
-
-
This past weekend was really difficult for me.
It was a real roller-coaster of emotions. I’ve never had a single event haunt me both positively and negatively at the same time.
And the success of my new program GPS (Guided Profit System) is to blame.
You see, on the one hand I was ecstatic, we hit our projections faster than we thought possible… and the emails I’ve been receiving from my newest clients have me raring to go.
But the other part of me, felt terrible. Because we’ve never received so many emails and phone calls from entrepreneurs who knew the value of GPS, but couldn’t enroll.
And that hurts a lot more than you might think. Because the issue of overcoming constraints hit closer to home with more entrepreneurs worldwide than practically anything else I’ve ever done. And the heartfelt responses I received have moved me tremendously.
The very same men and women I’ve committed my entire professional life to, couldn’t access what both they and I were certain would be the pivot point in their lives.
For some the price was simply outside of their reach, even though we had already sharpened our pencils and were offering my coaching for less than it’s ever been offered.
For others the intensity of the coaching program was scary. They were afraid the pace would be too fast, and the time commitment too big for them to handle.
But what was most disturbing was that each one came from a stressed and struggling online entrepreneur who knew their business and their lives would instantly improve by eliminating the constraints blocking their path.
And all were imploring me to give them another option.
Entreperneurs like:
- Scott J – who difficulty outsourcing was keeping him from spending quality time with his family…
- Sheila R – who knew she was only one constraint away from paying off her debts, and seeing the concern of her husband and daughter replaced with the smile that financial security can bring…
- Mike C – who was losing faith about his ability to be successful online but had nowhere else to turn.
- Kim S – who knew she was just two constraints away from turning the tables on her friends and relatives…stated more simply… she’d finally be able to help them instead of always being on the receiving end.
So there is the dilemma I struggled with, lost sleep over, and felt conflicted about.
These entrepreneurs wanted my coaching program, believed I had the answers that were eluding them, and were certain their lives and business would immediately improve.
Stop and think for a second, what would you do if you were me?
If you know me at all, if you’ve read my free reports, watched me on video, or read some of my posts on this blog - you know I care very deeply about everyone who takes the entrepreneurial plunge. And I do my very best to help each and every person I can.
Listen, what I am about to do…
I am doing for Scott J, who wrote me Thursday night… I’m doing this for Sheila R, who called our offices Friday morning… I’m doing this for Mike C…. who got his message to me through customer support
And I am doing this for you.
Because if you are committed to a better outcome, a better business, ultimately a better life for you and your family then I’m committed to do whatever it takes to get you there.
That’s why I canceled my trip to Chicago this past weekend, and hunkered down with my team to come up with a creative solution for you. And that’s exactly what we did.
The best part of it is, what we came up with is a real breakthrough that’ll benefit both the entrepreneurs who contacted us over the past few days, the many who kept their disappointment to themselves, and those who were lucky enough to already get in.
So let’s get into the details…
First of all, if you are already a GPS client: Congratulations, today is your lucky day!
You’ll still receive my daily coaching, the interactive streaming Q+A session available twice a day, and everything else promised you.
But now, you’re also getting lots more. You’ll get access to a private seminar, six months of ongoing support, a physical copy of the entire program, an entire learning acceleration seminar I put on last year, plus many other additions to fast track your success.
With these outstanding additions, your program will now be called “GPS Elite”.
Secondly, if you were one of those entrepreneurs who contacted our office, or find yourself in a similar situation… we’ve got a new and improved option for you.
We call this new option GPS Silver. You’ll get the same incredible constraint eliminating content, only it’ll be delivered over a longer stretch of six months, with some of the bells and whistles removed.
Yes, you’ll have less personal access to me, but we’ve designed it in a way where you’ll still have every opportunity to get your questions answered.
I’m very confident, whether you are in the Silver or Elite programs you’ll achieve and receive a mammoth breakthrough…a breakthrough so monumental in your life and your business I can’t begin to describe the difference it’ll make.
And it all happens tomorrow Tuesday, September 30th at 3pm (eastern time). If you’re interested please don’t delay because when I informed my partners that we created a less expensive option – many cleared their mailing calendar so they could alert their subscribers.
In fact, we’ve had so much excitement from our partners I think the online marketing world may erupt with an explosive flurry of email activity without rival. That’s why it only seems fair to me to give you the heads up now.
But please remember this…
No matter which option you choose, the weight is all on my shoulders here—not yours. Meaning, if you’ve ever been frustrated, disappointed, disillusioned, or just plain deceived, this time you’re guaranteed a happier ending - because you won’t take the hit—I will.
The only thing I ask of you is to have faith. Faith in yourself to follow and do your part and know that success is within reach, the other is faith in me to have your best interests in heart.
So, tomorrow at 3pm (eastern) I invite you to – if nothing else, to open your mind, and consider your options. There is no one else out there that’ll walk you step by step through the minefields of online marketing and business building like I’m prepared to.
Just put your faith in yourself, in me and in my track record for a short while and the rest will be up to me.
Tomorrow, I’ll give you an overview what I have in mind for us… You’ll see the process we’ll undertake together, the impact it can have and the outcome I know it’ll produce.
Oh yes, one more thing before I go, just so we’re clear…
I’m not offering a business in box, a business opportunity, or a deal where I promise you that we'll do all the work. So please don’t sign up unless you’re committed.
I cannot do it all for you, sure I can shorten your timeline, wipe away any confusion or uncertainty you’re experiencing, help you eradicate the constraints standing in your way, and show you the fastest path to success possible. But I can’t do it all.
However, if you’re willing, then hitch your wagon to mine and join me for the most profitable adventure of your lifetime.
To higher profits,
Rich Schefren
P.S. I know you probably have questions. And that’s perfectly natural. So below are links to 2 previous blog posts where I answer a LOT of questions about the GPS program, about overcoming constraints, and about how you can finally achieve the success, wealth, and freedom you deserve so much.
Make sure you look these over carefully. Because chances are I’ve already answered any question you might have. Have a look:
1. Your Top 10 Questions About GPS Answered
2. T-Minus 48:00 And Counting
Tags: business building, coaching, coaching program, entrepreneurs, GPS, GPS silver, guided profit system
-
- Save / Promote This Post
- If you enjoyed this post, your vote is always highly appreciated!!
-
-
-
- Sphinn
-
-
- Digg
-
- Stumble
- Stumble
-
- Save
- Add To Del.ico.us
-
Related Posts
-
Hi Rich I am one of those you mentioned and I look forward to seeing the new package tomorrow.
Rich
Hi Rich,
Iam also looking forward to the new mentioned package
Johan
Woohoo !
GPS Silver. And 6 months is a much more manageable time frame. Can’t wait to see what you have to offer Rich.
Diana
thanks diana,
i hope it’s what you’re looking for.
btw - loved the video
keep up the good work
rich
Woohoo !
GPS Silver. And 6 months is a much more manageable time frame. Can’t wait to see what you have to offer Rich.
Diana
PS- Sorry if it’s double post. The first one didn’t appear.
Rich,
Really glad to see you make an offer like this. I think it will benefit a lot more people. Me included.
I will have to see if this option will fit into my budget. I have until tomorrow to re-work the numbers and figure it out.
Keeping my fingers crossed on the contest as well.
Thanks again,
Darrell
http://www.transilient.net
Nice deal, Rich.
You, Mike Filsaime and Frank Kern have each made fantastic offers lately.
Wish I could take advantage of all them but, unfortunately, it’s neither time nor money that stands in the way.
Just… circumstances.
Oh yeah,
I forgot to mention last Tuesday after reading the report I went to a networking event.
Remembering that this is my main constraint holding me back. I made an effort to make some new contacts.
One of the folks has a network of 9,000 people on linked in and should end up being a business partner in the near future.
Thanks for reminding me that once you know what your obstacles are, they are much easier to confront and move pass.
Darrell
http://www.transilient.net
congrats darrell - glad to hear your changing your ways and that my material has helped. keep me posted of your future successes, it’s what makes the work i do feel worthwhile.
rich
Hi Rich,
A much better option for the likes of me. Just hope I can afford it as the timing is not the best. I look forward to see what the go will be.
Thanks for thinking of the likes of us.
Trish
Rich:
This is why you sit on the shoulder of giants and are the leader of leaders:
“The very same men and women I’ve committed my entire professional life to, couldn’t access what both they and I were certain would be the pivot point in their lives.”
Again, you’ve listened, recognized, learned and responded to what is going on in our marketplace and you have yet again provided a wonderful solution.
I too am anxious to learn about what you have come up with for all of us.
In a conversation yesterday with my brother-in-law I happened to mention that no one ever talks about John Wayne any longer. Who needs to when we can all talk about Rich Schefren heroically riding in on his “Silver”?
Thanks for caring about your family of entrepreneurs as you do, you make the difference in all our lives.
Cheryl C. Cigan
http://www.known.com
thanks for noticing cheryl
not sure i can fill john wayne’s shoes but thanks for the comparison.
not sure if you saw the video we released about a month ago from my presentation at stomper - but this is what i was talking about… moving from a “plan and execute” mentality to a “sense and respond” approach.
that’s the approach most certain to grow your business today - yet, sadly most online entrepreneurs never enter into a dialogue with their marketplace which obviously is prerequisite number one for this new approach to business growth.
if we ever meet, ask me to explain my concept regarding a “chain of promises”. based on what you’ve said i think it’ll give you goosebumps when you hear it.
and just know this… i more like you and everyone else commenting on this blog than anyone would ever believe - but if you persist, strive to always provide value first, and learn from your mistakes… eventually nothing can stand in your way.
rich
Rich:
No, I’ve not seen the video. I’ll see if I can find it.
I too find it difficult to embrace the notion that entrepreneurs do not engage in a dialog with their marketplace. If people would just take a moment and listen, and I mean really listen, they would hear and learn what it is they are supposed to do, and what their next move could be. That conversation, the enthusiastic exchange of intellectual energy becomes somewhat addictive in its own way. I’m sure you experience that many times throughout your days as well. I always pity the poor person who gets in the path of the adrenalin rush which happens when one epiphany after another reveals itself in a conversation. Such raw energy as the thoughts and words, and the possibilities appear from the synergy. Those are phenomenally rewarding moments!
So noted, when we meet I will inquire about your concept of ‘the chain of promises’. Intriguing words, already has my imagination attempting to build a story around the thought process!
Value sought, and value delivered, indeed!
Cheryl
in case you couldn’t find it cheryl, here it is
http://www.strategicprofits.com/strategy/the-rumors-are-true-a-new-report-is-coming/
do you know what really amazes me and fills me with so much hope is that the past few weeks since I got the email regarding Larry Benet’s seminar, I have been made aware of so many of you doing so well and yet you are reaching out to help others. this is so wonderful and awesome, as we share so we will recieve, what we give out we attract back in some way and it’s just fantastic that what has been such a selfish money making, grabbing culture, (i’m thinking of the 80’s) is now responding and nurturing and guiding and in effect sharing just like God wants us too.
I am just starting out, at the moment I’m not in your league I have paintings to sell and not sure the internet is the place for that but i read with an open mind and i do believe and i have enormous faith so i will be one day. I’m writing a book about where my art comes from so the reason I’m following all these emails is so I will be prepared when I’m ready to try to market it. I can’t help but think this ideology of sharing and caring and guiding others to become successful is going to do so much for global peace and harmony as we recognise we are all one family ready to help rather than fight against. I feel it has been inspired by the same energy that inspires my paintings, it reminds me of my painting ‘Unify’. when i painted it I thought we were decades away from unifying but these past few weeks I am so thrilled to see we’re not that far away at all.
wonderful and congratulations
warm light wishes
Jenni Eden UK
Hey Rich,
I think it is really cool what you and your team have tried to do. I know that we need this course too, but as always it will depend on the price-point. I look foward to the day when I dont have to say that anymore.
Michael Blaes
BTW When are you going to reveal the winner?
thanks michael,
i hope i’ve brought the price down low enough to make it accessible for you. and i too look forward to the day when you won’t have to say that anymore, because all of my best clients started where you are today.
as far as the contest goes… it’s taken longer than i anticipated, and i am sorry for that - i feel very confident that it’ll happen by the end of the week. but don’t worry - you won’t miss it, i’m sure we’ll make a big deal about the announcement and we plan on keeping everyone updated on the winners progress.
rich
Hey Rich,
This is ruby i am very much looking forward to three pm Tuesday*
& i think you have already gone far & above anything anyone else
would go,it is so unreal what you have done,don,t know how any
one person could carry such a load, and i,m sure i,m not alone
in being so very ,very proud of you,i hope it is okay that i say
that,it is very heart warming,Thank You!
I don,t know what it all is, but i feel sure it will be the very
best it can be,wish i knew more what i,m doing,so i could be more
sure i could keep up with the croud**Talk soon*ruby ellen*
thanks ruby,
of course it’s ok to say it!
heck, you’re the reason i do what i do.
and don’t worry about keeping up with the crowd… chart your own course and follow the path you were meant to travel.
rich
Rich, I can easily imagine the emotion you felt reading the responses to this launch. Many of the comments I read were… just… well what can I say? And the fact people were driven to find alternative methods to contact you must surely scream out one thing.
THIS THING YOU ARE NOW DOING IS I-M-P-O-R-T-A-N-T!
Congratualtions on have the vision and capacity to extend it to others who need it. I hope you are rewarded in ways you would wish for. TJ
thanks thomas,
just reading these comments so far is reward enough. and the success stories that’ll pour in will be icing on the cake.
ever since the release of the original manifesto - every single internet marketing event i’ve attended i’ve been stopped by at least one attendee to tell me how my material made the difference in their life.
and that’s the reason i do what i do - if it was simply for the money, i would’ve stopped a long time ago. and it’s that passion and fulfillment from doing work that makes a difference that i want everyone to experience. because when you find your place the money always comes…
rich
Rich:
Great idea. Looking forward to seeing all the action on Tuesday! You thoughts and insights that you have shared over the past 9 months have been awesome! Taking action to your suggestions have been spot on. I look forward to your continued insight and know you will help many others grow there businesses in the right direction.
You deserve the highest success!
Keith
thanks keith,
9 months? what about before that?
just kidding man, glad to hear i’ve played a role in your progress - that’s what it’s all about.
so how did your launch go? those were some very impressive stats you shared on the q+a call - i hope you’re on the next one cause i’ve been wondering what the final result was.
all the partners from the widgeteers should be thankful you’re at the helm.
rich
Rich, I’m defenitely one of many!
You touch a nerve with your sincere concern for others…I wrote you an email several days ago before the launch of GPS program.
Basically stating the fact that i will not be able to afford you.
Later today, I don’t know what you have in mind but… my answer is YES!
I’m Not saying, “I’ll be able to afford you NOW” .But i definetely will do a symbolic gesture and input my credit card information even thought I KNOW ,it will be decline. I’ll feel much better knowing that I tried.
I don’t have any sad story to tell you other than I’M COMPLETELY responsible for what it’s now, my financial situation.
You’re a very unique individual and I’m looking forward working with you in the very near future.
Promised!
thanks for the compliment juan, just press on learn all you can from others as well as what your own experience is telling you and someday soon are paths will cross.
rich
sabes amigo mio ,me parece muy interesante todo esto de ganar dinero en el internet,con una pagina web,ayudame a la construccion de ella,,tan pronto como este ganando algunos dolares ,te podre pagra ,por la inversion en mi ,soy de un pais en desarrollo,Mexico,Mi unico patrimonio de herramienta para trabajar es este,Ordenador(computadora equipo)y 8 horas diarias de Internet .
Por ello espero me des la oportunidad,de entrar a este exelente equipo de ustedes.
ATENTAMENTE.
LAE.RAFAEL CERVANTES.
gracias amigo,
el mercado mexicano tiene un enorme potencial - seguir trabajando en él y usted tendrá éxito.
Hi Rich. You are such a superstar! Never come across anyone so committed as you before! It’s very inspiring. Please put my name in the hat for the Silver Level Course. Can you allow a bit of leeway for those of us on different time zones to register?
Thanks so much! Kim Edmunds
thanks kim,
sure thing… i’d be really surprised if we had to take the page down within the first 24 hours. so you’ve got all the leeway you need
rich
I HAVE A TIGHT BUDJET RIGHT NOW. YOUR GPS SILVER PROGRAM IS SOMETHING I MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN. I AM HOPING I HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FORF CHRISTMAS FOR 4 GRANDCHILDREN AND 6 ADULTS.
Rich,
I am greatful for all the people who will now be able to afford to avail themselves of your expertise and talents.
I did enroll in the GPS course last week, even though I honestly cannot afford it but I want so much to succeed that I am willing to do whatever it takes. But monetarily we are right on the edge and I HAVE to make it work almost immediately.
That having been said, I am also concerned about the timeframe. I wonder if you and Eben might consider spacing your irresistable offers a little further apart
You see, my life over the past 6 months has been literally eaten up by email and I can’t seem to get anything remunerative up and running. So, I enrolled in “Wake Up Productive”. Then, you came along with your constraint hypothesis and I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that you are right. So, you came along and offered me a chance to FINALLY, once and for all, locate and remove the constraints that have been restraining me from co-creating the life I deserve. However, I too am feeling overwhelmed by the 30 day time frame. So, on the one hand I think, “Hm, perhaps I could change programs (back away from the edge of the credit card), and even have a more reasonable time frame given all the other self-and-business-improvement things I am doing (90 days with Eben, AND 6 months with Sharon Wilson’s Advanced Spiritual Business Building course, and YOU all at the same time).
But this concept brings up a humongous question: Is the 5 month additional timeframe helpful? Or does the additional timeframe amount to a delay that will dilute the effectiveness and impact of the class. I hear about “speed to market” all the time from Glenn Dietzel and others, and on the surface I think about the implications for “universal consciousness” and “universal mind” meaning that I am not the only one with a particular idea and I have to beat the other ones to the proverbial punch. However, there is also the issue of my own enthusiasm out the gate and the question of my ability to keep my passion and energy going until the very end.
So, I hope you address at least some of these questions on your call tomorrow.
Thank you and L’Shana Tova to you and your family
Arieljoy
hi arieljoy,
the 30 day program provides a lot more access to me, but the core of the program remains the same in both versions
the six month version spread the content over a longer period of time so it’s less intense, and instead of me being available twice a day (8am and 9pm eastern) for questions and assistance, i’ll be available twice a month. of course there are other differences, and you can read all about them tomorrow.
it certainly sounds like you’ve got quite a bit on your plate… do you have enough time to execute everything you are learning? i sure hope so.
and if you decide to switch - just let us know - i am sure we’ll be swamped tomorrow (so please be patient), but in a few days we’ll be back to normal and it won’t be a problem.
some people work best when the pressure is on… i know that’s certainly the case with me - my best work is often accomplished when my back is pressed up against the wall. if you can identify with that then the pressure and intensity may be just what you need.
on the other hand, others crack when the pressure is on, and get their best work done efficiently when there’s no deadline and consequence to distract them. if you identify with this group you might want to slow down.
in the end, it’s a personal decision, just know we’ll support you either way.
rich
Thank you Rich. See you later.
Arieljoy
I’m just trying to get this right so I can take care of my elderly mother and family from home I appreciate all that you have done already… sincerely R David
Dear Rich
I so very much wanted to sign up for your GPS (now GPS Elite), but two nagging concerns stopped me:
1) Had I paid for the program in full, I would have had a few hundred dollars left in my bank account and a rate of income that was not going to keep me out of the red. If you knew my current circumstances, you would appreciate the gamble I’d be taking.
Having said that, I also felt and still feel strongly that I am on the brink of finally making it. Two of my blogs are finally getting google page rankings. Now, I don’t have enough technical/business nous to know the significance of this, but I am pretty sure that it is a good thing.
I just feel that with the right kind of help, I could make it over the edge into the land of plenty!!! I have faith that I can make a comfortable living doing what I love doing. In fact, it is my belief that everyone can.
2) Would I get the kind of help I needed from your program? Would you really be able to help someone like me? A mentor in Personal/Spiritual Development?
Would I be able to keep up with the technical demands that I am assuming your program will require?
One of the constraints that I feel is holding me back is not having the technical expertise to do things like make my blog more attractive and interactive, give it more exposure, and provide an attractive range of products and services. I could be wrong of course but I do think that this is where I’m being held back.
When you had your line-up of experts who shared their stories of the constraints they experienced when they were not yet quite so successful, 2 of those constraints mentioned really struck a chord with me:
a) trying to do everything myself (and in my case, money seems to be a constraint)
b) not having a partner to be the chief executor of the plans and products that I am able to come up with
I spent almost $400 (a lot of money in my circumstances) on a ‘program’, SiteBuildIt, which I thought was going to help me launch my online business. I went through the program and got my website registered but I did not have the technical expertise to design my site in the way I felt would enable it to do all the things I wanted it to do. Things that a slightly more technically savvy person would be able to do in no time - designing my own template or modifying the ones that were provided, creating videos and uploading them, uploading text so that it conformed with the pre-existing html etc.
It was not from want of trying. Everything that I do on the internet now is pretty much self-taught. I wouldn’t say I’m a novice but I’m not technically competent either.
I know the solution here would be to get someone to do it for me which then brings me back to my original constraint of money.
I am open to the possibility that the thinking I have expressed here can be changed because it is perhaps ‘flawed’.
Will you be able to help me because, believe me, I have been trying my best to do as much as I can and learn as well as I can? If so, then I would really, really like to sign up for GPS Silver.
One last thing, I have often wondered why people such as yourself who already are so gigantically successful financially do not have a deferred payment option?
Rich, thank you for everything you are doing and for the spirit in which you do it. I have been grateful and will always be!
Lucy
PS This is more a letter than a comment but it clearly needed to be written, em, typed I mean
thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns lucy.
i’ll try to answer your questions the best i can (just know it’s late at night and if debi knew i was up right now i’d have some explaining to do). each time i am addressing a new question i’ll start the line with a ‘-’.
- of course you’ll get the help you need from my program, whether you’re a mentor in personal/spiritual development or on the opposite side of the spectrum (not sure what that would be…). what i’ll teach you is timeless and applies in every single market i’ve ever been exposed to, and that’s a long list.
- regarding the technical demands… they matter a lot less than you realize. i’m certain of that. i’d be willing to guess you’re probably more technically advanced than i am now, let alone when i first started strategic profits. back then i started with a blog template that i downloaded for free, and the original manifesto - that’s it. you see, the better you know your market the less you need to know about technology.
i hope you really consider my answer about technology - it matters less than you realize and what matters most is within your reach to master.
- if you want to make your blog more attractive - how about starting out with a nice free template. some of them are really slick - just click on the tab (if you are using wordpress) titled design in your blog dashboard. and if that’s not enough you can choose from over 900 themes and templates here
- regarding “provide an attractive range of products and services.” that could be your sticking point, without knowing more it’s hard to say - but so far this is the first area you’ve mentioned in your comment/letter (smile) that is worthy of your time and attention.
-The solution isn’t always to get someone to do it for you… sometimes certain things are better left undone - so you can focus on the vital few elements that really matter. If it’s in a vital area - often time there are shortcuts it’s just about taking on a different perspective.
-it’s not that your thinking is flawed… it’s simply that you haven’t been taught the right way to approach it all. I struggled to get my head around everything when i first started… it’s where we all start.
-i’ve tried the differed payment option and unfortunately the anonymity of the internet or simply the space and distance brings out the worst in more people than you would care to think about. plus, and i know this is easy to say from where i am sitting but it’s nonetheless the truth, we value what we pay for. and while that applies to everything we own nowhere is this more true than with information.
i know that answer might not be what you were looking for, but you asked and i answered…
hope my comment/letter back helps
wishing you all green lights on your road to success,
rich
g,day RICH it seems success is harder to handle than being average but you got to adapt to the enviroment this shows why you are above the average dude you ask the market, then you deliver to the market in a way that benefits all ;a true WIN/WIN stratergy don,t take it to hard,being excellent at your chosen field is a challnge,and a blessing, there is more to helping people than making $$$$$$$ love your work thanks,,,,,,,,garry ,,,,o,SAY g,day to JAY, CHEERS,,,
Hi Rich I can’t wait to see what your GPS can do for me .
two big constraint for me is my english is bad and the money coming short.
the one what I have is time and will.
thank you for your help
Joseph
Hi Rich,
What an awesome idea! Thanks for your endless sharing!!!
Looking forward
Roel
Hi Rich,
I am eager to receive your email regarding this new option. I too had many of the same issues you described; especially feeling stretched in too many directions. In view of the market meltdown your idea for the silver level is perfectly timed. Thank you for considering those of us who otherwise might remain on the sidelines struggling.
Stewart
I’m glad to hear it stewart,
you’re right - with the economy as dodgy as it is right now the worst place an entrepreneur can end up is on the sidelines, silently struggling.
entrepreneurs can’t afford to peg their security on a job or the government - instead they must bet on themselves. because, really, what other choice is there?
Hi Rich,
Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to read our posts and respond to our concerns:) As you may guess, I am eagerly waiting for 3PM and the second chance you are going to offer.
Stew
Hi Rich
I was also one of those people who wrote to you to say the price was currently just not within my reach, so I was thrilled to log on in the UK earlier this morning and see you’ll be announcing a silver option later today. Can’t wait to read more about it.
I also want to say that I’ve just read all the comments here, and I am amazed at your personal and detailed responses that you’ve given to people - it’s incredibly rare, and only further highlights why I would go a long way to purchase one of your programmes over and above anyone else. Your responses also really helped answer some of my questions too. So a big thank you, and roll on later today!
Tamsin
Hey Rich,
I’ve been following your work for years, right since the Manifesto…I gotta tell you that you have got a really clear grasp on what it takes to create a real business…
Up until now I thought I couldn’t afford your courses and Now I see that I can’t afford NOT to get your teaching…
I’m sitting here in my office in Thailand looking at my whiteboard…It’s covered in a maze of constraints. The thing is that I know once I’m clear on the first one it will let me just roll on down the road to success in all of it’s various guises.
You know what… it’s about money… but not totally. It’s also about testing how far I can take this…
Looking forward to working with you Rich..
Mike
Great display of flexibility on your behalf Rich, congratulations!
This is pure Web 2.0. The market talked back to you about your program and you made corrections steering your company to help more people. Who would have thought this possible in product launches a few years ago.
Best of luck to you!
Hi Rich
I love your style and beleive that you system definatly works. I’m a bit torn though between investing in yourself or Frank Kern that has also released a course this week…
What would you do?
Meanna Blog
Oh Rich! You made my day!
I read all this with tears in my eyes. My heart was beating so fast with excitment. Funny isn’t it!
I was SO SAD I would not be participating in your GPS course. I just don’t have that cunch of change laying around. So I would like to say thanks for the second chance. I hope it is within my reach to grab it an run like the devil!-)
Thank you from the very depths of my heart.
Brenda
Hey Rich.
Well…for a moment I thought this was the “downsell” of GPS…a handy marketing strategy etc. But I have to say I’m convinced of your well meaning attitude. And I also realised that my cynism about thinking that GPS silver was perhaps a pre-planned downsell made me aware, again, that this is one of my constraints: believing that people are all out to make money and not actually help. Seeing plenty of IM opportunities come by, and having invested in plenty, makes one see so many marketing strategies that perhaps its not a surprise that I see it all now from a “marketing strategy” perspective.
But GPS just doesn’t feel like it, it looks and feels different, more important. Im not only a starting IM entrepeneur, but also clinical psychologist, who is now much more interested in (life) coaching stuff. So the whole constraints idea resonates with me no end. And I have many!!
When GPS came out, I felt life was playing tricks on me. I had earlier in the year invested in Traffic Secrets 2.0, and only a little before GPS I had invested in Mike Filsaime’s Traffic Fusion. Then another major but pricey opportunity came by, to do with domainnames (fromm Jack Humphrey), only to see your offer coming by straight after. It felt like this must be the “high end product season” and I wanted them all, but of course, I couldnt afford it, nor should I. And then I realised, again, that I often do invest, but not really follow through enough (I also subscribe to a highend adsense site programme). This not-following-through is to do with a constraint, or several. Anything from time, distractions, or even fear of success!
Standing back from it all I realised I didnt actually have a business at all: I thought I did, but I have a collection of programmes and ideas, can often really quickly see the value in a programme or plan, but the momentum disappears and the perceived value and inspiration goes with it. This is another constraint. In any case, I decided to be strong, and not go for GPS. And now you come up with GPS silver…Jeez!!
So yes, I’m interested for sure because I like so much of the material, the concepts, want to grow my own business and also want to develop perhaps as an entrepeneur whose coaching type skills can help others achieve. Hey, I want to be you! (only kidding). So, I can’t wait to see what constraint will hit me in the face on Tuesday but I’m ready for it. Bring it on.
Thanks for the inspiration so far!
Jan (pronounced Yan…its Dutch
)
thanks for the vote of confidence jan,
have you read my first report? the internet business manifesto? if not it lays out exactly what you’re talking about in your recent realization. trust me, you’re not alone in your hopping from one idea to the next - if you haven’t read it - please do, you won’t be disappointed (promise)
rich
Rich,
Please be careful. Success is both a blessing and a curse. Success such as you have had can make you hyper sensitive to failure.
I know you want to help everybody, absolutely everybody, and I admire you for that. But it might not be possible, at least not at the pace you’d like.
Nobody can do the impossible, but when a person as successful as yourself encounters an impossibility, they often refuse to accept it, or are even unable to see it for what it is–impossible. They over-believe in their ability, because their experience tells them they can, and they keep looking for the solution.
The danger is, there is no solution too an impossible problem. To continue to pursue a solution, when there is none, can be devastating–so much so it can eventually rob you of things you cannot afford to lose, like confidence, perspective, even contact with reality.
I know this to be true, because I’ve been there. You have done so much for so many–you cannot realistically expect to do everything for everyone. It’s an unfortunate fact of life that not everyone can have what they want, or, sometimes, even what they need.
Please be very careful here. If you expect too much from yourself, you may well end up unable to do as much as you are already doing–able to only help a small fraction of those you are now helping. Wouldn’t that be worse than simply having hit your limit and being unable to do more–to have to settle for doing less because you poisoned your brain with stress hormones? That’s what happens when you try too hard to do more than you are capable of doing. Believe me. I’ve done it.
I was a computer programmer doing work for our Government, Law Enforcement, Military, and Intelligence services. It was highly specialized work, and because of National Security issues, I couldn’t just grab another good programmer and train them to help me out. My user base quickly grew to include agencies within friendly governments around the world.
It wasn’t long before I reached the point where I really could not keep up with the needs of those I served. But, I couldn’t turn people down, or tell them they’d have to wait for what they needed–or so I told myself. So I continued to push myself until, all of a sudden, one day, I could not make sense of the computer code for the projects I was working on. I was one of the top programmers in the world, and I could not read computer code. Just like that.
At that point I was in the unenviable position of not simply having to tell people that they’d have to wait for what they needed, but that I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to deliver for them again. Sadly, that turned out to be the fact. I had built up such a concentration of stress related chemicals in my brain that I literally cooked the brain cells I used for programming–to death. I had killed brain cells.
I went on [permanent] disability leave and, because of feelings of guilt, inadequacy, lack of confidence, etc., I fell into a deep and serious depression. For almost three years I couldn’t do anything. I love music, and was an avid piano player (amateurish, but avid), and for three years I couldn’t play piano–at all. Even songs I’d played probably a thousand times, I was completely unable to play. I got to where I had to avoid pianos, because the knowledge that I couldn’t play even “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” slammed me down into such a deep depression, all I could do was cry–sometimes for hours. I was unable to enjoy any of my other hobbies, as well.
I am happy to report however, after nearly four years, I have recovered my ability to play piano, and have regained confidence in myself, and am now ready, able and anxious to begin the adventure that will be the rest of my life.
By an almost unbelievable stroke of luck, just a few days ago I found myself kind of falling into an opportunity to join your E-Commerce Personal Coaching Program. I can’t tell you how grateful I am, and how fortunate I feel to have encountered that opportunity at just the time I was finally ready to go out and take the World by storm, again.
I had already decided I wanted to get into an Internet business, which is why I was prowling related Internet sites, and just happened to be in the right cyber-place at the right time. I talked with my coach for the first time today, and have my first scheduled meeting with him tomorrow. I can’t describe how excited I am.
So, a person can come back (I intend to come back in a Big way) after a burn-out experience such as I had, but the interim period–for me, the last three and a half years–was Hell on Earth. I don’t recommend it.
I never seem to do things in a normal way. I was the first case in medical science to establish through concrete results from many many tests that stress, in excess, can actually do permanent brain damage. Till I came along, it was assumed that, appropriate medication, counseling, rest and relaxation would eventually allow the brain chemistry to return to normal, and the symptoms would fade away in time. They now know it’s not that simple.
As I said at the beginning of this much longer than intended comment, people who experience prolonged periods of success are prime candidates for devastating consequences when they do finally come up against the impossible. And they will. We all do. But those who have experienced only moderate success, or even failure, are not susceptible to the kind of extreme shock that can affect people who have come to see success as an integral part of [their] reality.
To deny the fact that you cannot be everything to everyone all the time–to reject that there might be some things that are impossible, even for someone like you, is to lose touch with reality. Don’t go there buddy, believe me.
Here’s my advice–take it for what it’s worth. You have a lot of exceptional people working for you–I know, I’ve spoken with quite few of them in the past three days. They are completely capable of keeping the ship afloat and on course without you for a few days. Trust them. Have confidence in them. Let them run the show for at least four days (better, a week, but I know people like you–getting you to take even four days off is like pulling tiger’s teeth).
Pack a bag and go spend four days on a beach somewhere, or find a piece of remaining old-growth forest somewhere, or a nice mountain–somewhere that makes you feel small and insignificant while at the same time overwhelming you with the awesome beauty of nature.
I like the Ocean myself, because I can feel like a grain of sand on the beach, and realize that the Ocean has been doing just what it is doing, for millions of years, and will continue to do so for millions more–without any help at all from me.
So, pack a bag, but DO NOT pack or take your cell phone, or a computer. That’s important. Don’t even tell anyone (except one trusted person, so you can be contacted in the case of a true emergency) where you are going. Drop off the face of the Earth for four days. And don’t try to solve anything during this time. Just absorb the beauty and constancy of Nature.
You should do something like this at least once a year. Despite the fact that you obviously love what you do, it is still a very high stress profession. Which is OK. Some people actually thrive on the rush of an intense profession–but only up to a point. No one is immune to the ravages of over-stressing themselves.
So that’s my story, and I’m sticking to it. If you follow my advice, you’ll come back so revived and restored that you will find yourself outperforming the current you. Try it, you’ll like it. I promise.
Most sincerely,
Bill Haynes
bilijoe@comcast.net
541-688-0755
thanks for your concern bill,
i like the ocean too, and believe it or not… i do make time to get away and unplug from everything - although not as often as i probably should.
however, i tend to approach work as a sprint. where i go full out, then when the race is over, i dissapear for a week or two, taking plenty of time to recuperate and recharge.
rich
oh yeah, one more thing… you’re right i do have a lot of exceptional people working for me
Hi Rich,
I’m really glad to hear that you do get away once in a while (but I’ll bet you’re right, not as often as you should). Because of my own personal experience, I can’t help but worry when I see someone going full bore, for so long.
I just now got my package of materials for the E-Commerce Personal Coaching Program, and I have my first scheduled session with my coach in just a few hours. I’m so excited, I feel like a kid again.
I haven’t even really started this, and my life is already better; not financially yet, but better in very worthwhile ways, I guess, just from the excitement and anticipation, and from all the very positive contact I’ve already had with several of your people.
Thank you,
Bill
Hi Rich,
I’m once again motivated to comment (first time was for the fantastic contest you ran last week) just to say WOW - what a heartfelt post! Your dedication and commitment in sharing & teaching others what you have learnt is a true inspiration, and I thank you for your sincerity as much as the knowledge & advice you offer.
I can’t wait for details of the GPS Silver program to be unveiled - I’m really made up that there will be another opportunity to work with you at a level I can manage, so thanks again - your launch hangover hasn’t been in vain!
Antoinette
Im so looking forward to this Rich…Thanks a load wish more people in the world were like you
Rich you inspire me/us and as always you are willing to assist us and that my friend means alot to all of us.
Thanks for your help, you did not had to go the extra mile but you are doing it and you know they say people that give more, receives more, may your cup overflow my friend with only the best coming to you.
Thanks
Joleen
Rich,
As for so many I think this is an incredible offer and something I definitely need. Timing for me is not right as I’m learning to better manage my time with Eben Pagan right now and also studying a few other things. I hope that you will offer this again so that I can participate and when I do I will have a clean plate and full focus.
I am now following you on twitter and hope to be friends on facebook.
Warmest regards,
Ellen
Hi Rich,
Love the way you are walking-the-talk… The flurry of comments alone gives us all a peek into the intensely emotional reaction you mentioned in your latest blog post.
As a newly-”Elite” member I hope that we can all maybe fins some time to support the “silver” members too? Kind of like a “pay-of-forward” thing? Don’t know if you’ve considered that but I know I’d be delighted to spend an hour (or so) a week, giving some of the “Elite” value back to the silver community. Of course, that would likely mean some sort of “forum” or “exchange” for all of the Elite and Silver folks to mingle, and I’m not sure how you feel about this?
One burning question from me that I can’t seem to get an answer to… WHEN is GPS starting. Everything I’ve read so far suggests 1 Oct for 30 days (tomorrow - yikes!)
I ask because I need to plan around it. In fact, I need to RE-plan around it, as I may be in the very fortunate position of being able to take 23 consecutive days away from my intense day-job to devote to the 30-day intensive GPS. This is so important to me that I will be cancelling holidays and focusing on squeezing everything I can out of the GPS experience (even shifting my wake-times so I can stay up to 3am here in Scotland for the second QnA).
I have been trying to get a feel from you and your team, if I can swing this, WHICH 23-day period would you choose? - The first?, the last?, somewhere in-between?
Thanks Rich - very excited to get going with GPS now!
Paul
Scotland, UK
thanks for your comments paul,
as far as elites helping silver… it wasn’t in the original plans (since there wasn’t a plan for silver) but i am game and we’ll see how many of the elites are interested.
we are slotted to start october 1st, but there’s been a flurry of activity behind the scenes, plus requests from gps clients like yourself asking if it’s possible to start on monday, and this unplanned revised relaunch. so i’m waiting for the team to get here for our morning huddle - and that’s when customer support, the tech team and everyone else will give their best advice… then i’ll make the final decision - so a few hours from now we’ll know for sure (sorry about my lack of certainty at the moment).
before answering your last question - let me make a side-note. the two streaming q+a session are both optional and i am doing them as a service to clients. if you would like to attend all of them you’re more the welcome - but just so you know each q+a session will be transcribed and the transcripts will have all the questions asked up front as a table of contents - this way you can scan to see if any questions are ones you’d like to know the answer to. on top of that we’re going to try to do the same with the video content so you can laser in on the question you want to see me answer.
hope that makes your schedule a little more manageable.
also, the live video content session are all recorded and we’re striving to get them up within an hour of when i finish them - so even if you miss a session you’ll be able to watch it almost immediately. And because of the spaced out interactive q+a session you’ll never be more than a few hours away from having me answer any questions you have live.
lastly, to answer your last question… i think it would be ideal if you missed the live session somewhere in-between the beginning and the end. the reason - i’ll need to feel the group out and see how far and fast i can go, what challenges are the most prevalent, and which constraints the most pervasive before finalizing a content schedule, so i’d guess after the first full week i’ll have a course drawn up and it’ll be much easier for you to decide.
hope that helps paul - and let me thank you once again for placing your trust in me. i promise you - you won’t regret it.
rich
Hi Rich - superb answer. I appreciate you taking the time (even at your blistering 120+ wpm!) to reply so comprehensively.
I realise that much has changed since you did the first launch and (even though I jumped right in) I have to thank you from all of us for really practising what you preach. You are listening TO and acting FOR your market of fans. So cool.
The tech around GPS live sessions sounds ideal and it eases the tension I felt to fit it all in. I do still want to free myself up for a no-distractions focus on GPS (for 23 days at least) so will take your advice and plan it in around the middle of the 30-day Elite intensive, once we have that confirmed start date.
Thanks! And good luck with all the masses of prep…
Paul
(p.s. a call to fellow “Elite” members… do you want to be part of the larger community of GPS? Would you be up to share around any insights from our super-intensive Elite sessions with everyone, especially our Silver net-mates? I think the Elite folks would learn just as much from all of those personal experiences of our Silver cousins. If so, maybe you could support this idea in this blog? I really think we could all learn so much from each other as we pick up new insights from Rich and his “sterling” team. Worth a try to add even more value to all of this?)
Hi Rich
thanks for giving your personal repect to make a better life for us, and show your hope that we can all have our dream business, and with your help i can’t wait to see what you have to offer…
Thanks Rich your the best
Danny
Hi Rich,
You’re just awesome. You’ve just come at the most beautiful moment in my life. You’ve been awesome to do things that I wondered how would they happen anyway. It all just happened so quick.
I simply love your work for what you wrote and what you made. Simply fabulous. I literally cried and said why didn’t this happen before.
I had been in deep trouble. I had wasted a year over petty issues like the one mentioned above:
“One of the constraints that I feel is holding me back is not having the technical expertise to do things like make my blog more attractive and interactive, give it more exposure, and provide an attractive range of products and services. I could be wrong of course but I do think that this is where I’m being held back.”
“I did not have the technical expertise to design my site in the way I felt would enable it to do all the things I wanted it to do. Things that a slightly more technically savvy person would be able to do in no time - designing my own template or modifying the ones that were provided, creating videos and uploading them, uploading text so that it conformed with the pre-existing html etc.”
I like your work so much that I have got all your reports printed, it costs us a good amount here to get a lot of printouts.
Here’s what happened:
I have had been trying to get through and setup some exciting blogs. I did not have any technical expertise and had been desperate eneough to make a branded blog theme that would enhance my reputation, image and quality of relationship with my visitors. I had even clients for web content writing but due to some reason I lost confidence and lost a few clients. I haven’t gotten back those clients as yet and even have felt hard to get great paying clients somehow.
“I don’t have clients right now and don’t know about a great way to get more clients.” The only way I can do is showcase my work on a blog which I am working towards.
My family was after me going on a fulltime job as they hated seeing me at home and even now, they keep telling me that. If I earn a lot of money they wouldn’t say just anything.
I was an entrepreneur when I was a kid, I am an entrepreneur even now though I am not functioning so well due to the constraints that I face right now. Imagine what I feel, Pleeease.
My biggest constraint is I do not have enough money to outsource, no technical expertise in the area of graphic/web/blog design and am not great at organizing the information on my pc. The disorganized manner does not help me prioritize all my tasks effectively.
I have lots of cool informative resources and the official Adobe CS3. I just do not know how to evenly manage my resources.
I have invested my money in a writing program that has earn and learn. Unable to follow through on that course due to unable to organize my time, space and energy effectively.
I have been so desperately looking at a solution to all of this and end the loop that I am in desperately. I have a $5500 loan (in INR terms, a pretty amount) to repay. My family just wants me to repay the loan and I am just waiting to get quick started on my blog very soon. There is no bad time for you to come over and share what is required to people like us.
I am looking for a blog designer/graphic designer right now and as per your Internet Business Manifesto, I effectively bought a premium wordpress theme.
I am still in a fix as to what I can do about all this.
I am using whatever resources I’ve to get my blog up soon. Maybe in the coming weeks I will have them up anyway. You’re awesome Rich.
I already have hosting and other resources available. Just that I’ve been unable to capitalize on them. Please Respond Rich.
Regards,
Ronak Shah
P.S. I took the SMA events as well.
ronak, i appreciate your predicament. but stop for a second… take a deep breath, count to ten and know everything will be ok.
i imagine you typing the comment above in a somewhat frantic, stressed out, panicky sort of state of mind ( i apologize if i am way off the mark here)
now, if you bought a premium wordpress theme, get it up - and please… get started. don’t try to spread your focus on multiple blogs - just focus on one and spend your entire day pushing it forward - make it a game, a race… see how far you can get in just one day.
And everytime today while you are working you want to stop, reevaulate, see what’s up in the blogosphere or anywhere else, repeat the following little mantra i learned from a good friend tom mccarthy. “all i need is within me now” - yeah it’s a little hokey… but it works if you try it out.
hope that helps - and if i missed the mark, let me know. tell me where and i’ll try to self-correct my suggestions.
I just have don’t enough words to express what I have to say. Thanks for the reply Rich. I appreciate it.
You’ve just saved me from being called MAD for my determination by my family members. Maybe even a ‘near failure’ situation or even a lot of awkwardness/nervous breakdown from near and dear ones.
I deeply express my gratitude to Rich Schefren, the Gurus of the Gurus. You’ve just saved me from losing my 8 year old dream go bust. Yes, when I was 17, I dreamed of becoming an internet entrepreneur. I am soon to be called the biggest lover of my life when I establish my self as what I always wanted to be. And you.. Rich, have influenced my life really beautifully to its core very much indeed.
You have literally brought tears to my eyes right now and I am really crying very badly. You’ve just made life worth living.
Hey Angel, I wish you the Best Of Luck in your endeavors.
My “spontaneous” & “unplanned” testimonial written from the bottom of my heart:
“You really mean what people say about you.. The Gurus of the Gurus.. Yes, I truly believe you have what it takes to be SUCCESSFUL. I hope this doesn’t get you though you really are the Gurus of the Gurus and you are well aware of who you are, I am just glad to have found strength in you. Take my word and let the whole world know this. My pleasure. Sincerely, Your’s truly, Ronak Shah. God Bless You.”
When you said “know everything will be ok”, you just reaffirmed my confidence in your ability to help everyone around to their core. You’re human and you’ve made plenty of mistakes but what you makes you great is you’re REAL. You accept everything as it comes to you even if its a failure or a mistake.
I am spiritual as much as everyone around is and I understand what peace, love is certainly. And what it can do.. so when you said.. “all i need is within me now”.. I really acknowledge what you’ve said. It’s the most wonderful affirmation you can give to anyone I strongly feel.
And yes, I’ve like plenty of domain names.. all great keyword domain names .. I am offering plenty of services.. one domain name for each Internet Marketing service LOL
just that I feel it hard to manage my time learning everything.. and then organizing my business plan.
I am figuring out slowly and steadily how to get high paying (5 cent - 4$ per word) clients for web content (really a task) and would soon create a marketing plan for the same, do let me know if you have any inputs on planning the same.
I faced every single obstacle what you described in the 3rd video of profit vault - profit final. Just every single ‘damn’ thing on earth. Imagine the plight what would it be. You know even better than I do.
I wish I could be part of your GPS program though I will have to see whether I can. Hope it’s available throughout the year as well in case the price is too high.
I am seriously reading through all your material and I check every single emails of your’s though lately received great many’ emails. I dedicated an entire week to you Rich. Just an entire week reading through what you’ve written and I had been through the whole profit vault. I must say, you’re a genius.
I read every single posts of your blog and I duly feel worth spending my time - my most valuable asset - on whatever you create. I really truly hope you do even better than what you’re doing a 100 times more. What you’re making is really valuable, indeed very precious, profound and very unfound anywhere else according to my awareness till date.
It gets tougher to manage my email than to mange anything else. In this manner, it gets even tougher to make things work correctly. Do get me in the true sense, my determination just had turned into desperation when I just went the other way somehow knowingly or unknowingly. You know how it feels. And it’s ok to go the other way sometimes. I am just as determined or even more as I was of 17 years of age.
One word to describe to Rich Schefren - ‘Awesome’. Ronak Shah.
Love you take care..
ANGEL
And yes, thanks for telling me what I require to do right now i.e focus on one blog at one time and get a “follow-through” till the end with a “quick start” in SMA terminology.
Certainly You’re The Best.
Do give me your inputs about managing email, managing a marketing plan to attract higher paying clients. I would be thankful and grateful for the same.
Also, I was unable to print the uncertainty syndrome due to an unusual font “Myriad-Roman”. I spoke to the customer service but they asked me to find that font. That font is not available on the internet as it’s an outdated font. I’ve searched like anything but then it leads to unproductive time. The CS is helpful though. Don’t know what to do to get it printed for a better read.
Thanks A Million,
Ronak Shah
Thanks so much Rich, I really appreciate this. You struck me as someone who is in the industry not only to make money, but you genuinely care about people as well - it must have really hurt to turn people down when you knew this could be a perfect opportunity for them to make their lives more rewarding.
Hopefully I’ll be able to get it this time, and I think it’s a great idea you’ve come up with to have a GPS Silver version.
Thanks again Rich, like in my last email, I think the Uncertainty Syndrome was a great report and many people realize the significance of it’s observations.
Dear Rick,
I watched your GPS System and it really sounds great, but I have some constraints due to signing up with Dan Kruschells course. His courses tie in with Mary Gersten’s GLOBAL CASH FLOW NETWORK which I am a part of, to help me with Marketing and Advertising as these are areas I have not worked in before and I get a couple of web sites to work with. I just feel I cannot take on anything more right now both mentally and financially.
Keep up the good work, and all the best to you and your students. I know they will succeed.
Marilyn Broomer,
Ontario Canada
Thank you Rich for this opportunity. I could not begin to afford the first offer. I’m 58, find I am thrice the recipient of corporate America’s job ending, regardless of my years of experience and loyalty. However, I will view this as a blessing and jump on the IM bandwagon. I am healthy and energetic. IM is much, much tougher to learn than I ever imagined, and find I am a novice who cannot seem to get to the first step, past info overload. I have one in high school; one in c