“There’s a saying old says that love is blind.
Still were often told, seek and ye shall find,
So I’m going to see a certain lad I’ve had in mind.”
- Someone to Watch Over Me, George Gershwin
The sweet little crooner Gershwin penned long ago warmed many a heart for love-seekers everywhere. The glorified image of a shepherd for the little lost lamb was touching, really.
But on the Internet, shepherds and sheep aren’t so nostalgically poignant. Many people search desperately for someone to give them the answers and the key to happiness forever. They follow just about anyone home.
That’s okay. Plenty of people offer good advice and have strategies that likely work well. No matter where you are in life, someone always has something you can examine and use.
There’s something a little dangerous, though, about the sheep and shepherd analogy. What makes a good shepherd? Who are these people watching over the flocks? Why should you listen to them? Where’d they get that staff, anyways, and does it come in blue?
Good questions. It all boils down to this: Are you thinking for yourself?
We’re All Shepherds In Our Own Right
Everyone begins life on the same level. We grow and gain experiences along the way that shape our personalities and perceptions into very different people who see the world in different ways. That’s fine; it takes all kinds to make a world.
The critical key, though, that all people are born equal. No one is really better than another one. A person may have certain strengths or experiences that give them expertise, but that same person has weaknesses in other areas.
Some become leaders and grab a staff off the wall, marching forth. Others have the shepherd’s crook shoved on them, and they act or stand there feeling silly. Even more wander around the pasture and suddenly realize everyone else is following them because they’ve made good choices and found nice grass.
Authority is a bit of an illusion. The shepherd is only a shepherd insofar as his flock chooses to follow. If all followers suddenly decide this guy in the robes isn’t worth listening to, he loses all power to lead.
That’s important.
Who’s Leading Your Life?
The Internet is full of experts today, some telling you exactly what to do, some inspiring you to think on what to do and some simply there wanting you to follow. You have the choice on what’s right for you and which person offers the best advice for your needs.
You may be desperate for greener pastures, hoping someone will bring you there. The truth is that you have eyes to see and a brain that works pretty well, if you let it. Thinking critically is important to your personal success. No single leader has the key to your happiness. No one has all the answers. No one ever will. People can only propose strategies based on their personal experiences and observations. You certainly have had enough experiences of your own, and you can certainly apply your observations to proposed tactics.
Following blindly without questioning the information you receive removes all your power and places it in the hands of someone else. You become a true sheep, just going where you’re pointed.
When you’re a shepherd in your own right, you can choose your pasture after receiving the information. It gives you all the power you could want, and probably tastier grass, too.
So have the courage to ask questions and analyze the information you receive from all the shepherds who want you to listen. All you have to do is ask, “Why do you think clover is better than alfalfa?” or say, “Hey. There’s some nice grazing over here. I’m going this way. Want to come?”
No one’s going to whack you on the head for using your brain.
In fact, you may discover your own staff tucked away somewhere. In blue, too. All you have to do is use it.
How true, there is a lot of information out there. But as you pointed out “No matter where you are in life, someone always has something you can examine and use.”
Or, no matter what mad-cap idea you come up with, someone out there will say it’s a winner.
You have to learn to cut through the clutter, to make your own goals, and to use the glut of advice with a good dose of common sense.
Sally, Snappy Sentencess last blog post..Honesty IS the best policy
There’s no substitute for thinking for yourself – otherwise you become one of the easily led “sheeple.”
Learning to lead your own life is the most important skill you can develop – it puts you in a position of power, builds your confidence and helps ensure you make better decisions.
That said, there’s nothing wrong with following a shepherd – as long as you keep in mind that even if that shepherd’s given you 100% accurate advice in the past, you still have to evaluate each new nugget you get (and not just follow blindly).
Dave Navarros last blog post..How To Get Through Damn Near Anything
Dave,
I love the title of your post showing up here. You shepherd, you.
James,
Well, I certainly agree that being a sheep is not the way to go. Being a seeker is fine. In fact I think once you stop learning the game’s over, so reading a bunch of shepherds’ advice is cool. It gives you food for thought.
It’s not new to the Internet, though. I am the biggest inhaler of non-fiction books around, and I can find a shepherd on anything from diet/fitness/lifestyle to punctuation to how I arrange my flowers (some folks are rabid followers of a guy named Michael George, no kidding). If you like your shepherds live, go see Tony Robbins or Wayne Dyer.
I think the important part is remembering what you wrote, “we’re all shepherds in our own right.” If you don’t have a strong sense of self, someone will lead you by the nose, from grade school to the grave. There’s always somebody who will offer the latest way to mould yourself in their image. Gurus are much better used to enhance the image you have.
& like Dave said. I always follow his advice.
Regards,
Kelly
Kellys last blog post..Tip of the Week: Push a Friend
@Kelly –
Oh, that’s too much.
(Just let me know where to send the payment to, LOL)
Dave Navarros last blog post..How To Get Through Damn Near Anything
Can’t help but reminded of Monty Python:
Also can’t help but be reminded that too many things remind me of Monty Python… But really, doesn’t that whole movie just strike at the heart of what you are saying?
Power and authority is an illusion, as you pointed out here. Take the extreme: celebrities, for example. One year everyone’s listening to Britney Spears and fawning over her baby(s), and the next they are calling her a fat, crack-addled wh**e who can’t dance.
What’s worse is that sometimes the leaders themselves become the followers of their followers. They try to garner attention, and take the opinions of the barbarous multitudes too much to heart. Britney is devastated because the world thinks she’s a bad mother. So who is following whom here?
This also happens on a mortal level. I’ve seen people “promoted” above their peers, and then eternal but inevitably doomed struggle begins: yes, of course we can still be friends — yes, we are friends but why can’t you listen to me? — why are you taking advantage of my friendship? — no, we are not friends, so get back to work!
I think the best road is simple. Take your own road, either based on your own intuition or based on the recommendation of others. Be generous with your own recommendations. And most importantly, study and evaluate all recommendations including those you give and those you receive.
(BTW, in reference to the photo: I always wondered what was wrong with being the “black sheep” of anything. The black sheep of the family, the black sheep of the company, the black sheep of the jail cell — it just means that your different, that you stand out, right? And that’s a good thing, except possibly for the jail cell one…)
~Graham
Assume nothing. Trust but verify.
The preceding phrases are pretty good advice, as long as you don’t let your actions and thoughts slip into paranoia.
Mark Dykemans last blog post..On the road to one million
@ Graham – Long have I been the black sheep. It all started way back when I was born…
@ Kelly – No, not new at all as a problem. Long have people been followers, and that state will continue ’till the end of time. But as shepherds, and black sheep ones at that, I’d feel damned sick to my stomach if people followed us just because.
@ Dave – I agree. I follow people in my own ways myself. But as you said, it’s important to know in the back of your mind that their word isn’t gospel.
@ Sally – Mmhm. There will *always* be something trying to sell you something. An opinion, a stance, a product, a service, a friendship… common sense wins every time.
@ Mark – Paranoia?! What paranoia?? What- wait… what exactly does that mean, hm? HM?!
Dave,
20 minutes south of Philly. Just stand on a streetcorner and yell. I’ll hear you.
James,
It’s all about you, isn’t it? *big wink*
Until later,
Kelly
Kellys last blog post..Tip of the Week: Push a Friend
James: there’s no need to be paranoid. Ignore the black van parked outside your house. Although I’d be suspicious if someone knocks on your door and wants to read your water meter today.
Mark Dykemans last blog post..On the road to one million
*blink* What’s a water meter?
And who is that lady walking her dog? And what’s that noise… and… and…
Good Morning! I just popped in to say CONGRATULATIONS on being named one of the Top 10 Blogs for Writers! What am I saying, number 2 on the list second only to that institution known as CopyBlogger. Well deserved honor gentleman!
Hmmmm…I recognize this conversation from somewhere *smile* I think critical thinking is a skill that a) needs to be recognized as such b) needs to be developed and c) requires effort. Ah, effort. We are all very busy people! We want to get in, get the information, and get out. What we fail to realize, quite often, is that failure to question up front can lead to significant re-work down the line. I’d rather put the effort in up front.
Urban Panthers last blog post..Hey! Pay attention!
@ Karen – *blink* We did? We are? I have to go see, holy cr*p…
@ Urban – This actually came from someone telling us that our position as authorities in the blogosphere meant that we had to change the type of information we offered and how we offered it, because too many people follow blindly.
We were surprised and disagreed – we expect our audience to use their head and can’t be held responsible for people being that gullible.
But yes, the convo with you was an excellent one that touched on it too
Am I the only person who took this as talking about literal sheep? At least, at first? Because I know one shepherd who literally IS using the internet to make her flock of sheep and goats profitable … (www.mvfiberfarm.blogspot.com)
–Debs last blog post..Soliciting Advice and Encouragement
“our position as authorities in the blogosphere meant that we had to change the type of information we offered and how we offered it”
Bit of an irony there. Were they listening to themselves say that?
And BTW did they miss the comment section?
Seriously. Sheesh.
Party guys. Congrats!!! Happy dance for you.
Janice Cartiers last blog post..David Bates, Diebenkorn, and My Window
@Janice – LOL – exactly!
In fact, according to latest statistics released this morning, only Brian Clark can do that…
Congrats MWP on your (close) 2nd place placing!
~Graham
Yay you did!!! By the way, this post so touched a response in my heart and mind. I promise I did not steal from you but my post today is exactly about this though cloaked in a weird format. It is something that frustrates me not only in business but in life. I have watched here in the US the frenzy of our election season and the absolute cultism of some “followers.” People seem all too willing to drink the kool-aid without thinking.
Karen Swims last blog post..I’m Still Standing! I’m Still Strong!
@ Graham Think you deserve the Cookie of the Day for that post!
See James, this is why I love you:
“Authority is a bit of an illusion. The shepherd is only a shepherd insofar as his flock chooses to follow.”
We’re all experts only as far as what’s worked for us, but what works for me may not work for you, and what works for you may not work for me.
I’m always happy to read blogs of people I respect and those I don’t; either way, I might learn something. Or I might not. I don’t care about authority. It’s like beauty — a matter of personal preference, and it’s always changing. What looks good one day might not look so good tomorrow.
My favorite thing is to watch self-proclaimed SEO experts get de-throned. I wrote for one firm where everything I wrote was redone by an SEO guy who didn’t understand blogging. He shut off the blog’s comment section, FFS, and didn’t seem to get that no one’s coming to a lawyer blog to read the same thing he could find off the AP news wire. Add to that that the guy wanted keywords misspelled in the posts (because everyone wants to hire a lawyer who can’t spell, right?) and I was not happy. This was an SEO guy who had many followers, including many top law firms. He was eventually let go from the firm I wrote for and several others once folks started catching on to the fact that his knowledge wasn’t helping them. He wasn’t a bad guy. He knew a lot of stuff. But he didn’t know how to apply it to his clients to make it work for them.
I don’t think there are any real authorities on blogging. Not saying some don’t have good advice that can help a lot of people — but no one is going to always be right or ever always be ahead of the game, because there’s just so much we can’t know. Every blogger blogs for a different reason and has a different goal. Why trust any one person to know everything anyway?
I apply the “take what you like and leave the rest” philosophy to most things, including blogs. I don’t have high expectations, so I’m rarely disappointed.
Amy Derbys last blog post..I’m Me. Who Are You?
@Jamie — Thanks! I could use a cookie right about now.
~Graham
That was pretty long. Sorry.
Probably should have written my own post. LOL
@Pandora: No worries and I totally agree with you on that SEO “expert”. One thing I can’t stand is when people have asked us to purposely misspell words for the sake of SEO.
*holds out hand* I want a cookie too!
Ahem. There’s a problem here. No one’s disagreeing.
Baaaa…
I’ll shoot you down another day.
Mutual shepherding is what makes me happiest. When I find someone I can be inspired by, who can also get inspiration from me, I am a happy….
… goat.
Congrats on the award, Men. You can lead me around blindly any time.
Naaaah….
Later,
Kelly
Kellys last blog post..Tip of the Week: Push a Friend
Harry — I’ve never understood misspelling things for SEO sake. At least not for a business. Seems like that would turn off anyone reading the page.
Kelly — I’ll follow you if you follow me first.
The true sheepishness of the internet. LOL
Is James being paid by the word? I’ve seen a lot of people make the same point 10 times more impactfully in a tenth of the space.
@ Joe – I wish! Fortunately for me, I just like hearing the sound of my own voice, so since this is my blog, I get drunk on my own words. Sorry you don’t feel like partying.
If James were getting paid by the word, we’d have those private islands in the tropics by now.
This post is exactly why I talk so much about silence. If I don’t spend quiet time, really quiet…NO IPOD..:-) listening…then lots of voices sound authentic.
I think the American elections right now are a great testiment to this…
Our most loving and trusted voice is our own, but we have to trun off the TV, radio, computer, IPOD, and truly, easily, comfortably …listen.
THANKS…you reminded me to turn off CNN…at least for a few minutes. )-)
Harmonys last blog post..The Art Of BEING in My Own Business – Part 1
First off, super-duper congrats to the Men with Pens! Happy dance time!
As for sheeping and shepherding, I’ve always been one to wander off on my own find something cool and say “hey guys come over here and take a look at this” – those that want to come come and maybe they’ll bring others, but I’m not trying to herd anyone. I think something is worth sharing and hope others come take a look.
Oh wait, that’s my sales strategy, hmmm – no wonder it takes a lot of effort to sell anything. It’s much easier to sell to sheep who want to be led, whereas I’m reaching out to individuals who are paying attention to what others are saying. Well, I’m not about to change who I am, so I guess I’m just going to have to shout louder and longer to attract more people.
Thanks for shepherding me into an epiphany.
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndromes last blog post..Picking a Goal and Pursuing It: Harrison McLeod Interview
Amen to this post, dude.
This is what we are all about over at Rebel Zen – we call it DIY Enlightenment – which means taking advantage of all the great info available on the internet but not just swallowing without question what some guru tells you.
We all have the chance (and the right) to mix and match and find our own style of liberation.
One size does not fit all.
Seamus Anthonys last blog post..10 Reasons Why Being a Lazy Dude is Actually a Good Thing
@ Seamus – Okay, with a name like Rebel Zen, I *have* to go check out that blog.
@ Harry – Can we have a business with Rebel in its name? Please? Pretty please?
James,
More like worldomination.com ?
Kellys last blog post..Tip of the Week: Push a Friend
*digs in a shoulder and pushes the couch across the room* Yes James, anything you say. Rebel Furniture Movers sounds great, don’t you think?
Sheep! We are all sheep! I was in the Kansas City airport last week, and once again everyone lined up to get on the plane baaing and twitching their little tails, just because someone said to. Don’t get me wrong – lining up is a key Good Canadian trait. But folks you don’t have to wait in line when you have a boarding card and a pre-assigned seat. Now sometimes it is very restful to have someone tell you what to do, that’s true. How about this: we asked, “In this particular area, am I willing to give this person the authority to make decisions on my behalf?†When the answer was yes, we delegated like crazy. If it was no, we retained the task of looking at the info and making our own decision. Now we have a list of areas we will delegate, and those we won’t, and we get all the benefits and fewer downsides.
Ooh, Liz, good question. Worth repeating.
People, listen up:
Look at who you’re listening to. Right here, right now. Do you trust this person? Would this person have your best interests at heart? Would this person take your money or help you make money?
That, right there, is an excellent, excellent trick.
(Damn; why didn’t I think of it myself?)
Oh, and up with delegation!