Why all the Rants? [GCN-9]

26 Apr 2010

Why all the Rants? [GCN-9]

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What’s with the rants dude?

I don’t know this for sure, but I suspect that many people (including some of you) wonder why I’ve been so fiery and “pissed off” lately.

I’ll start by saying that the question of me being pissed off is up for debate.

I have this thing that I like to call as bullshit detector, and it is programmed to nag the hell out of me until I call out the bullshit for what it is.

In this case, it sounds like I’m pissed off, but really I’m just speaking my mind.

Some might say that I’m a bit too serious, and that I should be a bit more positive and relaxed.

However, those of you that know me would understand that I’m on a mission, and don’t have a desire to relax until the mission is complete.

Posts like those I published today serve two purposes for me:

1. They allow me to relax by speaking my mind.

When I’m burdened by a thought or a problem, there’s a fire that burns to the core, and it won’t stop until I get it out.

Before blogs, I’d simply send an email or talk to my wife about it, but now that I have a platform from which I can state my position, things like that get posted to the top.

2. They allow me to pick my people.

I could write list posts and linkbait and all that good shit that they tell you to write…and people would love it.

I’d have 50 RT’s and dozens of comments…I’d look like a star, and undoubtedly, my ego would expand.

However, I can’t bring myself to do it, no matter how hard I try. I’ve never been one to play games for the sake of power or for being liked.

I also get fed up with reading the same shit everywhere. I’m frustrated that people don’t take risks with their own content.

I’m frustrated that more people don’t take the hard road. And that’s why I do this.

When I post a piece like I did today, I get to find out who’s not afraid of being unique, and I enjoy that.

Why hide my true colors in order to make friends when I’d be doing a disservice to both myself and them? We’d be wasting each other’s time, and the relationship would be founded on half-truths…hardly the most promising start.

Instead, I can talk to you like I’m talking to my mates at the bar.

If you don’t like my posts, then you probably won’t like me, and if you don’t like me, then you’ll probably hate my products.

More efficient isn’t it? Why waste time with anyone but the true believers?

On the contrary, if you make it through one of my posts and leave a comment, then I know you’re the real deal. I know you get it, and that I can talk to you like I do here…without reservation, subtext, or lies.

Any lame ass post can “go viral,” but are people really reading it, and furthermore, are they taking action because of it?

I judge my success by how closely I live to my own values, and in the changes I can help others make in their own lives.

Social media doesn’t really excite me…not as much as it excites Chris Brogan or Mitch Joel.

Blogging doesn’t really excite me…not as much as it excites Darren Rowse or Yaro Starak.

What excites me is big picture thinking, doing crazy shit, and pushing myself beyond my current set of limits.

This is what drives me to compete in Ironmans, and it’s what drives me to take my blog less seriously by pretending to be an ass in public.

At the end of the day, what I have left is the feeling I get from living my dharma, and from not sacrificing my own ideals or values for the sake of extra attention.

I’m not making any judgments about you…I’m simply sharing the view from where I’m at.

Even though it might not seem like it, I do appreciate each of you, and the fact that you’re here.

It’s kind of like that scene from Jerry McGuire…”who’s coming with me?”
Very few people see the value in really challenging the status quo…that is saying you’re going to act and then actually doing it.

When everyone else bails, we’re still here, sword in hand, steely eyed, and focused on the prize, whatever yours may be.

“For the Empire!”

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Nathan Hangen

GCN-9 is out…it's been a while! Members only http://bit.ly/cEZkHS Want to be a member? It's only 9 bucks http://bit.ly/5adlRE
http://www.babystepstofluency.com/ Fiona Verschoor

Hey Nathan,

I'm sure you've quite a few people that don't like you, with your 'risque' posts and tenancy to make us think.

Who cares? I doubt you want those people around anyways.

I know I for one am sick of recycled content and all the 'safe' stuff. These 'rants' you speak of? Some of my favorite posts. Because most people aren't… brave enough, to state the truth. To really speak their minds.

So yeah, keep it up. Don't change.
http://josephratliff.com JosephRatliff

It's why I decided to facilitate a couple of mastermind groups to open the mind of only 20 – 25 offline and online business owners…and save a little bit of time for selected private clients and my own blog and personal writing projects.

You've said it before about me, now I'm saying it about you Nathan…

Thanks for “keeping it real.”
http://twitter.com/nhangen/status/12910596599 Nathan Hangen

GCN-9 is out…it's been a while! Members only http://bit.ly/cEZkHS Want to be a member? It's only 9 bucks http://bit.ly/5adlRE
http://www.wakeupcloud.com/ Henri J

I for one enjoy your stuff. The straightforward no-bullshit approach is one of my favorites. So hard to find these days!
http://www.mikeslife.org Mike CJ

I know you well enough to know that you're a pretty “extreme” person who's full of energy.

Most of the time I really enjoy the “rants” and I've told you before, they always make me think hard, which is the sign of a great post! It pisses me off that I always have to spend 15 minutes walking around the garden to think through how I'm going to phrase a comment on your site.

But I am going to challenge you back now. Sometimes, only sometimes, there's a bit of a sneer behind them, which can be ugly. And it can detract from what is otherwise a really good message, and that means people miss the real message.

If you really don't want to waste time with anyone other than the true believers, then that isn't a problem. But I think it's worth investing some time in people who could become true believers.
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

Thanks Fiona, glad to see you back in the neighborhood

Thanks for your support, I really appreciate it.
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

I'm going to be doing more of that…the public just wears me out, and I don't like working with people that won't take action. It's depressing.

Thanks for the encouragement man.
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

How have things been in your world lately? Sounds like you've been keeping your head down and your eyes on the prize.
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

Ah yes, sneer. I won't argue that, because most of the time I write posts like that it's with a bit of a chip on my shoulder.

As you know, I'm a very opinionated person, and although it probably hurts my business, there's something comforting about being able to be myself at all times.

I know what you're saying, and I suspect that many of the people this post was aimed at don't even read the blog, so you've got a point.

I'm still working my way through it, but I'm curious if you have an example of someone that isn't a believer but might become one?
http://josephratliff.com JosephRatliff

Well, in the current state of things, only 1 – 3 out of 10 will take real action. It's certainly possible to alter that, but would require the “movement” you and I have spoke of on Skype.
http://www.mikeslife.org Mike CJ

I didn't have anyone in mind to be honest. It was more about thinking that there's a group who will never get there, there's a group who are already there, and there are probably some who just need a little help to clarify their understanding to turn them into believers. Personally I enjoy the challenge of the “conversion” but that may not be your thing.
http://www.wakeupcloud.com/ Henri J

Everything's been rolling on. The flood gates opened after I created my first product, so I've been busy implementing and taking action on the ideas I got.

I've also been forced to enjoy the weather. It's summer-time in Spain. I bet you know all about it from Mike
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

I'm with you. I need to think this over a bit and see how I can do this while still being myself.
http://hotblogtips.com/ Keith Bloemendaal

Did you read your own book (Beyond Blogging), I don't remember seeing a rant in it! There is a side of you that seriously inspires people. Sometimes a swift kick in the ass helps. Don't ever change man…

Trying to add a little of that to my site recently, and to be honest, I feel good about letting out how I really feel about something, because I am sick of the whiners, the ones that want, but don't do. I am getting my battle gear on man!

Just joined today, will have to read the PDF I downloaded this weekend, but I didn't even know this part of your site existed until a couple of days ago….
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

haha, I suppose there aren't any rants in it Maybe I should add some in Beyond Blogging 2?

I like what you're doing, and I think everyone else does too. You're not hiding behind a “persona.”

I'm curious, how did you find out about this part of the site? I'm trying to get the word out a bit more without getting it out too much, if that makes any sense.
http://hotblogtips.com/ Keith Bloemendaal

I was checking out all the stuff in your sidebar, it has had some changes to it and then I noticed this part a day or two ago while I was looking at Blogger Beats and Silo. Thought it was just an eBook and I have been buying a lot of them to see what people are paying/charging for what.. market research, you know?
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

haha, I suppose there aren't any rants in it Maybe I should add some in Beyond Blogging 2?

I like what you're doing, and I think everyone else does too. You're not hiding behind a “persona.”

I'm curious, how did you find out about this part of the site? I'm trying to get the word out a bit more without getting it out too much, if that makes any sense.
http://keithbloemendaal.com Keith Bloemendaal

I was checking out all the stuff in your sidebar, it has had some changes to it and then I noticed this part a day or two ago while I was looking at Blogger Beats and Silo. Thought it was just an eBook and I have been buying a lot of them to see what people are paying/charging for what.. market research, you know?