Saturday Success Series: Volume 37
Making life & money work for you.
Welcome back to the Saturday Success Series email!
In this edition we’ll have:
Five to Focus On: A quote, stock, book, show & a beer.
Master Yourself: The art of productivity
Master Your Money: Money myth
And of course…
The Weekly Special: 17 Life “Rules” You Should (Probably) Break to Live Better
The goal here is maximum value, so let’s get to it.
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Five to Focus on:
In a noisy world, it’s hard to know what’s good out there. Let me help.
Quote to ponder: “Someday is a dangerous word.” - Neil Patel
Stock to consider: GOOG (Google)
Not that a stock split is a reason to buy but in this case you’re buying more than the split. You’re buying reasonably priced shares of Google. Google isn’t going anywhere, not for a while. Google has its hands in all kinds of future technology- AI, robots, autonomous cars, you name it.
Disclaimer- this is not financial advice, I am not a financial advisor, and you should always do your own research.
Book to read: No Visible Bruises by Rachel Louise Snyder
This book is a gut punch. Since I don’t date men, I’ve mostly avoided any serious domestic violence issues, personally. But I know far too many women who have suffered. This book shares both tragic stories as well as offers a better way forward.
Show to enjoy: The Gray Man on Netflix
It’s Netflix’s take on James Bond. And it was a pretty hot take. The dialogue is a little goofy in parts, probably since Chris Evans isn’t the greatest bad guy in the world, but it was fun and full of action. Just what you want in a summer movie.
Beer to sip: Smokey and the Bois from The Bruery
This beer is absolutely insane. The ABV is 16%, so it really drinks like a strong wine. One bottle is plenty, which is good because it’s both hard to find and hard to afford. Though it’s probably worth the effort and tapping into your savings if you’re a beer head.
Master Yourself
Productivity is something we’re all seeking.
Many of us stay busy, but find we accomplished little of substance.
So, with just 2 questions you’ll see how to create better to-do lists and eliminate procrastination.
What do I need to do? I get specific here. I need to finish 2 of my 6 phishing training videos. I need to do my upper body push/pull workout.
Why do I need to do it? Again, I get specific. I need to complete these videos to obtain my semi-annual certification and keep my day job which supports my family. I need to get my workout in to stay healthy and strong, because life is worthless without good health.
If you go to put something on your to-do list and don’t have great answers, move on. It doesn’t belong on your list.
Everything on my to-do list has a very clear objective and purpose. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t go on the list.
And keeping a list to check off somehow manages to eliminate procrastination, like magic. You just start moving down your list.
And by a certain time (let’s say 12pm) I want at least half of it done and by 8pm I want my entire list done.
I rarely, if ever, carry anything over. This is today’s list- so just do it.
Master Your Money
Money Myth: Investing is gambling
No, gambling is gambling.
Know what else is gambling?
Keeping your money in a savings account that loses you 2–3% (or more) every year.
Right now it’s losing you 10–15%.
Ouch.
Investing is a way to build your long term wealth. If you think it’s gambling, you’re doing it wrong.
Start with Investopedia . It can give you a great free financial education.
NerdWallet is also a great tool for useful comparisons.
But at the end of the day, you need to take action. All the knowledge in the world is useless without action.
Weekly Special
17 Life “Rules” You Should (Probably) Break to Live Better
Rules are either understandable or super annoying.
Ever since I was a kid I’ve questioned almost every rule. I always wanted to understand why it existed. Many didn’t make sense. Many still don’t.
But as you get older you’re able to reflect in a way that’s impossible when you’re young.
You see all these things laid out in your past and you can start to make sense of them.
That’s where I’m at with the rules of life these days. Making sense of everything I’ve learned in the past 36 years.
Let’s get to it.
Rule 1: Stay away from controversial topics
What You Should Do Instead
People like passion, they like opinions, they like to debate and argue.
You should be a little bit polarizing, not everyone will like you anyway.
But the people that do like you will end up loving you. Start talking about real shit.
Rule 2: Stay in your lane
What You Should Do Instead
Do more. Take more upon yourself or “less”, by less I mean take on work you consider to be beneath you.
It’s not. You’ll learn from it. It builds character to empty your own trash at the office.
It also builds character to lead others, even if you’re not a manager. Share your ideas, speak up, make things better even if it’s outside your job description.
Rule 3: Live at the office
What You Should Do Instead
No way. You need rest and relaxation to be your best. You need sunshine. And exercise. And a social life.
You’re not productive after a few hours anyway, if we’re going to be honest.
Set boundaries and spend some time with your family (or alone) in the mornings and evenings.
Rule 4: Forgive and forget
What You Should Do Instead
Nope. Take it personal.
Bad things tend not to happen to people who take accidents personally (or so The Godfather taught me).
As for forgetting, you shouldn’t be forgetting lessons. And you should be learning lessons from every failure (whether you failed or someone failed you).
Rule 5: Never say never
What You Should Do Instead
Some things just aren’t worth your time, say never to gossip.
Say never to negative people sucking up your time.
Say never to repeating the same mistakes over again.
There are lots of things to say never to.
Rule 6: Never mix business with pleasure
What You Should Do Instead
Work should be fun.
Your business should be pleasurable. For you, your co-workers, your collaborators, your customers, your investors- everyone should be having a good time.
Happy hours should happen. Parties should happen. You should be a part of the community.
Rule 7: If it’s not broke, don’t fix it
What You Should Do Instead
What? Just, what?
Just because something isn’t broken doesn’t mean you can’t make it better. That’s pretty much entirely what innovation means.
Rule 8: Don’t get personal
What You Should Do Instead
People like people. And your customers are people and your collaborators are people and you’re a person. So act like it.
Be human. Empathize, joke around. Know some personal details like their birthday, what their kids are up to, etc. and remember these details.
Rule 9: Be an expert in your field
What You Should Do Instead
You will never truly be an expert. Your field will always be changing and you will always be learning.
It’s okay to admit this and to work with others who have knowledge you may not have yet. Though you should pay it back and help those with less knowledge than you.
Learn a few things and combine them. Also, look to learn a little about a lot so you can start blending fields and ideas.
Rule 10: Follow the path to success
What You Should Do Instead
There is no set path. You can’t follow someone else’s.
Plus, a path makes it seem like a straight shot. It’s not. You’ll do a lot of swerving.
This is not to say that certain habits and behaviors aren’t universal to success. Good nutrition, quality sleep, always learning, etc. will always be success makers.
Rule 11: The customer is always right
What You Should Do Instead
Heck no. Some customers truly aren’t worth it. They are nasty and rude and they don’t actually want help. They want to use you and your collaborators as doormats and punching bags.
Refuse them, tell them to take their business elsewhere. They are ruining your culture.
Rule 12: Respect your elders
What You Should Do Instead
Only if they deserve it. There are some old people that are ignorant and have accomplished nothing and never given a thing. They are not worthy of our respect.
Simply outlasting your usefulness is not a badge of honor. Ignore the advice of a lot of old people, they road to their old age on someone else’s coattail.
Rule 13: You can’t have your cake and eat it too
What You Should Do Instead
Sure can. Why the hell else would you get cake if you couldn’t eat it? You just want to stare at it until it’s stale and can’t be enjoyed?
Don’t let life’s wimps tell you this silly “wisdom” is true. It’s bullshit. Have your cake, have another cake, eat from all the cakes, share cakes.
Rule 14: Use a template for your resume
What You Should Do Instead
No, no, no. You just look like a generic jerk. And that won’t help you get any decent job.
Unless you like working for other generic jerks.
Sure, use templates as an outline, but then think outside the box.
And write a cover letter. It’s a unique way to stand out.
Rule 15: Sell to everyone
What You Should Do Instead
It pays to be a little more selective. Think “diamond mindset”.
They seem exclusive and therefore more desirable.
Market to a certain type of customer and let people become that type of customer, if it suits them.
Rule 16: Don’t work for free
What You Should Do Instead
Preposterous. Volunteering is work and it’s great.
Helping others and sharing information is a boon to society.
Don’t be greedy and secretive and weird.
And sometimes, it pays off in the long game to work for free in the short game- if you’re in the right situation. Basically learning a lot or getting a lot of attention.
Rule 17: Finish what you start
What You Should Do Instead
Let it go if it isn’t working.
Some things are not worth our time. Which is why you won’t find a conclusion paragraph here. You got the rules, do with them what you will.
Thanks for reading and if you found this valuable, please share with someone who could use it. See you next Saturday!
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I enjoyed reading your Rules. Keep it up!