Red Mike Message 3-21-25 -- Nobody Cares

Good morning, welcome back to the Red Mike—and happy Friday.

Before we jump into today’s Red Mike Message, a trivia question:

On this day way back in 1980, what some people consider the first real TV cliffhanger happened.

Any idea what it was?

I’ll fill you in at the end.

Today’s Red Mike Message:

Basically… you're on your own.

Here’s a universal truth: nobody cares.

Nobody cares if you’re tired.

Nobody cares if it’s hard.

Nobody cares if you’re struggling.

The scoreboard doesn’t care.

Your job doesn’t care.

The competition doesn’t care.

The world keeps moving—whether you’re ready or not.

Where did this idea come from?

I saw a picture of Darius Rucker—yes, Hootie himself—holding a big flag with a saying on it from former Navy SEAL Jocko Willink. It said:

“Nobody cares. Work harder.”

I thought that was powerful.

There was Darius—he’s not Hootie, he’s Darius Rucker—holding that flag like, “I got this.”

Which got me thinking about Darius and Hootie & the Blowfish.

If you remember, they had a huge debut album—Cracked Rear View—one of the best-selling albums of all time.

Their follow-up, Fairweather Johnson, did okay. Pretty well, actually. But nowhere close to Cracked Rear View.

Then, as often happens in the music business, trends shifted. Spotlights moved. Album sales slowed. Their commercial dominance faded.

But the story didn’t end there.

They went on hiatus in 2008. Darius still had songs to sing, but he wasn’t in a “Hootie place” anymore.

Thank you, "Friends."

So he pivoted.

Thank you, "Friends."

He launched a new chapter as a solo country artist—and found success all over again.

Other band members followed their own creative paths.

And in 2019, they reunited—released another album, Imperfect Circle, and toured again.

Some people would say their journey stalled.

Some would say it ended.

But it didn’t.

It evolved.

Nobody cares. Work harder.

It’s a solid way to frame things—because external validation is rare.

You’re not going to get a lot of “attaboys” out there.

Sure, you’ll get a few. But mostly? Like Prince said: you’re on your own.

Real success comes from within.

There is no personal growth, no fulfillment, without dedication, perseverance, and hard work.

At the end of the day, it’s up to you.

Tote that barge. Lift that bale. Write that paper.

Whatever it is—you’ve got to do it.

Step up.

Get the job done.

And do it now.

Yes, it sounds harsh.

It sounds rough.

It sounds cynical.

But it’s reality.

Life rewards effort.

It rewards resilience.

And just as importantly—it rewards results.

Excuses don’t move the needle.

Whining sure doesn’t help.

Complaints don’t change outcomes.

Work.

Work hard.

Smart work.

Consistent work.

Work when you feel like it—and especially when you don’t.

It’s easy to look around and think the world owes you something.

Here’s the truth too many people don’t realize: The world owes you nothing.

Success is not handed out.

Respect is not given.

They’re earned—with hard work, sweat, blood, and tears.

So step up.

If you want something—go get it.

Because nobody cares. Work harder.

And that’s today’s Red Mike Message.

I hope you found it interesting, I hope you find it helpful, and I hope you apply it in your life.

Back to the trivia:

On this day in 1980, we started asking a question that lasted all summer long...

“Who shot J.R.?”

If you’re a TV and pop culture geek like I am, you know it was Kristen Shepard—Sue Ellen’s sister.

So there you go—your Red Mike Message trivia of the day.

Thank you for being here.

I’ll see you again Monday.

Please give me a like, a follow, and a share.

I appreciate y’all.

I’ll see you next time.

Go out there.

Knock the cover off the ball.

And don’t forget, as always:

Life is short. Drink the bourbon.

Red Mike Messages are leadership and life lessons I’ve picked up from 25 years as a public servant, 16 years as a youth football coach and scouting volunteer, and 10 years as a mediocre athlete with far more heart than actual physical ability.