Article Surfing Archive

Let's start with the second part of the article title - who, or what, is the "anti-guru?"

Well, the WHO would be me, of course.

The WHAT could be defined as any individual who does not claim to have all the answers on a particular subject. Hence, I'm the work at home anti-guru, since that is the focus of my website.

And I do not have all the answers, believe me.

Just a lot of them. And learning more all the time.

Of course, if you're working online, you're always learning, because the minute you think you've got something down pat, it all changes.

Take for example this idea of publishing a newsletter. When I first started out, it was the one thing you absolutely HAD to do in order to be successful. So I did it - and I think I did a pretty fine job, if I say so myself. (I just did).

But we all know what a nightmare that has become.

Yet and still, the "gurus" will tell you it has to be done. They educate you on the best ways to get your email delivered. They explain how they have overcome the you-know-what filters and how you need to adjust your own marketing to come into compliance with the situation as it is today. They introduce you to the latest technology that is designed to assist you in getting that oh-so-important newsletter out to your list.

I think that, for the most part, it's a monumental waste of time. At least in the current online climate. Perhaps it will change and once again we'll be able to get our mail to our intended recipents. Until then, I'll focus my energies elsewhere.

But then again, I am the anti-guru, so what do I know?

Which brings me to the first part of the title of this article.

Waffle House.

Gurus are always talking about how they spend their mornings sipping their lattes at the local coffee bar while working on their laptops and how you can do the same when you become as successful as they are.

Now I love a good cup of java as well as the next guy. And I've spent my fair share of time at the local Starbucks, a particular favorite of the gurus.

Ever REALLY look around at those people there?

B-o-r-i-n-g.

Since I don't own a laptop, the idyllic picture of sipping my Americano while working on my website isn't going to be a reality for me. Nor is it for most people who work at home.

So why not just go someplace where the people-watching is significantly more interesting?

That's right - when I get that restless feeling that tells me I need to get out of this office and into society, I head straight for my local Waffle House.

For those of you who don't have one near you, I have two words for you -

I'm sorry.

For those of you that do, I highly recommend it. The coffee is adequate, the service generally acceptable, and the fare is what can best be described as "comfort food."

Especially the hash browns - I like mine scattered, smothered, diced, and cooked really well. Like burned, almost.

And while you're there, take a look around. Now here's where you'll see much more of a cross-section of society, because just about everyone LOVES Waffle House. If you don't, well - everyone's entitled to their opinion, I suppose.

That's where this anti-guru hangs out.

And I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.