Ivaylo's BASE 2.0 Journal

[Ivaylo]

Day 3, Stage 4, Run 3

This is the first time I seem to be encountering visible resistance during this run of BASE. I can distinctly correlate switching to stage 4 with starting to snap at people and being impatient both with them and myself. It seems to me that this is rooted in some social insecurities, which I'm apparently working through.

[Ivaylo]

I just saw my mother for a few minutes, she is on day 9 of EPRHA 2.0. Well, she's off Xanax (she was only at 0.25mg a day, but still), yet I can't recall her being this happy and cheerful before, especially with no apparent reason, as it is the case. A colleague of hers also commented on that, as it turns out.

At the same time, when I asked her how she feels, she said she felt really tired and under the weather, and she attributed that to S.A.D. At that point I was sure that the subliminal was working.

Anyway, Shannon, you rock!

I can't wait to finish BASE and turn this beast on for at least 6 months.

P.S. By the way, my mother hardly knows any English at all.

[Ivaylo]

P.S. By the way, my mother hardly knows any English at all.

Hey, im interested in this, how much english from 1 to 10 you say she knows?, did she go to classes to learn or learned on her own?.

Im interested because i want to buy stop smoking forever for my mom, but her english is really really not up to par.

I wonder if i teach her with the help of a software like rosetta stone i can get her to the bare minimum for sub use...

Hi, she knows very, very little English - probably around 2 on a scale of 1-10. She went to some mandatory English classes as part of her job (which she didn't really need - she's a math high school teacher). She has had the exposure to the information, but it definitely didn't stick. Even 2 on a 1-10 scale can seem a bit high.

Since you're thinking of giving her a 5G sub, I'll tell you my mother ran EPRHA 1.0 for about 18 months before switching to the new one. In this time, although our relationship and my perception of her changed significantly - I could never really tell if it was a result of her subliminal or solely due to my own growth.

What I saw yesterday though - there was no doubt in my mind that this was her own change.

Still, the core script of 2.0 also received a huge upgrade, so I don't really know how much of a difference 5.5G made and how much of it was just the additional scripting. That technique Shannon has for filling people with love in order for them to get healed - I think that was what I was observing, and that's not in the 1.0 script.

[Ivaylo]

I truly have no idea whether to be discouraged, excited or just plain dumbfounded right now.

Just had a talk with a potential investor. When he learned that my startup has a brainwave entrainment component to it (which he didn't know what it was)... he basically flat out told me that he considered it very unlikely that such a technology existed. I offered to show him in practice... but he was having none of it, lol.

When we parted later, he told me that if I could prove to him that this technology worked (which in his case meant plenty of research data, etc.) he would invest in my startup without thinking. He even implied that he would be willing to invest a lot more money than he would under most conditions, which in his case... definitely caught my awareness.

Now, the bizarre part was that I never considered this technology by itself to be so attractive (since there are plenty of people making BWE products), but I guess this is how it is.

I'll have to suspend my years of using BWE products and try to "prove" using data that it works. Critical thinking is not the best asset I have. Fortunately, I know enough sceptics who would love to poke holes in any research I throw at them. Without them, I wouldn't even know how to begin to prove to somebody something that I experientially know as true.

[Ivaylo]

I managed to identify the investor I talked to as an ISTJ (Myers-Briggs type). Did some reading at some MBTI discussion forums and found out that, in general, ISTJs may appear to be opinionated and know-it-alls, but they're actually pretty willing to change their opinions when new facts are presented.

Now, of course, every word in that last sentence is a generalization, but it also gives me perspective on how to approach our next and final meeting.

Yours truly, on the other hand... I'm an ENTP. Completely different way of thinking... way more open-minded and... well, out-there. He asked me "Why do you think it hasn't been done thus far?" and I stared at him with disbelief for what feels like eternity, only to find out he wasn't joking. For me, this was an opportunity... for him it seemed like a red flag.

I was hoping to have a rational, honest talk with him, since we would eventually be working together, but I guess it'll have to be like any other sales context. I'm beginning to think that all of life takes place in a sales context and I better get used to that.

In other news:
I'm taking a half-day off for myself for the first time in more than a month. It feels weird to be passively resting without my mind racing through new ideas. I'm not sure I like it, but my body seems to need it.

I meditate for an hour on most days, but this feels different. Almost as if I want to get bored with not doing anything. One night is all it's going to take, so let's see how that works out.

[chaosvrgn]

I managed to identify the investor I talked to as an ISTJ (Myers-Briggs type). Did some reading at some MBTI discussion forums and found out that, in general, ISTJs may appear to be opinionated and know-it-alls, but they're actually pretty willing to change their opinions when new facts are presented.

Now, of course, every word in that last sentence is a generalization, but it also gives me perspective on how to approach our next and final meeting.

Yours truly, on the other hand... I'm an ENTP. Completely different way of thinking... way more open-minded and... well, out-there. He asked me "Why do you think it hasn't been done thus far?" and I stared at him with disbelief for what feels like eternity, only to find out he wasn't joking. For me, this was an opportunity... for him it seemed like a red flag.

I was hoping to have a rational, honest talk with him, since we would eventually be working together, but I guess it'll have to be like any other sales context. I'm beginning to think that all of life takes place in a sales context and I better get used to that.

In other news:
I'm taking a half-day off for myself for the first time in more than a month. It feels weird to be passively resting without my mind racing through new ideas. I'm not sure I like it, but my body seems to need it.

I meditate for an hour on most days, but this feels different. Almost as if I want to get bored with not doing anything. One night is all it's going to take, so let's see how that works out.

I've studied the MBTI and Jung's cognitive functions for years now. Wouldn't say I'm an expert, but I have pretty much integrated it into my life with much success.

I identify as INTP, and I find ISTJ's the WORST to deal with on matters like these. They claim they're so malleable, but I've never met one that wouldn't just outright reject new ways of doing things no matter how hard you try. I've had two ISTJ managers in my career, and being completely honest, I'm so tired of dealing with them that I exited the corporate workplace to become an entrepreneur. Pretty much, the only way I could get anything new approved is if I just took a risk and did it without their approval and went over their head with the results.

The issue is, they usually end up landing in management because they're so good at following routine, and they ALWAYS honor their word. As *NTPs, we're heady, idea people. We bounce ideas off other people as a means of discussion -- STJ's often take that as us making a promise, and when we "break" it, they think we're lazy or something.

In my business -- which has been quite profitable -- I deliberately partnered with an ENTJ as my main investor, and have recently added two INTJ's for execution. I'm courting an ISFJ now -- her job will be to inspect our work for errors, and also execution of minor plans.

[Ivaylo]

I've studied the MBTI and Jung's cognitive functions for years now. Wouldn't say I'm an expert, but I have pretty much integrated it into my life with much success.

I identify as INTP, and I find ISTJ's the WORST to deal with on matters like these. They claim they're so malleable, but I've never met one that wouldn't just outright reject new ways of doing things no matter how hard you try. I've had two ISTJ managers in my career, and being completely honest, I'm so tired of dealing with them that I exited the corporate workplace to become an entrepreneur. Pretty much, the only way I could get anything new approved is if I just took a risk and did it without their approval and went over their head with the results.

The issue is, they usually end up landing in management because they're so good at following routine, and they ALWAYS honor their word. As *NTPs, we're heady, idea people. We bounce ideas off other people as a means of discussion -- STJ's often take that as us making a promise, and when we "break" it, they think we're lazy or something.

In my business -- which has been quite profitable -- I deliberately partnered with an ENTJ as my main investor, and have recently added two INTJ's for execution. I'm courting an ISFJ now -- her job will be to inspect our work for errors, and also execution of minor plans.

Awesome stuff!

I appreciate a lot of what you shared! I've never done anything besides entrepreneurship (and I seem to mostly attract *NTP/*NFP friends... and INFJs) so that was my first encounter with that particular way of thinking.

I know for a fact, though, that after I secure financing, I won't have to deal with him a lot. That's what keeps me going.

The other thing is that "honoring their word" thing. He already gave me his word that if I bring evidence that this technology works, I'll have "no problem getting financed". That's why I've lined up one of my very few ISTJ acquaintances (heavy I, heavy T) to critique the arguments I've prepared for my next meeting.

Definitely though... without MBTI, I would be totally lost right now.

[4Kingdoms]

Just out of curiosity...
How do you find out what Myers-Briggs type is the person you are interacting with??
Are you asking them, is it from observing them, do they just volunteer this without you having to ask?

I admire you for using this information to your advantage.
Did you memorize all the Myers-Briggs types, or do you look it up when you need to?

[Ivaylo]

Just out of curiosity...
How do you find out what Myers-Briggs type is the person you are interacting with??
Are you asking them, is it from observing them, do they just volunteer this without you having to ask?

I admire you for using this information to your advantage.
Did you memorize all the Myers-Briggs types, or do you look it up when you need to?

I'm definitely only observing them, no asking. And for me, it is as much about the different functions of MBTI as it is about how they interact together.

My thought process for this particular investor went something like this:
- This guy has very little to no appreciation for abstract thought - definite "S"
- Suspicious of new ideas - definitely an "SJ" (that's how S and J together tend to interact)
- Straight-forward and blunt in his communication - definitely a "T" --> STJ

From this point, it could either have been ESTJ or ISTJ. Now, an ESTJ would try to bully me into accepting that his point of view is correct. (since Extroverted Thinking would be primary and Introverted Sensing would be secondary)
An ISTJ, on the other hand, would still not accept my point of view easily, but he would withdraw from the conversation when he disagrees with me.

At that point I realized the latter thing was what I saw him do during our convo... and there I had it.
I'm still relatively new to MBTI, so I can still only do it by reflecting on a past situation, but I seem to have enough incentive to get better at it and start doing it in real time.

[chaosvrgn]

The other thing is that "honoring their word" thing. He already gave me his word that if I bring evidence that this technology works, I'll have "no problem getting financed". That's why I've lined up one of my very few ISTJ acquaintances (heavy I, heavy T) to critique the arguments I've prepared for my next meeting.

The problem you're going to run into is the fact that your ISTJ friend will be judging your arguments based on his or her experience -- it's not like they all think exactly the same, it's just that they rely on the same cognitive functions to navigate through the world. Like, my INTP friends are nothing like me -- we have completely different views on things, but you'll find that we dissect and frame our arguments in the same manner. Not saying your colleague can't help, just a heads up to a fellow entrepreneur.

I've had to present hundreds of presentations to ISTJ's and can give a few pointers that you probably already know. Stay away from the realm of the abstract -- rely HEAVILY on facts, figures and results. Frame your company as a traditional company: introduce the team and their experience, show a clear hierarchy and a division of duties. Most of all, show exactly how the project will come to completion -- like a timeline or something like that. They won't care how creative your project is, ONLY what the practical end result will be (I know, infuriating for an NT because we often shoot at the hip). Everything will have to be formalized and standardized.

Happy hunting.

[apollolux]

As an ISTJ (at least when I took the test before starting ASC) I'd like to clear up one misconception here. It's less about "not accepting" new ideas that conflict with preexisting ones and instead way more about requiring some tangible proof and needing some time to process when presented with some.

Is this guy's withdrawal when disagreeing with you happening when presented with any sort of evidence that conflicts with a preexisting idea or belief? If so, it's almost certainly so that he can allow himself an opportunity to absorb it, process it, and work through it to see if it holds up against other internal proof to the contrary, and if it indeed holds up he'll almost certainly be swayed to your position, but only if you don't try to ram it down his throat like you're preaching an "unquestionable" religion or something.

I assure you, if your research/evidence/proof/etc is solid you will almost certainly have the loyalty of this guy and he may even become a customer himself; it's what led me to sell Cutco knives ten years ago and led me to subliminal audio last year as a means of delivering positively motivational messages.

[Ivaylo]

The problem you're going to run into is the fact that your ISTJ friend will be judging your arguments based on his or her experience -- it's not like they all think exactly the same, it's just that they rely on the same cognitive functions to navigate through the world. Like, my INTP friends are nothing like me -- we have completely different views on things, but you'll find that we dissect and frame our arguments in the same manner. Not saying your colleague can't help, just a heads up to a fellow entrepreneur.

I've had to present hundreds of presentations to ISTJ's and can give a few pointers that you probably already know. Stay away from the realm of the abstract -- rely HEAVILY on facts, figures and results. Frame your company as a traditional company: introduce the team and their experience, show a clear hierarchy and a division of duties. Most of all, show exactly how the project will come to completion -- like a timeline or something like that. They won't care how creative your project is, ONLY what the practical end result will be (I know, infuriating for an NT because we often shoot at the hip). Everything will have to be formalized and standardized.

Happy hunting.

Thanks! Every bit of advice you shared is much appreciated!

I assure you, if your research/evidence/proof/etc is solid you will almost certainly have the loyalty of this guy and he may even become a customer himself; it's what led me to sell Cutco knives ten years ago and led me to subliminal audio last year as a means of delivering positively motivational messages.

Hey, thanks for providing the alternative view!

What you said is basically what I'm betting on. And I have to admit, I'm getting quite a bit more grounded in my assertions as I'm preparing for this interview. Which is actually freeing instead of limiting. (that Enneagram 7 again)

Anyway, I may have this guy's loyalty once he is convinced, but in my experience loyalty can be easily misplaced, just like open-mindedness can. When it comes to start-ups and innovation though, it just seems smarter for me to err slightly on the side of open-mindedness and deal with the consequences.

That's why I have another investor lined up. Although I haven't interacted with him yet, I'm hearing that he might be easier for me to work with.

[Ivaylo]

I contacted a high-ranking academic, specializing in neurology and neurophysiology from my country and offered him a consultancy gig in exchange for 0.5% of my company. I described my start-up in detail and he agreed to a live meeting.

Based on a few TV interviews, I had him pegged as an ISTP beforehand. Talking with him goes so much smoother, compared to the potential ISTJ investor. It's a small wonder to me how much difference this one letter can make.

[Ivaylo]

Some weird, weird stuff is going on with my parents. My mother is off Xanax, seems much calmer and doesn't complain about anything when I ask her "how are things", my father is significantly less hyperactive and intrusive when talking to me... yet both of them claim they're not noticing any changes.

Which begs the question - is that how we go running around, not appreciating most of our progress? Maybe some of us may have better ability for introspection, but still, fascinating stuff.

Not the only case of that happening, by the way, but it's rare for me to make someone use subliminals and I'm surprised every single time.