There are different ways that people can view life. This is a different approach that might add value to your outlook.

To be successful you have to create opportunity and add value. I previously had looked at all my jobs as stepping stones to my next “job.” I would think about how I would approach my next job search and interviews. I would seek to refine my resume to tailer my experience to the jobs that were available.

Instead of thinking like this, it has served me better to seek opportunities in various markets. I would think of how I could add value to industries, not to positions offered. I am currently in India developing a business. I could look to find a job position once I return to the US where someone has defined a need for this. Or I could seek to create opportunities for other companies and define the value proposition for them.

People know what they want to do with their business, I can make those things happen. Or I could search for jobs that offer something similar to my current skill set. For me to be truly successful I have to make things happen. I have to define where I am going with things. More on this later…

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Don’t let the fear that stops you from being successful be between your ears.

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I was in a conversation with a sales guy recently. He was telling me about a strategy that made sense to me. Basically he does not like to sell people. He likes to have people want to buy. Being that I am generally on the buying end, I understand. I like buying things, but hate being sold. People generally like to buy, it makes them happy. They don’t like to be sold on things though. What are your thoughts on that?

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No matter what you do, provide value to your end user. It seems like the people that are striving now are those that provide value to others. In my line of work it is critical. We play with the big dogs and the only way we can compete is by providing value. People appreciate value and will pay for it over everything else in down markets. It even turns out that down markets can be good times for value providers. People trim the fat during down times, and look to value partners. You can gain market share against larger more expensive players when times are tough because you add value.

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CYA or “Cover Your Ass” is a strategy that I have seen used over the past few months. I have been working on a project that involved many different parties. The crazy thing about the project was that no one wanted the project to succeed, all anyone wanted to do was cover their ass and place blame on others. It would have been just as easy to make the project a success as to blame others.

I don’t like this strategy but believe that it has its place at certain times. I feel you should always attempt to do your best and succeed on the first go. If you are unable to pursue your strategy because of external factors you might have to cover your ass. I don’t recommend working in this type of environment if you don’t have to, don’t. These aren’t the types of people or parties you will be successful with.

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I have been on the road a bit and caught two unique strategies, both have been discussed before, but are worth mentioning. I was in a board meeting with a few people this past week and saw a silent strategy played out to its fullest. Two parties were negotiating “changes” to a project. One party set still/silent and just watched the other party dig a hole that they could not get out of. It was a basic strategy of defense that left them with nothing to do but wait until the arbitrator had heard enough nonsense…

The next strategy is unique. It is the “play dumb” strategy. Basically you act as if you aren’t the smartest guy in the room and bring everyone down a few levels. You let them feel “comfortable” around you. You say things that loosen the mood, but give nothing away of yourself. Once the others feel as if they are around an insignificant person they begin to give up all of their knowledge. The guy who played this move took away a wealth of knowledge he needed while the others in the room ignored him enough to give up all of their strategies.

No matter what strategy you choose to use in life, make sure it works for you.

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It has been brought to my attention recently the value of hard work and good people. To say it bluntly there are a lot of slackers out there. At the same time there are great people as well. Sometimes we need role players and sometimes we need self motivated problem solvers. I have a friend that just doubled the size of his business within a month. He went from 180 people to almost 400. He did this by taking over a competitor. To make the transition go smoothly though he had to depend on some key players. So far everything is going great. It it were just him going along with people that he could not trust he would not be able to succeed.

When you are dealing with such a large group of people it is hard to do it all yourself. You can’t communicate to everyone, so having a few people you can depend on essential. If there is a break in communication it can kill the whole business. Remember to keep good people around you and to reward them along with yourself. Prepare for the success you want to have and keep people you value with you.

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There are a few areas in life that you can skimp on and be good. There are also a few areas where you will get screwed over quickly if you skimp. Use your own lawyer when you buy or sale real estate. It will be worth every penny to have someone looking out for your best interest. Even as you gain experience you will want someone that you can trust reviewing documents before you have to. I have seen a couple of HUD statements recently that truly represent the person without their own lawyer.

Also don’t skimp on insurance. I am not going to advice which plans to go with or not, but I will say that you will sleep better when you have insurance. Most loans require insurance, but if you are dealing with cash you can do what you like.

Think of these things like the 10 crack commandments or condoms. “Credit dead it/You think a crackhead payin’ you back, shit, forget it” “keep your family and business completely separated/money and blood don’t mix/like two dickss and no bitch”

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Patience is defined as “good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence.” They say patience is a virtue. In the business world I would say that patience can be replaced with forget it or replace it. I find in the business world that I am waiting on things and trying to be patient. Me rushing people helps nothing. Me worrying also does not help things. Banks are slow, realtors are slow, everyone is slow. People generally do things when they benefit from them.

So recently I have just been saying forget it. It has worked out for me well in a few cases. I will leave people alone and they end up getting lonely and begging for business. They come up with better offers and better deals. You also give them time to do whatever it was that they needed to get done before your tasks.

A lot of people like to play games in business. I say forget them and their bs. You can not do this in all cases because there are things you have to get done. Do those. For other things try to have multiple options. Be loyal to those that are loyal to you. Evaluate your business and recognize where you are wasting resources. If you are having to wait on people too often maybe it is time to stop being patient. 

“Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”  Abraham Lincoln

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If you have not read the 48 Laws of Power I highly recommend it.  The book is highly recommended from all walks of life.  Below is a chapter break down of the book. I could talk about the book for ages, and really get not do it justice.

The 48 Laws of Power

by Robert Greene and Joost Elffers

Law 1

Never Outshine the Master

Always make those above you feel comfortably superior.  In your desire to please or impress them, do not go too far in displaying your talents or you might accomplish the opposite – inspire fear and insecurity.  Make your masters appear more brilliant than they are and you will attain the heights of power.

Law 2

Never put too Much Trust in Friends, Learn how to use Enemies

Be wary of friends-they will betray you more quickly, for they are easily aroused to envy.  They also become spoiled and tyrannical. But hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a friend, because he has more to prove.  In fact, you have more to fear from friends than from enemies.  If you have no enemies, find a way to make them.

 Law 3 Conceal your Intentions

Keep people off-balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions.  If they have no clue what you are up to, they cannot prepare a defense.  Guide them far enough down the wrong path, envelope them in enough smoke, and by the time they realize your intentions, it will be too late.

 

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