I've been skiing this past week with my brother.
On a sunny Tuesday, we took a break on a red slope ( see picture) when an exhausted man skiied up to us. He swore at how tired he was, we invited him to sit down with us & refused, he had to join the group at the bottom. We cheered him on & wished him good luck.
We were about to take a gondola down the mountain after a long eight hour day of skiing, when we spotted the same man getting a lift on his own. We began chatting and he had a lot of locker room talk in him. I thought it was a little poor taste, we didn't know him but it understandable, he may just be looking to be relatable to two young lads.
After ten minutes, we were at the bottom of the mountain and he asked if we wanted a pint.
"uhhh not sure" I said, I put the fate of this offer to my brother. After my uncertainty, he said "sure, why not?".
I was a little nervous on what to expect
But here's the kicker:
My brother saying yes was the best decision that was made all week.
This man I looked to turn down was unbelievably funny & dropped gold in every sentence he spoke. I learned a lot from him & he has certainly lived a hell of a life. After meeting him for 4 days after skiing, here are the three things that I found were the most valuable nuggets.
For the sake of referring to someone, I'm calling him James. I'm also going to keep this very vague to protect the man's identity.
Proactivity, Proactivity, Proactivity
After achieving a pass at university, James was not in the most employable positions. However, what to remedy this was to get the qualification to be very employable towards his desired industry. He also did a bunch of stuff to show that he's top notch.
By the time he hit 30 he found that he wasn't getting laid enough. After a year, ended up dating eight girls at once and keeping a spreadsheet to track all the expensive, times & dates. Make a change.
"SHOW ME THE MONEY!"
James told this story on a ski lift, he screamed the title right after getting off the lift.
Clients would discuss political views. The first one would talk about how the democrats have their perspectives all wrong. Then the next one would talk about how the republicans have their views all wrong. He would know the talking points of both and agree with them.
Why be a chameleon?
clients don't pay you to talk politically. They pay you to make money.
Simple but profound. If it doesn't achieve why you are hired, it's a distraction at best, & a money loser at worst.
Say Yes More Than No
After nearly saying no to talking James, I take this one to heart. I've applied this rule many times into my life & it was a good reminder to not be lazy.
Just because of a yes, I'm now friends with someone I see as extraordinarily successful. Not only that, I get to write this post!
BONUS (Just because I like you)
In Five Years, It Doesn't Matter
His personal motto, and one that I've been repeating to myself this entire week. You can apply this to anything - dating, interactions with strangers, exams, shit that smacks you in the face. Anything.
Final Thoughts
There were so many more, but I cut them down to these ones I thought were the most golden. This post is as much as a reminder to myself as it is a good read for you on the superb advice I received during the week. Not to mention I got some amazing recommendations for rock bands I've been listening to all day (this one is the best!), fantastic financial history books & must watch films. Truly grateful to have met James.
I've got a question for you:
Have you ever applied principles? I'd love to hear them!
On a sunny Tuesday, we took a break on a red slope ( see picture) when an exhausted man skiied up to us. He swore at how tired he was, we invited him to sit down with us & refused, he had to join the group at the bottom. We cheered him on & wished him good luck.
We were about to take a gondola down the mountain after a long eight hour day of skiing, when we spotted the same man getting a lift on his own. We began chatting and he had a lot of locker room talk in him. I thought it was a little poor taste, we didn't know him but it understandable, he may just be looking to be relatable to two young lads.
After ten minutes, we were at the bottom of the mountain and he asked if we wanted a pint.
"uhhh not sure" I said, I put the fate of this offer to my brother. After my uncertainty, he said "sure, why not?".
I was a little nervous on what to expect
But here's the kicker:
My brother saying yes was the best decision that was made all week.
This man I looked to turn down was unbelievably funny & dropped gold in every sentence he spoke. I learned a lot from him & he has certainly lived a hell of a life. After meeting him for 4 days after skiing, here are the three things that I found were the most valuable nuggets.
For the sake of referring to someone, I'm calling him James. I'm also going to keep this very vague to protect the man's identity.
Proactivity, Proactivity, Proactivity
After achieving a pass at university, James was not in the most employable positions. However, what to remedy this was to get the qualification to be very employable towards his desired industry. He also did a bunch of stuff to show that he's top notch.
By the time he hit 30 he found that he wasn't getting laid enough. After a year, ended up dating eight girls at once and keeping a spreadsheet to track all the expensive, times & dates. Make a change.
"SHOW ME THE MONEY!"
James told this story on a ski lift, he screamed the title right after getting off the lift.
Clients would discuss political views. The first one would talk about how the democrats have their perspectives all wrong. Then the next one would talk about how the republicans have their views all wrong. He would know the talking points of both and agree with them.
Why be a chameleon?
clients don't pay you to talk politically. They pay you to make money.
Simple but profound. If it doesn't achieve why you are hired, it's a distraction at best, & a money loser at worst.
Say Yes More Than No
After nearly saying no to talking James, I take this one to heart. I've applied this rule many times into my life & it was a good reminder to not be lazy.
Just because of a yes, I'm now friends with someone I see as extraordinarily successful. Not only that, I get to write this post!
BONUS (Just because I like you)
In Five Years, It Doesn't Matter
His personal motto, and one that I've been repeating to myself this entire week. You can apply this to anything - dating, interactions with strangers, exams, shit that smacks you in the face. Anything.
Final Thoughts
There were so many more, but I cut them down to these ones I thought were the most golden. This post is as much as a reminder to myself as it is a good read for you on the superb advice I received during the week. Not to mention I got some amazing recommendations for rock bands I've been listening to all day (this one is the best!), fantastic financial history books & must watch films. Truly grateful to have met James.
I've got a question for you:
Have you ever applied principles? I'd love to hear them!
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