We've entered the era of professional wrestling personas. The loudest voice wins, the most outrageous take goes viral, and the biggest personality gets the client.
Man, did I love reading this today. I've also been thinking about this alot. I've retracted the past few months. Went on an unfollowing spree over the past few days and boy was it glorious. I'm overwhelmed and exhausted battling the tidal wave of garbage content out there (and ridiculous WWE-ish personalities). I've started thinking, "Is this what we all need to become to build an audience?" Because I won't do it. I literally can't. Everytime I try to write to match that vibe, I stand up and walk away. And like your friend, I've built a nice little business for myself, quietly and without much fanfare. So it's more proof that it's possible.
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. The people I admire don’t perform. They’re just out in the world being. I do love how social media helps us connect and learn from one another but not at the cost of our authenticity and peace.
Earlier this year, I had a conversation with a friend. I admire Dan Koe. You don't hear him make noise about this or that but when he's in a room it's hard not to notice. That's the level of influence I'm building.
This is such a good point, and I'm extremely hesitant, because I do not want to play in that circus, to be honest. I know that you need to be visible, so just "being" doesn't pay the bills.
Usually it is both being and becoming, you could say. Now, interacting with the system is inevitable. But the way how one does it, e.g. in a more subtle, in a more authentic way, and not dancing in the circus and shouting, that is the challenge.
And I must admit, X is terrible at that, in the way it is structured and sets incentives.
I still try to find my way in substack. And the notes, they also read very twitter-like, I must say. So this is not a good sign, but one needs to break through the noise somehow.
I love the Substack notes so far! Ok maybe except the people that only post about how much they grow on Substack 🙃 I think the Substack crowd is different than X so hopefully it'll remain a positive place!
I call getting away from all that noise building a “quiet business” it doesn’t mean you’re invisible, but it does mean you stay away from all the gimmicks, trends and anything trying to turn you in to something or someone you are not. I teach the quiet business model - and there are a lot of people slowly but surely walking away from all the noise and choosing to find a quieter and more authentic way to show up and do business instead.
Love that, Jenny. I agree. I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t create noise for our business, it’s just how we do it that seems to be changing. And changing for the worse.
Putting the toxic content aside, it's really hard not to get caught up in vanity metrics. No socials sounds like a dream I bet you're a happier person for it Royce!
"Everyone's so busy performing that nobody's actually being."
This is the essence closest to my heart. Life gets inherently lighter once you stop externalizing your driving force and just let it surface gently, from within.
Man, did I love reading this today. I've also been thinking about this alot. I've retracted the past few months. Went on an unfollowing spree over the past few days and boy was it glorious. I'm overwhelmed and exhausted battling the tidal wave of garbage content out there (and ridiculous WWE-ish personalities). I've started thinking, "Is this what we all need to become to build an audience?" Because I won't do it. I literally can't. Everytime I try to write to match that vibe, I stand up and walk away. And like your friend, I've built a nice little business for myself, quietly and without much fanfare. So it's more proof that it's possible.
Hell yeah, Tom. I love to hear that, man. And I don't think it's necessary (as you're proving). It's just required to appeal to the masses, I guess.
The recurring message of “you must be performative” is exactly why I created The Quietly Ambitious.
There is another way.
That’s awesome, Kevin. I think you’re likely on to something…
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. The people I admire don’t perform. They’re just out in the world being. I do love how social media helps us connect and learn from one another but not at the cost of our authenticity and peace.
For sure. Nothing wrong with social. Just weird to have be a WWE wrestler :)
Authenticity is the ultimate value.
Earlier this year, I had a conversation with a friend. I admire Dan Koe. You don't hear him make noise about this or that but when he's in a room it's hard not to notice. That's the level of influence I'm building.
This is such a good point, and I'm extremely hesitant, because I do not want to play in that circus, to be honest. I know that you need to be visible, so just "being" doesn't pay the bills.
Usually it is both being and becoming, you could say. Now, interacting with the system is inevitable. But the way how one does it, e.g. in a more subtle, in a more authentic way, and not dancing in the circus and shouting, that is the challenge.
And I must admit, X is terrible at that, in the way it is structured and sets incentives.
I still try to find my way in substack. And the notes, they also read very twitter-like, I must say. So this is not a good sign, but one needs to break through the noise somehow.
Yeah, notes could go the way of X, but I find the personalities here very different, in a good way.
I love the Substack notes so far! Ok maybe except the people that only post about how much they grow on Substack 🙃 I think the Substack crowd is different than X so hopefully it'll remain a positive place!
I hope so too, I notice a few engagement farming strategies sometimes though from people, so one needs to find the high signal ones :)
I call getting away from all that noise building a “quiet business” it doesn’t mean you’re invisible, but it does mean you stay away from all the gimmicks, trends and anything trying to turn you in to something or someone you are not. I teach the quiet business model - and there are a lot of people slowly but surely walking away from all the noise and choosing to find a quieter and more authentic way to show up and do business instead.
Love that, Jenny. I agree. I’m not suggesting we shouldn’t create noise for our business, it’s just how we do it that seems to be changing. And changing for the worse.
I love this!!
Silence is truly golden.
The shouters and braggers are insecure narcissists.
The quiet ones are boss
I think there’s a lot of truth to that.
I have no insta, no TikTok, no X so I didn't know it was such a scream fest over there. Seems bad for the brain health no?
X is very bad for brain health.
Ma man 🤙🤙
Putting the toxic content aside, it's really hard not to get caught up in vanity metrics. No socials sounds like a dream I bet you're a happier person for it Royce!
I've got LinkedIn for client prospecting. Oherwise, yeh. Happy to stay away from the attention algorithms
Well put. Confidence is quite.
"Everyone's so busy performing that nobody's actually being."
This is the essence closest to my heart. Life gets inherently lighter once you stop externalizing your driving force and just let it surface gently, from within.
This. One thousand times this!
It is becoming far too loud and noisy. Social media is only making it worse.
Resonate with this so much! That's why I've moved to substack because many other platforms feel performative (for lack of a better word.)
More being.
Being in touch with what's real. Our strengths and sharing ideas worth reading. Thanks for this
Liked your LinkedIn posts - Love your long form here. Thank you for continuing to remind us that quiet is not just ok, but it’s good.
Thank you, Josh. I appreciate the nice compliment.
Yeah man. Keep up the good work. I’m sure I’m just one of many that you’ve inspired.
Amen, brother. Quiet, nuanced, present and impactful. Just the way I like it.
Thank you, Martha!
This is a great take Justin.
How would you balance it out - not being a 🤡 but still delivering the meaningful message ?
Write for nuance instead of performance. Don’t scream to create noise, use information to create it.
Boom!! I'm going to have this on a post-it note when I'm creating my social content (powered by the Content OS, of course 😊)
Same here, this is a great take !
*taking notes 📝 Thank you!