Bigger Guns

Why bring a canon when a pocket knife would suffice?

If your plan for victory is might makes right, it’ll probably work.

Temporarily.

But brute force is a sloppy strategy and don’t be surprised to find yourself undermined, outwitted and alone.

You don’t need bigger guns, you need better aim.

Letting Go Of The Hilt

The phrase “letting go of the hilt” has two implications.

It can refer to dropping the ball, failing to win even with ideal conditions and sword in hand.

It can also mean putting the sword down and employing more sophisticated methods.

Conserving Energy

 

Step Away

A parable about helping others with their businesses:

If your friend's house is on fire but they’re not concerned, don’t waste your own water trying to put it out.

Effort

The problem with trying harder

 

I was a music major in college. After two years of maximum effort and dismal results, I burned out and quit.

I walked away to save my sanity but it stung. What I perceived as my life's trajectory evaporated in an instant because I couldn't hack it. It was a relief to let it go, but I was sad. I felt like a failure.

A couple years later I went back to school for photography. Photography is not easier than music, but the same effort produced notably better results. In fact, twenty-seven years later, I'm still a professional photographer. I built a career and made a life for myself.

It's not always about trying harder. It's about finding the right thing.

Respond Wisely

 

Quell the Tide

If it doesn't need saying; stop.

If it mustn't be revealed; don't.

If it plays you at a disadvantage; resist.

If it throws you off balance; wait.

If it's not immediately relevant; go around.

If you're sinking faster by trying harder; be still.

Rally your strength. 

Live to fight another day.

The Price Tag Of Time

A lesson from retail

Is it better to:

A. Spend all day servicing dozens of customers who are spending less than $1.00 each, even if it means not having time to provide service for customers with big orders?

Or

B: Spend all day servicing a handful of customers who are spending $500.00 each, even it means not having time to provide service for customers who are spending less than $1.00?

Either way, it's time spent that is gone forever, but the end result is not the same.

If you only made $20 today, you may have to work twice as hard tomorrow. If you made $2000 today, you could take tomorrow off.

There will never be enough time for a meaningful life when trivial activities are prioritized.

And, of course, the definition of "trivial" depends on your priorities. It's not always about money, but it is always about making valuable use of time.