When you meet someone in a social setting, resist the temptation to ask what they do for work.
Why?
That person might:
Whatever it is, neither of you really want to talk about it.
Put work in the same category as politics and religion.
In social settings, there are MUCH better things about which to ask.
As the season changes from summer to fall, you have two choices:
Your call.
So you just bought or were gifted:
Sure, you’ll get a lot of use out of it at your new job, and you need the security in your new small business, and you’ll be baking a lot in your new home together.
But none of these things are logical purchases.
They’re merely rites of passages.
Find one to sell and the audience who has “earned the rite,” and you’ve struck gold.
If you’re looking for a new job, your best asset is your attitude. Experience, education and the like all come second.
If you’re looking for a spouse, your best asset is your gratitude. Looks, compatibility and the like all come second.
If you want the happiest, most fulfilling life, have an awesome attitude and give lots of gratitude.
The new job and spouse, then, will simply be a bonus.
Here’s the secret to making more money.
Don’t listen to anyone offering advice on how to make more money.
Why?
The big reason THEY make money is by selling YOU products on how to make more money.
And until you’re doing EXACTLY what they’re doing, it’s pretty tough to make more money by simply following their advice.
It’s the tiny receptions of genuine gratitude that make difficult work worth doing.
“I read your blog and really enjoy it.”
“This is my favorite store. Always love shopping here.”
“Thank you for your five years of loyal service to our organization.”
Knowing how inspiring, empowering, and motivating it is to receive said gratitude, why not give it out a little more?
It usually costs nothing, yet is worth so much to the recipient.
It’s a large room with hundreds of tiny workstations.
Headsets, computers and a messy array of printed scripts, reminders and notes line each one.
It’s a call center, people.
And there’s a person making X dollars per hour at each of those tiny workstations.
Their job is to fix your problem.
Keep in mind, though, there’s almost zero chance THEY are responsible for causing it.
The days before were more than before. They probably will be next time.
And the moments we have are not like before. But these, I think are better.
I appreciate our relationship more than ever before. L’chaim and to our next reunion.
Love,
Lenny
So you have a long walk to work.
Or you get lonely working from home. Or you have to clean up all your employees’ messes. Or you have to go back to school for another year of teaching. Or your inbox is overflowing with replies to your newsletter. Or you have to mow the lawn. Or you have to get on another flight to visit yet another client.
That shit sucks.
But here’s the deal:
Not too long ago, you yearned to be where you are today.
You wanted a drive-free commute. You wanted to work remotely. You wanted to start your own business. You wanted to become a teacher. You wanted to connect with you readers. You wanted your own home. You wanted that job.
Be grateful for where you are. Appreciate that you wanted to be there.
And be proud of earning the right to endure “that sucky shit.”
It’s just like your biceps. Or triceps. Or quads.
Work it out, and it gets bigger, faster, stronger.
Let it rest for too long, and it withers away.
That’s right, people.
Your brain is a muscle.
Push it to the limit, and its growth has none.