I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man!”
— Jay-Z
Make meaning.
You might have heard this phrase, frequently emblazoned on motivational instagram posts and bumper stickers.
But it’s worth asking yourself this question - ideally on the daily.
When is the last time you felt proud?
Not prideful. But proud - of your accomplishments or perhaps of those you birthed or were from birthed.
It’s possible to be proud of yourself every day.
This doesn’t mean you are killing it each and every day - we are all human - but it might mean that you are ok at worst with your performance today because you feel aligned with your place in the World at this very moment.
If this resonates with you …
… You are in a cult
Perhaps you might even lead a cult. Maybe more than one.
CULT: a social group or movement that arises around novel or unconventional beliefs or practices, often centered on a particular goal and characterized by intense devotion among its members
If you put your preconceived biases aside (note: it’s difficult for me too)
… the blockquote above is aspirational.
Who wouldn’t want to be part of at least one social group with devoted members? Ideally, I would like to be part of as many as possible - perhaps even lead a few.
Am I a cult leader?
Ahem … that’s cult leader in training (CLIT) to you.
I am trying to build movements around my interests (coffee, music, bitcoin, AI, economics …) in order to attract like-minded people.
To create loyalty (the inverse is nonsensical).
By doing the above … I make myself more resilient to competition.
People forget the “to competition”
Resilience in the absence of competition doesn’t actually mean anything.
Think about it.
What movements are you part of?
Which movements are you building?
If neither of the above apply to you, perhaps you are temporarily stuck in the commodity zone.
Don’t stay in that zone for long. You don’t have to!
Try to find your people.
Try to attract your people.
What do I stand for that others want to join?
This is the difference between a commodity business and a cult brand.
Share this post