Progress Report: Returning From a 10 Day Silent Meditation Retreat and What I've Learned!

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Updated 8 years ago

Just got back from a 10 day silent meditation retreat and currently reintegrating back into the affiliate marketing grind!

We meditated for 10 hours a day every day and although we're just sitting there meditating, it was probably one of the most difficult experiences I have ever gone through. However, it was equally just as rewarding.

Think of it like a boot camp for your mind. The technique we were taught can be described like a surgical operation on your psyche with no anesthesia. It's designed to change the habit patterns of your brain so that you stop reacting and start observing.

For example: Someone insults you and makes you angry. Your REACTION is to insult them back, making the fire of negativity even bigger. However, once you change the habit patterns of your brain, you become an observer of the reality and accept it as it is without reacting. An observer would first become aware that he/she has been insulted by an individual. The observer feels the sensation of anger within the body and simply becomes aware. "I am feeling the sensation of anger". Then from there, the observer would be able to calmly assess the situation and give a response that would diffuse the problem, knowing fully well that the feeling of anger will pass and that's all it will ever be: just a sensation.

What have I learned from this meditation technique and how does it influence my success as an affiliate marketer?

After meditating for 100 hours in 10 days, I have come to truly understand the saying "You reap what you sow".

Basically, the more work you put in, the more you are rewarded for your efforts. Getting started in anything that you want to succeed at is the hardest part!

The key here is to stick it out and accept your failures as stepping stones to success. The first 20 hours of meditating were so difficult that I wanted to just give up and run away. I would get to bed feeling completely worn out and discouraged. However, every new day that came, I got up with a new determination to get through another day. I found out after day 3 that things got A LOT better and this is because I was putting in the work, staying focused and not giving up even when times were tough and even when I felt tempted to quit! My willpower improved dramatically.

When you write a blog post and then feel worn out for the day, write another blog! When you finish 5 lessons through WA and you think you've had enough for the day, do 5 more lessons! This is where the growth happens and sets you apart from everyone else. This is the key to success. As soon as you get to that stage where you start to feel uncomfortable or tired, and yet you keep working anyways, THAT'S where you grow and see results. That's how you will succeed in affiliate marketing.

Another thing I've learned through the meditation technique that I learned is to start becoming an observer rather than a reactor.

If you're writing a blog and you hear your phone ringing, don't react by checking your phone to see who it is. Change the old habit patterns of your brain by catching yourself before you react to the sound of your phone ringing and ignore it! Keep writing your blog and only check your phone AFTER you have finished working or if you're on break. This will allow you to stay focused and get you into a flow state. A powerful flow state will allow to be so absorbed into your work that you'll find 5 hours flew by and you were incredibly productive!

One more thing I learned from this meditation retreat is to CREATE YOUR OWN SCHEDULE!

During the retreat we had a strict schedule to follow every single day and this allowed for an organized day and training the brain to stick to everything on the schedule. I knew what to expect everyday so I wasn't wasting any time thinking about what I was going to do everyday.

Create a weekly schedule for your lifestyle in order to become successful! Literally plan everything you're going to do every single day for the week. Input your work time, eating time, relaxation/break times, family time, affiliate marketing, exercise, errands, chores, etc. Obviously if something unavoidable comes up during a scheduled time, you can always make an on-the-spot adjustment or stay up a little bit later to finish whatever you put off earlier. This will train your brain to be self-disciplined to stick to your commitments and you will value your time more.

An example of one of my daily tasks:

Monday

6:00am Wake Up
6:30am - 7:30am Mediate
7:30am - 8:15am Breakfast
8:15am- 9:00am Get ready for the day (shower, brush teeth, shave, coffee)
9:00am-12:00pm Work on my online business! (Affiliate Marketing)
12:00pm - 12:45pm Lunch and getting ready for the gym
1:00pm- 2:30pm Workout at the gym
3:00pm- 7:00pm Work (day job)
7:00pm-8:00pm Go home, unwind, relax
8:00pm- 11:00pm Work on my online business (Affiliate Marketing)
11:00pm-12:00am Mediate
12:00am-12:15am Get ready for bed; lights out

That's all there is to it! Making lifestyle changes like this will lead to DRAMATICALLY better results on your path to success!

I hope this blog has been of some help to you!

Please leave a comment below if you found this to be interesting or if you have a question! I'd be more than happy to respond.

I wish you all the very best with affiliate marketing. If you have a strong determination to succeed and you remain persistent no matter what happens, then you are bound to be successful!

Thank you,

-S.K.