When you’re in the trenches it’s easy to assume you’re the only person with cashflow crises, operational catastrophes, and a general sense of being on the precipice. Don’t panic. You’re not alone. Everyone is in a crisis, every day. Everyone is faking it.
Never stop moving
The only guaranteed way to fail is to stop moving. Keep growing. Keep selling. Keep learning. Don’t rush. Make haste slowly. Be patient. Just. Never. Stop. moving.
Pay your taxes
There are so many things to stress about in business, why would you add another thing? Unpaid taxes are a massive headache. Just don’t do it. Pay your taxes.
Listen to the Universe
You can’t fight the Universe. Instead of endlessly hitting your head against a wall, rather take a step back and pay attention to the signs. There are signs everywhere, telling you which way to go. Mostly we ignore these signs, either because we’re too stuck in the noise, or because the message is not something…
Are you Napoleon?
Some people think Napoleon was a baddie. But that’s only because he lost the war. Up until then he was a legend. He rose from obscurity to become emperor of Europe. He led from the front, standing with the frontlines of his army. His civil code is still used across most of Europe, over 200…
You are a good person
You will make enemies. You will have haters. You will be criticized. No matter how well-intentioned you are, or ethical your behaviour, self-doubt will creep in, Surely all these haters can’t be wrong? Maybe you are a bad person. Don’t go down this road. Haters gonna hate. Keep reminding yourself: You are a good person.
Embrace the baddies
If you didn’t have con-men, you wouldn’t know what an honest businessman looks like. If you didn’t have dictator-leaders, you wouldn’t know what servant leaders look like. If you didn’t have incompetent CEO’s, you wouldn’t know what competence looks like. You need dark if you are to have light. Embrace the baddies.
Not getting what you want is good
Always. So don’t be upset when you’re rejected by an investor, or customer, or employee. Be cool. Wait a bit. You’ll see. If you’d got what you’d wanted, it would have been a bad result. Work hard as damn, then accept the outcome. It is always the right outcome.
Adversity reveals. Prosperity conceals
Are you a fighter? Are you a genius? Are you a creative? Are you a quitter? Whatever you are, prosperity conceals it. When times are good you can never know your true nature. Only hard times can show the truth. Prosperity conceals. Adversity reveals.
Hard jobs first
The easy jobs will take care of themselves.
How do you know what needs to be done?
In business, and life, there are a seemingly infinite series of inflection points. Forks in the road that require a decision from you. Left or right? Persevere or give up? Fight or run? Take no for an answer, or force a yes? Are you on the right path? There are two ways to deal with…
Mind your own business
Don’t meddle in other’s fights. Don’t try reconcile other’s arguments. Don’t try save anyone’s marriage or career or health. You have enough on your plate as it is. Mind your own business.