I think I can officially be called ‘obsessed’ with the topic of hypocrisy.

It seems everyone I meet these days is trying to be someone they are not. I don’t know if it’s the narcissistic tendencies that Facebook or Twitter bring out in people, but it is something that I see every single day. For example, you’ll see people with 25,000 twitter followers and 5,000 Facebook friends. They look like the coolest SOB’s on the planet until you get to know more about them.

I can’t even look at some people’s tweets or Facebook status without laughing and saying “Seriously?”

I’m obsessed, I know that has to be the answer, why else would I speak about it every day? Although in my defense, I don’t go looking for these folks, they show up on my screen.

Seriously, my B.S. meter is off the charts! The hypocrisy knows no boundaries of gender, race or ethnic background. Although the biggest offenders (edging out online marketers), is Christians.

First off, if you have to tell me you’re a Christian – game over.

Second, why do Christians feel they have the right to spew Bible verses like a kid with nursery rhymes? It’s been my experience that the ones who know their Bible verses the best, are the biggest hypocrites. On more than one occasion I’ve seen a hand raised to the heavens during Sunday morning worship, then a middle finger raised to the window after being cut off in traffic on the way home.

I’ve purposely taken a leave from my church because I simply cannot get my message from this particular environment. I know I should be bigger than that, I know it’s not about me – but I’m being honest ( another trait lacking in most). I can’t watch the people worship knowing they’re phonier than a three dollar bill, that 24 hrs from now they will be back to their old secular ways.

The difference between me and them: I throw myself under the bus all the time, declaring that I am the most flawed human being on planet earth. I don’t try to be someone I am not. What you see is what you get. Do I let you see 100% of me? No. That person is seen only by my family. I don’t air my dirty laundry in public nor do I pretend to be holier than Thou, I’m just Sam Crowley.

People ask me all the time “Dude, are you seriously that excited all the time?” Answer – yes! But there’s another side of me that others in my inner circle see and that’s a man with lots of concerns. I worry about my daughters. Am I being the best father I can be? Are they OK when they’re in school? Are they enjoying life? Do they know Jesus?

The toughest Christians to tolerate are the ones who constantly give advice to others, while their own life is a complete train wreck. Spouse is cheating, kids are unruly, money is spent on ridiculous things (and very little, if any, is given to the church), they volunteer for the ‘look at me’ factor rather than just doing it.

Here’s my advice: Rather than tell me you’re a Christian, just go about your day-to-day life and I’ll be happy to observe.

The second place winner in the Fake Stakes is a group we’ll call online marketers.

Wowzers.

These men and women are snake oil if I’ve ever seen it.

Now, before you reputable online marketers get your knickers in an uproar, I know there are good ones out there. Relax.

I’m talking about the freaks who constantly update their social media with “I’m in a perpetual state of gratitude because I am free. I found the perfect business for me and I’m loving every minute of it…..(and you can too, just click the link below and go to my site for more info)” {yawn}

It’s ok to be grateful. I have a couple blog posts and videos talking about gratitude, it certainly has its place. But to tell everyone you know, every day that you’re happy, successful and wealthy tells me you are miserable and about to go broke.

Case in point: This past summer I had a guy order my free audio course Six Days To Saturday. He obviously didn’t read the seven references to our monthly continuity program on the sales page and just quickly hit the order button to take advantage of the free product. Thirty days later I get a nasty email from him telling me he was duped (close, but I think he meant he’s a dope:)

He goes on in his email about his credit cards being maxed out, no money, no hope, even his dog doesn’t want him around. At the bottom of the sob story email begging me for a refund is his sig file: “Ask me how I live the life I love while working from the comforts of home.”

What??

Here was Skippy The Professional Refund Artist crying in his Gmail about how broke he is and still keeps his sig file in tact – just in case it may have caught my eye and I wanted to join his team. Now this is a ridiculous – albeit true – example of a poser in action but it’s everywhere online. Next time you log in to Facebook check all the status updates and see how happy everyone is and how their business is thriving and how grateful they are. While you’re reading their updates, I want you to imagine all of them sitting in their home depressed and wishing life didn’t suck so bad. I’ll bet you I’m right on more of these than not.

So why am I so obsessed with all the hypocrisy? Great question.

I think my infatuation began in my former corporate life where it seemed everyone was a liar and it started at the top. From alcohol to adultery to insecurities – everyone in a business suit was a schizophrenic mess and only a few had a chance to witness the dysfunction first hand. The higher I rose on the corporate ladder the less impressed I was with the people I met. It made me sick to think in order to advance my career I would have to keep my mouth shut and take one for the team.

No thank you.

I told my wife I would rather be broke than be a sellout – I’m quitting my job. Well, I was a prophet! I did go broke but I still had my health, family and a great attitude – all I needed to build my dream business. Unfortunately, now I trust very few people – especially in business.

So what’s up Sam? Why the long post? The reason for this message is to avoid online Christian marketers with a Facebook page…..KIDDING! Heck, if that was the case – you’d be avoiding ME:)

I really want you to be successful. Not just in business but in all the relationships you have. The key to being successful is to be who you are all the time, every time – operating with pure motives. We all have skeletons in our closet and the goal is not to put everything out there for all to see. But you better be honest with people because they have a funny way of sniffing out a fraud. Some may tell you, or others may be like me and just never come back.

The Internet is littered with pretenders selling the latest and greatest snake oil. There are very few who have taken the time to build a brand, be honest and work hard at what they love. Don’t go for the easy money and don’t fall for the carnival barker promising an opportunity of a lifetime.

Go deep inside yourself and ask what is it you love to do and then find a way to monetize it. Make sure you have properly identified the market you are going after and come at it with a ‘real’ angle. They will surely appreciate the breath of fresh air.

My promise to you: The more real you are the more successful you will be.

If you’re an idiot 6 days a week and treat people like dirt except on Sundays, please refrain from quoting scripture.

If you haven’t made $.05 online, stop posting online about how successful you have been.

If you’re having an adulterous affair, stop (for alot of reasons).

Life is awesome. It is meant to be soaked up like a sponge. Quit complaining about how cold it is and be thankful you aren’t six feet underground. Stop with the partner who did you wrong, resentment is the equivalent of drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.

Wake up tomorrow with a sense of purpose and be you. You’ll be surprised at just how much pressure is off you to not have to be anyone else.

Sam