I’m learning this from Charlie Sheen…..

March 3, 2011 in Finding Passion, Personal Development with 18 Comments

We now hear that Charlie Sheen signed up on Twitter this week and got over 1 million followers in 25 hours and 17 minutes – the fastest in history.  Is that appealing to you?  Is there anything we can learn from that – or are we just going to sit back and criticize all the negative things Charlie has done?

In these days of wanting to build an audience for your blog, book, business or speaking success, are you doing anything radical or remarkable – or are you just being “normal” and “average?”

Anytime there are radical results there are some notable things that have been done.  I love some of what Charlie Sheen brings to the table.  When asked if he was bi-polar, Sheen denied it, saying instead that he was “bi-winning.”  He points no fingers of blame and takes full responsibility for his decisions.

Sheen’s bio on Twitter says that he is an “unemployed winner.”  How many people do you know who are out of work right now who describe themselves as “unemployed winners?”   That’s not what I’m typically hearing.

What could you do with that brash confidence if you directed it toward the positive results you want?  Yes, I’m well aware that there are many things in what Charlie Sheen is doing that are not admirable.  But as a brick can be used to build a cathedral or smash a window, these personal characteristics can be used positively or negatively.  How could you take that same directness, enthusiasm and confidence and accomplish your positive goals?

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  • http://RadicallyChristian.com Wes – Radically Christian

    Wow! What a unique way of looking at this Charlie Sheen situation. Thanks for helping me see the positives Dan!

  • http://www.debtprayerdeliverance.com Wendy Staas

    I completely agree!! As much as I would normally shun and be annoyed by a celebrity and their drama — Charlie is quite interesting. He may have some medical issues that are causing the underlying difficulties in his life — but He is taking his life and making it what He wants.

    I know he is on a ‘rampage’ to tell people he has had ‘enough’ — I can see how. None of us know this man personally. None of us know the exact circumstances of what is going on — with the media blitz of attention and the complications for multiple marriages. . . he has a lot to deal with. I think most of us would have a trying time trying to be positive.

    Good for Charlie for being so bold and courageous — most are not!! It will be interesting to see what happens! It would be wonderful if CBS finished the season of Two and a Half men — it was funny. . . and a bit of a train-wreck. . . similar to Charlie’s real life.

    This will either be Charlie’s 1) Shining moment or 2) his career demise. . . however, looks as though he is not settling for a life of mediocrity and conformity — That can be admired. It takes real guts!!

  • http://www.suttonparks.com Sutton Parks

    I love your take on Charlie Sheen’s recent interviews. Most people try hard to get others to like them while they are being interviewed. They sound like everyone else, and they are boring. zzzzzz! Charlie talked about being a, “high priest, Vatican assassin warlock”. He posted a photo of his “warlock” watch on Twitter. I had to follow him.

  • Candace

    Dan,

    What it really comes down to is that rather than sit in judgment.. we are wiser to look at things through a human perspective and for ourselves decide which traits we admire and dispose of the rest.

    I find the psychology of it all fascinating.

  • Archie Winningham

    Like Zig Ziglar once said, “Someone once asked me if I thought I would be good at photography. Obviously I wouldn’t, because a photographer deals with to many negatives!” I’m kind of like Zig, I try to always seek the positive side of things, because if we will only look for it, it’s there.
    Dan, I’m not a big fan of Charlie Sheen, but you inspired me to see the good side of him, thanks.

  • Mika

    Hmmmm… So it’s your decision – tear something up or build something. But sometimes I think it might be faster to tear it all down and start fresh. Kinda like cleaning a closet/garage – pull it all out and spread it out where you can see it all. Then go thru and sort, trash and give away what you don’t need or want and put the rest back in an orderly fashion. I believe the first original “Extreme Home Makeover” shows they came in and tried to fix the house up….it was more difficult than to bull doze it all down and build something new and fantastic for the family. Now, how can we equate this process in our career? Do we want to go and tell the boss to take this job and shove it? Or take a little more time and pull out and observe/reflect of where we are and what we are doing and then sort thru it all? If you haven’t pick up “Linchpin” by Seth Godin – do it!

  • Shelley Webb RN

    WOW, I cannot believe that you used Charlie Sheen as an example of a positive (radical) way to be noticed on business. The man just had his children removed from his custody by the police. He threatened his soon to be ex-wife with a knife to her throat on Christmas Eve ( and pleaded guilty). Bi-polarity often comes form the abuse of alcohol and drugs – and so does his brash confidence.
    He is a train wreck and a very pathetic example of the way anyone should be conducting business or life in general. Much like people will gather in order to encourage a person to jump to their death from a building, so are they flocking to his Twitter account.
    Gosh … How disappointing.

  • http://andytraub.com andy traub

    I don’t remember Dan saying “Do what Charlie Sheen does” in his post because anyone with a brain can figure out that he’s a nut and an addict. The point is not to be an addict or be a nut, it’s to be different. Charlie does it by being a train wreck. Dave Ramsey does it by saying debt is dumb. Obama did it by saying “Yes we can.” Seth Godin does it by saying, “Ship something.” Dan does it by saying “Find the work you love.” The point is to be different, not “Become an addict to be different.”

    Nice perspective on the situation. I still am totally saddened by the guy but he’s getting noticed. Just not the way I’d go about it.

  • Jean

    Much as I admire attempt to extract something positive from the Sheen situation, I have the same ambivalent feelings that Shelly expresses. Sheen is brashly confident – and also paranoid and anti-Semitic (he did originally point fingers and accuse Chuck Lorre of being “out to get him.”) There have to be better examples of “being different.” And no, I will not follow Charlie Sheen on Twitter.

  • Connie

    Charlie Sheen has addiction problems and possibly, very real mental health issues. He has a documented history of being physically and verbally abusive. At this moment, his kids have been removed from his home and there is a restraining order in place. He is in trouble and needs serious professional help. A winner?

    I think it is very, very sad that media outlets, companies and businesses are using his name or #winner to bring attention to themselves. This one included.

  • http://www.48days.com Dan Miller

    Anyone who is a regular reader of my stuff knows that I look for the positives in any situation. I always see the glass as half full and while I see few people as perfect I do find characteristics in virtually everyone what we can learn from or model. I tell no one to be exactly like Donald Trump, Joel Osteen, Jay-Z, Ashton Kutcher, Barack Obama, Oprah, Martha Stewart or Charlie Sheen but I think there are important principles we can learn from each of them.

    A well known politician once said, “It is always more difficult to fight against faith than against knowledge.” I find that to be very wise and something I observe daily.

    If we reject a person totally because of flaws in their character I think we will have very few friends or business colleagues. If we learn only from perfect people, perfect books or perfect churches we will have little from which to draw and our lives will be narrow and limited.

    Incidentally, that wise politician was Adolf Hitler.

  • http://www.jaredangaza.com Jared Angaza

    Great perspective on this dad. I know that it’s difficult for people to see the positives in a situation like this and I certainly commend you for your perspective. You have always been one to see the upside of things, even in chaos. Thank you for reminding us of Charlie’s humanity, and not just pointing out his struggle and judging him like so many others.

    This reminds me a lot of the quote that mom has in her email signature. Something I said a while back, and don’t remember the context, but I was honored that she quoted me, and I still stand by it.

    “I love that God gave me eyes to see His beauty in everything and everyone, especially when it’s the unexpected. But it’s a decision, every day, to walk in that, and to keep my eyes open.” Jared (Miller) Angaza

    I think my mind works a lot like Charlie’s. He’s acting out on a lot of horrible desires, but I also see enormous potential. He is a confident, determined, wild, uninhibited man searching for some sort of purpose. With the right direction and support, he could be a world changer.

    Maybe instead of wishing Charlie would “get what he deserves”, we should put together a reading list and try and inspire him to find purpose. Seems like a better use of time than pointing out his faults as if that practice somehow excuses our own shortcomings and maladies.

    • http://www.48days.com Dan Miller

      Jared – thanks for your comments. There is another famous quotation: “There is a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line.” — Oscar Levant

      I think the frustration for people looking at Charlie Sheen is that they can’t tell which side of that line he’s on either.

  • Mark

    I like the perspective you put on this situation and how one can learn from it, but still! Charlie Sheen is an idiot. He is immature, irresponsible, selfish and much more unsavory words that would not be a compliment to him or his “goddesses”. He has no respect for himself or others and he should suffer the consequences of his actions. That is the problem in America’s society now. The American people have idolized and glorified him and many others for stupid behavior. Call it like it is. He just put a lot of people out of work because he cannot step up and be a real man. I would be very upset if I were one of the other actors on the show or anyone that has a job because of the show. For example, the boy on the show makes $300,000 per episode. If I were him I would have a “come to Jesus meeting” with Charlie Sheen! The people that are really losing the most are the people behind the scenes, like the light crews, stage hands, and all of the other real working class induviduals that keep the show running. If there are no consequences, Sheen will continue to do it again. I could care less about the celebrities and athletes and the problems they have. I remember when Mariah Carey had a breakdown because she doesn’t know how to deal with such fame and fortune. What an idiot! I wish I had that problem – who doesn’t!?

    Many of the celebrities and athletes need to see the shrink that does the Geico commercials that is a former Marine so he can throw a box of tissue at them and call him/her a “pansy”.

    Bill Engvall (the comedian) would say it best: “Charlie Sheen, here’s your sign! Stupid!!

    Maybe he will have to get a real job and won’t have his millions to live on because of his stupidity. Thanks for letting me vent and rant.

  • Mark

    If I may add, it is not a matter of “sour-grapes”, jealousy, or envy; nor is it a matter of Charlie Sheen or other celebrities and athletes getting what they deserve, but a matter of glorifying and idolizing him/her and making him/her bigger and shining more of the spotlight upon him/her. Dan Miller hit the nail on the head with his comments that we may learn from the situation, but still. He and Dave Ramsey have said/repeated something before, “If much is given to you, much is required of you.” Many people should have a “Come to Jesus meeting” and find their purpose, help others and do the right thing in all that we do in life. I know I have “shaved my head, drank the koolaid, sitting on the bus with the door open – yelling – come on in! Let’s get debt free!” (Dan Miller and Dave Ramsey rock!!)I know I have! That’s what I am doing and yelling. I have difficulty feeling bad for Sheen when I am trying to get ahead and Sheen blows his money up his nose with porn stars. That is not a quality type of life I would want at all.

    Charlie Sheen, have a nice day!

  • Kelly Black

    Dan – Thank you for being one of those people that looks for the lesson in everything! So much time is wasted on judgement and criticism and in the process so much is missed! Not in anyway endorsing Charlie Sheen’s lifestyle but always strive to find the lesson to be learned from anything and ANYONE! Don’t have to like the teacher to reap the harvest of lessons made available in any form! Thank you for being a light on the path!

  • Kelly Barry

    Dan – to take anything positive out of that is agonizing to me…I have and never will be a Charlie Sheen fan. He comes across very arrogant and narcissistic. You can fool drug test. I don’t trust him, nor those so call Godesses. One certainly showed signs of “tweaking”. I can’t imagine that all those twitter followers are following because their fans! Ughh! Sad reality…he has children! The words “walk a little straigter daddy” come to mind!

  • JuliAnn Barcal

    I think even a crazy person can make true statements.That doesn’t validate everything he says or does. But for someone to call himself an “unemployed winner” is a great statement to make, because we know how easy it is to come down on ourselves when we don’t have a job. Thinking of yourself as an unemployed winner may be the attitude that will get you the job…..it will certainly help keep your spirits up as you look for a job. And your chin, too, which other people will notice in a positive way. Since I’m in this category at the moment, I want to embrace the concept.

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