Dr. Joe Vitale’s Blog

I admit that I’m often slow to join Internet trends.

I was skeptical about e-books and didn’t think they would sell. I was wrong.

I was skeptical about blogs and thought they were all a waste of time. I was wrong.

I’ve been skeptical about social networks, such as Facebook, and their plug-ins, such as Twitter. But I may be wrong about them, too.

Facebook is a social network where people find friends, some from high school and college, and some from just strolling through Facebook itself.

I still don’t see what all the fuss is about, but I went ahead and joined it. When I did, more than forty people were waiting there to become my friends. I don’t know how they knew I would be coming. It was like entering a room and everyone screamed “Surprise!”

Twitter is a 2006 micro-blog which serves one purpose: letting people know what you are doing.

I don’t understand the fascination with it, either, but some heavy hitters and bestselling authors are using it. They type a line, called a “tweet,” about what they are doing. People read it and “follow” them. They are like polite stalkers.

I’m trying Twitter, too. I occasionally send a text message from my phone to Twitter, letting the people who are following me know what I am doing. Earlier I sent a message to Twitter saying, “Writing a post for my blog.”

It’s all very curious.

Why do it?

Why does anyone care?

I don’t know.

Since I was wrong about e-books (I’ve made a fortune from e-books) and later about blogs (I’ve created a responsive list of readers through this blog), then I’m open to the possibility that Facebook and Twitter and other social networks might be of value that I don’t see right now.

I just don’t get it yet.

After all, there’s enough to do with daily emails and daily business. Adding more social networks, more emails, more messages, even if they are designed to create and extend relationships, might be in danger of making more time wasters and superficial relationships.

Again, I just don’t know.

If you do, please comment and let me know.

Thank you.

Ao Akua,

Joe
www.mrfire.com

PS — What are you doing right now?

A team of people including myself — many of which are stars of the movie The Secret — have the noble vision of ending homelessness. Our intent is to get people to rethink the problem, and actually resolve it once and for all. We are doing this in a way that you can win, too. The movement is called Operation YES. YES stands for Your Economic Salvation. See my short video explanation at www.youtube.com/v/wFZ55U3uyqk or by clicking on the below image. And yes, please share this with the world. Thank you.

 A few weeks ago bestselling author Debbie Ford sent me an advance copy of her new book, Why Good People Do Bad Things: How to Stop Being Your Own Worst Enemy.

I’m a big fan of Debbie’s work. Her book, The Dark Side of the Light Chasers, is still one I say is required reading for anyone serious about self-development and expanded awareness.

So when Debbie sent me her new book, I dropped everything to begin it.

And I didn’t stop reading until I finished the book the same day.

It’s powerful, insightful, uncomfortable and wise.

It’s also a masterpiece.

The book makes you look at yourself with glasses that let you see rather than hide.

Most of us can’t admit that we are often our own worst enemy, but that’s what Debbie does best: she gets you to look at your “shadow” – the part of you that you’d rather not let anyone see.

Get this book. Read it. Own your shadow and transform your life.

You can get Debbie’s new book at all book stores or from www.debbieford.com/newbook.php

Go get it.

Ao Akua,

Joe
www.mrfire.com

PS – I’ve never met Debbie but we’ve spoken by phone and shared praise for each other’s works. (She endorsed my book, Zero Limits) I don’t make a dime from plugging her book. I just think it’s the best book of 2008, and you ought to go read it. Now.

 Last Monday a wonderful couple came to our home to claim their one hour consultation with me.

A friend of theirs had purchased one hour of my consulting time (which I don’t do anymore) and gave it to them as a gift for last Christmas. They then made an appointment with my office and waited until the day arrived.

Marj and Paul Barlow were right on time. They smiled big and radiated love and good vibes. Nerissa and I instantly liked them.

We sat around the kitchen table, made small talk for a few minutes, and then I was ready to get down to business.

“How can I help you?” I asked.

Marj looked at me and said words that shook me:

“We’re here just to say thank you.”

I stumbled around for something to say.

Marj went on to explain that they have never gotten as much value from any books or audios or talks as they have gotten from my work.

I still didn’t know what to say.

She went on to say they had heard me speak last year at one of the Austin events. They had their picture taken with me and used it as a vision board. Their goal was to get to spend time with me.

If you look at the photo above (left click on it to enlarge it), you’ll see their vision board picture in it. Their goal did in fact come true.

You have to imagine my predicament:

These people used a $2,500 consultation hour to tell me how grateful they are for my work.

I had to sit there and take it.

On top of that, they gave me books as gifts, including one Marj wrote, The Possible Woman.

For most people, receiving is hard.

It pushes our buttons of deservingness.

It makes us squirm.

It made me squirm, too.

But receiving is part of the flow of life. There’s giving, and there’s receiving. There has to be. It doesn’t work any other way.

I loved my time with Marj and Paul, and count them as new friends in our lives.

Where in your life are you not giving — and where in your life are you not allowing receiving?

Ao Akua,

Joe
www.mrfire.com

PS — In the course of conversation, I mentioned that Nerissa’s birthday was the next day. Well, Paul and Marj sent her flowers. She, too, had to experience receiving. There are lessons here for all of us.

 I buy most of my books from Amazon. But I still love book stores and the adventure of discovering books Amazon didn’t suggest I’d like.

I’m in Austin today and grabbed five books (and a magazine) that I’m very excited about. The photo is of the batch. (Left click on it to enlarge it.)

Let me know if you want to know more about any or all of the titles. They are:

One Great Insight Is Worth a Thousand Good Ideas by Phil Dusenberry

The Brain that Changes Itself by Norman Doidge

The Green Marketing Manifesto by John Grant

The Freedom Manifesto by Tom Hodgkinson

Neuromarketing by Patrick Renvoise and Christophe Morin

The magazine is the Jan/Feb ‘O8 issue of Performing Songwriter with Don Henley on the cover.

Note: This blog post came from my itsy bitsy new baby-top Fujitsu Lifebook U.