Nathan Hangen

Recycling Sucks

I’ve been trying to read more. Not because people say that you’re supposed to, but because I feel that it broadens my perspective and expands my thinking.

That’s one of the reasons that I really enjoy reading Chris Brogan’s blog too, because each post is a challenge to my current way of thinking.

What I find interesting though, is that I usually have to read each of Chris’ posts 2-3 times before I fully grasp what he’s trying to say. I’ll admit…it makes me uncomfortable because I like being a quick study, and for quite a long time I couldn’t figure out what the problem was.

Square Peg – Less Square Hole

Then it dawned on me…Chris’ (and others too, he’s just an example) stuff takes time to absorb because it’s different and doesn’t fit within my current framework of knowledge and experience. The reason other content is so scanable and easy to comprehend is because it’s the same thing that everyone else says.

Recycling Sucks

Now what’s scary, is that it feels good to read the same old recycled content over and over again. Not only that, but it feels even better to add more noise to the mix.

I Need Some Air – With Some Oxygen In It

The reason this scares me is because it’s kind of like living in a closed aquarium. At first, the air is good and the view is great, but over time…everything becomes stale…it becomes difficult to breathe until eventually, you run out of oxygen and perish.

As I surf the web every day, I realize that I’m addicted to stale air because it’s easy and it’s quick. In the process though, I’m starving myself of oxygen (good ideas), and worse yet, I’ve started to recycle that stale air and pass it on to others.

I don’t think there are many of us that are completely innocent in this either, which is why I’m blasting out this rallying cry now.

Are You Stealing or Creating?

I know it sounds harsh, but it’s the truth. Many of us borrow ideas until we figure out how to create our own. It’s the “fake it till you make it” mentality, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But at some point, you have to ditch the sidecar and get a vehicle of your own.

Let’s face it, you aren’t Chris Brogan, Seth Godin, or Malcolm Gladwell, and that’s good. They’re great guys, but they put their pants on just like anyone else (well, except for Chris, I’m told his pants just magically jump on in the morning). They cut their teeth the same way you are supposed to, which is by learning, trying new things, and improving. If you don’t challenge yourself by spending time outside of the “box,” then you’ll be stuck recycling the same content that everyone else is.

You Don’t Have to Agree

Do you think that Tim Ferriss is full of shit? Tell him…and if not  him, then blog about it. Just because someone is an “A-List” blogger or celebrity, doesn’t mean that you have to agree with them. Yes, there’s an obvious benefit to being controversial, but aside from that, people respect people that have an opinion. Frankly, I’m tired of sheep, and I’m guilty of being one too!

Make a policy of being honest with both yourself and your readers. If it happens that you’re on the opposite side of an issue than say, Gary Vaynerchuk is, then so be it.

Don’t Take the Easy Path

It’s easy to do what’s…well…easy, but that shouldn’t be your M.O. Do what you know you need to do, and if you have a choice, take the hard road. Yeah, it feels good to read something that re-iterates your own opinion, but what’s the value in that? Read things that challenge your ideas and philosophies. Read books and blog posts that expand your knowledge. Talk with people that have different opinions than you do.

It hurts, but it’s what you need in the long run. Being that I can’t preach what I don’t practice, I’m going to do more of that myself for you here, on this blog. I can’t promise controversy, but I can promise honesty and fresh insight.

You don’t need to know that you need to make a free E-Book or create an email list…at least not from me. There are thousands of others already doing that. Let’s go beyond the status quo, and really shake things up.

So this is my rallying cry, and it’s my challenge to you. Are you game?

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