I can always tell when I’ve managed to do something that has scared the Dragon. (Of course, I can’t always tell what I’ve done to frighten him so). Whenever the Dragon starts to feel threatened, he pulls out a new trick, or dusts off an old one that hasn’t been used for a while. This time, it was a brand new one that I haven’t seen before.
This time, he tried to get me to believe I was something I loathe and abhor, a hypocrite. Now hypocrisy is the one thing that I truly despise. (Technically there are more, but none so widespread) Once I feel that you’re a hypocrite, you lose all credibility, respect and as far as I’m concerned, reason for me to pay you any attention whatsoever. I suspect this is why I have such a problem with politicians and “unbiased” reporters.
Why did I start believing this. Well, the Dragon was subtle. He started by playing adverts on the radio for Personal Development seminars, you know the type, come to my free seminar, so I can sell you on my paid stuff without helping people at all. And then, I’ll get them to buy my shit by promising them a magic bullet. Buy this course, you’ll have everything you want with no effort, money will rain down from the heavens and legs will part.
Then I saw an interview on TV with another personal development Guru. He spouted a few cliched banalities and platitudes interspersed with the odd motivational poster quotation. He dressed like a tree-hugging shoeless yoga master. (now I have nothing against tree-hugging shoeless yoga masters, but he wasn’t one, he just dressed that way as part of an image) The whole interview was built around selling himself as this big time motivational speaker, the kind companies hire to speak to their staff in a misguided attempt to make them happier about the fact that they’re getting screwed.
Now, it has come as a huge surprise to me that what I’m running is a personal development blog. Yes I try to couch it as personal development as epic quest, but let’s face it. Talking about how to feel better about decisions, how to make decisions, how to get the procrastination beast to pull a plough, is talking about personal development. I plan on making a living from this site through selling products, affiliate products and eventually, consulting. Am I too just going to give you tastes of what waits behind the $1000 price tag? Am I also going to promise the magic bullet solution?
Am I going to compromise my message, merely to make a buck?
Hell no, and the Dragon fucked up. All he managed to do was make me angry (and you wouldn’t like me when I’m angry).
Here is where I make the declaration. Here is where I take a stand against charlatans, frauds and snake-oil peddlars. Here is where the Dragon learns true fear.
I know there is no magic bullet, and thinking that way allows you to cop out. After all, if you just had the magic formula, you could achieve all your wildest dreams.
I know you are not entitled. Beyond basic human rights, nothing is due you. If you want something, work for it. No-one owes you anything.
I know personal development is fucking hard work.
I know everything requires sacrifice. You can have the job you want, or the house and car, but you may have to sacrifice your chance at a happy marriage. You have to know up front what sacrifices you’re willing to make and where to draw the line, otherwise, you may just find that what you thought you wanted, isn’t what makes you happy.
I know I never want to be called a master, guru or expert. I don’t plan on being any of these things. As soon as I become one, society gives me the right to pass judgement and stop learning. I want to remain a student. Everyone has something they can teach you. The more you learn, the better prepared you are to face the Dragon. If you stop learning, you lose.
I know failure is not measured by how many times you fall, but by how many times you stay down.
I know the Dragon can only be defeated temporarily and the battle will need to be fought repeatedly.
I know that I don’t have all the answers, or all the ways to find the answers, or all the questions. But I’m certain I can find the ones I need.
I know that what works for me, may not work for you. I also know that together we can find what does.
I know that what I am doing is important.
I know I will make a difference.
What do you know?
