Strike the Match

Don't Follow The Pack

Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite by Paul Arden is a great book that Bryan Roberts recommended to me.  Bryan is the founder of Traction, one of the top 3-dimensional fabrication companies for billboards in the nation.  He credits this book to motivating him to start his company.

I devoured the book it in one sitting (Yes it is that good but it is also a very quick read).  It does a superb job of illustrating the importance of standing out in a world where the tendency is to conform.

Strike the Match.  Take Action, Be Extraordinary.

The Intelligent Investor

I'm currently reading The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham with commentary by Jason Zewig.  According to Warren Buffett, it's the best book on investing ever written.  A great lesson is found in the commentary on Chapter 4.  It reads as follows: 

There are only two ways to be an intelligent investor:

1.)  by continually researching, selecting, and monitoring a dynamic mix of stocks, bonds, or mutual funds;
2.)  or by creating a permanent portfolio that runs on autopilot and requires no further effort (but generates very little excitement)

That's it.  You're either an expert or you're not.  The first scenario takes up more time but gives you greater returns. The second yields slightly smaller returns but is simple.  Both are perfectly sound approaches to investing. 

The trick is sticking to the one you pick.  The investor who dabbles is the one who gets burnt.  He gets burnt for many reasons, but most importantly because he doesn't have the discipline to stay the course when times are tough.

It's a great life lesson.  Either commit to being extraordinary or put it on auto-pilot and forget about it.  There is no in-between. In-between is a road that leads nowhere, at least nowhere you want to go.

Strike the Match.  Take Action, Be Extraordinary.

 

Be Open

I am 35 pages into Improv Wisdom by Patricia Ryan Meadows and I've already found something that we whole heartedly agree on.   That something is to be open.

Patricia doesn't come right out and say "be open" (at least not in the the first 35 pages) but it is clear as day.  To be successful at improv you must be receptive to what the other actor(s) are giving you.  If you're closed you miss opportunities and stifle the creative process.  Not just for yourself, but for all those around you.  That's why Patricia's first maxim of improv is "say yes".  Yes is open.

I've found the same goes in life.  When I'm open, it's amazing what opportunities come along.  All of a sudden an uncle's friend becomes a key member of Techmate or a neighbor's recommendation to try Muay Thai becomes a welcome change and a healthy obsession.

Being open makes the world an opportunity.

Strike the Match.  Take Action, Be Extraordinary.

Getting Real

I just finished a great book about building web applications. I know that opening probably doesn't spike your interest but humor me and read on.

The book is titled Getting Real: The smarter, faster, easier way to build a successful web applications and is written by 37signals, an innovative web application company. With that title you would expect them to dive deep into programming language and technical specifications but thankfully they refrain almost 100% from tech talk.

Instead it's a frank conversation about the importance of open communication, having a clear vision that allows you to avoid excess, and execution through manageable chunks.Their approach can be applied to life, to business, probably even to dance choreography so don't be limited by the fact they reference web applications in their examples

If you read it with an open mind and think about other applications I guarantee you'll come away with some great insights and motivation to "Strike the Match."

"Strike the Match."  Take Action, Be Extraordinary.