This morning I woke up to a nice surprise, an email from about five people telling me that an article I wrote a while back had hit the front page of Yahoo!
Easily the most visible article I’ve ever written, I was pretty stoked.
Over 600 comments, 900 Facebook likes over 100 tweets.
Yep, I’d hit the big time.
All with the exception of one small detail: there was no link back to any of my sites.
All of those thousands of eyes that were reading my writing had no idea how to find the person who wrote it – well except for the 217 people who have Googled “sean ogle” today.
The article was called “6 Businesses You Can Run From a Tropical Island“. It wasn’t necessarily to be taken literally, but the fact remains, for the last two months I’ve been doing just that.
However much more important than the ego boost this gave me, are some of the realizations that I’ve come to after reading the hundreds of comments on the post.
Most notably:
America hates anything but the status quo
Let’s see if I can pull a few comments to help illustrate my point (I had a really fun time with this, and please excuse the dramatic undertones of snarkyness in my replies):
Dear Brian,
Yeah I think you’re right. We will be looking at China in the rear-view mirror, but I’m pretty sure that’s not due to me. It’s people like me who will be creating jobs, rather than demanding huge raises at their corporations which will then be forced to outsource to places like China. Luckily my parents did instill the idea of hard work in me, and I’m working to do my part to contribute to society – even if it is from a beach.
-Sean
Dear Mr. Potato Head,
I should actually thank you. I work at your establishment on the beach quite often here in Bali. I appreciate the lack of sand, good wifi, and spectacular ocean views. The drinks are a little expensive though.
-Sean
Thank you Mr. Potato Head for making my beach fantasies come true!
Dear A Yahoo User,
I’ve been living on what could be considered a tropical island for the last two months. I make much more than $1,000 each month doing many of the things listed in this article. Oh, and for less than $1,000/month you can live a very nice lifestyle on probably 90% of the world’s tropical islands – just in case you’re looking for a lifestyle change.
-Sean
Dear, A Yahoo User,
Once again you’ve made my day with your comments. Some of the most successful people I know make very nice six figure incomes via affiliate marketing. I make the majority of my income through marketing other people’s products. Oh, and the affiliate programs I do manage? The affiliates make more off every sale than I do. I also would like to reiterate the fact this is done from a tropical island.
-Sean
My Villa at the Bali Sentosa for the next two days – Ignore the farmers tan 🙂
Dear Mr. Garcia,
While I agree that is is much easier to find clients in person, if you know what you’re doing, it is actually quite easy to find them online as well. You just have to add value, and the clients will come. The idea of not being able to get clients through SEO is also just not true, maybe you just need to be better at SEO. I do live on a fantasy island, it’s called Bali, and it’s pretty great.
-Sean
Dear Darryl,
Yes my head is in the clouds. I realized there was a better way to work that benefitted myself and those around me. Ingenuity? Perhaps. But I definitely agree, no clue here. And making money on the internet?! HA! Impossible!
-Sean
Dear Jim,
Lame because some members of our generation found a way to leverage technology to build their own businesses? Or lame because you were unable to do something similar in your own life?
-Sean
Ok, I think you guys get the point.
I will get down off my sarcastic high-horse and simply say that I’m shocked so many people still have such a limited world view.
One of my goals for the upcoming year here at Location 180 and Location Rebel is to take the message of lifestyle entrepreneurship to a more main-stream audience. The loyal readers here and at other similar sites get it. They know there’s a better way to blend business, travel, hobbies etc. into a very sustainable lifestyle.
But as evidenced by many of the comments on my Yahoo post, most people still don’t get it. Not only do they not get it, they mock and bring down the people who are doing it.
Rather than think about what’s possible they chose to make jokes, criticize the poor proofreading (which, ok, fair enough), and not even take the time to consider for a minute, that maybe there’s something to this.
The thing that sucks is that this disbelief is enough to convince most people to not chase their dreams and pursue their goal of entrepreneurship.
Unfortunately, that’s the status quo. I say it’s time we change that.
Consider our current education system. I believe it was setup during the industrial revolution when heads of giant corporations helped the US government put together a system that would breed employees. People that would rely on that paycheck their entire lives.
Why do you think you never learned any of the basics of personal finance at any point in school? Even the most basic financial education is lacking in our school system, and that shines through later on in life in the form of credit card and other consumer debt.
For more information on this read the writing of David Tyack.
If one person tries to bust out of the norm the majority will do everything they can to break you down – as evidenced by these comments.
But you know what? That was my first real foray into the mainstream.
The more people we get behind the movement, the more success stories we have, the more people that will come around – and then we’ll really be on to something big.
Ready to join me?
Sean Ogle
Sean Ogle is the Founder of Location Rebel where he has spent the last 12+ years teaching people how to build online businesses that give them the freedom to do more of the things they like to do in life. When he's not in the coffee shops of Portland, or the beaches of Bali, he's probably sneaking into some other high-class establishment where he most certainly doesn't belong.Join over 40,000 people who have taken our 6 part freelance writing course. Sign up below and let’s do this together.
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56 comments on "Why America Hates Anything But the Status Quo"
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Carpers notwithstanding, I always enjoy accounts of how people are living their dreams. Good for you for, first, figuring out how to do it and, second, making it work. Many people never think outside the box and may distrust and/or feel jealous of those who do. I agree that public school is responsible for some of this limited thinking — a post I wrote awhile back (http://bsfm.co/hpcXDZ ) about the dysfunctional “team” ethic in corporataxia touches on this topic, too. I hope your fans learn how to link to you. 🙂
I used to return to the US for contracts (pre-internet days) and in conversation felt obliged to tiptoe around the fact that I was only there to save before leaving with my backpack again; I’m familiar with these attitudes.
As a wise man said once: ‘Argue for your limitations and you get to keep them’.
Sean I think a portion of Americans ‘hate the status quo’, but the US still has people who are more adaptable than most. Most Europeans don’t move around the EU with the ease that Americans do, for example.
I think that the people who feel ‘inspired’ enough to tell you you’re full of it are in the minority. I hope so. In the meantime we expat evangelists have work to do, as well as work available to do, as you and Dan et al. are showing. It’s not about proselytizing– the people ready for the message really do appreciate it.
“Most Europeans don’t move around the EU with the ease that Americans do, for example.”
Well, you have to consider that it is far more easier to move within a country aka same language than within the EU with its different languages.
But as to Germany, where I am from, you are right we tend to stay where we are.
I find your journey and the way that you live/work incredibly inspiring. My goal is to have a mobile business/lifestyle, where I can live/be wherever I want, whenever I want–and still get my work done. THANK YOU for challenging the status quo and proving over and over again that it is possible to live and work in a way you love. I really appreciate you.
Ha! Those comments along with your sarcastic replies put a smile to my face. Congrats to you though on making front page on Yahoo! And living life the way you want.
Sad that people are so stuck in their ways and can never be happy for anybody else. I’m sure if they were in your shoes it would be a different story. Instead, as you said, most will remain content with their status quo lifestyle leaving no room for change.
Ps: The Mr. Potato head reply was awesome.
Cubicles make them bitter. The change this country really needs are people with open minds and a different way of thinking.
Sean — Great post! I LOVE how you pulled out the comments and responded to them. Since I’m a journalist, lots of my articles have appeared on Yahoo!, and I always avoid reading the comments because there’s so many mean and, quite frankly, dumb commenters. But you gave this a great spin, showing us the positive to that, why it’s so important to break that mold. About to share this with several other journo friends who lament Yahoo! comments.
(Speaking of status quo, should share with you my new letter about going solopreneur: http://alexisgrant.com/solopreneuer-secrets/)
Cheers!
So true man, it’s sad sometimes how jaded people are when you tell them what they do and this is how they react. I come across this all the time when I return home and people ask me about it. What’s funny though is that when you meet people on the road and explain it, they’re reaction is overwhelmingly positive and supportive.
Love the reactions to the comments though. It figures too that these trolls post anonymously.
Thanks!
Jeremy
Ah, meant to say what “you” do instead of “they”. Also, misspelled their. It’s early…
This is classic!! Yahoo should post your responses and start an “ask ogle” segment of their site:-)
HAH! I’m with Robert — you’ve clearly demonstrated a killer aptitude for the Q&A format. Yahoo! should definitely hire you for an “Ask Ogle” feature! Your replies had me laughing out loud — priceless. LOVE that you have all these real-time pictures to support your points too 🙂 Living the dream, SO, living the dream!
I’ve owned an Internet-based business since 2006 after being on employment insurance for a year following a layoff in 2004. After employment insurance ran out, I could’ve continued to look for work (of which I was not having much luck) or start my own business. I decided that the risk was worth it and I launched my biz in 2006. I do mostly consulting, coaching and training all virtually.
That was 5-years ago and I wouldn’t trade in my independence for anything. I can work from anywhere. In 2010, I spent most of my time in Atlanta as I was thinking about moving there. While I was flying back and forth between Toronto and Atlanta, I was running my business. My clients were none the wiser and actually enjoyed hearing where I was jetsetting to next.
Is it perfect? Absolutely not. Nothing is, but I love being independent. If it’s a toss up between having a solid paycheck every 2-weeks or being able to work from anywhere on my own time, I’d choose the latter.
negative comments mean you are ruffling feathers. Good Job Sean, keep killin it.
Baha, I love this post! When I first started my company, I got a lot of backlash from people. Almost three years later, I still get the skeptical questions from people who seem to not believe in the legitimacy of a business that affords both myself and my business partner to live in Paris and Los Angeles, respectively.
The thing with what this article you wrote did is it challenged and threatened people’s conventions of how work should be. And, what you essentially did, is show people that it’s possible to live a certain life that a lot of people dream of. And, because these people don’t think it’s possible for them, their answer is to deny and criticize you. Which, clearly, serves absolutely no purpose.
Your responses are fantastic. And I agree with another commenter: “Ask Ogle” would be awesome!
Thanks Jamie – writing those comments were probably the most fun things I’ve done on this blog in a long time – need some more haters to give me more blog fodder!
Hey Sean,
Loved seeing your article on the first page of Yahoo…was SHOCKED to read some of the comments. I think you covered the jist of some of the sentiments in your article here, but there were many, many more like that.
After reading your article I thought it was a bit basic and only touched the highlights, but was definitely a good read for someone with NO IDEA how or where to get started to start heading in the right direction. Many people seemed to think that, because it didn’t magically turn into an amazing business for them there’s NO WAY it would work for someone else…just astonishing.
You’ve got a tough road ahead of you taking that message mainstream if those comments are from the average people you’ll be trying to reach. I would add, though, from ANY Yahoo articles I’ve read, they do seem to be heavily commented on by spammers, racial/political hacks, and idiots…so maybe those commenters aren’t your average audience, heh.
I was pretty stoked to see it as well 🙂 With any article that hits a site like that it’s totally to be expected that people are going to spam the hell out of the comments, so I found it more amusing than anything.
Also, you can only get so indepth with a 600-800 word article – hence the lack of more detailed info. That’s all in Location Rebel for people who want more of it haha.
Thanks for the thoughts!
Besides the fact that I thought your post on Yahoo was awesome, I imagine the commenters on any news site (and some blogs) to just be the most unhappy people. I feel bad for a lot of them since the best thing they can do with their time is just hate on others. Clearly they aren’t very successful if this is the best use of their time, and (aside from comical the comical reasons of this post), it’s probably pointless to try to convince them.
Besides, if they even bothered to flip over here to your site, they would see that you do actually LIVE this life, not just write about it.
I think it’s always interesting to note when people are speak out against someone who’s going against the status quo. How many times did Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Steve Jobs heard people say “you can’t do that”? Yet these are among the most remarkable people in the history of earth. I’m glad they set out to do something different than what everyone else expects.
Dude that’s awesome. Congrats on hitting Yahoo.
I don’t have time to read the almost 700 comments, but was there an underlying theme to most of them? You cited a couple interesting (unsurprising) types of responses.
But was the overall theme “that’s unrealistic” or “he’s an exception” or “he’s dumb” or “you can’t do this anymore?”
Just curious
Alex
“Consider our current education system. I believe it was setup during the industrial revolution when heads of giant corporations helped the US government put together a system that would breed employees. People that would rely on that paycheck their entire lives.” – here here! Well said! You know that’s by design right? If you go along with conspiracy theorists, that’s the plan – keep people dumb, sick and not wanting to see what else is out there in the world cause home is best. There’s a lot of messed up stuff going on in the world and this is more evidence of it.
When were getting ready to plan and go on our 6 month RV trip around the US, we had so many people saying “it won’t work, you can’t do that” or something like “your house renter will wreck your house”. To which I asked if they have ever rented an apartment or house and did they “wreck it”? Showing them there are many good tenants that are responsible.
A quote comes to mind and I can’t remember who said it, it goes something like this: “Don’t tell someone they can’t do something, especially when they are already doing it”
Most of those comments come from jealousy and fear, plain and simple!
When I have conferences, parents talk about their adolescents. I hear things second and third hand, and suddenly all pretenses fall and the world goes dark. I’ve talked to administrators and the “wizened” and they all say one thing: people will talk. If you have integrity and identity, there is nothing that someone can say to shake you. IF anything, they’ll provide some small criticism that can tweak your business and make it stronger. The trolls are called trolls because they’re trolling some affirmation for the dystopic, myopic picture of the world and those (like Bush and Obama and Ogle) to blame.
I hope this activates 180.
Cheers,
M
Sean,
As always, great post…but the comments? I have no words, but suffice it to say they made my day! As you noted, the resistance to consider other avenues for success is prevalent, and those negative voices were a huge reason I stayed in my conventional career for so long.
If it wasn’t for people like you and the Location Rebel community, I shudder to think how long it might have taken me to figure out this is a very real option.
Keep up the great work, and thanks for slapping a little LR sense into the mainstream!!
– Jenn
And now you are living proof it’s a very real option! So excited to see how far you’ve come and where you’ll be going!
Wow, your article really brought out the Internet trolls! I wonder how much time these trolls spend reading articles and spreading their negativity? They really do want the status quo. It’s all about living beyond your means with credit and blaming everyone else for your problems.
BTW Sean I love your responses to the comments. It’s made my afternoon.
Cheers,
John
Thanks man, having the opportunity to write them made my afternoon 🙂
Isn’t it amazing how many people are so angry, mean, frustrated, or depressed enough to post these kinds of comments? Well done on keeping positive – it’s hard when there are so many haters.
Ha! Nice one Sean. Great responses to those comments too. Sarky but in a nice way 🙂 We have many haters in New Zealand too, unfortunately it’s become quite common that when someone tries to move forward there are plenty of folks keen on pulling them backwards in to limited thinking. Rest assured it’s not only happening in America.
This is great. I wish there was a link to the original article, as knowing how many people responded positively versus negatively would’ve been interesting, but the fact is most people are jealous. I got some very harsh reactions from adults who were miserable and hated their lives when I told them I was quitting a steady corporate job to travel. They literally get offended. I think you’ve got the same situation on your hands here. Not only are people narrow-minded, they hate their lives so much they get offended when someone else figures out working 9-5 to make someone else rich isn’t the only way to make a steady income.
There is a link, I went to go read it and see the comments.
The article was called “6 Businesses You Can Run From a Tropical Island“. It wasn’t necessarily to be taken literally, but the fact remains, for the last two months I’ve been doing just that.
The Title of the article is the link – look up. Look way up!
Yes! Sometimes I think taking offense = jealousy.
I’ve been getting the comments on this post in my inbox, and enjoyed reading every one. It’s awesome to know there are so many people out there who believe in living this way.
Hahaha this is the funniest post I have read on your blog so far. Love how you responded to the negativity 🙂
Great way to handle all of the negative feedback.
There will always be skeptics and a big factor I’m thinking is the network of people. The key is to know the difference between those who really provide VALUE and those who are just there to get your money.
Thanks for the the posting your updates in your blog Sean.
Love it, Sean! I’ve seen so many articles online where the comments section is just filled with hateful people. There was an article I read recently where they were talking about people starting their own business, and 95% of the comments were from people complaining about how anyone who tried to do that would end up bankrupt, or living on cat food when they’re elderly, or unable to get a job in the “real” world when their business inevitably failed. I’ve stopped reading the comments section of most articles (except for ones on blogs like yours, of course) because people are so incredibly ignorant.
@Brandy, I loved the “living on cat food when elderly” example. Wow, people let their imagination go wild!
@Sean Omg, all these commenters had so much negativity. I think this post shows that people see what they want to see and ignore the rest. That said…
– Anyone who believes that you CAN have a dream lifestyle and a business in a tropical island will be happy reading your post…
– Anyone who believes that you CANNOT have a dream lifestyle and a business in a tropical island will think you are lying, or that you are the “exception”…
– Anyone who is in between, and does not know what to believe will be curious and Google “Sean Ogle” to learn more 🙂
Hey Sean…. I was one of those who found your page from Yahoo (I’m smart enough to track down people via the interwebs even though Yahoo apparently can’t be bothered to link, lol)… as a 30-year-old former corporate slave now turned entrepreneur (working less, making more $$$, and loving it) just ignore those naysayers and keep on… you’re living an inspirational life…
Sean,
Good stuff. I hope you laughed your ass off at the negativity in those comments while you were living the live of your dreams in Bali etc! That’s what makes Location Rebel such a special place….it’s filled with special people who believe in a better way and take ACTION instead of shitting on everyone who tries to live their best life. I’m honored to associate with special people like you and the rest of the “Rebels”!
“It’s NEVER too late to be what you might have been!”
Unfortunately, those negative comments you attracted reflect the views of far too many people today. I even experience some of that pessimism myself when I dare to dream of becoming location independent. What you said about the education system is so true (which is why I will home educate my own children when they come along, but that’s a different story). We’re trained to become employees. We’re prevented from thinking outside the box. Any deviance from the norm is treated with suspicion. No wonder I’m finding it so difficult to believe that I’ll ever be able to do what you’re doing. Well done and thank you for proving to us that it is possible.
Becca, noticed your post. I have an interest in home education and applaud your willingness to do that for your kids — a highly creative, “outside the box” project in itself. I have a 5-year-old nephew who is quite intelligent and the public school system is already having a difficult time trying to address his intellectual capacity. However, his parents are public school teachers/employees, so they’re doing their best to find him a good program (and, it must be acknowledged, there are some around, at least in their area of California). Anyway, good for you for challenging the status quo — the conventional mental conditioning so many of us grew up with — and best wishes for your location-independent goals!
Thank you for your kind words Eric.
I’m a school teacher myself, so it’s been quite difficult to face up to the fact that home education is the path I wish to take. However, I believe it’s the right thing to do and I’m determined to stand by my values (in spite of the external criticism and inner doubts I may face!).
I hope your nephew manages to achieve his full potential!
Hater gonna hate! lmao-
Sean,
You may find a bit of irony in this. I remember seeing that story on Yahoo!, but, I didn’t click on it, because I visit your blog, and similar blogs, and I thought it had to do with renting mopeds, surfboards, Jeeps or opening a smoothie stand.(nothing wrong with any of those ventures & I’ve patronized all of them- I just wasn’t interested in the nuts ‘n bolts of them).
To think, I missed my grammar lesson!
Bucket List
“4. Get an article I’ve written published”
Does this count!?
Sadly Sean these comments are what I have to put up with everyday echoed in the voice of family and friends. Status Quoism is a disease deadlier than cancer.
And I’m not talking about the British band of the same name.
They’re much more palatable by comparison.
Haha! I love it. These naysayers hold so many of us back when we are starting out but its amazing to think that they are still playing their game even after you’ve crossed the tipping point!
Shame about the backlink mate:(
You’ll always face great opposition. In my eyes, the status quo at their greatest can’t compete with God on my side of pursuing a calling he’s given me.
There are a big number of issues that I believe relate to why the status quo think this type of living is so impossible. The consumerist in them, the one with the massive debts, don’t see anything else.
I’m working super hard to be debt free and see the true freedom it provides. Suddenly nothing is impossible when you are no longer a slave to corporations and the debt.
Just a classic case of Monkey Ladder Syndrome http://www.wowzone.com/5monkeys.htm
I get it all the time and I haven’t even embarked upon my journey yet. It’s funny what kind of ruckus a little letter of resignation can cause.
Great post Sean! Especially loved the mr. Potatohead 😉
Hope you had a great flight & no Jetlag!
I hate the status quo, but at the same time there is a reason why its the status quo, because its the one that requires the least effort and out of the box thinking. but the truth is NOONE and i mean no on became the best at anything by following the rules, because you are always gonna compete with those who have more experience, more resources, and just more everything. (no by rules i mean what the majority believes you have to do). with that said i find it hilarious how people say 1000 isnt much or anything, theyre so stuck with their nice cars, nice tvs, nice kitchen, etc that they can’t see just how valuable 1000 dollars is. check out this post
http://matadornetwork.com/trips/how-long-can-you-travel-on-1000/
I had no idea the comments on this article were so negative. I never made that far because I was so inspired, and shocked because the realization this could be me hit me like a ton of bricks. Please know how much gratitude I have for you for writing this. It was my light-bulb. I printed the article and keep it with me as a reminder to stay focused on my own freedom. I wasted a lot of time trying to convince my 9-5 to start a work-from-home program. Now that energy is channelled towards independence. THANK YOU SEAN!
Cheers, Sean, I agree with it all. I have an incredibly hard time being taken seriously when I tell most people of my goals to be location independent and do work that I actually enjoy and feel fulfilled. It’s so confusing to me, shouldn’t this be the goal for everyone? I’d almost argue that working towards this lifestyle for many is a lot harder than a day job, I know it is for me at least. Never understood why so many people were against actually using their brains!
Someone wise once said, “The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.”
Dream zappers – they truly are everywhere you look. I don’t want to even begin counting how often I’ve heard people saying that something that I’ve tried “cannot be done”. Although I do love my home country (Finland) very much, the culture of success here is something that almost seem like a taboo. If you’re successful at something or TRY to become one, oh man.. other people do everything in their power to bring you down. It’s very sad, but also very true.
My recipe so far has been to just ignore them. Don’t let them get under your skin and just go after your own thing. It’s your life after all, not theirs. There are always going to be people out there who mock you because of what you do, if you’re going after something that they see as a “pipe dream”. Remember, although it might seem like a pipe dream to them, it doesn’t mean it has to be the same for you.
Great stuff Sean. Don’t let them bring you down – you’re not alone in the “work from the paradise” boat.. 😉
Cheers!
– Juha
dude, I’m not even a hot shot blogger like you (wink) and I’m STILL finding projects on the internet. And THEY come to me. When I hardly update my blog in two weeks and have a lackluster brand identity if you compare me with the rest of the blog ‘industry’… i’m like a nobody but I’m still *miraculously* doing what I set out to do: leverage the fucking internet. I think it’s THESE people that don’t have a clue.. I find it noble that you’d like to outreach to them and go more mainstream though.. THAT would be the real change. Society needs to wake up. Big. Time. And yeah. I’ve been noticing the education system too and all those arguments/points ever since getting into this lifestyle/path and I have to say… education needs a BIG overhaul if it wants to breed contributing citizens to changing times.
It’s jealousy. These are bad times for people. I also agree the school system produces employees. I think public schools produce employees, and private schools seem to produce thinkers and entrepreneurs. I’ve been to public schools until high school and that’s what I see. I will *NEVER* send my kids to public school if I ever have kids.
Honestly I think why people are so jealous is that many lack savings, many many people are in thousands of dollars in debt. Many people don’t see a way out. That’s why these things are fantasies to them. I see it this way, people have a choice. They can either continue to be negative or find a way.
It’s much better to find a way to be happy, than to complain about someone living their happy life. BTW, this quote by Mark Twain reminds me that by being on the side of the majority isn’t always right.
Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform (or pause and reflect)-Mark Twain