
Here's a follow up to my original reflection on what I've learned in life and career, thus far:
To my surprise
I peaked athletically at the age of 13 and intellectually at the age of (not quite yet).
“Kvetchup and mustard” is an unregistered domain and incredible restaurant business opportunity.
Traveling alone is one of the world’s great delights.
I derive an excessive amount of joy from introducing good people who should know each other.
Caveat emptor
Don’t do what’s expedient, easy, or self-serving. It’s obvious to everyone.
Deep couches are beautiful to look at but terrible for the body.
Advice is overrated. No one shares your personal context.
Soapbox
If someone says, “see ya later, alligator,” you are morally obligated to respond, “after a while, crocodile.” No exceptions.
“Don’t eat anything bigger than your head” (thanks for that one, Dad).
I prefer the term “balding” to “bald” (it’s a process, not yet complete).
Be bold enough to mix a tie, pocket square, and lapel pin and just dumb enough to try.
Children
I love our daughter, Nora, dearly but I just don’t get the TikTok videos she shows me. It’s a generational thing – that’s what I tell myself, anyway.
Personal relationships
The written word still matters more than the digital equivalent because it takes more time and effort. People notice.
Do everything you can to remember uncommon special days like the birthday of a friend’s child, a citizenship anniversary, or the date of an honorable discharge from the military.
Affirm, don’t flatter.
Precedents can be reset in relationships. Always try.
Sacrificing short-term for the long-term is a bet that almost always pays off.
Business relationships
Some can, and will, help you more than others. Set your expectations accordingly.
The person who cares less controls the relationship. Sometimes it’s you and sometimes it’s them.
For better or worse, a small few determine the majority of our success.
Laughter
I believe in laughter, whether it’s at me or with me.
The absolute best conversation is one where a wrestler or 90s baseball player name is uttered with absolutely no context. Candy Maldonado!
Accumulated business wisdom
Everything communicates. What you say and what you don’t.
Don’t spend too much time in your head. Write it down.
Be the first to deliver bad news and do it in-person.
The best power can do is produce compliance. Choose influence instead.
Everything else
Personality and luck will only take you so far.
I can fit “Go Bucky” into any conversation about anything. Try me.
Best question ever: “What do you know, that I don’t know, but should?”
“You’re perfect the way you are…and you can use a little improvement” (S. Suzuki)
We have a whole lot of crazy in our house and a whole lot of love. Lucky us.
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