How I Got My Heart of Stone
September 24, 2008 by Ryan
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No one quite knows the reason.
It could be perhaps that his shoes were too tight.
It could be his head wasn’t screwed on just right.
But I think that the most likely reason of all
May have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
- Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas
I have been indoctrinated.
I admit it. From the time that I was born, I have been raised with a specific worldview. Primarily, I believe what I believe because I was raised that way and I vote the way I vote because I was raised to vote that way.
Have my ideals been challenged? Definitely. Have I defended my views? Absolutely. But being challenged and defending a worldview when it has been so thoroughly ingrained doesn’t necessarily indicate that you have evaluated and internalized those values. After all, “talking points” are called “talking points” for a reason.
Why do I believe what I believe? Maybe it is because my shoes are too tight! Or worse! Maybe, because I have been raised in such a callous, greed-driven, privileged environment, I am actually heartless? Let’s look at the factors that contributed to my values. Which elements give credence to the criticism that I have been brainwashed, or at least, have a very limited perspective on the world?
My Somewhat Sad Million Dollar Insight
August 4, 2008 by Ryan
Let me first say that I am not a cynical person. In fact, I usually get frustrated by cynicism in people around me. But the other day something dawned on me about some of the most successful businesses out there:
If you want to be rich, find a problem in life that is difficult to fix and sell products & information that people can buy to fool themselves that they are actually doing something!
Get rich. Get out of debt. Lose weight. Be more productive. The list could go on, but the common thread is that these goals take considerable effort to achieve. That difficulty opens the opportunity for tools, tips and programs to help the individual to achieve their lofty aspiration. (Here is where my cynicism comes in) The key here is how the act of buying these products, etc. allow the individual to fool themselves that they are making progress to their goal. Let’s be honest, how many books, products, tools have we bought to help us accomplish our goals? How often has that purchase actually delivered? How many failures were more of a personal failure, or a failure to get down and actually use the product, than an actual failure of the product? It’s a sad realization that most people don’t follow through.
We all know people that will buy every diet book under the sun. It’s easy to get into the trap where we run around picking up this tool and that tool, all while making no real progress! I mean really, how many shovels does it take to dig a hole? People think there is a magic bullet that will do the hard work for them.
Most of the time, it doesn’t matter how good the product is, results ultimately come from effort. Hard work! (Hey there’s a niche, Get People Motivated to Work…oh wait, isn’t that Tony Robbins territory?) I’m not saying more thoughtful, more effective products are just as good as low quality equivalents, but for the customer that implements neither, the quality is irrelevant. (Backhoes make short work of some holes!) Fake gurus and hacks abound and I’m not saying to add to the trash. I am more making an observation of circumstances that provide an abundance of opportunity. So, to come away with something positive from this:
Think of something that is hard to achieve and put together the best tools, products and helps that you can…and realize that you might have repeat customers still looking for the magic bullet product that will do the work for them! 
Thought Provoking Reads
June 12, 2008 by Ryan
I’ve recent run into several great, great, reads. One book. One blog. And one post in particular.
First, the book. I have to admit, when I read the title I thought it was a hokie. The 4-Hour Workweek. In my industry, I see a lot of big promises and many are barely more than complete scams. My skepticism kept me from getting the book for months, even though I had seen the author and the book in several places. What got me to break down and buy it was when I saw someone I knew had it. I don’t even think they were reading it, to be honest, but the simple fact that someone else had it made me give into my curiosity. I’m half way through and now it’s in the running to be my favorite book! I wouldn’t say that I’m ready to move to the 4-hour week, but the reading I’ve done has got me reevaluating how productive I am and how I go about my day. Once I finish the book, I’ll post a more in depth review, but I can already say, buy it!
Scouts, Soldiers & the Internet
November 19, 2007 by Ryan
The internet has opened up so many channels to explore the world and I am definitely one that is very integrated into all of it. So when I got a mass email about a Boy Scout doing his Eagle Project online I didn’t erase it within 3 seconds. Funny enough, the scout’s name is Ryan! He’s put together a site to get people to write letters to soldiers in Afghanistan. Here is the site:
To quote a line from his home page, “Regardless of personal feelings on the war or politics in general, we believe showing our support to our military is just the right thing to do.” I think it’s a great cause and a great idea. My Eagle Scout project was a great experience…different, but still a great learning experience. The cool thing I see is that he got GoDaddy to host the website for free! It reminded me of going to HomeBase to get wood donated for a food drive stand. I remember how nervous I was about asking, so bravo Ryan for getting GoDaddy on board!
Yes, I am an Eagle Scout, so here is my contribution to a fellow scout! Check out the site and send a soldier a note!
