On Action Leading and Passing the Test

27 Jan 2010

I’ve been thinking a lot about what’s wrong with our industry. Some of you might wonder what I mean when I say that, and here’s my thought…

We’re recycling the same thoughts over and over again. We’re not reaching out often enough. We’re not stretching our thoughts into the beyond. We’re not breaking enough boundaries and tearing down enough walls.

There’s this thing going on that bothers me…we’re cannibalizing our industry. A-Listers are selling to B-Listers, and B-Listers are looking for new C-Listers to sell to so that they can become an A-Lister…but here’s the thing:

If you rely on keeping someone down in order to get up, then your business has no soul. And if you rely on helping others move up so that you can too, well then everyone is going to be an A-lister and we’re still going to be stuck in the same paradigm.

Maybe I see this only because I spend a lot of time in the blogging niche, but I’ve also noticed in the lifestyle design industry as well.

Rather than use your mad blogging skills to teach others how to do it (aren’t there enough courses already?), why not use them to teach businesses how to do it? Why not use it to attract power to something important…a cause of your choice.

If you’re a lifehacker, instead of teaching everyone else how to hack life (is it really possible or is that just a cool phrase to use?), why not hack your life to bits until you learn some really groundbreaking. Show us that you do it instead of just telling us about it.

Lead with Action

I see far too many people leading with words instead of with action. You should be a thought leader, but it’s your actions that do the real talking.

I don’t look at what you say…I only look at what you do.

I refuse to believe that everyone’s goal is to become a pro blogger. I do believe that everyone in the blogging niche has true goals outside of it that they let slide because blogging seems like such an easy option.

Don’t settle for the easy road. Take your true path and show me how I can take mine.

The Synergy of Ideas

Something happened to me…this urge just sort of kicked in.

There’s more to it than that though, because yesterday I saw a handful of posts all echoing similar things in manners unique to each blogger. Coincidence?

I also noticed that Seth Godin’s book launched yesterday and after studying the material I realized that it echoes these thoughts as well. Coincidence?

I don’t think so…

My Promise to You

There is a storm brewing in the air, and although I’m unsure of what is to come, I am sure of one thing.

I’m done with this game. I’m going to level up.

Instead of following everyone else’s example, I’m going to try and create my own.

Instead of learning and following the rules, I’m going to break them.

Instead of taking part in the creation of new gatekeepers, which is really what we’re doing, I’m going to keep knocking them down.

I want to lead a thought revolution, and I’m asking you to join me at the front.

How?

It’s trendy to be trendy, let’s stop trying.

It’s cool to take part in these group hugs on Twitter, but is that really what people need? Don’t we need to challenge people…and shouldn’t they challenge us?

Follow someone that disagrees with you and engage in passionate discourse. Disagree with someone on a blog post instead of replying every time with “great post.” I said it in Saturday’s post and I believe it.

Not everything is brilliant.

Morality is more than just a code of what’s good and evil. It is also a code of how honest you are with yourself. Make a promise not to deceive yourself or others.

I love my own ideas enough to be overly subjective…we need your objectivity. We need your clarity. We need your passion. Let’s make it happen, together.

The Test

I have a confession to make…

I used my blog and my guides to test you. I wanted to see how many were willing to offer support in more than words. You’re here because you passed the test and somehow, at some point…I earned your trust. I’m humbled by that.

Don’t get me wrong…there are no hidden agendas. I simply wanted to make what I believe to be great content and then see how many would really be willing to pay for it because sometimes, free information is worth only what you pay for it…at no fault of the information, but because it isn’t implemented.

You’ve paid to be here, so I’m assuming you’ll take it more seriously than someone would that didn’t.

Instead of giving ideas away for free and allowing people to pick them up and throw them on the ground…instead of using them…I’ve decided to be selective with some of my most important information. This isn’t to say that I’m brilliant or that I can offer you more than anyone else can…I’m simply saying that I want to reward people for supporting both my project and the ideas behind them. As such, you deserve my best, and I’m going to give it to you here, as often as I can.

My Inspiration

I’m thankful for people like James Chartrand and Jonathan Fields for blazing this trail. I took their ball and I’m going to run with it as far as I can. Can you take mine and do the same?

This may not be for you, and that’s cool. I’m sure I’ll sound like a wack job to half of you, and I accept that. If it is, let’s make something magical happen.

Regardless, I want to hear your thoughts. Do you love it or hate it?

Should I do more or less of this? How do you feel about the state of the industry, and is the situation as dire as I believe it is? Let’s talk…

-Nathan

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Keith Bloemendaal

The best part about being here (protected area) to me is that I get even more ideas that gives me more to work on! Reading this post, just one line gave me an idea for a project! Love it you frickin' "whack job!"

I think people really miss actually getting ideas, maybe they can't think for themselves, I don't know. But, I get ideas all the time! Sometimes it could be just a simple line in an article that sparks the idea, and the outcome usually has nothing to do with the original idea, but that is the process for me when I am brainstorming!

Thanks man!
Nathan Hangen

That's awesome man, glad you're getting something out of it. Going to be raising the price soon and doing more stuff here...those details will come tonight when I get back from dinner.

I can't wait to see what new things you're cooking up. Sounds like you're on fire!
mortgage411

Fantastic thoughts. I'm with you and "all in".
JosephRatliff

I totally agree with you on this Nathan.

The Internet has made a ton of "free" information available, and that "free" information has created an entitlement attitude unfortunately.

And "free" in quotes because I don't believe that free is always free. One example, "free" can lead you down a road of misinformation and wasted time depending on the source.

I like what you're doing here Nathan, and support the cause myself (I help business owners use the internet to generate leads and increase profits).

I'm a supporter, keep it up Nathan.
Mike CJ

I like this. You're not alone in this, but you're quite a way ahead of some of us. We need help to catch up.
Nathan Hangen

We're all in this one together, thanks for coming along Mike. I'm still trying to figure the logistics out, but I think that together, we can change the world. I really mean it.
Jimi Jones

I like the outlook you have.
There is a definite need for a shift in thinking on the net. This whole expectation of free thing is hampering the efforts of many. I blog to build a brand and gain some recognition for future endeavors, but most of the readers that visit will likely not become customers/clients anyway.

Those that think beyond the confines of the norm will be in the best position to prosper later. It is sort of a left-handed way of gaining separation but this can be a good thing.
Nathan Hangen

Jimi, thanks, really. I worry sometimes that I'm alone in this, but that's just me being afraid to be myself.

I appreciate you being here and more than that, sharing your opinion. We're going to need many of them to get to where we need to be.
Jimi Jones

That's what it's all about, sharing ideas and finding a decent path to move forward in a rewarding way. You are not alone in this line of thinking. ;-)
remarkablogger

I was reading similar thoughts by Mark Dykeman over at broadcasting-brain.com/2010/01/26/maybe-every-thought-aggregates/. You're definitely not alone. The whole incestuous circle-jerk of meta-blogging and marketing to marketers can jade you pretty quickly.

Thing is, there are people out there trying to make it work and they're struggling hard. They don't have a clue about blogging or social media. They need our help badly. I'm working on projects to try and reach these people.

I like what you're doing here, Nathan. Keep it up man.
Nathan Hangen

Thanks for the feedback Michael, I was hoping to hear from you.

You're right, there are a lot of people that need help. Your one of the guys helping without selling your soul, and it shows.

I don't know how I came to this, but it came suddenly and without a path back...I'll be honest...I'm going to do a lot of testing like this over the next year to see what new things we can discover. Most of the future for me is uncertain, but one thing that is certain is that I'll be spending much more time with my active supporters than those that go wherever the free is.
remarkablogger

Well, that makes terrific sense, as relationships are a two-way street and
free-hunters can be parasitic.