No matter how smart and hard-working you are, lying is a zero-sum game. Lies always catch up with you. And when they do, its game-over. People will forgive incompetence, but not dishonesty. Stop telling yourself you’re smarter than everyone and that you’ll get away with it. Never lie. Lies catch up with you.
What kind of a reputation do you want?
Do you speak your mind? Or do you hide your thoughts? Do you choose sides? Or are you a diplomat? Do you leave something on the table? Or do you never let the other guy win? Whatever your choice, it’s cool. Just know that your reputation attracts like-minded people. It’s one thing being that kind…
You never know when you’re gonna hit it out the park
There are so many variables in business that the odds of winning are an unknown. Success can’t be predicted. There’s only one way to win: Get on the pitch, swing the bat. Swing, miss, swing, miss. Don’t stop swinging. You never know when you’re gonna hit it out the park.
Patience is a super-power
The reason patience a super-power is because it’s hard. Especially for entrepreneur-like folk, who’s DNA demands immediate action on everything. Work hard, leave nothing to chance, but then practice patience. Wait. Be quiet. Chill. Patience is a super-power.
Every man, ever, has found an adversary clever than himself
Have you found yours?
Don’t call every minute
You’re waiting for feedback on a deal, or on a payment, or on a sale. You’re chewing your fingertips, checking your phone every 30 seconds. You’re tempted to call, and call, and call. Don’t do it. Endless nagging doesn’t change the outcome. In fact it can sometimes have a negative impact because the other person…
The best time to overcome an obstacle
As an entrepreneur, you will encounter obstacles. It’s part of the game. There’s no avoiding it. There’s no point complaining. You need to overcome the obstacle. The only question is timing. When is the best time to overcome an obstacle? Now.
Handle the speed-bumps with dignity
Things will go wrong. Sometimes it’s your fault, sometimes someone else’s. You have to fix it, no matter what. Throwing your toys out the cot won’t change that. Losing your cool will simply lose you respect. So be cool. Handle the speed-bumps with dignity.
If you’re going to walk through the desert, you better walk quickly
For an entrepeneur, cash is akin to water in the desert. Without cash, you die. When you’re starting up, you’re entering the desert with limited water. If you’re going to walk through the desert, you better walk quickly.
When you’re given a job, do it properly
Even if its dull. Even if its dangerous Even if you don’t want to do it. Do it properly.
You’ve screwed up your marriage, now don’t screw up your divorce
Business is like marriage. You choose partners, and you see how it goes. If you have the wrong partner or do the wrong things, your marriage fails. Fine. You failed at marriage. Now don’t fail at divorce. Parting ways with business partners should be handled with dignity and generosity of spirit. No one wins in…
Tell the whole truth
It’s no good just telling the truth. You have to tell the whole truth. Otherwise you’re lying by omission. Eventually people figure it out, and then they stop trusting you. Without trust, there’s nothing. Tell the whole truth.