me as someone who is smart and hardworking, with a rather blunt and sarcastic sense of humor, but overall someone who is not alpha, and someone who supplicates.

b.) I would like to be seen as the guy that people put their trust in. I would like to be seen as the guy in which people want to be around because I'm charismatic and witty and I always have something interesting to do or say.

c.)
1.) I have a tendency to procrastinate and be indecisive when I have too much free time.
2.) I feel as if I have to be in control of everything all at once, taking all responsibilities when I should just be sitting back and being able to delegate and/or exercise patience.
3.) I have amazing approach anxiety, and the feeling that people don't care about what I have to say the longer that I stay in conversations.

d.)
1.) I would like to be able to flow more in conversation, be able to vibe and know how to keep things going when the conversation has gone into a lull.
2.) I would like to be more focused and motivated to finish the tasks that I set out for myself to complete.
3.) I would like to be a person that is perceived as having a range of interests and a broad knowledge of several things, not just because I read a lot, but because I do a lot.

TASK 2

Download the following audio file and listen to it on headphones:
Mind-Shaping Exercise

Note here that I don't have this audio file...but I have a large amount of other material relating to confidence, attitude and all sorts of other stuff. I don't know how different this will be from it, but I'm going to assume that what I'm doing is good enough.


TASK 3

Make small talk with five strangers today.

The stranger can be a businessman in the elevator with you, an old lady in the supermarket line, the postman, or a homeless person.

The goal is simply to start a conversation with no intent other than filling in the silence with a question or pleasantry. The conversation does not have to progress beyond a comment and a response.

Small talk topics often include:

Weather (“Man, it’s gorgeous today. Too bad we’re stuck indoors.”)

Sports (“Did you catch the World Cup game last night?”)

Current events (“Did you hear that the Spanish parliament is voting to
give equal rights to apes? I swear to God.”)

Entertainment (“Have you seen that new Superman movie yet?”)


I completed this task with relative ease.

The first two took place at the gym.  

1.) The first guy was lifting while talking on his cell phone.  I asked him if he had a bluetooth thing, or if he was just talking to himself like the people you see on mill avenue that mumble under their breath and throw change at random people

2.) A HB8 at the counter was looking bored.  I asked her if there was a radio station at the fitness center, or if she brought in her own techno-beat music for people to listen to.  Right after I said this, the announcer on the radio station starts talking, and she said "seems like your question has been answered for you".  Bad timing.  I asked her if they had a listing of the music they played (it was rather good) and we sat there chatting for a while about music.  I left.

3.) At the bookstore, I talked to an HB7.5 about a trip I'm planning to Europe (leaving next Sunday) and asked her what some good destinations were.  Answers: Prague and Venice.  We then made small talk about some European places we'd been to.

4.) A guy at the coffee place in the bookstore.  I told him I needed some coffee because I was having the worst time staying awake.  He then started talking about how he was hopped up on percoset because he got glass in his foot.  I related with a similar story.

5.) I asked another guy if there were any good movies out.  He didn't know of any.  Eh

I made small talk with a few more people at the ultimate frisbee game I played at today, but I tried to get these out of the way before that.  The funny thing is that I got all of my small talk out of the way in less than two hours, but it would have been easy to not accomplish this goal if I had simply chosen not to step out of my house, which I think is the pitfall of many people.  

I didn't anticipate that I would be starting this challenge today, but I was reading through the material and said to myself "Man, what else are you doing?  You might as well make yourself useful", which is a good attitude.  I've also started to amp up other things, like leaving small notes around my house and on my computer monitor that say "less talk, more action" which I'm thinking will motivate me to get off my ass the more I begin to understand what those words REALLY mean.

TASK 6

Make sure you read tomorrow’s challenge assignment as soon as you wake up – before you shower or shave.

Overall, it's been an easygoing day, but I think I've learned a thing or two about small talk.  Tomorrow, I'm going to focus on eye contact more, because I know that was a bit lacking.

-Wasabi

[One2Revel8]

I like your approach and your method of mapping out your goals, I've been doing things in a pretty similar way, working at it from the edges by improving appearance and getting more comfortable approaching people, becoming more inherently interesting etc. While reading the 'levels' I was thinking 'check, check, check, hmm, check, check'

I wish you well in your process

[Wasabi]

Day 2


TASK 1
Do not shower today.
TASK 2
Do not shave today.
TASK 3
Download and fill out the personal mission statement PDF:

Note that I have the PDF, but depending on what's in it, I'll either post the answers, or not post the answers.  Go figure.

TASK 4

After completing the mission statement, listen to the mind-shaping CD again. Understand and process who you will be.

TASK 5

Watch the video below on posture. This was prepared for you by Julia Caulder, who taught me Alexander Technique while I was learning the game. Watch it somewhere alone, so that you can perform the recommended exercises.

Dammit, I don't have this video.  But I have a few resources on the Alexander Technique anyway, so I'll just have to improvise these instead.

TASK 6

Go out and make small talk with five more strangers today.

But we’re going to add one piece to the exercise:

This time, be sure that you make EYE CONTACT with the person.

In fact, when you report back on your experiences in the Forums, write down the EYE COLOR of the person you made small talk with.

Note that asking for directions or the time does not constitute small talk, because it has a purpose and intent. If you want to see successful examples of small talk, check Rourke’s video from Day 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEZ_FSQHUeg) or some of the field reports from yesterday on the Challenge Discussion board.

When I do these today, I'll post them here.

TASK 7

Make sure you read tomorrow’s Challenge assignment as soon as you wake up.

RECAP
Tasks 1 and 2 were easy enough, and didn't require too much effort, though I have to admit that after hitting the gym, not showering kind of sucks.  I filled out the personal mission statement, but some of the stuff that I filled it out with I think I should like to keep private, unless I meet up with you in person, in which case take a look and tell me what you think.
Task 4 was also pretty easy, owing to the Ross Jeffries self-confidence and auto-hypnosis audio tapes that I've just recently acquired.

As for task 5?  I spent some time checking out resources about the Alexander Technique on the internet, and made it a point to implement these strageties.  Though I think in the fiture (when I get a job) I'll probably sign up for Alexander Technique lessons, in the meantime I'm comfortable knowing that I have decent posture.

Task 7 was finished within a few hours.  They included:
-A guy at the gym wearing a UT Austin hat
-Another girl at the gym that I asked if she knew any forearm exercises
-Another girl that I opted to ask about the music, as in the previous day.
-A girl on mill avenue that I told had a nice dress.  We chatted for a while.  Should have stayed in this set, it was going well.
-Some other girl working at ejoy cafe that wasn't too physically attractive, but man was her conversation a challenge.  It was really awesome.
- About 5 or 6 other random people that I had quickly asked how their day was going ask I passed them by on the street.

I think I'm doing pretty well, but now I'm going to sleep, so I shall post tomorrow.

-Wasabi

[Wasabi]

DAY 3

TASK 1
Do not shower today.
TASK 2
Do not shave today.
I'm assuming the point here is to make me physically uncomfortable.  Eh.
TASK 3
Follow the vocal exercises recommended below to work on projecting your voice, speaking with confidence, and modulating your tone.

The vocal training section comes with a PDF file and a few instructions.  I'll post my results on this board, but anyone who wants to have the PDF files for themselves to follow along may send me a PM, and I'll mail them out as I go.

TASK 4
Dial a local number randomly on your telephone. When someone answers, try to get him or her to recommend a good movie to watch.

A simple way to do this would be to say something like the following:

“Is Katie there? No, well, maybe I can quickly ask you this instead. [Do not pause here and give them an opportunity to say no.] I want to see a movie tonight, and was wondering if you’ve seen any good movies lately that you can recommend.”

Once you’ve gotten three movie recommendations, you are done with today’s exercises.

TASK 5

Listen to the mind-shaping audio before going to sleep.

RECAP
Tasks 1 and 2 are becoming annoying, but I'll get my solace tomorrow.

In doing the vocal exercises, I'm slowly realizing that I a.) talk too fast, and b.) have a lot of random interjections, such as umm, uh, and you know, so I'm going to start carrying around something to record my voice and then debrief later in the day.

Task 4 was interesting, because nobody wanted to give me any movie reccomendations.  In all, I went through nine phone numbers, including two telemarketers that I interrupted right in the middle of their routine.  I ran the routine as noted above (asking for someone else and then just continuing).  Overall, I apparently should see talladega nights (which I've already seen).

I tried something later in the day, though, and on the street I would ask people this question, sometimes by just straight up asking "Do you know of any good movies", and sometimes with some sort of qualifying opener, such as "My friend and I were wondering...".  Overall, I got a lot more positive responses when I introduced a context.  Without it, it almost felt as if the movie opener was just something that was superficial, and designed to lower someone's guard to lead into something else.  So I'm learning that context is very important in lowering someone's guard.

Not bad.  Certainly a slow process but my small talk is getting better, which is good.  I'm noticing that much of my small talk is directly situation-related, like if I happen to be in the checkout aisle at a store, I'll mention something that's in the area, or if I'm at the gym I'll ask about some exercise.  But I'm going to have to work a little harder in coming up with material that isn't so situational.  Or in other words, I need stuff that's more "interesting".  And ultimately that means that I need to be more "interesting".  Still exploring my options.

-Wasabi

[Wasabi]

Day 4

TASK 1
If you masturbate, do not masturbate today.
TASK 2
As soon as you wake up, shower, shampoo, and soap thoroughly. Wash twice if you want.
Put something scented on your body – moisturizer, talcum powder, or a drop of nice cologne.
Then shave your face clean. Make sure you shave or tweeze any stray places where you have hair – the back of your neck, your ears, your nostrils.
Put on some clean, well-fitting clothing. And feel like a million dollars.

Look at yourself in the mirror and read the following: You are a god. People love you. You glow and radiate charisma and charm. You stand out from everyone else around you. Talking to you is a privilege. You deserve the best the world has to offer. It’s all there out there, waiting for YOU to take it.

Now, say the following out loud, with conviction: I am a god. People love me. I glow and radiate charisma and charm. I stand out from everyone else around me. Talking to me is a privilege. I deserve the best the world has to offer. It’s all out there, waiting for ME to take it.
Repeat it once more time, or as many times as it takes, until you really FEEL and EMBODY it.
There you go.
TASK 3

Today encompassed a special mission that was given only in video format.  Therefore, I don't know what it was, but from reading later posts I've come to the conclusion that today's mission is to ask people about a.) my style of clothing, and b.) where I can find some decent independent clothing stores in the area.  So this will be my focus for today.

TASK 4 (OPTIONAL)

Task four is taking a photo of myself, and posting it in the critique section.  I'll look for a camera around here, but my other one was stolen recently so I don't know how I'll pull this one off without asking a friend (which also isn't a bad idea).  If I get a picture posted, I'll copy a link where it can be viewed at.

TASK 6 (OPTIONAL)

Choose one of the following to experience again: The mind-shaping CD, the posture videos, or the voice exercises. This is recommended every day during the Challenge.

RECAP

Well I went out yesterday to the mall, where I went into several stores and asked them about some places in the area.  Several stores include:
Moody Blues
Purple Skirt
Electric Landlady
Blush
Some store by the biltmore
Also chatted and vibed with the store clerks at Guess when I asked them this question, an HB7 and Eh6.  The HB7 was giving me the look like if I could have amped up the level of attraction, I might have been more in, but as it stands, I didn't really have any place to go with the concept, so I just ejected.

Two sticking points that I'm realizing:
1.) Nervous laughter.  Stop that!
2.) My style of humor is just too direct.  I'll often say something humorous, only to be given the blank stare of "I can't believe you just said that".  So maybe toning down some of my jokes should be on the agenda as well.

-Wasabi

[vellers]

Hey man,

     I did the style life as well as Poelectrix.  I think Gamble started it as well.  It helped me find and fix some sticking points.  I wish you luck.  Some guys didn't know I was doing it and got ahold of me to go Sargin on day three.  Thats after 2 days of no showers and I go out to Sarge.  I actually did pretty well that night.  I wish you luck.  I have alot of the sound and .pdf's but most of the vid's were lost.  I can try to help if you need it.

Sincerely,

Velllers.

[Wasabi]

TASK 1
Read the following PDF on looks, grooming, and pickup:
Looks And Grooming
Yeah, I've got this PDF, so I'll take a look at it.

TASK 2
If you posted a photo of yourself, read and take notes on the most useful feedback.
Try to imagine what you would look like if those changes were made.
If you wish, you can find free software on the Internet in which you can upload a photo of yourself, alter your look, and see the results.

TASK 3
Your field assignment today is to get a free style consultation.

You are going to do this by examining the results of yesterday’s field exercise and choosing the clothing stores that came the highest recommended to you. Small, independent stores are preferable to large chains.

Go to that clothing store today (ideally when it’s not crowded) and select the saleswoman who seems to be the most helpful. Tell her that you want to change your style, and ask her to put together a complete outfit for you. If she wants you to be more specific, tell her you’re going to New York or Los Angeles and need something to wear to a high-profile fashion show.

More important than the style of the clothes, it is necessary that they fit you very well.

Change into the new clothes and observe yourself in the mirror.

If you like them, you may buy them. Make sure you take care of them by hanging them in a closet and dry-cleaning them – rather than machine-washing them -- when they’re dirty.

If the items are out of your means, remember the brands, the overall look, and the sizes, so that you may one day buy them or alternately find an equivalent outfit at a used clothing store.

If you choose to buy the new outfit, ask the saleslady where you can buy a matching pair of shoes and follow a similar routine there. However, this time show the salesperson the outfit and ask her to find shoes to match.

If you don’t like the outfit she selected for you, tell her why and let her try one more time.

Finally, if the saleslady is either not helpful or pushing you too hard to buy things, try another store you were recommended.

TASK 4 (Optional)

You are going to change at least one more thing about your appearance. Choose one or more of the following micro-tasks below to perform. Not all of these will apply to you, so choose one from the area in which you’re most deficient.

Refer to the Grooming pdf above for further elaboration on these areas.

If you have a trustworthy female or gay friend, consult them and ask for an honest critical appraisal of your grooming:

NOTE: Do not be afraid of making a dramatic change for the better. No matter what your friends or colleagues may say at the time, they will be jealous and imitating you when they one day see the women on your arm.

A. Get a new hairstyle at a beauty salon (not a barbershop). It is recommended that you first look through men’s music or fashion magazines, and bring a photograph of the haircut you think is the coolest. Otherwise, the hairstylist may just give you the same haircut you have now. Make sure she gets rid of your neck hair if any, and recommends any hair balm necessary to maintaining your new look.

B. If you wear glasses, get contacts or Lasik.

C. Get a tan. Though the sun is free, the safest and quickest way to do this is to go for a spray tan. Mystic Tan is the most realistic and common spray-tan brand.

D. Get a manicure. It is not necessary to get a colored polish; just ask to get them “buffed” instead.

E. Get your eyebrows waxed and dyed.

F. Buy Crest Whitestrips and begin using them on your teeth daily.

G. Buy gum, mints, and dental floss, then make an appointment to see a dentist if you haven’t been to one in over a year.

H. Get a free skin care consultation by going to a department store cosmetics counter and asking what products they’d recommend for your skin. Feel free to buy cheaper versions of the same products at a pharmacy or just ask for samples at the department store. If you consider your complexion to be a major liability, then make an appointment to see a dermatologist as well.

I. Get tweezers and/or a nose-hair trimmer, and remove any hair in your nostrils, on your ears, between your eyebrows, and/or on the back of your neck.

J. If you do not own a pair of clean, nice black shoes or boots, buy a pair by going to the store recommended by the sales clerk in task 3. If you don’t have any black socks, buy some.

K. Buy a necklace, rings, a bracelet or wrist cuff, and/or any other accouterment. Try not to get anything that looks like it came from a chain store like Hot Topic – even if it did. When in doubt, err on the side of getting something simple for now.

TASK 5

If you bought any new clothing or items today, be prepared to wear them tomorrow.

RECAP

First thing I've noticed is that my field reports are a little too concise, and if I'm going to get better at storytelling, it will certainly work to my advantage to work on it here.

So task 1 was about looks and grooming.  The PDF that was supplied is filled with an insane amount of information in terms of fashion, care products, and all sorts of other metro-nonsense, but it makes an interesting point that most guys don't really pay attantion to their own upkeep.  So I read through it and got some interesting ideas for later in the day.

No, I haven't posted a photo yet.  I'll try hotornot for whatever reason, and I'll post up the links somewhere in the forums.  But that's later.

SO in following with the day's field report, I decided that the Biltmore shopping center wouldn't be a bad place to go because there was a place there, I believe it was Colors, that was highly recommended to me.  So I make the drive out to the Biltmore...and there's massive construction going on.  Not every store is closed.  Just Colors.  Fantastic.

So I start wandering around a bit, and go to a store called Frankie M, which had really interesting clothing types.  Think of Buckle in that it's a third-party supplier and have no real clothing of their own, but they get all sorts of interesting stuff in.  Flashy.  Colorful.  I can't resist.

I walk up to the counter with a pre-prepared line that I was going to say:
"I read in a magazine that mosy guys don't have any real fashion sense.  I decided to fix this problem, but I don't know where to start!  Would you teach me a bit about clothing and fashion?"
I prepared it this way because I wanted to work on delivering prepared openers.  So I rehearsed it in my head, but when I actually said it, that's not how it came out.  Not a big deal, I didn't make a fool of myself or anything but it was a good primer to lead me into what's in store for me when I try to spout off pre-prepared openers to girls out on the street.  Hmmm...

So I tried on a few outfits, and realized that these clothes really weren't my particular style.  Flashy and expensive for no reason.  Eh.  In the end, I didn't get a whole outfit, just a pair of pants, but considering I hadn't been clothes shopping in a while, and that they talked about all sorts of different fashion styles, really made the whole experience.

I walked around a little bit longer to find someplace where I could get a shirt, but I had no luck, so I started walking to my car past the cosmetics section at Saks 5th avenue when I realized that I could get the optional task 4 out of the way.  So I walked back to the cosmetics section and got a consultation about facial cremes.  Very informative, was vibing well with the woman, learned a lot and then went to a pharmacy and bought the cheaper versions of their ridiculously expensive products.  Eh.

As a side note, later in the evening I went out with a few friends to mill avenue.  I feel a lot more comfortable being around large groups of people without being so self-conscious, and I have the random small-talk approaches to thank for that.  But I was sitting at a table with my friend and there were two decently attractive girls sitting right next to us, and yet I couldn't grow the balls to just say something.  I mean, she kept looking over at us, and I'm sure I could have said ANYTHING like "I can smell your twat" or something equally offensive, and she still would have been responsive.  But I sat there like a choad.  In the end, I'm still having approach issues.  I guess I still need a bit more lightening up.

-Wasabi.

[gravity]

On the photo feedback thing -
hotornot.com
not quite critique but if you do a "before and after" you can get a REALLY objective delta between the two. After about 50 reviews you can be confident in the results. I've gone from 5.5 to 7.5 by "cleaning up". Yikes!

[Wasabi]

Alright, I'll definitely take that into consideration.

[corolla4afe91]

I never trust hotornot.com...
One time just for shits I dressed up as an army guy and took a picture of me on my bike and got a 9.5 average the funny part was you culdnt even see my face because of a shadow caused by my hat.

[Wasabi]

DAY 6

TASK 1
Make sure you shower, shave, and feel good before you leave the house today. Play your favorite CD at high volume if necessary. If you purchased any new items yesterday, put them on. Try not to touch yourself.
Over the course of the day, give five women spontaneous compliments about a specific attribute. At least four of these compliments should be given to women who you do not previously know.
Avoid general compliments (such as “you’re beautiful” or “you’re hot”) and anything that could be construed as sexual. Instead, focus on specific compliments, which can range from her nails to her shoes to her posture.
Leave after the compliment, unless she continues the conversation. The most common response you receive will be a sincere, polite, or dismissive thank you.
The key is to not be seen as trying to flatter her or hit on her, but to show sincere appreciation of something about her that you spontaneously noticed.

NOTE: Although giving compliments is not part of a “standard approach,” this exercise is designed to help overcome approach anxiety and to improve your observation skills, especially after undergoing the rigorous self-examination on yourself yesterday.

TASK 2
Read the included pdf on openers:
A Brief Introduction To Openers

TASK 3

Now generate your own original opener, and post it on the message board.
Though the pdf discusses all types of openers, we will be focusing on scripted, indirect openers that can work in any situation.

RECAP
My field report of today's events are posted in the "Field Reports".  But I've been spending my time attempting to write some openers as well, and I came up with one that I think is pretty decent, so tell me if it works.

Opener: My Little Pony

"Hey guys, I need your opinion on something really quick.  Did you ever used to watch cartoons when you were little?"

blah blah blah rainbow brite/care bears/what's a television?/etc..

"My personal favorite was Ninja Turtles, but my sister LOVED My Little Pony.  She was obsessed with it, and had our parents buy all of the related toys including the Pony Palace, or whatever it was called.  Did you ever get any of that stuff?"

more banter, tease for being greedy and/or possessive children

"Well, a few weeks ago our parents were cleaning out their garage and accidentally gave away this HUGE box of her My Little Pony stuff to goodwill.  They feel pretty bad about it, but don't know if they should tell my sister or not, because she hasn't asked about any of that stuff in years and years.  What do you think?"

I like this one because that last question says a LOT because it answers the effective question "if it's not hurting them now and they may never find out, then should you bother to tell them".  Like, if you cheated on your boyfriend but he never found out, would you tell him.  Just different wording.

[Wasabi]

DAY 7

TASK 1

Download and read the following PDF, collecting a dozen of the Stylelife Openers all of you posted

Included is a set list of generated openers.  Not bad stuff.

TASK 2
Choose two of your favorite openers from the pdf. If you prefer an opener that you posted but isn't included, you may field-test that as one of your openers.

TASK 3
Make sure you shower, shave, and feel good before you leave the house today. Play your favorite CD at high volume if necessary. If you purchased anything new on Day 5, put it on.

Approach five different women today (in the street, at a café, at a bar, in the mall, in an elevator, wherever) and deliver the openers you memorized.

It is not necessary to continue the conversation afterward.

When the conversation about the opener ends, you may exit with a line such as, “Thanks, I appreciate it. Pleasure meeting you.”

It is not necessary to have five successful interactions; just five approaches. In future assignments, we will be adding extra pieces to your opening game that will greatly increase its effectiveness.


TASK 4
At home tonight, make a list of the approaches you did today.

If any went well, write down the reasons why you believe they wo
rked. If any went poorly, write down why you believe they didn’t work.

Now go back over the list. Any place where you blame someone else (ie, “she was walking too fast,” “she was stuck-up,” “she wasn’t really my type anyway,” “the guy she was with was an asshole”), cross it out and replace it with a suggestion for what you could have done differently to make the approach more successful.

It is recommended that you list your approaches and your self-assessment on the Stylelife Challenge message board, so that the moderators and your fellow Challengers can give you feedback.

RECAP

Today I met with both vellers and asmokindeal.  Fucking awesome.  I really admire asmokindeal's enthusiasm and gung-ho attitude, and vellers is just an all-around chill guy to hang out with.  Asmokindeal really pushed me hard to get into sets, which was much needed because I felt like a complete idiot, but it was great seeing him work.  It really got me thinking "is it really that easy?"

So I opened only three sets, but it was a good learning experience.  Asmokindeal had me going in with the following opener.

"Hey guys, we were having this conversation and needed an opinion on something.  Is it cheating if a guy goes to a club and makes out with other girls?"

Blah blah blah
"Okay, real quick and then I gotta split.  This is actually a two part question.  Is it also considered cheating if a girl likes to go to clubs and make out with other girls?"

Blah blah blah

Set 1: Unbelieveably nervous.   I went in and delivered something completely nonsensical, that had nothing at all to do with the opener at all.
"Hey, my friend and I were wondering....uh...is it considered cheating if a guy has been dating a girl for two months but still keeps in touch with his ex-girlfriend?"
I got some response, and left.  Asmokindeal congratulated me on this, and it actually wasn't all that big of a deal, though I could definitely feel my adrenaline rushing.  I opened another set like this with similar results.

I finally used a more correct version of the opener on a two-set sitting on some benches at ASU.  The completely blew up giggling, as if they couldn't believe I would actually ask them this sort of question.  I left after I delivered the opener, but asmokindeal told me that it was a massive IOI that they were giggling and whatnot, like I came off natural and really had them hooked.  But apparently I have to work on my body language (leaning in) and time constraints.

The rest of the day was spent listening to vellers and asmokindeal as they imparted massive amounts of wisdom.

Pretty good, if you ask me.  I have never delivered canned material to someone before, so I consider today a huge improvement.

-Wasabi.

[Wasabi]

DAY 8

Today we are going to learn some subtleties to making your approaches more effective and successful.

TASK 1

Listen to the following audio lesson on anticipating and defusing objections to approaches:

Dammit, this is getting frustrating.  From what I can garner, this audio is about roots and time constraints.  Roots give a reason for bringing up the conversational thread, such as "my buddy and I were wondering", while time constraints involve conveying that you have other plans.

TASK 2

Go out and approach five women or groups that include women today with the openers you used yesterday.

This time, make certain that you add both a root and a time constraint (as explained in Task 1) to each approach.

TASK 3

When you return home tonight, ask yourself if you noticed anything different about the way the women you approached today responded in comparison with your first time using these openers yesterday.


TASK 4

Get an insight into the dating world, mating options, and male courtship strategies from a female perspective.

I posted two personal advertisements online earlier this week. They both contained similar headlines and text. Except with one I included a picture of an unattractive woman; with the other I included a picture of an attractive woman.

As you read them, try to put yourself in the minds of these women as they attempt to select a potential mate from among these suitors. (Side note: One of the responses actually appears to be from a guy in the community laying on too much material at once.)

What does this tell you about the qualities and characteristics you want to convey and the ones you want to avoid when approaching a woman?

Feel free to share the thoughts and insights you have while reading the responses in the Challenge Discussion forum.

Note: Do not compare yourself physically or financially to the men in these responses; studies have confirmed that most are exaggerating their looks, height, occupation, and position in society.

I might try this in my own form.

RECAP
TBC

[Wasabi]

Maybe it wasn't the best time to start the Stylelife challenge, but I don't know how much internet I'll be available to because I'll be out of the country for the next couple of weeks.  So I'll keep you guys updated with a massive field report or something when I get back.

-Wasabi