Twisting Turning Through the Never [GCN-8]

23 Mar 2010

Twisting Turning Through the Never [GCN-8]

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What are Ides?

It’s 10:56…Tuesday the 23rd of March, and there I was…drinking Blue Moon like it was on sale (it was).

I thought I’d be dramatic because I didn’t have anything else to planned and I hoped that a post would come out of nowhere and save me.

Nope…still no post idea.

Dammit.

Maybe I should talk about American Idol and my new favorite: Siobhan Magnus…rocking name for a chick.

Simon is pretty cool too…never afraid to speak his mind, nor the truth.

Interesting idea there, speaking your mind and speaking the truth.

Do they go together? When you speak your mind do you feel like you’re speaking the truth?

I know in the past few days, that I’ve spoken my mind, both on the high side and the low side.

On one hand, I spoke what I thought to be true at the time, and I’m glad I said it. I still think it was true. I still believe in what I said.

I also know that I caved a bit and posted a bit of a punk ass retraction. Sort of a cop out…but I wanted to try and build a bridge back from where I stood. But then, several hours later, I realized that where I stood was pretty cool, and I had a group of people like you standing there with me.

Kind of a cool feeling…jumping to a flaming piece of rock in the middle of a lava storm and realizing that your friends have jumped with you.

Like the show Lost…we decided to do our own thing and damn the torpedoes…screw what everyone else thinks and the lives they lead…we’re doing it the way we want to.

And that’s why I’m super pumped to be here with you today.

I talked to a really cool guy on the phone today (Skype) and we talked like we’d known each other for years. No awkwardness, no disagreement…just flow. That was cool too.

My point is that it’s fun to draw lines, not to separate yourself, but to find more time to hang out with people that flow.

All of you have it, and I’m grateful. In fact, I think I’ve talked to almost all of you either via Skype, Twitter, or email. If I haven’t, please do reach out to me: nathan@nathanhangen.com

I think that’s pretty cool.

So anyway, I think I finally found my rhythm, thanks to some cool Oleg Mokhov jams, and I’m ready to talk about what I wanted to talk about, which is the psychology of working in isoloation.

You know, I’ve had no less than 30 jobs in my 31 years, and most of them sucked. I mean they really…really…sucked.

McDonalds (not bad actually)

Kenny Rogers

Yale Windows

Kroger

A job where I pressed buttons all day and I can’t remember the name

Books and Company

Pet Supplies Plus

Scott’s Lawn Care

Lexis Nexis

and that’s just the start…

Anyway, in each job or position, I had at least one person I could talk to on a daily basis…in person, live, unfiltered.

It was nice.

Now, working in my home office, the closest I get to most people on a daily basis is on Twitter, Skype, or Email. Most of the time, we chat…no voice…lots of filters.

And as I think about that effect on myself, I wonder what the global implications are…when you have hundreds of thousands of online entrepreneurs that spend each and every day in isolation…dealing with personal demons…internet demons, and lifestyle demons.

If someone calls us on something…we can unfollow them. Not so in real jobs.

If we have a problem and we want to talk…we can do that in a real job…not so much online.

At Lexis Nexis we had a water cooler and a smokers area…same in the Army. Online we have Twitter…not quite the same.

It just really makes me wonder what we’re doing to ourselves in the long-term…taking part in what seems awesome at first; working in our underwear (who doesn’t do it?)…sitting at a desk by ourselves with a Twitter screen open and a bunch of RSS feeds in front of us.

It’s easy to get sucked in to the drama. It’s easy to take things the wrong way. It’s easy to hide from what we don’t like. It’s easy to snipe at people.

I don’t have an answer to this, and I think we’re just getting started…it might get worse. What’s your take…what role does working at home play in the psychology of our relationships and our personal lives?

Take Up Your Arms!

I have this idea, which is that we all become Kings. We each rule a part of the empire, and each of us makes our part of the world a better place. And I don’t say this the way other people mean it, which is that it’s a cool catchy tagline that sells shit…I mean it in a way that we all actually become successful enough to build our own kingdoms.

I mean it in a way that we all achieve our dreams and in turn help others do the same.

I mean it in a way that you can ask me to go to war for you with my kingdom, and I’m there…I’ve got your back.

I think there’s far too much talk of action and dreaming, but far too little of the actual action and dreaming.

Let’s talk about what it really takes to build an empire…

An Emperor (could be anyone)

Kings (you and I)

A warchest (our businesses build those)

The balls to stand for something and accomplish it (who’s got em?)

That’s really it…we just have to decide to band together and kick some freaking ass…

You’re here…so you obviously want to kick some ass, so where do we start?

We start by coming together as early and as often as possible.

Fi is with me…I know this.

Martine is with me…I’m talking to you Friday.

CJ and I are like old war buddies.

Dave D is like an assassin…he’s a bad ass mofo

Oleg is on it

Joe is getting ready to rumble…I know this

The rest of you are awesome, but I want to talk with you more.

Let’s start working some magic and conquering this realm…I’m serious.

If I can’t work with you on a project, I want to make your project beat ass. I want you to beat ass. I want to see you beat ass.

Is that too much ass beating? Never.

We’re like the 300 Spartans, only smaller and more awesome.

What are you doing? How can I help? What do you think about what I’m doing? Want to help? Know anyone that wants to join the party? Let’s get going folks…the worlds waiting to be conquered.

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http://twitter.com/alltop_blogging/status/10965508050 Alltop

Protected: Twisting Turning Through the Never [GCN-8] http://bit.ly/cXM5S5 Blogging.alltop
http://josephratliff.com JosephRatliff

LOL…it's 10:56pm…and the creativity is flowing for sure Nate.

Great conversation on Skype today, I sure as hell enjoyed it. I think the global problems we identified (and ironed out) could be great content for…well…

“Spartans! Tonight, we dine in h$!! ”
http://cliffjump.net/ tobias tinker

Dude. Your energy is palpable – very intense, I like that, I feel like that quite a bit these days. Even though I'm a pretty peaceful guy and talk of war makes me nervous, I am pretty sure it's just a metaphor – after all, you have been much closer to war than I ever hope to be, so I'm guessing maybe you're not all that enthusiastic about it either (you're a Buddhist, aren't you?).

And in the metaphorical sense, I'm on the same planet – I have a vision for something bigger than me that I will have to work harder than I've ever worked before to build, and I'll need support from people doing likewise. So if this is that kind of club, I'm in.
http://www.mikeslife.org Mike CJ

You said to me at the start of this year that you were going to be more edgy. And you have been!

I don't think working at home is the issue, it's the type of communication we have. First of all it's remote, so you can be much more aggressive without risking being punched, secondly you can craft each response in isolation so the other party can't interrupt, and thirdly the receiver will then interpret the response they way they want to, without clues like body language. It's a recipe for mis communication that's played out daily.

I've gone the other way. Where I would once argue a point in comments with people, and go back and forth for ages on it, I just don't bother any more. It was using too much of my time, and putting me in a bad mood. I decided recently to focus my efforts on the people who want my help and advice, rather than trying to convert those who don't.

Maybe that makes me a Prince rather than a King?
http://twitter.com/nhangen/status/10977065526 Nathan Hangen

#Webrepreneur Protected: Twisting Turning Through the Never [GCN-8]: There is no excerpt because t.. http://bit.ly/bRko1H
http://www.magicdudemarketing.com/ Tim Zager

Remember the movie 'Network'? “I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!” That phrase has been stuck in my head for about a week. It's almost spooky you're talking about about this Nathan. I have gotten to a point of disgust about how things are going. I still get flack from my “friends” about how insane I am for striking out on my own during this economy. I'll admit it scares the hell out of me, but I am NOT going back to the cubicle farm!!

It has been 8 months since I left corporate America to build my empire. I'm a social person, the kind who can't sit in a cubicle more than 20 minutes before I have to get up and just say Hi to someone or take a walk around the floor. What a shock to lose all that, sitting in my home office. I no longer have the luxury of being encouraged by my peers. Frankly, I'm slipping and wonder about my value more and more. Maybe I need it though, because it *is* making me more determined to be successful as an entrepreneur. I'm lucky to be stubborn enough to refuse the alternative!

When I “discovered” Mike CJ (through Jimi Jones) I immediately knew he was the kind of guy I wanted to hang out with and learn from. Then I read BB and learned a lot about you, Nathan. How cool knowing someone who has such a strong sense of business and also drinks beer. Then came Risley and joining his BMC where I see Fiona jumping in to answer everyone's questions on the forum. Damn, these are the people I want to grow with! And now, with the BPP, it's all starting to come together. I was pumped to be able to get closer to Jordan because I can relate to his background. I have performed as a magician off an on for 20 years. I'm also goofy as hell when I feel comfortable around people.

Well, I'm babbling, but I want you all to know how grateful I am to be part of this community and I'm excited about doing big things. Thank you Nathan for your willingness to help!
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

Very cool to hear that full story. It's funny how things work out sometimes!

Great to hear you keep on keeping on…it's definitely hard, and part of the problem with being on your own is you 2nd guess yourself much more often. In my experience though, once you get that first taste of what you can become, which might be happening for you right now, you realize that it's meant to be and there's no looking back.

Glad to have you in the Empire Tim
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

Well, my problem lately has been time, so it seems the only time I write is when I'm really fired up…I guess edgy is the product of that

I like what you said about where to focus your energy…which is something I'm trying to do right now. I already don't have time to read a lot of my favorite blogs, but now I find myself wasting time in conversations that I don't need to be in in the first place.

As for the middle paragraph there, you've got some great points, and lack of body language is huge. This is especially true if I'm feeling a certain way and it affects the way I interpret language from someone via text or email. There is a filter, but it's one way and it's skewed.
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

Thanks man, I'll take that

Yeah, although you and I are probably on the opposite side of the fence in terms of war (I'm not pro-war, but I think sometimes it is necessary), in this case it's more of a metaphor for taking on a common enemy, be it an establishment, idea, or gatekeeper.

I am Buddhist in belief, but my practice is far behind.

Awesome to have you in the Empire my friend
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http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

haha, Miller Time right? I told you how it works…and I didn't disappoint!

I might just go and watch 300 today.
http://www.babystepstofluency.com/ Fiona Verschoor

I like beating ass. Ruling the world too.

I'm with you on this one, Nathan.
http://website-in-a-weekend.net/ Dave Doolin

We're protected here, right?

Good. I'm going to be a dick: “Welcome to my world.”

My kingdom is very small. It's just me. For now. My friend Deacon has his own kingdom too. As does my friend “5am” (don't ask).

But…

(and this is critical)

Most people can't even be their own king. They are totally ruled by external pressures.

Being a King of one is infinitely better than not being a king in a kingdom of none.
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

I like that, and yes, we're protected.

I don't think being honest is being a dick at all…and as a King of 1, at least you aren't bound to any peasants
http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

How'd I know you'd say that?
remarkablogger

Right on, bro. (That's all I have to say.)
http://website-in-a-weekend.net/ Dave Doolin

Mike, I just want to steal your 3 points and spin an article out of them.

I won't, I have 80 drafts as it is, but you have a spiffy little article in the making with that comment. I copy comments like this to posterous, private.
http://www.mikeslife.org Mike CJ

Go ahead Dave – will look forward to reading it!
http://www.mikeslife.org Mike CJ

Go ahead Dave – will look forward to reading it!
http://hotblogtips.com/ Keith Bloemendaal

I am still building my “kingdom” now. I find it is much harder to dominate in the “blogging” niche, but I am slowly finding my kings (yeah, I AM the Emperor of my kingdom!) as well as my soldiers.

When you finally start putting out products, you find out who the real Kings and Soldiers are in your Kingdom. I would much rather have “300″ ass beating soldiers then a million wannabes!
http://keithbloemendaal.com Keith Bloemendaal

I am still building my “kingdom” now. I find it is much harder to dominate in the “blogging” niche, but I am slowly finding my kings (yeah, I AM the Emperor of my kingdom!) as well as my soldiers.

When you finally start putting out products, you find out who the real Kings and Soldiers are in your Kingdom. I would much rather have “300″ ass beating soldiers then a million wannabes!