From the desk of Victor Pride
Subj: 19 Tools and Rules for the Aspiring Professional Writer
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So you want to be a writer huh? Cool, here's what you do…
Study how the Website for Winners crafts each masterpiece. Take note of the way we write. Study how we craft paragraphs, short and full of intrigue. Long paragraphs are for dodo birds but short paragraphs are intriguing.
See how we build to a thesis in an article. Rather that coming to you upfront, we build to it. We never start an article with something dry and dull. We always start with something intriguing.
It’s not an article, it’s an experience.
First we make you feel. We arouse your curiosity before we get to the meat of the article. Only then, when we know you’re interested, do we give you the meat.
We build to it. We play with you before we give you your reward and we always leave you wanting more. Start with intrigue and build from there.
Write the experience, not the information. The information will reveal itself, that part is easy. Say this 100 times out loud — WRITE THE EXPERIENCE. After you say it 100 times write it down and tape it to your laptop so you always see it. Write the experience.
You’re not writing an article or a book, you’re seducing the reader and giving them an experience. Great writers don’t write, they seduce. So that’s what you do - you seduce them and give them an experience. Seduce them so good that they don't want the experience to end.
If you do it right they'll be begging for the next step - so always give them the next step. Never let them go away wanting more but not having more. They always need a next step.
What exactly do I mean by give them the next step? I'll tell you later. First, let's do some learnin'………
Professional Writing 101 with Professor Victor
19 Tools and Rules for the Aspiring Professional Writer
This piece is about how to write non-fiction.
If you want to write fiction I would suggest you read On Writing by the greatest and most prolific fiction storyteller who ever lived, Stephen King.
If you want to transcend as a writer of non-fiction, well, please continue reading…..
#1 - Forget about being a great writer (for now) and focus on having something worth saying (Your message is the most important)
The message is more important than the medium. You can't be a great writer of you don't have anything to say. Great writing doesn't exist without a message.
Did you ever hear the phrase “You can't polish a turd”?
Words without meaning do not equal great writing. Without a message you don't have anything. So that's what you need - a message.
A great message transcends writing ability. But how do you develop your message?
#2 - Experience life and then share that experience
When you think of “struggling writers” you think of lazy jerks with ponytails who refuse to do any real work and live in a fairy-tale world. They're “struggling” because they cannot relate to people. That's an easy fix.
There's a lot more to writing great than just writing. Writing in and of itself is nothing. Just words. If those words don't have meaning then they aren't anything at all.
Until the words come alive in the reader's mind, they're nothing. So you need to make the words come alive. You make the words come alive through experience and understanding. You write words that your reader intimately relates to and understands.
You need to understand certain things about life so you can write about them and illuminate your readers. The way you get that understanding is by experiencing it firsthand. The only way you'll ever have something to say is if you experience life.
(Note: You can be a watcher and an outsider and be a great writer. You just have to view life situations and turn those situations into stories.)
What if you don't have life experience but you love to write?
That's great. I'm not saying don't write (you should always write) - I'm saying focus on life. Living life is the one thing that will help your writing. A guy who has a lifetime of experience has an endless creative well to draw upon.
Great writing is like Becky. If you chase her, she'll run away. If you do your own thing and don't focus on her, she'll come running back to you. After you've attracted her, that's when you can give her attention.
When you have something to say, that's when you can focus on the craft of writing.
#3 - Start writing more and keep a journal
Writing is a craft. You have to practice it. You can’t be a writer if you never write. You can have all the writing talent in the world but it means nothing if you don't maximize it.
The only way to maximize your writing talent is by writing more frequently. Practice makes perfect.
Writing is free. The only barrier to entry is your willingness to actually do the work. You have the time to write if you make the time to write.
Keep a journal
A journal is an easy way to write every day. Just write your thoughts and feelings for the day. Easy peasy.
I always say everyone should have a blog. And everyone SHOULD have a blog…
(It's easy and cheap to start a blog, see how here.)
But not every blog should be a copycat of B&D.; If you don't yet have a message you should instead keep a journal.
Your blog should be your journal UNTIL you have something original to say. Until then, write about your day and get writing practice.
#4 - Write the way you speak (sort of)
The best writing reads like a conversation, not like a 1st century epic. A lot of would-be writers try to sound smart by using uncommon words (doesn't work).
To be authentic you need to write the way you speak….with a little twist.
When you speak you cannot go back and edit your words and re-say what you just said. When you speak out loud it's one and done. You don't get a second chance to say it right. You only get one chance to say it right.
BUT!
You can always say it the right way when you write it down. That's because you can edit your writing a thousand times until you've got it perfect.
You can make your writing better than your speaking. You can trim the “uhs” and “ums” and get rid of all the filler language.
So don't write the way you speak - instead, write the way you wish you spoke.
What Pop Songs Know About Writing That You Don't
(The Craft of Writing)
#5 - Find the rhythm and the flow
Your words should have rhyme, rhythm and reason. Your writing should flow. It should be rhythmic.
The structure of your writing is the most overlooked aspect of writing. Each sentence should flow to the next. Each word should be easy to read and each pair of words should fit.
No rhythm + no flow = no melody = no one remembers
Here's an example of a sentence that has no flow:
Self-righteous and blind, these profligates propagate barbarism in the heart of Rome.
Try to read these words: profligates propagate barbarism. Those words are impossible to say. They don't fit. There are too many Ps and Gs. There is no rhythm, rhyme or reason to that sentence. It's awful.
Now read this dialogue from a Glengarry Glen Ross movie scene and tell me if it has rhythm:
Put that coffee down! Coffee's for closers only. Do you think I'm fucking with you? I am not fucking with you. I'm here from downtown. I'm here from Mitch and Murray. And I'm here on a mission of mercy.
Those words flow like water. There are no extra words. The words are all on beat. They fit, they flow, they have rhyme and reason.
Read these words: mission of mercy. Those are the easiest words to say. They fit and they flow. They're a perfect match for each other.
That's why it's one of the most famous scenes in movie history. The man who wrote those words, the great David Mamet, writes to a metronome.
Mamet is a genius who knows the importance of rhythm and flow and that's why he writes to a beat.
(I write to a one-song playlist, more on that later.)
#6 - Copy the right way (Study quotes and songs)
I'm probably the most copied blog artist who ever lived. Every blog I go to I see direct or indirect influence from the great B&D.;
They say imitation is flattery and I'm flattered. But I can't begin to tell you how dumb it is to copy a blog and write…..another blog!
Why am I copied so much? Three reasons:
- I have a message
- I'm original
- I'm the greatest
But here's a secret: I'm not that original, I just copied from better sources. I didn't copy a blog and write another blog.
What I did, instead, was copy the memorable structure of songs, quotes and movie dialogue. I used the rhythm, flow and word choice of great songs, quotes and movies…
Then I brought that feeling to B&D.; I transpose the feeling of great music and I turn my words into that experience.
Nothing gives you a better feeling or experience than music. In the history of the spoken word, the best writing can always be found in music.
Not everybody reads books or blogs but everybody has had a song stuck in their head. Singers know how to connect with their audience (and it isn't by using big words and long sentences).
#7 - Make your words quotable so people get turned on by your writing
If you can write a great sentence with 10 or fewer words you can be a great writer. Your readers' may not feel your writing…until they stumble upon a great quote.
A great quote will turn everything around for an unsure reader. If they feel your words they're yours. Great quotes are the spark that starts the fire in the reader's mind.
Quotes are like music in written word. Quotes are what makes us feel good, or bad, or feel anything. The lines you remember and repeat are the quotes. Great quotes tell the whole story.
“If you aren't quotable then you aren't notable.” -Victor Pride
Put as much meaning into as few words as possible. Make sure those words have rhyme, rhythm and reason.
Be memorable like a song. When people are walking down the street what gets stuck in their heads? Songs.
Quotes are an author's catchy pop chorus. Write in quotes and be memorable. No great quotes = no great author.
This is the recipe for a great quote: The most amount of meaning in the least amount of words.
Great quotes are rarely specific. We love quotes because we can give them our own meaning (just like great songs).
Study great quotes to learn how to write persuasively and effectively. Quotes should be short, sweet, musical and to-the-point.
#8 - Have courage in your blood and fire in your stare
The message should be inside you burning to get out. You need to have the courage to let it out. If you needed the message, other people need the message.
When you have something to say, say it. Say it with confidence and your readers will believe you.
You need that fire ? that drives you to put your message into words. You should feel as if the fire will burn you up if you don't get your message out.
You should be burning to say what you have to say. “I am BURNING to tell you this. I am BURNING to help you.”
Fire, true fire, true passion always comes across in your writing. It's not something that can be faked. Passionate people are influential people. Passion is contagious.
When I write from deep personal experience, when I have something I want or need to say, my writing is excellent. When I’m not writing from experience, or when I don’t REALLY have something to say, my writing isn't great.
You could be the most talented writer who ever lived, but unless you have something to say your writing talent is meaningless.
Unless you say it passionately and convincingly no one will listen and no one will care. You cannot 2nd guess your own message. Have the fire inside you and have the courage to burn for it.
How to have the fire? Life experience. Plain and simple. How to get the courage to burn? Eliminate shame.
#9 - Always be honest, even when you lie (know your subject well)
It should go without saying but it doesn't - you should know what you're talking about.
You have to find your place in life before you can write about it. You should know so much that the words just pour out of your heart and soul from your fingertips.
Everyone is qualified to write about what they know, no one is qualified to write about what they don't know. Any idiot can teach you how to put words on paper…
(Writing teachers in college? Those dodo birds don't even know that the best writing is in pop songs.)
…But no one can teach you experience.
I already told you everyone should have a blog. When I say “Everyone should have a blog” what a lot of my readers hear is “Everyone should have a B&D; copycat blog”.
NO NO NO! Everyone needs a blog to practice writing. Not everyone is qualified or mature enough to give life advice.
You need life experience to draw upon (see points #1 and #2). It’s phoney baloney for an 18 year old to talk about the key to happiness. 18 year olds don’t know shit about shit. No one wants to hear an 18 year old's life advice.
I can take an encounter at the grocery store and make the readers laugh or cry or angry or happy. I can turn daily encounters into magnum opuses.
But only because I have many years of wild experience to draw upon. I done lived it all and I done done it all.
I couldn’t have written anything of meaning when I was 18 years old. I just wasn’t able. I was not mature enough. You need that life experience to draw upon.
You don't have to be of a certain age to be a great writer. Some men mature faster than other men. You can be any age and be a great writer if you have the passion. ? Fire knows no age.
You can't fake the fire. If you're writing is phoney baloney all of your readers will be able to sense it. Passion Fire is the most important thing to possess if you want to write persuasively aka make a living from your writing.
“If you can persuade - you can get paid.” -Victor Pride
If you have the fire you can influence others even if your writing skills are subpar. Fire beats writing skills.
You can always learn writing skills - you cannot learn fire. Fire will come with experience. If you don't have it right now, don't sweat it because one day you will have it.
#10 - WRITER’S HIGH (and how to get it with a one-song playlist)
You might write in your office, or the coffee shop or the park - but you shouldn't really be there. Not mentally.
Great writing will take you someplace else. Your surroundings won't matter at all. They should be invisible to you.
Turn off your phone, close your email, close your web browser. Be in the zone, in the moment, and nothing else will matter. You won’t see or hear anything.
It will just be you and your words. If you're not transported to another world during your writing, the writing isn't good.
The one-song playlist
Find a song that moves you. The song should have a continual beat. The beat needs to be constant., hypnotizing.
Put one song on repeat - listen to it over and over. Listen to the song on repeat and hypnotize yourself.
Let the emotion of the song into your bones. Have an eye-opening, mouth wide revelation while you write. Go into the world of the music.
Let the song penetrate your psyche….and then tune it out. Eventually the song will become background noise. You won’t even hear it, but you'll still have that beat (remember the importance of a beat?).
Every song has a feeling - put that feeling into your work. Transcribe the feeling of the song to words. Give your readers the same feeling that that song gave you.
Music is the #1 communication tool for a reason, so copy it.
#11 - Start with an idea and add coffee (get high, man)
The great Stephen King was addicted to cocaine and alcohol. I don't recommend that! But it's all about getting out of your head and getting into the words on the page. You have to find what works for you.
I recommend coffee. Coffee is great for writers and is a cornerstone in every great writer's arsenal. I tend to drink a lot of it when I'm deep in a writing session (sometimes with Modafinil).
The most prolific author I know drinks more coffee than anyone I have ever seen. Coffee may be the real secret to a prolific author's output.
The best copywriter you don't know about, Chris Deoudes, uses Kratom to write masterpiece after masterpiece (I edit great on Kratom).
Find what works for you. I recommend Red Coffee. Yes, it's my brand and it's fantastic.
How to Actually Write Well: Editing Tips from the Mad Professor
#12 - Editing is the secret ingredient for writing well. You have to edit
Editing is a big part of writing professionally. Writing is only half of the project. You have to edit to be great. Editing is a must. The structure always needs work.
Writing IS NOT PERFECT the first time you write. Nobody writes a masterpiece on the first draft. Pros know this. Pothead amateurs are too lazy to care, man.
The first draft is always called the rough draft - because it's always a little rough until you fix it. You fix the rough draft with editing. That's called your polished draft.
Professional writing is a 2-step process:
STEP #1 - You have to get the words down on paper.
STEP #2 - You have to arrange those words in the right way.
When you first write you are just writing to get the information out. You aren't paying attention to structure, timing, flow etc. You write the gist of your piece first. Then you have to mold it into a masterpiece.
“If you don't edit you don't get it” - Victor Pride
I spend as much time (or more) editing as I spend writing. My beginning articles and my finished articles look nothing alike.
My articles start out as a series of notes and thoughts and journal entries. They're then edited for HOURS to craft a masterpiece.
The structure of your finished piece only reveals itself to you after you have written the information down. The arrangement of words has to flow. Flow will only happen when you take the time to arrange your words properly.
Writing is a 2-step process not a one step process! This is your 2-step writing process: Write the words - arrange the words so that they flow.
#13 - Cut cut cut excess! (Cut and paste for maximum effect)
During your editing process you need to ruthlessly trim any words that don't belong. Not every single word you write needs to be published in the final draft.
A lot of words can (and should) go bye-bye. Whatever you do don't interrupt the flow with a word or phrase that doesn't fit.
Too many words + Long, specific sentences = CLOSED / BYE BYE / GOODNIGHT AND GOODBYE / ZZZZZZZZ
You also need to edit the structure of your piece (using cut and paste). The way you write information down is not the always the same way that information needs to be read.
You are writing as a business now so make it easy and clean for the reader. You cannot be lazy with editing unless you're an amateur.
#14 - Use the fewest words to get the biggest benefit
We're giving the readers a feeling. We're not boring them to death with dry and dull writing. We're not dragging our readers down with specificity.
Say what you need to say in as few words as possible. We're leaving our writing open to our readers experiences.
You'll never find an impossible-to-say sentence in a hit pop song. You'll only find catchy writing that everyone can relate to. That's the beauty of a great song - the words only have the meaning that the listener gives to them.
What's the meaning behind Stairway to Heaven by Led Zepplin? I have no idea (no one does). But I know the meaning and the feeling it gives me (and millions of other people).
That's because the words in a great song are OPEN, they are not closed. They are open to interpretation. The words in a pop song allow the listener to input his own meaning. Great writing should be musical like Mamet.
Note: If you're writing about a specific product you obviously want to be specific about the product. Never call the product “it”. Call the product by it's name so people don't have to read your mind and guess what you're talking about.
#15 - Make it easy to read (No big paragraphs and no rambling!)
You have to make it as easy for your readers as possible. It is YOUR JOB to make your work easy to read.
A hard-to-read sentence or paragraph is a BIG PROBLEM. Pros fix problems - amateurs say whatever, man.
The less they read - the less money you make - the less influence you have. Get it? Good!
Get rid of big paragraphs. We have no attention span. You’re dumb if you think we do. Big paragraphs are like a dirty kitchen - we'll never start!
Don't ramble. Rambling sentences are too confusing for your readers. And if you do ramble, no problem, you can fix it with editing. Here's an example of a rambling sentence:
As I want to give you guys an example of a full blown solid cutting diet in this article detailing everything from the scale measurements to the exact calorie totals of each food item, I will take the most universally applicable diet that will help EVERY SINGLE PERSON who uses it get ripped if they follow it correctly.
That sentence hurts my brain, eyes and heart. Here’s how I would fix it:
Below is a full blown solid cutting diet. Everything is detailed, from scale measurements to exact calorie totals of each food.
This is the most universally applicable diet that will help EVERY SINGLE PERSON who uses it get ripped (if they follow it correctly).
It went from impossible to read to completely easy to read with a few quick edits. Long sentences and paragraphs are a grind. Get rid of them. This is your #1 reason for editing: MAKE IT EASY TO READ.
#16 - Use words that people understand (Don’t use big words)
Ever read a paragraph full of big words and at the very end you have no idea what the author was trying to say? Don't worry, the author wouldn't know either.
I used to study the dictionary as a kid. No joke. I learned all kinds of words. But I learned even more about the people who use uncommonly large or complicated words…
I learned that people who have nothing to say hide their incompetence under a mess of big words. It's an ego thing but we're not in the ego business, we're in the making money business.
Remember this sentence?
Self-righteous and blind, these profligates propagate barbarism in the heart of Rome.
This person was trying to sound smart. It didn't work, they sound stupid. It's not hard to understand big words but it is hard to understand a complete mess of words.
You do not sound smart if people cannot understand what you're trying to say. If you cannot take a big idea and use small words to describe it then you do not understand the idea.
People who have something to say speak clearly. If you can't explain it to a child - you can't explain it to anyone.
Understand your message and simplify it so that everyone can understand it. It's more important to be understood than it is to sound smart.
Think Donald Trump's plain speak vs any other politician's weasel speak. Donald Trump said Make America Great Again. Victor Pride said Make it EASY to Read.
The Business of Writing
#17 - Writing as a business not a hobby
It takes a lot more than just being a “good writer” to turn writing into a career. You could be talented with words but it means nothing if a) No one reads you b) Your subject is boring c) You don't have a professional plan to make money.
Remember the title of this article? You should remember it, every word I use has a meaning! The title is So You Want To Be a PROFESSIONAL Writer.
Professional: (of a person) engaged in a specified activity as one's main paid occupation rather than as a pastime.
To be a professional you need to get paid. When it comes to the business of writing you need to remember 3 things.
- Your writing has to be easy to read
- Your writing has to be influential & persuasive
- Your writing has to have a next step (the money step)
You don't write just to write. People who do nothing but write are lazy bums. Your writing has to have a purpose. You need to lead your readers to the next step. Words don't pay you without a next step.
#18 - Think bigger than writing (small details vs the big picture)
So you're a great writer but “can't catch a break”? No, you're just a lazy pothead who isn't willing to do the necessary work.
Writing in and of itself will get you nothing so don't have dreams of being a “writer”. Writing is a means to an end - it isn't everything. Writing as a business requires more than just writing.
In addition to being a writer you also have to be a mad professor businessman. Writing is only a portion of what you do. Your writing business STARTS with writing but it doesn't end there.
You didn't think you were gonna make money just by writing words did you? Don't be an idiot. Writing is just the beginning.
You have to be a salesman as well as a writer. You have to sell your writing. It's easy. If you followed my writer's blueprint to success you will already be influential and persuasive.
The hard part is thinking bigger than writing. You need impractically big dreams to be a big success as a writer.
You gotta think big to win big. I don't know who first said that but he was a genius with words.
#19 - Always be in control of your destiny (Own your work instead of selling it)
You need to own your words. Where can I find work as a writer? Who will hire me? That's the small picture. You gotta think big, remember? As long as you're thinking you might as well think big.
Getting hired as a writer is small. Freelance writers give away ownership of their work for a few bucks. You only get paid ONE TIME if you sell your writing. If you do it right, like me, you get paid every damn day for your writing.
Selling your work to a publishing company is small. A publisher is a middle-man, getting in between you and your customers. That's a dying business model filled with dinosaurs. Here's 5 words that flow: Dying business model for dinosaurs.
Creating your own media outlet that pays you directly is the big picture. Self-Publishing is the future because we have the internet. You can go directly to your customers without giving a big percentage to a large publishing company.
More money is available to you on your own than by selling your soul to a publisher. You literally do not need anybody (other than customers) to make a great living as a writer. You can publish your own book and make more money than “best selling” authors make.
My man Cernovich makes an easy 6 figures yearly from his great book Gorilla Mindset. That book was written while we were in Vietnam livin' free. How much money did he make? A lot. His book publisher? Don't make me laugh. He self-published and all he got was a lot of money and influence.
It's a new world and destiny is in your hands. In this new world you are the master and commander. You already know more about professional writing than any writing professor.
You could turn that knowledge into a You, Inc. business or you could do nothing. Up to you. But remember…
If you aren't the owner, you're the owned.
If you want to be the owner go here & start your new media empire at BADNET.
Until next time.
Your man,
-Victor Pride
PS - You thought I forgot about your next step didn't you? Silly goose, I never forget.
Your next step — write 500 words seducing and teasing me (the reader). This is just an intro not a full article. Write this in the comments section below (feel free to critique others' writing).
You have already learned the technique, all you need now is the intrigue. Write 500 words that make me want to click. Your goal — seduce me into wanting more.
Remember…….
If you bore me, I’m gone. But if you’re intriguing - well - how could I ever refuse?
This is going to be a B&D classic.
It is. This is the piece that will not be a huge hit now but will be a huge influence in 5 years.
This is going to blow up. Amazing! Must go write right now!
Vic does your 1 playlist song have no lyrics as I believe listening to lyrics with music would distract me
Some of mine do and some don’t. Use whatever works for you.
The sheer brilliance is unfathomable.
Killing it, Vic.
Agreed and thank you.
Influence from mere association. Smart way to increase your value, credibility and status. I am wondering whether you do it consciously or subconsciously. Either way, smart move.
“Think Donald Trump’s plain speak vs any other politician’s weasel speak. Donald Trump said Make America Great Again. Victor Pride said Make it EASY to Read.”
Remember this quote?
“You should remember it, every word I use has a meaning!”
Message is paramount and keeping journal is of utmost importance for any writer. I always make quick notes in my mobile before I turn them into an article.
Well said Victor. I have been meaning to write on the same topic, may be I do it in the future.
There is no maybe Shobhit and no tomorrow. Do it now before you die.
Thank you Victor! I appreciate the value and content
Thank you Tim!
If there are anything you learn or you saw something cool or you have an insightful thoughts and have some interesting things to say, then write it on a notebook. Carry pen and notebook.
And then don’t forget about that. Go home and then
type it on Microsoft Word and save it in your computer. (Even if you have no intention of making blog right now, you might be able to use that writing piece for future blog) and since structure was already built, all it needs is a lot of editing here to there. This is what I do.
Often times I have interesting idea or something real interesting to say and I would forget.
Also I don’t recommend drinking but when you drink once in a while when alone at home…. and you are one of the people who barely talk when sober but talk a lot when drunk and you think you are about to drunk call or drunk text, STOP and go to Microsoft word instead and type anything that comes out of your brain. And then save it.
Next morning, open it up and read what you typed because you will be surprised what you typed in (usually truth comes out from people who are drunk but quiet when sober). You can edit many times and save it, and use it as your future blog (even if you have no intention of making blog at the moment). Again use alcohol sparingly.
Notebook is #1. I use both a notebook and text/edit to keep notes. But I ALWAYS write my to-do list on pen and paper, it makes it more *real that way.
Drinking never did anything for my writing, ever. Totally useless for me. This is good advice though. A lot of other writers a big drinkers.
“Also I don’t recommend drinking but when you drink once in a while when alone at home…. and you are one of the people who barely talk when sober but talk a lot when drunk and you think you are about to drunk call or drunk text, STOP and go to Microsoft word instead and type anything that comes out of your brain. And then save it.”
This is me.I do this sometimes,Something’s I think about when drinking I will write it up.. edit,edit,edit,edit,edit and post it to Facebook,Youtube comment section.Gotta bunch of likes and comments “love love love this” “I agree with this”.Since I haven’t drank in awhile I don’t really have much to write about.Its almost as if alcohol brings down your guard, and the universe speaks through you.
Love the intensity and emotion in this. Lots of great tips. I love how simple you make things. If all the so-called writers out there read this piece then they’d stop worrying about word count and start making their words count.
Beautiful. And I’m going to apply a lot of this to recording videos as well. Great information and inspiration. Thank you!
Love that quote! “Stop worrying about word-count and start making your words count.”
^ what Joe said.
That’s a real gem right there…
Where do we begin?
Your writers high became my readers high - That’s true passion. That’s true fire. Your words jumped off the page and set my soul on fire.
I felt it when I read your words and feel it still as I write mine.
Your words are so pure it’s as if I’m there with you while you wrote this. I can feel your energy through your words. Describing your work as transcendent hardly does it justice:
Your words move beyond time and space to inspire others to create.
There’s a reason you’re #1, Victor:
Your words play a pivotal role in people’s lives. You help men build the life they want. You unlock something deep inside that shows them the way.
Some would say this is a cleverly spun web of a master craftsman. I’d have to agree, and it’s a beautiful site to behold.
You speak like a Pro so even the novice can understand. There’s Gravity in your words. The layers and depths of emotion and intellect condensed into your work is the trademark of a Genius/Mad Man.
Every lesson from B&D can be transferred over to other areas of life… As long as the reader is willing to learn, grow, and cultivate.
“Pros fix problems - amateurs say whatever, man.” Should be taken to heart.
If you want to live a life worth livin’, Give a damn and make a difference.
Thanks for the continued Inspiration Mr. Pride.
Hoz
#?
Passion inspires passion. This is passionate comment and I wanted to keep reading. This is very good writing and not only because it compliments me. Structure is good, the words flow, and I feel the fire ?
I agree with Victor,Nice writing,Hoz and a great comment as well!
I needed this today. Thank you, for putting your blood, sweat, and tears into this cause.
Thank you Ash.
Thanks for the tips Vic,
I spotted a typo, you can delete this comment after reading it.
More money is available to you on your own than by selling your soul to a publisher. You literally do (Warning typo) = no need anybody (other than customers) to make a great living as a writer. You can publish your own book and make more money than “best selling” authors make.
Good luck drawing in more writer fans to B&D!
- Sebastian Heart
Thanks Sebastian. I went through 197 revisions and still missed typos (why you need to edit well!).
There’s another one. Bot where it should be but under Keeping a journal. Hth.
What?
I think ‘Anonymous’ found a moment of ‘Pride’ after finding another spelling error.
What a shame he didn’t introduce himself, and missed the ‘atta-boy’ from you ‘Mr. Pride’.
One final note Vic… I checked the dictionary, ‘pride’ is a three letter word.
Your inspiration is fire, thank you for being the catalyst of change in my life.
I have always wanted to become a better writer. I absolutely dread having writer’s block and not conveying my thoughts as accurately as I’d like to. However, with your tips and keeping a journal or blog every day should help me see steady improvement in not just my writing, but also the writing of experience. Thanks Victor, I shall now depart on my journey to successful writing
Thanks Twinkle.
Twinkle,
I guess every writer has to deal the dreaded writer’s block in their own way.
When I had to write essays on boring topics for boring writing professors, I had one tool to get me through writer’s block: The blank page.
If I stare at an empty page or Word .doc long enough something inside of me starts to heat up, and I have to get it out onto that document before It explodes!
From time to time I consider the what if’s of life.
What if I would have never been possessed by the Spirit of Ambition.
What if I was like other guys my age.
What if I blindly sold my Soul.
What if I never created Way of The Olympian.
What if my Mom didn’t come close crossing into the Other World.
My life has always been about surviving.
From finding myself to maintaining my freedom.
It has always been about survival.
I battle daily with the Demons of doubt and anxiety.
We all do.
But everyday I slap them in the face and make the day mine.
If I was like every 22 year old I would settle.
Go to College or sell my Soul to a job.
I am different though.
I am willing to put up with having my back against the wall everyday.
My vision for myself and life is better than monetary “pain”.
I would rather gain the world than sell my Soul for monetary pleasure.
My ambition has ran girls who loved me away.
My ambition has made my circle of friends cut down to 3 main people.
I do not trust many people.
There are people in this world that are secretly working to take your Soul.
I could be making $60,000/year right now.
The catch is that I would have to be working a minimum of 60 hours a week.
Instead of working for myself I’d be making another man rich.
I almost sold my Soul.
I was like you and told myself, “I will do this job and work on my business when I can until I can quit”.
But instead I told him that I wasn’t interested.
He called me crazy.
Luckily for me I know what I want in life.
I left the job a week and a half later.
Since then I have been working everyday.
Not for another man.
But for myself.
I have had situations where I couldn’t pay bills.
I’ve had job offers.
Instead I hustled to make my money.
I’m not a rich man, but I am a free man.
Nobody is over me.
This life isn’t for everyone.
It requires daily action.
You can’t have an off day.
If you slow down you will be brought back to Hell.
You will always be on the run.
After you have ran far enough you will be able to start enjoying the world.
Momentum is a magical thing.
It is slow at first, but after you build it things become much easier.
So let me ask you this question:
What if you bet on yourself?
Maybe you don’t have the strength to fight the world.
You will have to give up everything, but you will gain the world.
Freedom is not for most people.
You most likely can’t make it.
You will have days where you feel crazy.
You may even go insane.
But at least you will have your Soul and Freedom.
Your Friend,
Dylan Madden
I played with the one-sentence per paragraph format and came to the conclusion that is it too off-putting. 2-3 sentences per paragraph is best with occasional one sentence paragraphs. Short sentences DO NOT need to be continual one-sentence paragraphs, it makes it look like a dirty kitchen sink.
Thank you I see what you mean.
The freedom is well worth the struggle and the risk that comes with it. You speak super true. Keep on with the wisdom bro!!
Thanks Christian.
Cheers Vic, I just banged out 1,775 words to some hip-hop after reading this on a subject I know about.
I see writing as a hobby or a pastime for me, it gets me out of my head and onto the page. I also love creating something lasting so it ticks a couple boxes for me. I didn’t even use coffee today - all the best. Anon
You’re a busy man, right? You don’t have the time to read a comment this long.
Why invest your time. Your energy?
What could I possibly have to say worth reading?
You are asking these questions right now.
Our time is valuable. The eyes need to feast. To delight in the words they consume.
Words should paint a picture. Each stroke of the brush setting the scene.
Sentences should flow, linger with intent, and just as they are starting to ebb…. explode violently with the shattering force of a megaton bomb.
Language should make us feel something even if it says nothing.
It should be bold. Striking.
It should cut to the quick and imbue you with fascination.
There should be a tingle in your fingers when the sentences start to form.
Passionate marks of artful flair.
Writing is a craft. It stokes the fire of imagination. You lose yourself in the mind of another. Their thoughts become your own.
Their way of seeing the world becomes yours.
The weight of a words is transcendent.
Words can transform societies or they create spellbinding stories.
They fashion hypnotic tales of daring deeds or bewilder the senses with an evocative tone.
Writing is expression. It’s catharsis.
Shaping thoughts on the page is a state of immortality.
If someone, somewhere, is inspired to act.
If they resonate with a single sentence.
If they change their lives for the better then it has all been worth the task.
You already know how to do it…
We can all write. We can all carve a niche and let the word see our magnificence.
There’s just one caveat.
You have to do the work.
K.I.S.S.
Keep It Simple Stupid.
Never use a long word where a short one will do.
We can all flex with lexicon and hunger to impress but when we do we ignore one thing.
Human communication is about understanding.
Not impressing.
How often do you remember the garbled verbiage of a confusing sentence?
Shady salesmen with soulless speeches.
Aiming to confound and lead you astray.
Pretentious performers with pompous pontification.
Giving your brain too much to replay.
Why instead do we find it IMPOSSIBLE to forget slogans like Make America Great Again?
Why does McDonald’s infuse I’M LOVIN’ IT in their commercials?
Why do these short combinations create such a powerful impression?
One word.
Emotion.
But not just any emotion. The emotions must be positive, aspirational.
They must be delivered with punch.
Make America Great Again is reaching for a better time. An uplifting, growing society.
It speaks to a disillusioned nation and grabs them by the scruff of their neck, warmly inviting the idea with a considerate whisper.
It can be better than this.
It WILL be better than this.
I’ll be the first to admit I am too analytical.
I often write like I am dissecting a frog in biology class.
The heart isn’t there…
But I’m learning from the man himself.
Victor Pride was the first and that means he will be the last.
He saw the future when others were preoccupied with their present.
History tells the tale.
It is the pioneers that are remembered.
The Wright brothers, Neil Armstrong, Martin Luther King, Edison, Einstein…
Names are indelibly marked in history for having the courage to be the first.
For rallying against the norm and blazing a trail of ruthless independence.
You can be the first too.
You might not walk on the moon but today you can take the first step.
Who knows where those footsteps will lead?
See my other comment about the short one-sentence paragraphs. It’s too off-putting. It doesn’t work.
“I played with the one-sentence per paragraph format and came to the conclusion that is it too off-putting. 2-3 sentences per paragraph is best with occasional one sentence paragraphs. Short sentences DO NOT need to be continual one-sentence paragraphs, it makes it look like a dirty kitchen sink.”
Is this better?
You’re a busy man, right? You don’t have the time to read a comment this long.
Why invest your time. Your energy? What could I possibly have to say worth reading?
You are asking these questions right now.
Our time is valuable. The eyes need to feast. To delight in the words they consume.
Words should paint a picture. Each stroke of the brush setting the scene. Sentences should flow, linger with intent, and just as they are starting to ebb…. explode violently with the shattering force of a megaton bomb.
Language should make us feel something even if it says nothing. t should be bold and striking. It should cut to the quick and imbue you with fascination.
There should be a tingle in your fingers when the sentences start to form passionate marks of artful flair.
Writing is a craft. It stokes the fire of imagination. You lose yourself in the mind of another. Their thoughts become your own.
Their way of seeing the world becomes yours.
The weight of a words is transcendent. Words can transform societies or they create spellbinding stories. They fashion hypnotic tales of daring deeds or bewilder the senses with an evocative tone.
Writing is expression. It’s catharsis. Shaping thoughts on the page is a state of immortality.
If someone, somewhere, is inspired to act. If they resonate with a single sentence. If they change their lives for the better then it has all been worth the task.
You already know how to do it…
We can all write. We can all carve a niche and let the word see our magnificence. There’s just one caveat. You have to do the work.
K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple Stupid.
Never use a long word where a short one will do. We can all flex with lexicon and hunger to impress but when we do we ignore one thing. Human communication is about understanding. Not impressing.
How often do you remember the garbled verbiage of a confusing sentence?
Shady salesmen with soulless speeches. Aiming to confound and lead you astray.
Pretentious performers with pompous pontification. Giving your brain too much to replay.
Why instead do we find it IMPOSSIBLE to forget slogans like Make America Great Again? Why does McDonald’s infuse I’M LOVIN’ IT in their commercials?
Why do these short combinations create such a powerful impression? They carry emotion. But not just any emotion. The emotions must be positive, aspirational. They must be delivered with punch.
Make America Great Again is reaching for a better time. An uplifting, growing society.
It speaks to a disillusioned nation and grabs them by the scruff of their neck, warmly inviting the idea with a considerate whisper.
It can be better than this. It WILL be better than this.
I’ll be the first to admit I am too analytical. I often write like I am dissecting a frog in biology class.
The heart isn’t there…
But I’m learning from the man himself.
Victor Pride was the first and that means he will be the last. He saw the future when others were preoccupied with their present.
History tells the tale. It is the pioneers that are remembered.
The Wright brothers, Neil Armstrong, Martin Luther King, Edison, Einstein…
Names are indelibly marked in history for having the courage to be the first. For rallying against the norm and blazing a trail of ruthless independence.
You can be the first too. You can own imprint yourself onto the world.
You might not walk on the moon but today you can take the first step. Who knows where those footsteps will lead?
Yes, it is better but I would personally not keep so many short one-sentence paragraphs. You have to think of the canvas your words appear on. This is not a blog, there are no H1, H2 tags. This is text only, so you have to make that text as easy as possible to read. One-sentence paragraphs ARE NOT easy to read on this canvas.
Right of course, it’s a bad habit. I appreciate the feedback, I look forward to applying it to my own writing. Third time’s a charm:
You’re a busy man, right? You don’t have the time to read a comment this long. Why invest your time. Your energy? What could I possibly have to say worth reading? You are asking these questions right now.
Our time is valuable. The eyes need to feast. To delight in the words they consume.
Words should paint a picture. Each stroke of the brush setting the scene. Sentences should flow, linger with intent, and just as they are starting to ebb…. explode violently with the shattering force of a megaton bomb.
Language should make us feel something even if it says nothing. It should be bold and striking. It should cut to the quick and imbue you with fascination.
There should be a tingle in your fingers when the sentences start to form passionate marks of artful flair.
Writing is a craft. It stokes the fire of imagination. You lose yourself in the mind of another. Their thoughts become your own. Their way of seeing the world becomes yours.
The weight of a words is transcendent. Words can transform societies or they create spellbinding stories. They fashion hypnotic tales of daring deeds or bewilder the senses with an evocative tone.
Writing is expression. It’s catharsis. Shaping thoughts on the page is a state of immortality.
If someone, somewhere, is inspired to act. If they resonate with a single sentence. If they change their lives for the better then it has all been worth the task. You already know how to do it.
We can all write. We can all carve a niche and let the word see our magnificence. There’s just one caveat. You have to do the work.
Keep it simple stupid. For one, never use a long word where a short one will do.We can all flex with lexicon and hunger to impress but when we do we ignore one thing: Human communication is about understanding. Not impressing.
How often do you remember the garbled verbiage of a confusing sentence? Shady salesmen with soulless speeches aiming to confound and lead you astray. Pretentious performers with pompous pontification giving your brain too much to replay.
Why instead do we find it IMPOSSIBLE to forget slogans like Make America Great Again? Why does McDonald’s infuse I’M LOVIN’ IT in their commercials?
Why do these short combinations create such a powerful impression? The answer is EMOTION.
But not just any emotion. The emotions must be positive, aspirational. They must be delivered with punch.
Make America Great Again is reaching for a better time. An uplifting, growing society. It speaks to a disillusioned nation and grabs them by the scruff of their neck, warmly inviting the idea with a considerate whisper. It can be better than this. Hell, it WILL be better than this.
I’ll be the first to admit I am too analytical. I often write like I am dissecting a frog in biology class. The heart isn’t there… but I’m learning from the man himself.
Victor Pride was the first and that means he will be the last. He saw the future when others were preoccupied with their present. History tells the tale. It is the pioneers that are remembered.
The Wright brothers, Neil Armstrong, Martin Luther King, Edison, Einstein…
Names are indelibly marked in history for having the courage to be the first. For rallying against the norm and blazing a trail of ruthless independence.
You can be the first too. You might not walk on the moon but today you can take the first step. Who knows where those footsteps will lead?
Again you used your very first words to influence me to not read your comment (which I didn’t).
“You’re a busy man, right? You don’t have the time to read a comment this long.”
OK, you got it.
You need to hook me from the start. Where’s the hook?
“Our time is valuable. The eyes need to feast. To delight in the words they consume.” <-- These words mean absolutely nothing. My eyes see things, they don't eat anything. "Words should paint a picture. Each stroke of the brush setting the scene. Sentences should flow, linger with intent, and just as they are starting to ebb…. explode violently with the shattering force of a megaton bomb." <-- Right, so where is the picture? Too many words and no scene painted. "Language should make us feel something even if it says nothing." <-- Words that say nothing will make the reader feel nothing. HOOK THE READER FROM THE START! I don't know what your point is, I don't know what you're talking about. My 1st sentence: "So you want to be a writer huh? Cool, here’s what you do…" Crystal clear. Your 1st sentence: "Our time is valuable. The eyes need to feast. To delight in the words they consume." Muddy.
“You’re a busy man, right? You don’t have the time to read a comment this long.”
Your first words told me not to read your comment.
In your first 5 sentences you asked me 4 questions. That’s 3 questions too many.
“You are asking these questions right now.”
I was not asking myself any of those questions. I’d cut out all of that and start with “Our time is valuable…”.
Okay. Then this?
Our time is valuable. The eyes need to feast. To delight in the words they consume.
Words should paint a picture. Each stroke of the brush setting the scene. Sentences should flow, linger with intent, and just as they are starting to ebb…. explode violently with the shattering force of a megaton bomb.
Language should make us feel something even if it says nothing. It should be bold and striking. It should cut to the quick and imbue you with fascination.
There should be a tingle in your fingers when the sentences start to form passionate marks of artful flair.
Writing is a craft. It stokes the fire of imagination. You lose yourself in the mind of another. Their thoughts become your own. Their way of seeing the world becomes yours.
The weight of a words is transcendent. Words can transform societies or they create spellbinding stories. They fashion hypnotic tales of daring deeds or bewilder the senses with an evocative tone.
Writing is expression. It’s catharsis. Shaping thoughts on the page is a state of immortality.
If someone, somewhere, is inspired to act. If they resonate with a single sentence. If they change their lives for the better then it has all been worth the task. You already know how to do it.
We can all write. We can all carve a niche and let the word see our magnificence. There’s just one caveat. You have to do the work.
Keep it simple stupid. For one, never use a long word where a short one will do.We can all flex with lexicon and hunger to impress but when we do we ignore one thing: Human communication is about understanding. Not impressing.
How often do you remember the garbled verbiage of a confusing sentence? Shady salesmen with soulless speeches aiming to confound and lead you astray. Pretentious performers with pompous pontification giving your brain too much to replay.
Why instead do we find it IMPOSSIBLE to forget slogans like Make America Great Again? Why does McDonald’s infuse I’M LOVIN’ IT in their commercials?
Why do these short combinations create such a powerful impression? The answer is EMOTION.
But not just any emotion. The emotions must be positive, aspirational. They must be delivered with punch.
Make America Great Again is reaching for a better time. An uplifting, growing society. It speaks to a disillusioned nation and grabs them by the scruff of their neck, warmly inviting the idea with a considerate whisper. It can be better than this. Hell, it WILL be better than this.
I’ll be the first to admit I am too analytical. I often write like I am dissecting a frog in biology class. The heart isn’t there… but I’m learning from the man himself.
Victor Pride was the first and that means he will be the last. He saw the future when others were preoccupied with their present. History tells the tale. It is the pioneers that are remembered.
The Wright brothers, Neil Armstrong, Martin Luther King, Edison, Einstein…
Names are indelibly marked in history for having the courage to be the first. For rallying against the norm and blazing a trail of ruthless independence.
You can be the first too. You might not walk on the moon but today you can take the first step. Who knows where those footsteps will lead?
Thanks for all of the criticism, it’s been very helpful. Showed me where my weaknesses lie and there are a lot of them for sure.
Great article man! this inspired me to get back into writing my own content than just typing it away on comments.
Small typo: “Bot not every blog” should say “But not every blog”
Another post that will be in the top 10. Instant Pride Classic…Fantastic information. I agree,Vic, on what you said about *On Writing*. I want to check out the E.B. White book on writing King mentions in it. I need to try some of that RED COFFEE!
Thanks!
“If you can persuade you get paid.”
That quote is in my psyche now.
Holy smokes. This is pure FIRE. People will come back this piece over and over for years.
This is the future of communication in general. If people don’t get on board they will be forgotten.
Everything you need to know is all right here. Thank you, Vic.
Time to get back to work.
Over & Out
NITCH
Thank you Nitch.
Now that’s a blog post. I lost my way with your articles recently. BUT. That knocked it out the ball park.
(Just finished Steve Kings book too. Highly recommended)
Thanks Jim.
So you wanted to read 500 fire-born words as an introduction to an “article” right?
I’ll tell you about my experience reading your article as a potential article I would like to publish some day, dedicated to you and my other influences.
From the start I knew that your article was an “WOW” as you are an WOW maker.
Talking about 18 years old guys, at the start of your article, I thought about me (actually I’ll be 19 in July).
But later in your article, when you write about the fire, I also thought about myself and my writing.
Before even the beginning of my blog 6 months ago I had the fire burning inside me and the desire to write on my own blog but I also had a devil in my head telling me I had nothing to write about because of my age.
Months later of these thoughts my burning desire wanted out.
So I made the decision to be honest with myself and my potential readers to write ONLY what I know about and have experienced.
Otherwise I wouldn’t write.
I knew what I wanted from the first days I read your articles.
I wanted to run an online business and be a free man like you are.
But I also want to live a life full of valuable experiences, anxiety free and economicaly and mental freedom.
I know that I may have a long road till I reach that point then but I don’t care.
I enjoy it as I have been working steadily and persistently on my website to provide the best I can.
And that’s how I write on my blog.
I dont mean to copy you, but your advice have been intergrated with my inner soul.
Soon I’ll be making money from my upcoming e-book and that’s because you gave me the means to achieve that.
All the 19 tools you give in this article are great and I am happy to tell you that I felt familliar with many of them.
I am also happy to tell you that you trigger me more and more every time I read one of your articles.
Closing these 500 words you wanted, I would like to thank you for all the great things you provide me through since the previous and the most exciting year of my life.
You are the person that changed my life, along with Mike Cernovich, and I am deeply greatful of the advice you provide me. So I want to do the same for other people as well with all I know.
Of the many things I want in life, soul freedom is the greatest and you’ve taught me how to find my way to get it.
I want to meet you in person and buy you a coffee sometime and I believe I will. It might not be tomorrow but I know I will.
Are you intrigued already? Want to see my work?
If yes, visit my site.
I wish you from my heart all the best,
- Mike Efthymiou
P.S - Your: “Follow your gut” and “Stuff doesn’t matter” are the two quotes stuck in my head. Thanks again.
Thanks Mike.
Any specific suggestions on my writing Vic?
Boring from the start. You have two sentences to hook me and you wasted them.
“So you wanted to read 500 fire-born words as an introduction to an “article” right?
I’ll tell you about my experience reading your article as a potential article I would like to publish some day, dedicated to you and my other influences.”
I didn’t read anything past this because it isn’t intriguing.
“So you wanted to read 500 fire-born words as an introduction to an “article” right?”
Don’t waste my time with a rhetorical question.
“I’ll tell you about my experience reading your article as a potential article I would like to publish some day, dedicated to you and my other influences.”
Cut out this nonsense waste of words and just tell me about your experience.
Thanks Victor. Tomorrow I’ll have a new and better reply ready if you’d like to give it a try.
I got the message. I understood what you said and I will apply it on my next articles.
I was about to post a new reply yesterday and I pushed myself to write but it just wouldn’t get out. I’ve made a mistake, I’m sorry.
Thank you for the advise though.
Hey what happend to your bud’ Mike Chagares.
He was seemingly doing quite well as he moved to LA and was living near the beach.
Now his website, twitter and instagram…
Its all down…
What do you think Uncle Vic’ he prioritizing life experience over You Inc?
Lemme know as i was enjoying his Vlogs….. he used to make….
He’s alive. All I know.
It always strikes me as weird when somebody just *disappears* from the Internet like that. Probably an emotional decision rather than a rational one.
Mike, come back!
I will buy (another) one of your books!
Scout’s honor.
“I was a leaf in the wind.
When you are a leaf in the wind, when you have no purpose, the wolves, sharks and demons of the world will pick up on your hopeless scent…
Your eyes will begin to wander rather than on a fixed destination.
Your walk will become aimless, you will spot someone walking towards you from a mile away and you will begin thinking of ways not to run into them, all to just run into them.
You will seek permission in every interaction your face. After all, you don’t know what it is that you want, so maybe this person knows…
It turns out they knew exactly what you wanted and more.
Instead of leaving with just a big mac, you end up leaving with two, fries and an extra large diet coke.
“But it was part of the special! How nice of the sales man behind the counter, I didn’t really know exactly what I wanted and he helped me find it! Turns out I actually wanted the half the menu, who knew?”
The noises of the world will suddenly become hostile and foreign.
Two girls laughing at the table across from you will no longer be about whatever it is they are actually talking about, it will be about you and how corny you look in your outfit trying to impersonate Channing Tatum or Ryan Gossling.
The group of guys hanging at the bar laughing it up, will no longer be laughing about whatever they are actually laughing about, it will be about you and how much of a loser you look like all by yourself at the bar with no pussy.
The woman walking down the sidewalk with her son who makes sharp eye contact with you and then quickly pulls her kid in closer protectively.
The security guard at the bank, who glares at you when you walk in and pays extra attention to you until you leave.
The lady at the elementary school cross walk, who gives you a stern look as she closely guides the children as far away from your car as she can.
These people do not trust you.
They do not trust you with their safety,
They do not trust you with their kids,
and they certainly do not trust you with their money.
Why should they trust you, if you do not even trust your motherfucking self? ”
I intend on creating a blog once I gain more life experience, I am 21. This is a piece from a rough draft. I am writing but not publishing, yet.
Thank you Victor for all the value you add to this world. Lately I have just been reading all your articles, trying to adopt your mindset, its an effective one.
Maybe one day we will cross paths, like you said, if its fate.
- Joe
It seems like you already have the heart . ?
“I intend on creating a blog once I gain more life experience, I am 21.”
You’ll get there. You’re off to a good start.
All right, I’m up for the challenge.
My first thought after walking into the bookstore at the airport was “What the fuck? Trying to make money off his death already?”
In front of me was the biography of Steve Jobs. He’d only been dead a month, and now here was a book, trying to make money off his death. It left a sour taste in my mouth.
Turns out I was wrong. I read the book, several years later as part of my self-education on business and achievement. I learned many things from it, the first being that Jobs commissioned the book himself a few years before he passed away.
Whoops! Turns out it takes longer than a month to make a book.
I was never a fan of Steve Jobs, and it’s safe to say I won’t purchase anything from Apple. I still don’t know what the point of an iPad is. Yet I think the man truly was an inspiration and is someone worth learning from.
One thought which kept going through my mind as I read was “Holy shit, what he has achieved is staggering!”
The truth is, Steve Jobs in creating Apple, has changed so much of our modern world through direct and indirect means, that it is safe to say the world would be different if he never existed.
Everyone knows the contributions he made to society. The introduction of the personal computer. Turning Pixar from a software company into the giant of imagination it is today.
iTunes. iPod. iPad.
I could go on. The list is legion.
Yet that is not what interested me. No, it was the finer details of his life that fascinated me. That drew me in. The why and how of his achievements. His method of creating a company that was imprinted with his essence. How he used his skills and personality to do it.
When it came to that subject, there was a lot of knowledge throughout the book. A nugget on almost every page.
So I want to share with you 3 lessons that I learned from this book, 3 of many:
First, do not be afraid to replace your own product or service. As long as you are the one replacing it, you’ll be fine.
After the stunning success of the iPod and the subsequent revolution in the music industry that it caused, the iPod now accounted for 45 percent of Apple’s revenue. And Steve Jobs realized what it would take to replace it.
At that time, cellphones were becoming more and more technologically capable. They now had cameras and were destroying the digital camera market. Jobs knew that if someone attached a good enough music player to a cellphone, the iPod would become obsolete.
So he did it himself.
Jobs created the iPhone and gained control of a whole new market. Within 4 years, iPhone sales reaped more than half of cellphone profits around the globe.
Out of Motorala, Nokia, Samsung, LG, and others, Apple gained half of all profits.
All because Jobs wasn’t afraid to replace his own product.
This leads neatly into the second lesson…
More!
Thanks! The rest will come when my blog goes live, towards the end of June. I’ll reply here again when that happens.
Interesting and easy to read. I’m personally very turned off by the cursing though. Totally unnecessary. Adds nothing to the story but totally takes me away from the story.
Thanks for the feedback and the great article, sincerely.
Hey Vic,
Killer article as always but I did want to let you know that there’s a spelling mistake namely in the sentence of ‘You can’t be a great writer OF you don’t have anything to say’. Besides that, love your work and the message you put out.
Thanks,
Armanii
Thanks Armanii.
As requested, an intiguing 500 word article opening:
It was around 2AM when I finally puked. I had just finished a set of assisted bear crawls through the mud, and luckily for my partner, I was able to get off of him before my gastronomic expulsion.
The first word in the name “assisted bear crawls” tends to give people the impression that someone is “assisting” you with the exercise… That is not the case.
To perform an assisted bear crawl, you get down on your hands and knees. Your partner then lies beneath you and grabs hold of your waist. You must then bear crawl, while dragging the added weight of your partner along the ground beneath you.
The key is momentum. You need to build up speed and not stop. If you slow down at all, the drag from your partner along the ground will stop you dead in your tracks.
For those of you who don’t know, the culmination of the First Phase of BUD/S (Navy SEAL training) is a 136 hour marathon known as Hell Week. Five and half days with no sleep, doing almost nothing but running, pushups, pull-ups, lifting logs, and carrying boats, with non-stop cold exposure to boot.
Only the truly tough ever attempt it, and only the toughest survive.
I was at an undisclosed training location on the East Coast with a couple Navy SEALs. I was covered in mud, and for the past twenty six hours I’d done almost nothing but work out. I wasn’t actually going through Hell Week. I was taking part in a private, invitation only, training course for guys who are already in, or seriously considering going into special operations.
The leader of the training was a former SEAL team leader who I’d been introduced to through a family friend. Many of the guys training with me were preparing to go through a Spec Ops selection course. SEAL, SWCC, Special Forces, and Pararescue. All of us huddled down in the mud together like one big happy family…
Very interesting. Good stuff Ethan.
Thanks Victor. You talked about websites who show some B&D influence. I actually redesigned my site after seeing B&D because I liked the layout so much. Great article. One of your best in a while.
I’m intrigued as to what happens next.
Here’s what happened next…
http://www.manvcity.com/the-navy-seal-secret-to-100-perfect-pushups/
Damn Vic! Thanks for killing it in the content, because I can definitely sense your fire in the writing.
Thanks Cameryn.
“It took ten years for me to be an overnight success” Big Sean
Rome wasn’t built in day, the saying goes.
So don’t expect to your body to be, either.
We live in society of instant gratification. One stop shopping. Overnight delivery. I can get online, search on Google, and stream a movie with my high-speed internet.
Most things, if you want them, can be bought. You can have whatever you want right away.
You cannot buy a career worth having. You cannot buy a technique that sustains. You cannot buy a body worth respecting.
The best things in life you have to earn.
A little over ten years ago, I was tired of being fat. To other people, my fatness defined me. I was the only person (I felt) who saw something more.
So what did I do?
I cut my lunches in half, joined the football team, and went to the gym after practice. In swim class, I swam when I allowed to rest.
I was hungry as hell for food but hungrier for change.
I started school weighing a little more than 190 lbs. 8 months later, I weighed in around 160 lbs.
But I was just getting started.
I dedicated myself to building muscle. I was determined not only to never return to my former shape (round), but to build a physique that would stand the test of time (statue).
Through the years, I’ve used all types of workouts and diets. There’s an overwhelming amount of information out there. Ask 10 fit people what their secret formula is, you’ll get 10 different solutions.
10 different formulas, but 1 common ingredient.
Consistency.
Consistency is key.
If you’re going to skip one workout, skip them all.
If you’re going to give a half-assed effort, expect half-assed results.
Among the countless lessons dedication to my fitness has taught is that results are a direct result of effort.
In fitness, mindset is the only non-literal ingredient for success.
You can put your hands on everything else.
The weights you lift
The food you eat
The muscles you make
Consistency is key.
To build a body with staying power, lay a strong foundation. Reinforce that foundation.
The stronger the foundation, the higher you can build and the longer your creation will last.
Is fitness, the, no different from every other pursuit?
Excellence begins with fundamentals and cannot be had instantly.
There’s a popular maxim that stresses the importance of the journey over the destination. But having a vision of the destination is what makes the tough times on the journey bearable.
You have to focus on both the journey and the destination.
Put one foot in front of the other and go from there. Just don’t stop moving. Keep at it, and one day, you’ll look in the mirror and be shocked at what you’ve made.
But you’ll probably hear about your evolution from those around you first.
We know this at SingerFit. We give you all the tools.
You just have to do the work.
Slight modifications based on target audience:
“It took ten years for me to be an overnight success” Big Sean
Rome wasn’t built in day, the saying goes.
So don’t expect to your body to be, either.
We live in society of instant gratification. One stop shopping. Overnight delivery. I can get online, search on Google, and stream a movie with my high-speed internet.
Most things, if you want them, can be bought. You can have whatever you want right away.
You cannot buy a career worth having. You cannot buy a technique that sustains. You cannot buy a body worth respecting.
The best things in life you have to earn.
A little over ten years ago, I was tired of being fat. To other people, my fatness defined me. I was the only person (I felt) who saw something more.
So what did I do?
I cut my lunches in half, joined the football team, and went to the gym after practice. In swim class, I swam when I allowed to rest.
I was hungry as hell for food but hungrier for change.
I started school weighing a little more than 190 lbs. 8 months later, I weighed in around 160 lbs.
But I was just getting started.
I dedicated myself to building muscle. I was determined not only to never return to my former shape (round), but to build a physique that would stand the test of time (statue).
Through the years, I’ve used all types of workouts and diets. There’s an overwhelming amount of information out there. Ask 10 fit people what their secret formula is, you’ll get 10 different solutions.
10 different formulas, but 1 common ingredient:
Consistency.
Consistency is key.
If you’re going to skip one workout, skip them all.
If you’re going to give a half-assed effort, expect half-assed results.
Among the countless lessons dedication to my fitness has taught is that results are a direct result of effort.
In fitness, mindset is the only non-literal ingredient for success.
You can put your hands on everything else.
The weights you lift
The food you eat
The muscles you make
Consistency is key.
Approach fitness like you approach your craft.
Would you practice consistently for two weeks, then sporadically for a few months, then not at all and be surprised to have not gotten any better?
Would you work or train or aspire to be in a place where you don’t respect the work that anyone does?
Would you listen to someone who has never played your instrument or worked at the level you aspire to be at, or at least respect?
Then why would you treat fitness any other way?
Consistency is key.
To build a body with staying power, lay a strong foundation. Reinforce that foundation.
The stronger the foundation, the higher you can build and the longer your creation will last.
Is fitness, the, no different from every other pursuit?
Excellence begins with fundamentals and cannot be had instantly.
There’s a popular maxim that stresses the importance of the journey over the destination. But having a vision of the destination is what makes the tough times on the journey bearable.
You have to focus on both the journey and the destination.
Put one foot in front of the other and go from there. Just don’t stop moving. Keep at it, and one day, you’ll look in the mirror and be shocked at what you’ve made.
But you’ll probably hear about your evolution from those around you first.
We know this at [redacted]. We give you all the tools.
You just have to do the work.
Vic,
Where is the most universally applicable diet that will help EVERY SINGLE PERSON who uses it get ripped?
Right here: https://redsupplements.com/zero-carb-diet-tips/
Obsessed motivation state.
It’s a drug for entrepreneurs.
You focus so intensely, that the world could fall apart and you wouldn’t care.
That’s the kind of motivation I love.
I haven’t been able to find it more than three times.
The fire was lit twice due to competition and once because of a goal.
I didn’t capitalize on the motivation. I let it fade away.
The men I was competing against moved and I reached the goal I had set.
I didn’t realize I was in the obsessed motivation state. I didn’t know how to keep the fires of motivation lit…. Until now.
When you find yourself in the obsessed motivation state, realize it and stay in it as long as possible.
This is how you know you’re in the obsessed motivation state.
http://www.nestormendoza.com/2016/05/30/how-to-get-obssesivemotivation/
Yea, like Vic says, “Find a song that moves you. The song should have a continual beat. The beat needs to be constant., hypnotizing.”
Here is the song you could use…
This is for the ones who stood their ground
For Tommy and Gina who never backed down
Tomorrow’s getting harder make no mistake
Luck ain’t even lucky
Got to make your own breaks
[Chorus:]
It’s my life
And it’s now or never
I ain’t gonna live forever
I just want to live while I’m alive
(It’s my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said
I did it my way
I just want to live while I’m alive
‘Cause it’s my life
Off course we have to cite it; Bon Jovi.
What the guy from New Jersey is telling you…wake up, stand your ground, and live while you’re alive.
All creatures are…
Unable to survive unless they trust and obey someone who is better than they are.
To escape that pressure, those who are better than others search for their superiors.
Those who are superior ,
Search for even stronger individuals they can believe in.
Thus kings were born.
And Thus…
The king of the kings was born.
I tried to believe in others individuals who I thought were better than myself, who I though were friends .
I really tried.
But then an emergency came in . I looked left and right and no one tried to help me, nothing but pointed fingers and mockery
What did I do, what will YOU do.
When there’s no more money, no more electricity, no more food,
No more God…
I went searching for someone I could believe in.
I found him,
He was inside me the whole time. He is inside you.
Who is the king of kings and where is he?
The answer is as ridiculous as the question.
This article separates the wheat from the chaff. It is easy to write “yeah, you can do it! rah rah”. Yet to write sentences with substance, you need to carve them out of the marble of your mind with experience as your chisel.
That’s what I appreciate about your writing, Victor. Its standards demand nothing less than discipline and hard work, yet you can trust that you end up with greatness 5 years down the road.
Why? Because next to sweat equity and repetition, the third ingredient is edge - which comes after sharpening your chisel through life experience. See above.
Thank you very much for this article.
Thank you Florian.
How can you seduce someone who already has everything? Someone, who at the same time needs absolutely nothing? What brings me back to your site was finding more ways to free myself. I only realized it was just scratching the surface. Finding what I should do to end the old system forever is what I was really looking for. I won’t be happy until this old shitty system is gone for good. The costume everyone puts on will end. The idolized figureheads will be ignored. The propaganda crushed to pieces. And finally you will find the people that actually cared. Not a bunch of robot people trying to sell you shit all the time. But finally people who actually like the real you.
Never start with more than one sentence at most. Totally unnecessary and confusing to the readers. Stop asking me questions and give ma answers instead.
Finding what you should do to end the old system forever is what you’re really looking for. You won’t be happy until this broken system is gone for good. The costume everyone puts on will end. The idolized figureheads will be ignored. The propaganda crushed to pieces. And finally you will find the people that actually cared. Not a bunch of robot people trying to put on a show all the time. But, finally people who actually want to build something great. Offer something better.
Get paid by the hour and they’ll be sour. Your employees will never strive for more on a wage. They will put on a costume and a smile just out of fear of losing their little scraps of money. There are other types of companies and ways to make money out there. Cooperatives, profit-sharing, contracts, and royalties. Build your own empire with the best people. Make them really want to work with you for a giant piece of a multi-million dollar pie.
Do More Get More.
Give a good reward for people to achieve. If they’re paid per sale, they will care. An example can even be as simple as a cafe. If a barista made a 100 coffees in a day, that person could get 10% of all those coffees they personally made. A coffee shop filled with 5 employees could get 20% per sale that day. Make it matter to them. Each and every sale that they were personally responsible for and that it gets paid to them.
Everyone is waiting and hoping for that something better to happen, “if you build it they will come”. They need to see there’s another way of doing business and they will rush in pounding down on your door to join your company or even build their own.
When they get inspired to build their own company it replaces other companies that run a broken system. No protests were made, no wars fought. They all get replaced quickly, without any friction. If people can achieve more, they won’t need to listen to any political figure heads for false hopes.
There’s people out there all over the place with different skills to make some of the greatest ideas happen. Or make a great cup of coffee.
I put Led Zeppelin: A Stairway to Heaven on repeat to take Victor’s advice very “letter of the law” literally. In a strange synchronicity, I open my 21st century dictionary of quotations and write down these two quotes:
For everything that lives is holy, life delights in life - William Blake
Men must live and create. Live to the point of tears- Albert Camus (Very B+D esque!)
I had no initial plan of what to write, and I did no research during the writing of this piece. Its a summary of what most chose to ignore, or never see due to media silence.
The “Refugee” Crisis: An Inconvenient Truth
The idealists are behind on the times. No, it will not be “her turn.” That was the passion of the past, today is different.
Today is a new day, the dark before the dawn. Everything is dark, but we can feel the sun beginning to rise.
A friend of mine in France was attending a New Year’s Eve party with some folks. A friends of friends type of ordeal, with dinner and drinks.
One thing that sparked his interest was the size of the hosts’ “collection.”
The hosts were normal, every-day type of people. The wife styled hair, and the husband processed tickets at the station. Not the “radical” or “revolutionary” type, the you-and-I type.
Well, as the night went on, these every day you-and-I types decided to have a little “show-and-tell.” And, boy, did they have something to show!
Remingtons, Glocks, and ARs galore. They were “prepared” alright.
Nothing like the composite “doomsday prepper” in the USA, however. This was a normal Jack (Jaque?) six-pack and his plain Jane (Jehanne?) wife in a Parisian suburb.
They foretold of coming bloodshed, and behind closed doors, everyone agreed. Something is in the air. The fire is rising, the lion is awakening, and pent up anger is taking flight.
B-b-but no guns in France! They are lawbreakers! Arrest them!
Never fear! I told you Jacque and Jehanne are everyday types, not radicals or revolutionaries. They both work jobs and follow laws.
In France, all it takes to start a “collection” is a skeet shooting license. You pay a small fee, wait six weeks, and then you are in like Flynn. Not as difficult as the pro/anti-gun people in the USA would lead you to believe.
Reports are coming out showing that families are leaving Germany for Hungary (http://bit.ly/1snUU3d). So many, in fact, it would be called a “refugee crisis” if these families weren’t self-sufficient and white.
I already knew this. I was talking to a German man before the dead boy on a beach propaganda was in full force. If you don’t know what I am speaking of, search “dead boy on a beach” on your favorite search engine.
You will be surprised to see every single result point you to the relevant news story you are intended to read and react to. What you won’t find, however, is how the poor boy’s corpse was dragged around the beach until they found “the perfect shot.”
These vultures salivated over this poor boy’s corpse like a starving hyena. Now anyone who opposes mass immigration wants children to die!
This German guy was one of these heartless people. He told me, gosh there are a lot of foreign people in the cities! When I walk on the bus, I would reckon there is one of them for every three of us! Gee, I just don’t feel safe. I’m packing up my bags and moving somewhere more safe for my family!
What an ignorant bigot! Am-i-rite guys? He has no business feeling more comfortable living with people who are similar! Nothing is menacing about this kind of behavior: http://bit.ly/1qYDj0m ! It’s culturally enriching, guys!
Nothing to worry about if young women are being raped by foreign nationals. It’s their culture and you must accept it! “Cologne everyday” is the new norm (http://bit.ly/21mNlnu). Not only that, rape is being covered up on a massive scale (http://bit.ly/1Kgwg75). Rape culture is coming toward a country near you. Embrace it!
It is very “bigoted” to have natural, healthy, protective feelings toward family! It is also “ignorant” to spread inconvenient facts. An inconvenient truth, in a Brave New World.
The inconvenient truth is that there are terrorists hiding among the “refugees.” A Trojan horse bringing in people like the terrorist gunman who killed over 120 Frenchmen. He entered Greece as a “Syrian refugee” six weeks before the attacks.
This Trojan horse, however, is the gift that keeps on giving. The Paris attack wasn’t a random tragedy, it was just waiting to happen. After all, a brave American stopped an “immigrant” from shooting up a train only a few months before (http://dailym.ai/1KAW1OD).
I’ve heard that men who abandon their children are deadbeats. Man up and take care of your kids, they say.
Would you abandon your wife and kids in a war-zone? If you would, you might be a “Syrian refugee.” Even the United Nations admits the majority of these “refugees” are young men of fighting age. Do you have the courage to speak honestly about this inconvenient truth?
Syrian women are in pain http://bit.ly/1VAKp9i. Maybe Hillary Clinton was correct when she said women were the primary victims in war. Anyone can agree women are the primary victims in this war. Women being abandoned, and women are being raped and killed.
It’s fight or flight, boys. Are you going to fight, or are you going to flee, like a cowardly “refugee?”
Get in touch with the animal inside. Get angry. Let the fire rise! If a man rapes your wife, will you “feel sorry” for the rapist, or will you chop his cock off? http://bit.ly/1sHNnvN The choice is yours, and I know damn well your choice if you accept the inconvenient truth.
_________________________________________________________________________
Now that you have read this piece, Mr. viewer, think about it. Is it really sane to pretend what is happening isn’t happening and continue to live in a state of delusion until it’s too late? Will you pledge to speak with honesty and truth from now on?
Your great grand kids will thank you for making the right choice.
The most important thing you could do each day is move your body. If for some reason you have lost an arm or leg what you do have is a functioning mind.
With a working mind there are no limits to what you can do. As long as you’re six feet above ground, you got it made
I firmly believe that if you’re still living on this earth, you must be here for a reason. God forbid you being a waste of functioning organs.
I felt lost, but to give up would be giving up on myself.
Things change, people change, you change.
The hole was getting deeper. I needed to change.
Last month I became greater than before. The foundation was there. Brick by brick the building was rising.
But last month is now just a distant memory. What matters is now. Always be looking forward. Develop tunnel vision.
No one gives a damn and no one will hand you success. YOU need to grind.
YOU, YOU, YOU!
Do not follow the masses. Make succeeding as important as breathing.
One month can change everything.
Last month I became a lion. A lion with hunger and will to kill.
Here are the steps I took…
Prostitution is the Oldest Profession in the Universe.
The best prostitutes and the greatest blog artists in the world all have one thing in common… MASTERY of SEDUCTION.
Without the power of seduction, the prostitutes vagina will remain tighter than size 8’s, on my size 10 feet.
Without the power of seduction, the blog artists words would be just that. Words.
Ever since birth, knowingly or not, we have been engaged in the act of seduction. From seducing our parents with cries and tiers to get their attention to seducing our friends with jokes and interesting stories so that they remain our friends. With this immutable fact comes the great knowledge that the better seducers we are, the greater lives we will live.
I don’t know about you, but Mediocre is not what the fuck I want to be. Fuck being average, fuck being normal. Day in and day out, I will live my life extraordinarily. When I wake up in the morning, I will make my bed like it was made for a king to lay down on. When I dress up, wether I’m wearing dark blue fitted jeans, a polo teeshirt and comfortable adidas sneaks OR I’m draped up in a custom fitted 3 piece suit with a pimp stick matching my diamond incrusted earrings and pinky ring, I will make sure that I’m looking my absolute best. And when I fuck, I will penetrate her loins with such mastery you’d think I was possessed by the same gods that revealed the sistine chapel to Michelangelo.
Seduction is a game we all partake in. You can refuse to participate, but don’t be fooled you are engaged in the game. Seduction is life. Since you’re in it, might as well be in it to win it. Seduce, or be seduced but for the love of god don’t be mediocre.
As a seducer, you must be aware of the two governing principles of seduction. Number One: Mystery is your ally. Reveal your whole deck and instantly lose the chance to enchant your opponents mind.
“You didn’t think think you were gonna make money just by writing words did you? Don’t be an idiot. Writing is just the beginning.”
There is a mistake here (think think).
This stuff is golden, as usual. Already a favorite of mine.
Thanks Vic’ !
Thanks Sam!
Right before I was ready to click “publish” on a review article for my blog, I receive the notification for your excellent article here.
Thanks for the tips and pointers, Victor. It made me realize that my 40+ revisions yesterday are not enough. I will continue today and implement your advice to make my article and overall writing better.
Take care.
Tim Geelen
Thanks Tim.
“But I know the meaning and the feeling it gives me (and millions of other people).”
I feel like this would make more sense as:
“But I know the meaning OF the feeling it gives me (and millions of other people).”
OMG! This blog has became really bad. Victor, I’m tired of your MASSIVE ego and your pussy minions. There was a time when you were a bad mother [email protected] You are filled to the brim on your ego. It makes me think you have a small pecker. Is that the reason for the Asian ladies?
Dude… If your such a bad ass, you should be able to hold down a bad ass American broad and keep her in check. If your the Alpha of Alphas SHOULD YOU NOT, BE ABLE TO TURN A LOUD MOUTHED STRONG HEADED AMERICAN WOMEN INTO YOUR PUSSY CAT? I can do that with EASE.
All this writing this or that. All these little pussies on the V pride band wagon. You little cunts need to stand tall as a man and stop worshiping another man. You get off on these little jerk off’s kissing your ass? That makes you feel like a big man? Half these twats slip into skinny jeans and had a “good cry” last night. I think you have become soft fella. I think your blog used to be the shit! SERIOUSLY, I REALLY ENJOYED IT AT ONE TIME. I think success has got to your head and you preach like your the biggest stud in the room. No you are not. I know plenty of fellas just as cool.
And this is not permission for you little haters to try to jump on V.P. He would slap the shit out of you. Your not in our league so sit down and have an ice cream cone. Seriously victor. You have gotten lazy putting out articles. If you can’t consistently put out four a month. Thats one a week. I think you have lost the edge. I think your a has been and all washed up and struggling with subject matter. Even look at your audience. You lost some of the cooler characters that made this blog sick. Where are they? I knew some of those guys and you aint cooler than a few of them. They are strait PIMPS. i had asked them… Whats up why no Pride? They said the same thing…. The guy thinks hes too cool for school and when your ego has got so blown up that you get “high” off a bunch of dorks from india and wherever kissing your ass, its game over. We don’t want to hear about little pussies that can’t find their dick. WE ARE MEN BRO. I suppose if this is the life you want to live, bragging about how much you can press and this boring shit about “a blog artist” that’s your path in life…. You still going to be trying to impress the Jr. High kids when your 37?
I came here after not looking at this thing for a year and I’m really disappointed. You are stuck on pussy and feeble. You used to be the guy kicking liberal bitches in the teeth in Seattle. You were talking about cool shit like this type of razor is dope…. Bro… IF YOU ARE TRULY THE PIMP YOU DECLARE THEN BY DEFAULT YOU MUST BE A MAN THAT CAN GET THE WOMEN. Yet, where the bitches at? Getting some broad in a third world country of outstanding looks is so goddamn easy. I have to swat them off me like fly’s. Come back to the states and show everyone how its done. Don’t act like American women are not the hottest. Yes they are.
I’m really disappointed. I thought you would have grown and morphed. I just see a guy that’s so caught up in himself. He can never be wrong. He thinks hes the coolest thing around when hes in some shit third world rotting. If you are truly the baddest man in the room and the most masculine then come to LA / Orange County / or San Diego BECAUSE THE VERDICT IS OUT… we think your hiding. I have seen you discover some great truths… However, the time has come. Its time to come back to the land of the free and home of the brave. Bro… What you got? Are you scared? ALL CONQUERS COME BACK HOME REMEMBER THAT. Cesar, Napoleon, Fredrick the Great. This blog is DEAD AS FAR AS WE ARE CONCERNED… ITS BORING, SAME SUBJECT MATTER, SAME WRITER OVER AND OVER AND OVER. You are scared to share the spotlight with OTHER GREAT DUDES. Danger and play guy… Hmmm You all think that guy is some super Alpha? No hes not. Victor actually is an ALPHA. This is what bugs the shit out of me. Leaders are not made we are BORN. Victor was born an Alpha, that other guy while MORE INTERESTING THAN YOU NOW VIC. Is not a true alpha. He is a beta that has been figuring out how to adorn himself in the clothing you and I were made for. However, I will give him this…. He is out thinking you. Out working you, out maneuvering you and he is in the land of the TRUE ALPHAS. He has overtaken you and frankly I think that kinda sucks. You are Victor Pride. Last time I checked you cared. This is a blog of a man who has grown complacent. You got the balls you claim then post this like a real man.
I live in Los Angeles you dork.
Your KAWN CHUS,
If you don’t like what he writes don’t read it. One thing that I always hated is people who indulge themselves in things they hate. Secondly, you sound like a strong product of american propaganda. I can speak from experience american women are not the hottest, I’ve seen girls who are nobodys in Romania and Bulgaria that rival your american treasure. American women are easy to hold down, punk. A single smooth sentence about her eyes is enough to satisfy her gullable heart. Dating an american women is like working harder for less pay. You can search me on FB at Dave Aurellius. Now you have the face behind the message. I have the body of a god, a girl who looks like a goddess and the peace of mind of being far far away from you american punks.
My only critique on this post is that it fails to summarise the main aspect of blogging the raw emotion in your words. Anyone can string a sentence together but to do it coherently and in congruence with your emotions is a more art than science.
Now the jury is out on science and art akin to the chicken before the egg statement particularly when it comes to writing.
Many praise Vic for his words which have helped me over the years. But sometimes just sometimes its probably best to bare it all on a piece of paper, in its raw ugly dishevelled state for the world to see without the make up of afterthoughts. There is a certain beauty in that much like a child’s smile that possibly touches the soul of a reader.
The scars of life sometimes can lead to intersting conversations, insights into the prce paid for living life on your terms.
I follow this whenever i write, I have a blog that is shared only with friends currently. This is me taking a leap of faith and baring it all to the world.
Here’s a link. If youve come this far I am certain you will read the blog and leave your comments.
[redacted]
“My only critique on this post is that it fails to summarise the main aspect of blogging the raw emotion in your words. Anyone can string a sentence together but to do it coherently and in congruence with your emotions is a more art than science.”
This was explained clearly.
And that encompasses the essence of writing. How you marry the business of wrting with the essence of writing is essentially what your post talks about.
Title: Self Pity is a Slippery Slope to Sadness
Alternate Title: Stop Feeling Sorry for Yourself
For most of the month of May, I ate like crap. There was one week that I was on point and ate very well but 3 out of 4 weeks were not on point. I ate a large bowl of ice cream at least 4x/week and on days that I did have ice cream, I had at least one bowl if not two.
I even remember eating a bowl of ice cream for breakfast one day. Literally! #noshame(not really)
Ice cream is a comfort food for me. Binge eating is a part of my past and sometimes it gets the best of me. It’s an unhealthy way for me to numb the pain that i’m feeling.
Sometimes I feel lonely. Sometimes I want to give up. Even I get depressed and knowing my personality, it happens more often than not…if I allow myself to wallow in self-pity.
Self-pity is the enemy!
Stay as far away from it as possible.It will bring you into the depths of despair.
No-one likes a complainer not even themselves.
You see, self-pity will take away your power; if you let it. It will tell you that your problems aren’t your fault. It will blame your friends, family, coworkers, God, the government, people… anyone except yourself.
The truth is that regardless of whos fault your problems are, they are still YOUR problems.You are responsible for how you deal with them.
You can choose to be powerless and blame others or you can choose to be powerful and take responsibility.
-Don’t make yourself the victim, be the victor! -
How did I pick myself up and continue moving forward in my life?
Here’s the simple secret for overcoming self pity:
BTW: Great Article! Thanks for the Action Step.
-Scott
Life lesson from a Thai whore.
We were content for the choices we made the previous night. Malee was a bar girl. Strikingly attractive. To the degree she could have any man ,Thai or foreign.
She knew she was beautiful with the perfect Thai smile and smooth dark brown skin peaking the natural ,feminine curves. Her confidence put that quality out for everyone to know. I knew as well as I had lots of experience with beautiful bargirls.
I was cautious and Malee could read that I had knowledge of a man with experience. There was no lies between us.
I met her a week before at my friends bar. She was new working there and I and every other person for that matter noticed Malee. She had left the bar with a customer early that night. The pretty ones go fast as men’s hunger is for beauty.
I was involved with another girl but my interest was limited and my attraction for Malee was enticing.
The next day I was at the bar for opening. We drank for a couple hours and I explained my other girl situation. So, we came to the agreement that she would go out of the bar with me.
The agreement was she would go drinking with me for the night and stay the night. But my condition to her was no sex as I wanted to be fair to the other girl.
The next morning we awoke at 4 am. so I could catch at flight in Bangkok to settle things with my current girl. Which I did, returning the next day.
I had to go home to work in 3 days. Malee and I spent that time together.
We both knew the longevity and reasons for this short relationship.
Malee was looking for a man to take care of her and her son indefinitely.
I couldn’t commit and wasn’t one for matrimony anyhow and made that clear.
The last night of the sexual friendship in conversation Malee explained her life with her son and what she would do for his well being.
Malee was physically flawless in stature and beauty. With the exception of one flaw. Her ring finger on her left hand was crooked. Almost to 90 degrees crooked.
Of course I had noticed but Malee being graceful and discreet would hide it in most instances.
My curiosity couldn’t hold to question what caused it.
“Malee, What happened to your finger.” I inquired.
“I was working in a metal factory in my province and it was caught in a machine”. She answered.
“Oh, Why didn’t they set it and make it straight again?” I asked
“I didn’t have the money” She replied
“So what did you do”?
” I just let it heal”
“Have you thought about having it re set”
“Of course, Later. But for now I have to take care of my son. After I find a man in the bar who will take care of me and my son I will worry about myself.”
I didn’t understand “So you suffered the pain and with no medication you just let it heal this way”
She said “you don’t understand. Men will never know how a mother feels about her babies. It is impossible for anything, No pain or problem will allow a mother to do anything to take away from her baby , it is natural.”
I learned the lesson of all mankind with her wisdom that night.
Women don’t love men. The love a man feels for his wife is the feeling a women feels for her kids. The love women have for men is necessity for the well being of her children. It’s not the powerful infatuation men feel for women. That power is for her offspring and so mankind will continue.
Having realized this law of all human nature I had my way with Malee’s impeccable body and discarded her with the rest of the whores. But the lesson and wisdom or should it be the secrets all women hide from men was disclosed that last night I used Malees body for my pleasure.
Hello Victor. I have not forgotten about your mega-secret, Ronin. The Samurai Way is light and strong. If he becomes President, Mr. Trump will invite you to go to visit the White House to talk about Ronin. Everyone will read it. That is, everyone except the losers who are stung by the message and clueless about the floating butterfly.
I have a friend who is 87 years old. He is still as alive as they come, full of bushido after living under Japanese occupation in Singapore in the war. YS lent me his copy of Ideals of the Samurai, Writings of Japanese Warriors, translated by William Scott Wilson. The Chikubasho, written in 1383, says “In this uncertain world, ours should be the path of discipline. The man whose profession is arms should calm his mind and look into the depths of others.” Hoju Soun (1515) says “a man shows his inmost self by a single word.” The Bushi, writing in 797AD, says “literary men and warriors are they whom the nation values.” Asakura Toshikage says “except in cases of extreme difficulty, you should not allow ronin from other provinces to act as your personal scribe.”
Your advice is precisely what I need today. My great novel is coming along well, and will follow the Uncle Victor Greatest Advice. Learn from the greatest.
Best Wishes
Robert
Victor
Each time you hit the “publish button” You give a priceless wisdome for free, but in the other hand you win minds, souls and inderectly money from thousands all over the world, that’s a complete and fair system.Thank you so much.
Thanks very much for this gift Victor. Eres una verga!
Hey Victor,
Another masterpiece like usual! :)
I just realized that it’s been more than a year since I started to read your blog. I crossed the mark a few months ago. ;)
-Shyam M
Uncle Vic,
Do you keep a digital journal, or do you write it by hand?
Want a better life?
Learn 3 words.
Use them to create an amazing life.
You’ll remember these 3 words. In the blink of an eye. I learned them after one reading. It’s easy.
Why? Because they make sense. Everything comes into focus. It answers so many questions.
Once you learn these 3 words, please share with your friends and family. Please share them with world. And please share them when everyone asks you, “how did you get so good at guitar, in shape, learn to speak 5 languages, create a 7 figure business, get that beautiful girl, and lead such an amazing and happy life?”
What are the 3 words? The 3 pillars of true personal growth. 3 words to help achieve the strongest version of yourself. 3 words to most the powerful, simplest way to understand personal growth.
Take this article by Victor. It has all three elements. That’s what makes it great. I believe all great successes stand upon these 3 pillars. It’s why we’re all here reading Victor’s words.
“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere,” says the ancient Chinese proverb. These 3 words are beautiful gemstones, elegant, brilliant and breath-taking. Take them with you on your travels, adventures and life - with this treasure you will go farther, faster.
Here’s all I ask of you. It’ll take 5 seconds. And it will help you for the rest of your life.
Read the 3 words. Say them to yourself. Say them out loud. Imagine then in beautiful writing. Imagine a wise man speaking them. Then write them down. No pen? Just write them into the air.
May they bring you goodness, happiness and the good life.
—————————————————————-
TRUTH
LOVE
POWER
Truth shows reality.
Love connects us with goodness.
Power creates.
—————————————————————
Want to learn more?
http://www.pavlinaplus.com/newsletter/truth-love-power
http://www.stevepavlina.com/personal-development-for-smart-people/
Check out the book, Personal Development for Smart People.
Thanks for reading and best wishes.
Truth, Love and Power.
So you want to impress the readers with 500 words comment?
Let´s (GO) try.
Why Being Productive Instead Of Being Creative?
5 tips on how to turn your hobby into a profitable busyness
“Do you want to write? But you´re an engineer, go back to numbers and stuff.”
“People don´t want your message, don´t need your advices, and they want you making walls and bricks”
“Yes, was fun at first, it´s a cute hobby but focus on your career”
“It´s time to do some “productive” activities, you are not an artist”.
Sounds familiar? It should. Do your parents give you the same advices? Or, like me, was the little voice in your head telling you to MAN UP and cut with poetry and arts? it´s ok to listen to your parents, they want the best for you, and working in a factory, in a construction or in an office still it´s a very honorable way to make a living and feeling proud of being productive.
But..
If you are productive, you are producing. Not creating. Maybe you are making awesome (parts of) cars, or the tastiest hamburgers, the best reports and stuff, and that’s great, but you are not creating.
Let’s focus on art.
Do you know people who hate working 8 hours a day only to make money for living and just want to get home and, ho, spend other 8 hours or more painting, playing guitar, singing, composing, dancing, “creating” (or studying how to create)? And doing it for free, and loving it, and if they could they would do it all the day and night without stopping? Yes, you can make the tastiest hamburger in the McDonald, but there are million people (and robots (And machines (AND CHINESSE¡))) producing the same hamburger, or same car, or same report.
But the song you just write it´s the only one. There is no song equal to your creation, a part of your soul and your person is in that chords and melodies that you created. And that´s how human fill their hearts. Or why our ancestors paint the caves?
Buuuuut they need to go to their job, and for a strange reason the job it´s stealing the will to paint, write, music, and turning that passion just into a hobby, and as times go by start to lose the love for their creations, and that’s ok because all the people needs to work and feels nice to be the artist in the family but is not enough and the real world is hard and got to work.
FALSE!! FALSE!! FALSE!! They don´t need to work, they only need money. And that money cost time, but, as an artist you have two things. Time AND Talent.
TIME IS LIMITED, TALENT IS ETERNAL.
How old is the Monalisa? Like 500 years or what.
Can you trade your talent for money? Hell yeah. Do you want to trade your talent for money? It´s up to you.
Soooo, lets clean the brushes, sharp the chisels and tune the strings cause it´s time for a little learning.
5 STEPS HOW (I) TO TURN A CREATIVE HOBBIE INTO A PROFITABLE BUSSINESS.
#1…..
Enough. Its time for the “real” good life.
Today, I have had enough and I am sick of it. The stereotypical good life of work, house, marriage and kids ‘slavery’ can fuck off. After a decade of it, I now need to be on my own and I need to be myself.
My friend, this is a raw chronicle of a middle class guy going through the devastation of separation with children involved. This is an ‘in the moment’ non-fictional record that describes my tragic highs and lows before, during and after separation. I will describe how I got burnt and what I learnt.
At the time of writing this, our separation has not officially happened, but has been slowly rearing its ugly head over the past 3 years. However, if I think really hard, I could trace it back to early warning signs when we first lived together. I can maturely say now that I was way too damn chicken to fucking act on it, thinking there was no better… AT FUCKING 22 YEARS OLD!! But more on that later…
My information will only be useful to you if you are married, possibly male, and your thinking of checking out of the ‘good life grind’ of work, house, marriage and kids. Shit, to the unmarried man, it may even make you rethink that golden ‘will you marry me’ question!
I will be me divulging in the most private feelings, thoughts and experiences to a faceless audience.
Now the qualifying question - would you keep reading?
This is a piece of the upcoming article in my blog-Twenty Life Lessons For Twenty Year Olds.
(Here are just two lessons Iam putting up for mass critique.Give me your opinions everyone,especially Victor so I can improve.)
#1-DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT
By different I mean,do something other than the normal usual stuffs like going to college or doing your duty at your job.These are the things that every boy-next-door does.
Indulge in your passion and start something big,excel in it.
Publish your own book even if it sucks,start a blog even if it sucks,make a movie (or work in one) even if it sucks,invent something,start a business even if on a miniscule scale.Whatever it is that you are passionate about,take the step towards greatness.Make it big,or at least begin making it grand even if it sucks!!
Steve Jobs started Apple from his garage at the age of 21,Leonardo Dicaprio started acting in movies when he was only fifteen;Steven Spielberg made a movie when he was just 12!
Because they started young, they had plenty of time to learn from their mistakes and that’s why they are legendary beasts in their fields today.
Start something big,become someone!Get a taste of the dream you have.
And you know the funny thing? Once you start going big,the question that will perplex you the most will be “Why didn’t I start younger?”
Start working today.
It sucks today but you will learn everytime you fail and soon you will be a shark in the field you are passionate about.
I read this quote somewhere years ago and I still read it to this day:
“Failures weighs ounces…regrets weighs tonnes.Get moving.”
#2-HAVE REVERSE EXPECTATIONS
Humans are emotional creatures and emotions are subjected to change according to the situations they are in.This is the reason Iam highly skeptic of every person I associate myself with.
My ex-girlfriend used to tell me that Iam the love of her life and I was the best thing that happened to her ever and she would never even think about leaving me.
Like I said,she is my ex now.
One of my closest friends used to call me “bro” because,quiet frankly we both enjoyed each other’s company a lot and had a lot in common.
We are friends no more…take a step further,we are enemies.
I see the similar events happening in the lives of the people around me and they are always dumbfounded with their jaws on the floor exclaiming something like- “I never expected that! I never thought she would do anything like this to me.”
Did any of the events happened to me surprised me?
Not at all.
I learnt young that people’s words are just as meaningless as shit.I have reverse expectations from people.Whatever they say,I believe the opposite to be true.
Does YOUR partner says that he won’t leave you until hell freezes over?
What if his dream girl asked him to get in a relationship with her?
Do you think he is going to stick around if Megan Fox showed up in his life?
When the better prospect comes,you will be left without consideration to YOUR FEELINGS and emotions.
You might disagree with me now,but as you would see,this will turn out to be the absolute truth.
Does your business associate tells you that he will be doing business forever?
Does your mate says that he will always be there for you when you need him/her?
Think again.
Having reverse expectations actually compels you to consider the worst case scenario and be prepared for it.
The only thing then which perplexes me is when they actually DO stand by their words and that’s when I say-
“I never expected anything like this.”
#3- READ MORE BOOKS
This one is very important.
Start reading.Become a voracious reader.
Readers are leaders.
Read as much books as you possibly can because the best way to accumulate the colossal amount of knowledge about any subject in the shortest time possible, is by reading good books.
Start with your favourite category to spark interest and to create momentum but don’t limit yourself to it.If you are into fiction,gradually get yourself into the biographies and autobiographies as well.
Read from the latest to the classics-experience the eerieness in the works of Edgar Allan Poe this week and have a glimpse into the mindset of Adolf Hitler on the next.
You can assimilate years of knowledge and experience of the great ones by reading their biographies and autobiographies.
Pick up Sun Tzu’s ‘Art Of War’ or Robert Greene’s ’48 Laws Of Power’ to get a massive perspective on life
The list is endless.The good thing is that when you begin reading the books,you will start to enjoy it and you will want to keep reading it because a book written by a great author is addictive.
Oh and please don’t put up shit like-“Umm well,I guess I just am not into reading books..haha..” or ” I have so much going on right now,it’s hard to make time to rest,let alone read.”
Fuck you.
Seriously…
I seriously pity you if you don’t start reading.
Hell,you can even send me a message and I will tell you where to start if you haven’t read seriously ever before.
Don’t fool yourself out of this.
The knowledge you will gain from reading books would be unfathomable and yes,whether you like to admit or not,”Knowledge IS Power.”
#4- PLAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT
Ever played Poker? The secret to winning at poker is not to have all great cards.
Nope.
Ask any professional poker player and he will tell you that the trick to winning poker is to play the cards you do have skillfully.An expert poker player with all the ‘wrong’ cards can trounce a novice with all the ‘right’ cards anytime of any day.
It’s not about the cards you hold but how well you play the cards you do hold.
Same goes with life.You might have a flair or natural talent at something while could be a sucker at others.Play your cards right and you can become successful effortlessly.
Focus on your talents and sharpen your skillset.The most successful personalities you see are the ones who capitalised on their strengths and made themselves even more competent in them.Mark Zuckerberg didn’t try to compete with Michael Jordan.He knew that his strengths lies in coding computer language.The result?He is one of the richest personalities around.
Don’t focus on the cards you don’t have but focus on playing the cards you do have right.
(There are 16 more…)
Vicror, I am a huge fan of yours.
I have a problem. When I sit to write my friends and colleagues make fun of me. What to do? This has happned many times. I tried to make them understand but they don’t. Please suggest me a way.
Thanks
Spotted a small typo
under number #12 - ”writing is not PE(R)FECT”
Thank you for this article!
Thanks Novus!
Everything in life is sales, if you can gain emotion from readers they will be readers for life. You mentioned experience, a lot of people out there don’t have experience and they have to bullshit; it takes a keen eye to detect them. Great article, Vic.
Why should a man seek to date a Feminine woman?
A feminine woman has the effect of a sunrise on a man’s soul.
She draws a man into a magic circle where everything is fresher,
cleaner; where there is peace, warmth, comfort.
She produces in her man the desire to be his best.Nothing on earth is so fine. On this continent, nothing is so rare.
A feminine woman is modest.She wants a man to pay attention to “her” so she doesn’t flaunt her sexuality.
A woman has a deep yearning buried in her to be loved more than anything in the world,90% of a woman’s emotional problems stem from feeling unloved.She wants to be “known” in all her divinity.
A feminine woman generates love by giving love,Love is expressed in actions and effort.This happens when she is truly loved.
She empowers her man by believing in him.If she senses her man has a deep and profound yearning to fulfill his deepest purpose
she will be happy to be her man’s muse for whatever the cause.
She has grace, beauty and wisdom.These all come from staying in touch with her spirit and not pursuing an exhausting career that requires masculine qualities.
A feminine woman only grows through praise,love,and recognition,she needs to feel needed,wanted and desired upon.
She will happily put her Man’s needs before her’s,because she knows instinctively in doing so,helping her man get what he wants he will in return give her everything she wants and then some.
She has a oh so calming yet,soothing energy about her.She has the ability to sooth a man’s anxiety by showering him in her positive feminine energy.She will take you places in your mind,body,soul and also in life you didn’t even know were possible.
She embraces her true God given nature and is not ashamed of it.She has no problem letting a man be the leader,ONLY if she feels safe and comfortable. The End. P.S. I noticed this is what your female companion has had a HUGE influence on your clean,mean and pristine Content.
What do you think about having a daily blog alongside the full article pieces? (not your site, mine)
Thanks.
PS - you still in America Vic? Ever going back to live in Asia?
514 words…
Is she cheating on you?
If you asked the question, the answer is probably yes.
Before we get to ‘yes’, let’s review some facts. You are overweight, out of shape, out of breath, and the only part of you that is running is out of time.
23 years of marriage, 3 kids, and you have worked your ass off so your wife and kids didn’t have to. Your income is significantly more than the national average, but your 3 kids have more disposable income than you do from their part-time jobs making at or near minimum wage. You put everything into your family and neglected yourself.
When you and your wife got married you were both between an 8 and a 9. You were young, strong, and sexy. Now… she’s a 7 and you’re a 4.
Sex is a strain for you. When you CAN get erect, you can’t finish the ‘job’. She’s been kind and patient, but you have not gone to the doctor or made any changes in your lifestyle as she asked. She has made some changes, and just in the last few weeks.
The wife joined a gym to help one of her ‘girlfriends’ get into shape. The wife has become obsessed about her looks, her tummy, and her flabby arms. She spends more time than she used to fixing her hair and make-up.
Suddenly that i6plus you bought for her has become an extension of her hand. You noted quietly that she has finally set up a password on it, and you don’t know what it is. She doesn’t get phone calls, but she is constantly texting and a little secretive about it. When you ask her about it she is a little evasive, saying she is helping that girlfriend with self-image issues from the gym.
Suddenly she is social, going out twice a week with friends. She always makes a point of asking if it is ok and telling you where she will be, but you have an uneasy feeling it’s a front. You don’t say ‘no’ because you don’t want to sound like a prick.
The last year has been super stressful at work. You have been distracted, let yourself go, and slipped slowly into depression. Taking your wife and your health for granted, you have put all your energy into work. The last few weeks your wife has completely stopped initiating any contact between you. She will kiss you back, or hug you back. But as an auto-response, not as a participant.
She has started or is about to start an emotional affair. Sexting, explicit phone calls.
This almost always leads to a physical affair. Fucking.
Here is how you can check into it without tipping her off. Before you execute, decide how you will handle the information. Are you going to confront her and try to save the marriage? Or are you going to monitor her activities while you get your shit together and divorce her?
Step 1: get her AppleID. If you don’t know it, install a keylogger program on your computer.
Step 2: find my blog
2 sentences in and I’m already interested. Great! Hooked me.
Hey Vic, I took your advice and started a blog. If anyone wants another perspective on being an alpha male and a Spartan, feel free to take a look at my site, youngspartan.com.
Great writing Mr. Pride and wonderful, experienced advice and counsel! Thou art a beautiful writer indeed.
“Donald Trump said Make America Great Again. Victor Pride said Make it EASY to Read.”
X-ACT-LY… I especially understand that sir. Amen.
~ Sincerely,
Bro. Jed
Thank you Jed.
Sample email I sent out the other day…
———————————————-
I was a regular night. Just like any other.
I think we were watching the TV show “Fear The Walking Dead”.
My phone dinged. I looked down and unlocked my screen. I started grinning from ear to ear. My wife didn’t really understand what was going on. She paused the TV show to ask me what I was so happy about.
I had just received an email from a super lead.
See there are two types of leads. Regular leads…then super leads.
Regular leads are people that have signed up with their email address to receive information on something you have. Maybe a free special report. Or a resource guide. Or a blog post or podcast.
The thing is regular leads are basically just tire kickers. They’re not really serious buyers. They like to sign up for free stuff and peruse all kinds of information.
They’re free loaders. Once in a while they might buy something from you.
Super leads on the other hand?
They’re frantic, ravenous, desperate hungry buyers that want to send you money…lots of money. People that proactively reach out to you and say something like “I’ve got $3,000. I’m in, tell me where to send it.”
The super lead that reached out to me had just watched an auto webinar I had set up a few days earlier. I’ll probably process the sale later today. And $3,000 will hit my bank account on Monday morning.
I did all this without having to:
- build a product
- engineer a funnel (the automated tech stuff that takes people from an advertisement to order form)
- create a webinar or sales letter
Today I’m going to tell you about five secrets every aspiring digital entrepreneur needs if they want to find super leads that pay them thousands in their business.
Master These Five Secrets To Find Super Leads (AKA People That Want To Pay You $3,000)
So how do you find super leads?
Secret 1 – You Need An Awesome Product
You need to build a product that people want. A product that is so good and provides so many incredible benefits that a stranger on the internet will open their wallet and pay you for it.
Remember Marie from yesterday? The lady that created a program that taught other women how to build enough strength to do 20 pullups in a row?
See Marie was already a seasoned digital entrepreneur. She knew what to do to take the idea in her head to an order form on a website to collect money. And she knew the idea was good.
And every person that wants to start and run an online business should aspire to create and sell their own products like Marie.
But it is the LAST thing a beginner with intermediate knowledge about the world of online entrepreneurship should do.
Why?
They take the first idea in their head and create a product from it. They spend months building it out only to find out after all the hard work that no one is willing to pay for it.
Secret 2 – Sell A High Ticket Price Product
High priced products change everything. Let’s say you want to earn $6,000 a month from your online business.
If you’re selling a $10 ebook, you need 600 sales to get $6,000.
If you’re selling a $3,000 course, you need 2 sales to get $6,000. Two sales.
Here’s a secret for you. Did you know that the roughly the same percentage of leads you find will buy something whether it’s a $10 ebook or a $3,000 course?
Let’s be conservative and say 1% of any email lead you get buys something from you.
For the $10 ebook you need to collect 60,000 email leads to get 600 buyers and earn the $6,000 in monthly income you want.
For the $3,000 course you need to collect 200 email leads to get 2 buyers and earn the $6,000 in monthly income you want.
And guess what? Doing the work to collect email leads is the same whether you do it for a $10 ebook or a $3000 product. Same exact process.
So what sounds easier…collecting 200 leads or 60,000?
I hope the answer is clear.
The most fatal mistake aspiring digital entrepreneurs make is spending tons of creating and selling low priced products.
This is a giant waste of time and effort.
Secret 3….
Damn, overcoming fear is tough. No matter what the fear is. Big or small, it’s never easy.
But fears exist to be overcome. I’d rather have my fears exposed than my cowardice hidden.
I’ll admit it, im scared to write this post Victor. Im afraid you’ll rip into me or worse ignore me. That my post will be a total failure or that some reader will laugh at what I wrote.
Yet hear I am chugging away at a post because I was scared. Because I knew I could run away without anyone knowing. And that’s worse than being embarrassed.
That’s loser mentality. Thinking that if I don’t try I can’t fail, yet not understanding that type of think is failure. Its stagnation, its disgusting. I want no part of it.
I was swimming at my parents house earlier today and thought about trying a frontflip. My loser mentality kicked in. “Don’t try it.” “You know you can’t do it.” “You never practiced”. And I listened, I just dived into the pool.
Then I got mad at myself, I felt ashamed of myself. No one was around, no one could possible see me to make fun of me. Why the hell does it matter if can or can’t do it?
It was pathetic and I don’t want to be that person anymore So I got back up there and tried that front flip into the pool.
I failed miserably and it felt great. I was bouncing with excitement(as much as you can bounce in a pool). I told that loser inside me to screw off. That I don’t need his bullcrap in my life.
It’s a tiny victory, but it’s mine. I cherish this little win and I’ll move on to bigger ones.
I’d rather face my stupid fears than refuse to admit they are there. That’s what I did in the pool and that’s what I’m doing now.
Victor, I want to thank you for writing your blog and putting out amazing content for free.
My father was better than most, I love him, but he couldn’t raise me properly. He didn’t know how to.
I’ve spent the past 5 years trying to piece together a real father figure. Trying to find the dad I always needed but never had.
I’ve only been reading your blog a month or so but my life is already improving drastically. I feel way more confident, im flirting with girls and if I want a relationship I can get one.
The more I can get what I want the more free I feel and right now it’s because of you.
30 days of discipline has even improved my relationship with Christ. I’m waking up at 4am to read the bible and pray.
It’s amazing, I love the changes you made to my life. Im picking up the pieces my dad left me with. Im starting to feel whole.
In a few weeks i’ll be quitting my job and starting my own real estate appraisal business. Im a scared, but it’s just a bigger front flip.
I wanted to say that because of your blog, you are like a father to me and probably a ton of other guys here. You deserve to know. It’s sad how often people don’t get the praise they have earned.
If you aren’t a Christian I pray the Lord has mercy on you and one day you turn to Him. If you are already a Christian then I look forward to meeting you in this life or after Christ’s return.
A great article!
But do you know what would be better?
A score multiplier, like almost any awesome arcade game. How’s that related to writing, you ask?
Unfortunately, it’s not simple enough for me to merely tell you. I can try to show you, but it is you who has to see.
Do you want to take your work to the next level? Achieve your dreams to make space for bigger ones? Feel progress as solidly as climbing up stairs? (Or rather, the first stretch of a roller coaster?)
If you didn’t want to, you wouldn’t be reading this, would you?
Are you wondering why I am asking so many questions?
I will tell you. It is because only YOU know what you want and only YOU have the answers, even if it is in the future.
Even though it may have made sense, that didn’t sound very convincing, did it? I tried to tell you, as opposed to show you. Now do you see the difference? What if I had instead asked you, what do you WANT? Now, maybe you won’t mind the questions as much. Depending on your intelligence, you may even welcome them. You may already know this, but in the interest of exposition, what makes for great answers?
What makes for answers in the first place? Questions, of course! The key to a great answer is a good question. Then again, how do you know what is a good question and what isn’t? Now, isn’t that a good question?
In case you didn’t notice, (and true to the theme of exposition,) I just showed you a piece of the answer to the puzzle. If you couldn’t see it, don’t fret. Your subconscious/unconscious mind did, although it may not always tell you what’s on its mind. It takes a lot of time and a lot of experience to truly understand even simple words, like ‘love’. At least, to understand them well enough to make them understood. Personally, since I had my first crush, I’ve written 6 one-page definitions/elucidations on what I thought about that basic emotion (Love). What I learnt is that as I grow, so does my understanding of things I thought I ‘knew’. In other words, we never can know anything completely. Not in conventionally communicable terms anyway.
There I go telling you again, but in this telling, perhaps I simultaneously showed you the second piece. Perhaps, I should ‘tell’ you the first piece too, for the sake of symmetry. Okay, to take your work, your dreams, your self, and everything else to the next level, you definitely need to understand (and I mean a well grown understanding) one word.
So, what is that word? C’mon think about it.
I’ll give you a hint: It’s four letters.
Hint 2: It’s often used as a prefix.
Sorry, I’m almost at the 500 word-limit. I’ll have to leave you hanging. To be honest, I don’t have to, I want to.
You won’t find if you don’t seek.
Sorry I don’t yet have a link to draw your clicks. You can follow/add me on facebook though, if you want to. You may just get something out of it one day. Here: facebook.com/unnaturaltm
This, no editing. If you liked it, I have a question. How would you edit it, Victor?
Posts like this and the Blog Artist Handbook are a huge help. Thanks, Victor!
You’re probably pretty fucking bored right now if you are asking a bunch of average Joes to write 500 words comments/articles/intros or whatever you want to call them.
I feel you, I am bored too. Maybe life just got too repetitive, too comfortable.
I mean, you have money, and all you have to do is write an article once in a while. It’s no hard work.
Anybody can write. You just read this article (“So you want to be a professional writer”) and get to it.
Why are you not seeing more writers? Because people are lazy, because they are afraid. I don’t really care, you probably don’t either.
You care about you and I care about me.
But right now, Victor, I feel you. I am bored too. I don’t have a purpose. I’m too comfortable.
You see, I was an amateur boxer a couple months ago. Boxing was all I cared about.
Given certain circumstances I quit. I didn’t have to and it was a stupid choice. But that’s what I did.
Slowly, I became comfortable. I started to get into the habit of slacking of.
But, my mind and heart were still in the ring. I grew restless. A voice deep inside me was yelling at me to do something, anything.
I listened to the voice. I came back to the boxing gym. It was a shot in the dark, knowing I might get into a situation in which I ‘have’ to quit again.
But not this time. I’m not quitting anymore.
I guess you should listen to your inner voice too, Victor. Maybe try something new. Look at me, I just tried writing.
Let’s make a deal. If you like my writing one bit, try boxing for a month and tell me how you liked it.
“Only then, when we know you’re interested, do we give you the meat.”
Hehe…
On a more serious note. This one article has more useful knowledge than two semesters worth of writing classes at any university.
Although if those “professors” were this concise they would be out of work and wouldn’t be able to charge such ridiculous tuition fees.
Keep fighting the good fight Vic.
All the best,
D
Great article! I have been doing my blog for about 6 months now and you’re right! It takes time, content and FOCUS! Its funny because I’m a terrible at writing. One thing I found in making myself great is, I had to learn who become better at writing and my grammar. When I put my kids to bed I would watch a lot of content (free on YouTube) to better myself. It’s helped a lot. The same with building a website, how to get plugins and design my own logo. You’re wrong about being alone though, we have you Vic! When everyone says “give it up, you’re waisting your time” we can read b&d get us back on track. Thanks again! Thehamptonsbutcher
Hi Victor,
I found your articles very helpful to a beginners like me. But can you help me solve my problem : Every time i get fire up , i let the idea flow in the paper , but when it comes to edit process , i read my sentence again it sounds a little weird . I don’t know how to make it sound right without changing the general idea. Thank you
I will write a piece soon telling you what an ignoramus, hope not too big a word for your sheep, I mean followers.
What can you expect:
You don’t say much new. Read and you will see it’s has been said fifty years ago. Most of what you say a 7 year old can tell you, unless their are retarded. This in itself is not bad; actually good, it’s common sense. Don’t how common common sense is in the free world called the US ( P.S writing from South Africa). Sheep, please don’t just lap up everything this man says, challenge him when it’s needed. I should hope he is not your God.
You are a vapid racist. Now don’t go into ‘strong white, blah blah blah…’ mode without having seen the shits you write… Will be quoting you (as you love to be)
A victim wanna be sissy. Who?; you of course, silly! You have quite in common with victim wannabes who you chastise so much.
I hope you are now enticed.
Mark
Speak english next time you want to cry, that way I can understand.
Hey Mark, if you look way back in the comments you’ll find one with clear cut advice about drunken truths and where to vomit when you can’t keep them down. Highly recommend it!
You keep it real vic, thanks for the tips.
I love this article. Here’s my one-song playlist: http://listenonrepeat.com/watch/?v=4xsqQwyEm1Y#A_Stream_With_Bright_Fish_(2005_Digital_Remaster)