People you probably don’t think of as are badass, really are.
Mother Teresa? Badass. Your city’s entrepreneurs? Badass. Bruce Lee? Okay, everyone knows he was a badass.
But are you?
Are you like them?
Even if you were, how would you know?
I’m gonna help you, by outlining the 5 stages of badass, and how you ryze through them.
Oh, by the way, once you understand this stuff, your life will never be the same, so brace yourself.
I’m not kidding.
When you realize where you are on the badass scale, and where you want to be… actions will need to be taken. So I’m warning you right now, if you’re not ready for a new perspective on life — click away to somewhere safe and boring.
Still here? Good, let’s begin.
Stage 1 – Drone
Drones. Zombies. Boring people.
Oh yeah, the world’s teeming with these guys. They’re everywhere, and they’re generally kind of annoying.
They’re needy, they’re on auto-pilot, and they bring very little conscious value to the table. They probably have a job, partner, pets or kids. They seem satisfied with that, but it’s mostly because they’ve paid so little attention to life, they’re not even clear other options exist. I mean, intellectually they know, but they don’t BELIEVE those options are available.
But you can’t judge ‘em or hate on ‘em, ’cause I haven’t met anybody who hasn’t been through this phase (maybe Buddha or somebody, but I bet they went through it too.) – hey, I’ve been there.
Some people pretend to be zombies, others live it.Main traits: Strong resistance to any new idea. at all. Unaware that there’s life outside their accidentally chosen, default friends + spouses + job.
Language: ‘Depressed’, ‘medication’, ‘doctor’, ‘tired’, ‘bored’, ‘weekend’, ‘my shift’
How to move through this stage? 1. Want more. 2. Talk about wanting more as much as possible, even if you don’t really mean it 
Stage 2 – The "Rah-Rah"
You’ve met these as well, and they usually piss off Stage 1 people and Stage 3 people, heh.
It’s not intentional, but what they do is… they talk, a lot, about all the ideas they’re trying and how they’re gonna "do things." The chances of them actually accomplishing even 1% of their ideas is slim, but they like to talk about ‘em.
They sound like this: "Rah rah rah! I’m gonna do X. Rah rah rah! I’m doing Y…no…Z!"
This pisses off the Stage 1 guys, who’s ‘goals" are a ‘job,’ wife, paid off house or whatever. This also pisses off the Stage 3 guys, because it’s 99% talk, but we’ll get to that.
I was at this stage too, and it’s important. Yes, the people around you will be annoyed, and possibly drift out of your life, labelling you as a) a dreamer, b) an all-talk hypocrite, but you’re not, you’re just… in phase two.
Main traits: semi-open to new ideas, but generally scared shitless of taking action because of time/money/survival. Basically focused on what others think of them.
Language: ‘try’, ‘didnt work’, ‘idea’, ‘money’, ‘time’, ‘economy’
How to move through this stage? Realize you can’t keep talking and half-heartedly trying random ideas in life. It’s pretty ineffective. You’ve got to decide.
Which leads us to…
Stage 3 – Fork-In-The-Road
The moment of truth.
This is where you’re pretty clear on your passion and what’s calling you. Whether it’s music, art, entrepreneurship, bizarre tiny food art, or something else, but you’re still kinda leaning towards the old, familiar path of 60 years of basic survival and then retirement. Most of your relationships are all stage 1s and 2s — maaaybe some stage 3s with you, and it feels scary to cut them all off cuz they’re clearly not ready for stage 4, but you’re on your way.
Stage 3ers have the choice every second to spend their time making moves, and aiming to connect with their role-models + idols – the one’s with the bold, badass biographies who lead their city or industry of choice – OR they can choose to spend their precious time, presence, attention and conversation with the stage 1s and 2s.
Here stage 3s almost always spend forever at this fork-in-the-road, trying desperately to convince, push, or wait-out their stage 1 + 2 friends and family, instead of just leaving them in the dust and moving on to stage 4.
Would seeing the decision for what it is, and making the clear, bold, committed decision to go for what they want, no matter who fades out of their life in the process be powerful and generate huge results?
Yep.
Will they realize this quickly?
Hahahaha. Well, I didn’t — but I can see it & teach it well now. Which is why I offer help with this.
Main traits: Ambiguous, wishy-washy, back-and-forthing on their true passion (music, tech, online-business, etc.) – one foot in 9-to-5 world and one foot in their dream-life, dragging on as long as possible. Very worried about what others will think. They think they can’t decide until their circles validate them.
Language: ‘gonna’, ‘wanna’, ‘will’, ‘soon’, ‘change the world’, ‘worried’
How to move through this stage? Shut up, decide & commit — and this means a decision that FEELS like life-or-death. If your decision at this point does NOT feel like you’re killing off the old you, and embracing the new you, on a deep, emotional level… you are still playing around at the fork in the road.
Part of this is that you make a choice and you’re able to cut-off anyone who even HINTS at not supporting you or who ‘gives you money or help’ to keep you in their playground.
Unless they’re clearly in stage 4, it’s a trick.
If they’re you’re friends, and they know what path you’re on, why are they hinting at going backwards? They want you with them, isn’t that sweet? They want you to stay stuck at the fork… with them
Stage 4 – The Hidden Badass
This is probably the stage that scares people the most. It’s very visible when you’re in it, and people will talk. But they won’t see the badass part.
Most people see the hidden badass and view them as a failure. My family did
The Hidden Badasses are the ones living on kraft dinner, staying up late, being homeless, being dumped and betrayed, being disowned by family, etc.
Sound fun? Wanna be a stage 4? Hehehe.
This stuff happens all because a Stage 3er made the committed decision to be a success in their dreams – to be badass – and now all their old support systems are up-in-arms and hating on them.
Stage 4ers don’t really wanna be around their friends’ negative conversations, and going back to family usually feels like going back to stage 2 or 3.
They’ve quit their ‘cog-in-the-wheel’ jobs and money looks tight. Things. Look. Grim.
It’s not like stage 3 though, because for badasses, the decison is made. The bridge is burned. They’re not gonna be scared back to family or ‘job security’. Their fear is weak compared to their desire, their hunger, their focus.
Evvvveryone wants to avoid this phase, that’s why they like to drag phase 3 out as long as possible… buuuuut ya can’t avoid this.
It’s a rite of passage the marks the successful.
No one teaches you this though. No one explains that every human being needs to make peace with death, commit to their dreams, and be badass – or they need to make peace with only going as far as stage 1,2, or 3.
Anyway, when you get here – you have two choices:: embrace the scary rough patch or resist the scary rough patch.
Guess which one feels better and is easier?
The thing about this stage is… YOU know you’re a badass, YOU know you’re following your heart, but all anyone else sees is a failure. Really.
They see a broke person, they don’t see your potential. (Oh it’d be so nice if your friends + fam in stage 1&2&3 could see your potential and the path you’re on — but they can’t.)
They see "a rough 6 months," they don’t see 50 years of satisfying empire-building. They see "a lonely person", not someone who’s building truly supportive relationships at a high-level.
This stage kinda sucks on the outside, but inside, you know it’s as good as done and you’re almost at step 5.
Main traits: A very strong backbone, a strong reliance on their gut no matter what anyone says, and physical circumstances that appear ‘rough’ or ‘uncomfortable’.
Language: ‘baller’, ‘badass’, ‘my dream’, ‘committed’, ‘courage’, ‘knowing’, ‘f*** haters’
How to move through this stage? Hang on tight to your dream and ride it out. Focus– admit that you’re badass, remember you’re badass, and write, write, write as many positive things as you can about every single moment of your life. I’m not even kidding.
Appreciate the rough patch. Appreciate the stages you’re leaving in the dust, they’re doing their best, and they can’t see you properly.
And the #1 tip? Get a mentor who’s been through this phase. The air is rare up here and there’s very few ‘friends’ to talk to. Get. A. Mentor. Somehow, someway, and watch your life soar.
Stage 5 – Success
The holy grail.
This isn’t much different from Stage 4, but now everyone who hated on you, is seeing your results. Things are materializing more and more. You have solid numbers backing you up. You hang with bigger players and it just keeps growing.
People compliment you and praise you and seek you out. Old friends try to get back in touch, even though they haven’t gone through any of the phases.
You find yourself thinking "Wow, I’ve been here all along, where’d you guys drift off to?"
This really is heaven, where you live how you want. Every moment is deeply appreciated and precious, and you’re not worried about anything, really. Life is just life, things are good, love is what you are and what you’re about.
Main traits: Integrity, passion, commitment, charisma, effortless decision-making, generally fearless.
Language: ‘results’, ‘better/faster/more’, ‘contribution’, ‘impact’, ‘influence’, ‘legacy’, ‘connection’, ‘engagement’, etc.
How to move through this stage? That my friends, is another article entirely…
<grin>
You’ve Just Been Educated
You’ve just been enlightened about some very high-level understandings of life that parents, school, and society won’t give you. Blogs won’t give it to you. In fact, it’s hard for me to name anyone who’d give it to you so straight, except Ryze.
I told you this would change your life.
Most people go into this article thinking they’re a badass, but most people haven’t even REALLY reached stage 4.
It’s okay wherever you are, like I said, I’ve been through every phase, and I was surfing blogs in stage 1,2,3, and 4 also
So I ask again… with your new knowledge… are you a badass?
Lemme know in the comments, and I’ll help you ryze up!
- Angry
- Appreciated
- Inspired
- Amused
- Enlightened
- Happy
About 
Great write up, i’m inspired.
Thanks, D, inspiring’s what I do man. I live and breathe it
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: Money Equals Love
I don’t know how I missed this post… There’s sooo much clarity here.. and I totally needed to read this.
Denise is sharing: A Message About Self Worth
Thanks, Denise! That’s what I aim for!
[grin] And you didn’t miss it, you FOUND it! Which is awesome, because I firmly believe Ryze’s value is clear and magnetic enough that people hungrily seek it out and share it. The world is eager for it. And you help with that (thanks for the tweet!)
I had a couple people at my local coffee shop (Panera Bakery), read it and love it. They said The 5 Stages Of Badass should be taught in schools! Kids need to know this stuff!
Rock on and ryze up!
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: Unleash Your Knowing
Thanks Jason,
I am in stage 2 + 3 together but no completely. There are some traits and attitudes of both that feel like where I am at right now. The motivation is good and it helps to push things forward – focus. Thanks for taking the time and effort to put this stuff out there.
BTW, what stage are you at (he, he)?
Ralph is sharing: I used to think you were smart
Great stuff, Ralph!
Awareness is often the most powerful, and most missing thing
And my pleasure, I love helping and especially love it when people recognize it 
Here’s a question in response, Ralph… I gave a clear, brilliant insight into the 5 stages, and in order to write about them I’ve had to live them – as a Toronto homie, you’re familiar with Yorkville, eh? What stage do YOU think I’m in?
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: Elevate Your Celebration – Step Up Your Life
Yo, J, son…
Wow. This really slapped me in the face. I am currently in 3.5-4 mode. More like 4 and more like I have no choice but to be in stage 4. This resonated strongly. You have a real gift dude. I’m going to share this with someone I know who needs it.
Lauryn Doll is sharing: With All Due Respect, Sir: Eff You, Pay Me
Thanks so much, Lauryn! I’ve had a really great response to the 5 stages of badass, I could probably do a whole seminar on it, and a *lot* of people can use it so I’m glad you’re sharing
Four is a really interesting place to be
How’s it feel?
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: I Just Wanna Be F-ckin’ Happy
Well… now I know I’m in level 4… it doesn’t feel awesome all the time is all I can say! LOL
Lauryn Doll is sharing: Yo, Son: Why the Funk Does Your Website Look Like That?
Knowing is half the battle (G.I. Joe
)
It’s good Lauryn, and it doesn’t have to feel bad, but it’s kinda part of the deal, y’know?
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: How To Learn Like A Boss: The Hidden Steps
I’m not sure if I’m at stage 3.5 or 4 – I’ve started making my moves and am only hampered from moving forward more substantially by my ‘day job’ of looking after my 4 yr old twins and waiting ’til they’re in school full-time in the fall.
(Interestingly enough, both of my girls have already decided on their futures: one wants to be either a duck lady or a flower picker who jogs, and the other one wants to be a police officer and a mommy.)
Lara N. is sharing: A Monster Is Born…
Great stuff, Lara, sounds like youre on a good path, your daughters as well!
A good rule of thumb is if you’re “unsure” of where you are, round down.
Possible resources for you:
Cheers!
Christian Mickelson has a Time Abundance program that he recommends to Moms who want to be entrepreneurs, and you might enjoy Vanita’s http://AfterBedTimeBlog.com or Denise’s http://NurturingCreativity.net or Ruth Zive who has 5 kids and runs a fantastic site http://RuthZiveCopyWriting.com
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: Learn How A Genius Screws Up His Relationships
Hey Jason, (ouch the comment section font hurts my eyes! I had to blast this up to 200% just to read what I’m typing without straining)
What does it mean when you are a combination of all 4 stages???
I was wondering where you think I’m at?
Ok, so all my life I’ve been open to new ideas. I never fit into a box.
For example going way back to highschool, I was generally top of the class, teachers liked me…. but I broke rules other people weren’t allowed to break.
I got away with wearing make-up, carving into the desks, being late for class and missing classes.
I got to hand in assignments late and skip homework.
I wasn’t in any click. After school I used the t.v. in the library to plug in videogames and hang out with my friends.
I borrowed nearly all the books and read alot. I had so many “labels” going on and always have.
It’s very hard to pin me down.
One minute people think they’ve got me boxed, then they see a totally different side to me.
I don’t do it on purpose it just happens.
I’ve got a lot of conflict in my personality/contradiction.
I have alot of the language of stage 1 because my health & energy have always been bad due to lifelong medical condition.
I have the language of stage 2 because I’m ambitious and believe there’s much more to life. I have worked in those average jobs and I got sick or got fired. That didn’t work well with me.
All the time I want to do something more.
I’ve been labeled “lazy” and a “job snob” but fact is I’ve worked in office and fast food and all the crap jobs..so I’m not lazy..I’ve just done alot already.
I’ve got the traits of stage 4, but ceratinly not the language.
I’ve tried “not bitching” as you say, but then I don’t get the help I need.
Also I have all the feelings and desire… but very vague with no particular skill.
(you mention web design when you were homeless.. I don’t have anything like that to sell to people.)
So I’m confused as I know I’ve got some hidden creative talent and am an awesome person not suited to mediocrity (rather be dead)
but heavy with depression/ill health/incompetance/confusion
So yeah.. I don’t know.. see how I’m all over the place.
Alice, I totally appreciate all your sharing here. And I feel I understand. I’ve been ‘scattered’ myself.
Most of what I’m reading in your comment seems (and feels) to be “self-labelling”, a hyper-focus on ‘What Is’, and repeating patterns of ‘How Things Have Been.’
I could be wrong, but that feels like the common theme
Whatever the case — I know you’re an awesome person, and you can be anything you want, and when you’re ready to focus on solutions, dreams, goals, and What You Really Want, I know you’ll get it all, and people will rally to you.
Wishing you all kinds of success.
And the short answer to your question is, if you’re asking “what other people think of what phase you’re in”, you at stage 3 and below because Stage 4 + Stage 5 don’t care what other people think.
Another answer is:
You can ‘play around with’ whatever phase you want, but only when you stably incorporate it into your identity, and embrace it as Who You Are, do you really gain the power from it. Some people spend their whole lives dicking around with one phase or another, never really embracing, embodying, or committing to it
I’m not saying that’s you, but it’s a possibility
And either way is fine, just not something I’d recommend personally
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: Genius Made Simple: Thich Nhat Hanh
Jason,
Why I asked you what “stage” I was in was for clarity not for opinion. It’s not about caring, it’s about figuring things out.
Your answer isn’t what I was looking for/ I think you slightly misunderstood.
I’ve been ready for years. But if you don’t know how or what you want to do- you could be a “stage 4″ person but you need a plan.
That’s my frustration. I’m not voluntarily “dicking around” I just don’t have specific answers.
I’m trying to find that.
Alice, I feel I understood originally, but let me try again.
The stages move naturally from 1 to the other.
If you’re at stage 4, plans and specific answers are forming, and acceptance of the timing is key. Stage 4 is badass. No one can tell them their not gonna rock it. They could have zero plans, zero evidence, and just a ‘gut feeling’, but they know they’re gonna do it. Sure doubts may creep in one day or another, but generally, stage 4s are rockin’ it.
I don’t specifically label people as stages, or answer this question because it’s personal. The stages are ‘arbitrary’ divisions made to help people understand and increase their awareness, and to view their own behaviour in a new light.
I trust you respect my decision not to label people as a certain stage.
If this post got you to think about things, maybe see yourself and your life in a new light, mission accomplished.
Many people have read it and found it immensely helpful, but hey, it’s cool if it just made you more confused
I feel the answers I’ve provided are deeper and clearer than most, and I’ve poured out some pretty verbose comments aiming to clarify — and if you read with an open mind, and pay attention to them, answers are there, just like they exist all over Ryze and other fantastic works like Abraham-Hicks, Napoleon Hill, or new players like Leo Babauta of ZenHabits.
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: Genius Made Simple: Thich Nhat Hanh
Since I was a kid I was stage 4, I believed in a private dream of mine. Didn’t even know how, just that is what I’m meant to do.
Even with heavy depression I still believed in that dream, that is what I live for.
But the blocks won’t go away and you know when you try to force something it doesn’t work. So the more I need to use my ticket out of poverty and mediocrity the more it won’t come.
I walked away, gave up, didn’t force… still didn’t come. After many years it’s not about being strong or weak or not giving up.
Because I’ve shown resilience for a very long time where others would not be able to handle it or just give up already.
So when people meet me for the first time they think I am giving up or that I just have to be patient.
What they don’t know is I’ve been patient for a decade, good self-talk for that long saying it will all work out.
When it didn’t you know you tried again and again. So the focus on what’s good is so true.
You did give me gold. Never said your advice was anything other.
I just feel I’ve flogged a dead horse.
So what exactly should I do? I’ve forgotten over time. I need a new horse!
I don’t even remember what the dream was exactly. It was something you do in your house. But over time I think does this make you lonely?
I was curious of writers, artists, bloggers..people run businesses at home..isn’t it isolating? Do you get cramped from sitting on the computer all day?
That’s part of what shook the dream for me. After spending so much time in isolation it’s tempting after my health gets better just to get any crappy job as long as other people are there… (my heart really isn’t in that statement)
But in a normal job you get up each day and go somewhere. If you work on your computer don’t you feel stagnated?
When I had a normal job it also distracted me “I’m too busy for friends” is a great excuse to cover up gaps in social holes.
Now my mask has been pulled off for a long time, I’m all uncovered with all the worst bits showing
I’ve been there, Alice. I have a similar story — I had a dream
I wanted to have a company that I loved and an empire that reflected the real me well.
And for 7 years I blogged about 1 article a week, with an average of 2 Commenters a post.
*seven years*. 165 comments total. lol.
How did I finally change things?
I let the dream go.
“I let go of any need for a business.”
“I let go of any need for an empire.”
“I let go of any need for support.”
“I let go of any need for understanding.”
“I let go of anything that is causing me pain or struggle.”
I meditated on those things. I relaxed my body and allowed the tension to leave. This is the power and right of any human at any time. They can hold on to their breath, and hold on to their agony, or they can breathe deep and easy, calm their mind, and let it all go.
So that’s why I did, you can try it, or you can not, but I highly recommend you experiment with it — you’ll love the feelings (and the results)..
As for a dream of a home business and being isolated:
Well… like every human being in life, “loneliness” is something we’re supposed to feel from time to time. It’s not an emotion that’s off the table, but for me — in general, I’m rarely lonely at all.
(it does happen though, and I embrace it, accept it, express it, and dont hide it http://ryzeonline.com/belonging-connection )
I’m friends with tons of cafe owners (like they invite me out to dinner lol), because I work on a laptop in cafes. I’m friends with lots of other entrepreneurs and a whole community of home-biz people, some in my city
And my ‘mostly online’ friends are tremendous.
And the most important thing:
Do you want a dream that feels alive, and fresh?
If so, write that down somewhere, everywhere.
Writing is super powerful, and it is the single human act that can take an IDEA and make it MORE REAL, almost instantly.
“I feel my dreams are alive”
Does that help?
Jason “J-Ryze” Fonceca is sharing: Genius Made Simple: Thich Nhat Hanh