Bill Phillips.

Mike Ferry.

Scott Adams

Warren Buffett.

Mark Cuban.

Seth Godin

Phil Jackson

And Yes, Tiger Woods.

I have a long list of heroes. Of course, not everyone up there has totally defensible positions on everything, or perfect moral clarity. But, all of them–to a man–are radically different than the people around them. Tim Ferris works for 4 hours. Mike Ferry wants his people to work an honest schedule. Scott Adams writes goals 10x daily. Warren Buffet shops at JC Penny. Mark Cuban sells companies. The dissonance in that list is astonishing.

The Same Behaviors Yield the Same Results.

I’ve got some things I want to accomplish in a relatively short period of time. And right now? I’m doing the same shit ad infinitum. The pull of this society to become mediocre and to conform is the biggest obstacle to progress–which is made by the efforts of individuals. Your peers are probably listless losers. Why emulate them?

I’m not saying to be cruel, but why have more involvement than is necessary with people that are stuck in this world? If you want to make incremental change, people will push you into the hole that they see you in with sarcasm, rejection of the goal (why would anyone want to do that), and all sorts of ad hominem attacks on you (you’ve never done this, why is this time different). People are risk adverse mealy mouthed pack animals, and to be like them is to short change the life you can create.

Don’t Let Anyone Vomit On Your Soul.

Being alone isn’t necessary the lot, but it’s gotta be an acceptable outcome. Needing people to praise you is an insidious control that allows us all to self censor our best contributions. Ryan Holiday recently mused that if his parents were an obstacle to his progress, then even they won’t be permitted to screw with your head. I agree. Bo Jackson said you can’t be a man if you allow other men to tell you how to think.

I had my Damascus experience. I am marginally different than everyone around me. I stand at my desk at work (because I get more done). I blog. But those things? They don’t get me closer to my big damn goals. I’ve got a lifestyle that consumes income, I’m working in an industry that’s imploding.

To be radically different and to seperate yourself from the pack, you gotta commit to radical change. And to hell with anyone that doesn’t agree. My guess is that you’ll attract people that are in sync, and that are making their own pack.

More tomorrow. My mind is full….and I need to see if I can sleep for a few hours.

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