Money and Life

Here are simple truths everyone needs to know about winning in business and life in general. – The person on top of the mountain didn’t land there by accident. We have a tendency to celebrate the monumental successes of others with a healthy blend of admiration and mild jealousy while conveniently overlooking the pain and suffering they endured while translating their effort into accomplishment. As Bruce Lee famously said, “Do not pray for an easy life. Pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.” Pay your dues. – Most people overestimate (AND underestimate) what they can achieve. Bedros’ philosophy is that people often overestimate what they can accomplish in a given year, and underestimate what they can achieve in five years. Plans often look better on paper than when they come under fire. And “no plans survives first contact with the enemy.” – Leadership is always the problem, yet always the solution. Leading in the dynamic and volatile world of modern business (and life) is challenging enough –now more than ever in this current environment of complexity and ambiguity. In SEAL training and combat, we learn quickly to adapt in dangerous high-stress situations. And while the world of business and entrepreneurship may not always be life and death – though it feels like it sometimes – it ALWAYS comes back to leadership, which can be categorized in two simple ways: effective and ineffective. You’re either accomplishing the mission, or you’re not. – The two most significant factors to success or failure are Thoughts and People. We are the architects of our own beliefs, the actions we take (or don’t), and the results those decisions deliver. But the two most profound elements impacting our success, or lack thereof, are the thoughts we allow to consume us, and the people we surround ourselves with. The good news is that both are completely within our control. And since we know that our actions are influenced by our thoughts, then it makes sense to assume that negative news, gossip and external factors can have significant power over us, if we allow them to. That also goes for the people that you surround yourself with. Make no mistake about it, negative people will fill your mind with thoughts of doubt and failure. So, eliminate them. Not literally. You know what I mean. – You only have two chances at the parent-child relationship. The first as a child; the second as the parent. We all have opportunities to get the first one right. And sure, we’re not all meant to be parents, but similar philosophies apply. It all comes down to relationships. According to recent studies, humans apparently have a 100% mortality rate. Who knew?! So, when that inevitable day comes, guess what? You can’t take the Ferrari with you. What mark will you want to have left on the world? What relationships will have meant the most? What will those you hold dear say about you? More good news! This too is within your control and sphere of influence. So make every effort to get it right.