September 26, 2010 55 Comments

Myths of the Modern Age

Sleep Is Important

Some myths for the modern age:

  • Sleep isn’t important. Working is more important.
  • 80 hours a week or you’re not going to succeed.
  • Read everything. Stay up on everything.
  • Follow this person. They’ll help you figure it out.
  • Do what that person does. It’ll get you the same results.
  • Quit your job and just do it.
  • Working for yourself is the only way.
  • Everyone’s an entrepreneur.
  • Email is dead.
  • Everything worth doing has already been done.
  • You can do this, if you have the right formula.
  • This system will get you the results you want.

There are thousands more myths, aren’t there? You could add some. Or you could set about deciding what is going to matter. And then, you could do. Something.

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  • http://www.kevkaye.com Kev Kaye

    I’m guilty of a couple of those, I admit it. I think the access we have to so many successful people these days creates a huge sense of urgency. We want to be like one guy, accomplish what another guy did and do it all by working non-stop. It takes hard work, and I’m sure you aren’t advocating other wise, but we definitely need to maintain prospective on how we live our lives and go about achieving our goals.

    Thanks Chris.

  • http://www.kevkaye.com Kev Kaye

    I’m guilty of a couple of those, I admit it. I think the access we have to so many successful people these days creates a huge sense of urgency. We want to be like one guy, accomplish what another guy did and do it all by working non-stop. It takes hard work, and I’m sure you aren’t advocating other wise, but we definitely need to maintain prospective on how we live our lives and go about achieving our goals.

    Thanks Chris.

  • Saqib Awan

    If you don’t have online presence; you don’t live in the real world. Can this be a modern day myth?!

  • http://cashwithatrueconscience.com/rbblog Ryan Biddulph

    1 and 2 are widely held myths among people who become sick and fail. Force negates folks. Work and make every effort to enjoy the process. Don’t kill yourself, don’t be lazy, enjoy what you do and as you note Chris, do something.

    RB

  • http://successbeginstoday.org/wordpress John Richardson

    One of the biggest myths is that if you are the first to leave a comment on Chris Brogan’s blog you’ll instantly become famous. (Darn, missed it again!)

  • http://simplyevolve.com DanielDubya

    How about, “You have to be the best at everything.” I’d rather be the best at 1-2 things and succeed (though I find myself doing more and more a little bit of everything). What we need to remember is that 1) No matter what, there’s always someone who is better than us; 2) It depends on the level you’re looking to play on (local, vs. regional vs. national vs. global).

    I disagree that it’s a myth that “Everyone’s an Entrepreneur,” but not in the sense that everyone needs to (or should) go out and start their own business. But, I think that in order to survive in the workplace, you need to be entrepreneurial. I think the days of having a set of job responsibilities that a worker sticks to are long gone, and that those who can bring that entrepreneurial spirit to their job will surpass their peers very quickly.

    • http://BestSellerAuthors.com Warren Whitlock

      in my reality you are right, but suggest that what I think you are best at is not near as important as what you do best.

    • http://BestSellerAuthors.com Warren Whitlock

      in my reality you are right, but suggest that what I think you are best at is not near as important as what you do best.

    • http://BestSellerAuthors.com Warren Whitlock

      in my reality you are right, but suggest that what I think you are best at is not near as important as what you do best.

  • http://www.ramonaiftode.com Ramona

    Not everyone can be an entrepreneur. I know a lot of successful people who are employees and are HAPPY. And they are not businessman materials and shouldn’t be. It’s important for us all to really know ourselves. After 10 years of working for someone else, I cannot cope with this, so I am running my own show. But this is me and it works for me. Sleeping and having a normal schedule are important. We need to work but also take care of ourselves

  • http://www.ramonaiftode.com Ramona

    Not everyone can be an entrepreneur. I know a lot of successful people who are employees and are HAPPY. And they are not businessman materials and shouldn’t be. It’s important for us all to really know ourselves. After 10 years of working for someone else, I cannot cope with this, so I am running my own show. But this is me and it works for me. Sleeping and having a normal schedule are important. We need to work but also take care of ourselves

    • David Siteman Garland

      Romona – Good point on that. I’m a massive (ridiculously massive) advocate for entrepreneurship and free agency…however, if it doesn’t fulfill you and make you happy, then what is the point? I think happiness is what drives us.

    • David Siteman Garland

      Romona – Good point on that. I’m a massive (ridiculously massive) advocate for entrepreneurship and free agency…however, if it doesn’t fulfill you and make you happy, then what is the point? I think happiness is what drives us.

    • http://www.joshchandlerva.com Josh Chandler

      Ramona,

      Thank you for being the voice of reason. We shouldn’t be trying to intercept every individual with the same message of “Become An Entrepreneur”, instead we really should value what makes that person who they are.

    • http://www.joshchandlerva.com Josh Chandler

      Ramona,

      Thank you for being the voice of reason. We shouldn’t be trying to intercept every individual with the same message of “Become An Entrepreneur”, instead we really should value what makes that person who they are.

    • http://www.BeyondThePedway.com Tim Jahn

      I agree that not everyone wants to (or should be) an entrepreneur. But everyone should strive to get what they want. If they’re fine working the 9-5 40 hours a week (and don’t complain about 24/7), that’s great. I find many people complain about everything all day, especially work. That leads me to believe they don’ want to be doing that.

      Everyone should work to have the life they want, rather than complain that there’s no way to get there. It doesn’t mean you have to be an entrepreneur.

      • http://simplyevolve.com DanielDubya

        Aside from working at McDonald’s or some other low-level job like that, are there any 9-5, 40 hour jobs left?

        • http://www.BeyondThePedway.com Tim Jahn

          Your “low-level” job is somebody else’s one step closer to their dream.

          I can’t speak as to the availability of traditional 9-5 jobs as I’m not currently seeking any.

        • http://www.BeyondThePedway.com Tim Jahn

          Your “low-level” job is somebody else’s one step closer to their dream.

          I can’t speak as to the availability of traditional 9-5 jobs as I’m not currently seeking any.

        • http://www.BeyondThePedway.com Tim Jahn

          Your “low-level” job is somebody else’s one step closer to their dream.

          I can’t speak as to the availability of traditional 9-5 jobs as I’m not currently seeking any.

        • http://www.BeyondThePedway.com Tim Jahn

          Your “low-level” job is somebody else’s one step closer to their dream.

          I can’t speak as to the availability of traditional 9-5 jobs as I’m not currently seeking any.

          • http://simplyevolve.com DanielDubya

            I’m not dissing low-level jobs, rather, I’m saying that if you want to get ahead in this world–either in a company or on your own or whatever–you can’t expect to work the 9-5. In fact, if there’s any myth that’s out there about our modern world, it’s that you CAN get ahead by simply doing the 9-5 thing (i.e. what’s expected of you–no more, no less).

          • http://www.BeyondThePedway.com Tim Jahn

            Agreed.

    • http://www.BeyondThePedway.com Tim Jahn

      I agree that not everyone wants to (or should be) an entrepreneur. But everyone should strive to get what they want. If they’re fine working the 9-5 40 hours a week (and don’t complain about 24/7), that’s great. I find many people complain about everything all day, especially work. That leads me to believe they don’ want to be doing that.

      Everyone should work to have the life they want, rather than complain that there’s no way to get there. It doesn’t mean you have to be an entrepreneur.

  • Denney Clements

    Chris is talking about striking a balance between work for normal life (family, friends, etc.), about how we can be successful without losing out humanity. I like this way of thinking.

    • http://twitter.com/Protostack Daniel Garcia

      Maybe balance is a Myth too. I have the most fun when I’m totally out of balance.

  • http://reallifemadman.wordpress.com Marjorie Clayman

    I just saw a story on my beloved CBS Sunday Morning (it’s back!!) about “The New Reality.”

    For the last couple of years, in my little world, we’ve all been holding our breath, waiting for things to get back to “normal.” This story posited that where we were pre-2007 was not normal either. We can’t get back there, not right away. Maybe never.

    What does that mean for me and people like me? It means that some of your myths might have to become reality over time. It means while maybe everyone shouldn’t try to be an entrepreneur, these are desperate times and folks might not have any other choice. It means that folks have to stick in that job that they are over-qualified for because at least they get health benefits for their kids.

    The story is an interesting parallel to this post of yours. Where do your myths intersect with the myth that we’re going to get back to “normal”?

    That’s a lot to think about for a lot of people.

    • http://BestSellerAuthors.com Warren Whitlock

      normal is a myth

      • http://athomewithheather.com Heather Masson

        “Normal” can change daily. And what is normal for me, may not be normal for anyone else (and I kinda like it that way).

      • http://reallifemadman.wordpress.com Marjorie Clayman

        Exactly! :)

      • http://reallifemadman.wordpress.com Marjorie Clayman

        Exactly! :)

      • http://reallifemadman.wordpress.com Marjorie Clayman

        Exactly! :)

      • http://reallifemadman.wordpress.com Marjorie Clayman

        Exactly! :)

  • http://BestSellerAuthors.com Warren Whitlock

    I hold that myths are the stories we share. We are wired to connect and pass memes and most of us desire them to be the best value possible.

    Reality is just the most popular illusion.

  • http://twitter.com/darleenw darleenw

    Great post. Particularly like
    - Or you could set about deciding what is going to matter. And then, you could do. Something.
    Yes be yourself and do Something!

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  • http://suwanneerefugee.blogspot.com Suwannee Refugee

    Great post! My brain is fried so I am going think on these for a while.

  • http://www.retirepreneur.com Donna Kastner/Retirepreneur

    Really like your photo… another myth of the modern age ;)

  • Mark Britner

    It is far easier to be tempted into being someone other than who we really are, the alternative of getting to know and love ourselves for who we really are is definitely the road less travelled.

  • Anonymous

    I think the following are also myths:
    That we have absolute control of everything.
    That anyone knows how large a niche is in advance.
    That an approach works 100% of the time.
    That we are conscious of all our desires, abilities and preferences.

  • http://www.onepowerfulword.com Ash Srivastava

    Thought Provoking. Email is dead…first time hearing that :) But the message is clear, challenge the status quo.

  • http://www.onepowerfulword.com Ash Srivastava

    Thought Provoking. Email is dead…first time hearing that :) But the message is clear, challenge the status quo.

  • http://twitter.com/Johnwsnyder John W Snyder

    Wait, didn’t google wave kill email? No? Seriously though, great list

  • http://cynthiaho.com Cynthia

    Be the best of at least one thing.

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  • http://www.carfocus.info Peter Abatan

    The era of high profit margins is gone

  • http://www.hanifinloyalty.com/ billhanifin

    Chris, Just when I think you are hard core, out of balance, work non-stop, you restore my faith that you understand the balance that must take place in order to be truly successful in this life.

    One of the most telling for me is that we have to drink from the information fire hose non-stop. In some other parts of the world, that would be akin to water-boarding!

    Also, add this one: You can never unplug…..

  • http://www.hanifinloyalty.com/ billhanifin

    If you’re not multi-tasking, you’re not productive….

  • http://www.hanifinloyalty.com/ billhanifin

    If you’re not multi-tasking, you’re not productive….

  • http://ajleon.me ajleon

    Great list, Chris, made me think.

  • http://ajleon.me ajleon

    Great list, Chris, made me think.

  • http://www.bigjobsboard.com Steve Jobs

    It made me think too. These modern myths can really make your mind think and decide about the right things to do. By the way I like the photo!

  • http://www.alexdumitru.com Alex Dumitru

    Those myths aren’t true, though I usually follow all of them and that’s why I’m posting this message at 2:57 am. I’m desperate to learn,research, test and work. Though I get vacations pretty often.

  • http://www.blackfridayplanet.com/ William Hushburn

    “Sleep isn’t important. Working is more important” I totally can relate to this one.

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    Good Work. I am very happy to read this article.
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