Comments on: Give me some advice, win free lunch at Spencer’s.

By: Registered User

Registered User — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 04:49:21 +0000

This post has been a dismal failure in terms of reader participation. I don’t know who these 171 subscribers are that feedburner tells me I have. I think you and Blake are going to win this for giving me the best advice over the long term, plus I still need to give you that other check.

Or maybe people just don’t realize how good Spencer’s is.

By: Pete Abilla

Pete Abilla — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 04:33:46 +0000

So, who wins the lunch?

By: Blake

Blake — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 07:34:04 +0000

a) Abandon jobs, engagements, projects, companies, and clients you no longer want to work with. If you can’t answer “yes” to “does this excite me?” then ditch it now.

b) Don’t freaking work between the hours of 6-until wife goes to bed (but go to bed with her). This pays enormous dividends. Give your work the bird — contrary to what you think, it can wait till tomorrow.

c) Know that family supersedes your personally ambitions. If you can answer “yes” to “would you be willing to sacrifice what you love doing for the good of your family?” you’re on your way.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 03:10:19 +0000

Here’s the most important piece of advice I can give you: Don’t take my advice.

Now, its OK to listen to my advice and its OK to consider my advice but I suggest you go with your gut. I suggest you triangulate my advice with the advice of others. Also, remember, people have motives. Beware of the motives of the person your taking advice from.

By: Scott H.

Scott H. — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 19:22:35 +0000

Here is some business advice that I received a few years back. I’m not the author though, just a beneficiary.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” We know people who are completely out of shape and suddenly decide to go on a crash diet. For a few weeks they are faithful to the new regimen. Eating less, exercising more, losing weight, etc. However after losing a few pounds, it’s not long before they get bored and the old self takes control again.

Similar to crash diets, people are always trying to take a great leap forward, only to be pushed backward again and again. I would recommend taking baby steps instead to reach your goal. Here are two reasons why this is a good idea:

1) Long term success is not measured in how big your stride is. Long term success is measured in the number of steps taken in the right direction over a long period of time.
2) Compund Learning benefits you. Much like compounding interest in an investment, each baby step you take in learning your business will compound over the years. If you haven’t strayed from the path too much, in 10-20 years you will have learned/experienced so much that you’ll automatically become an authority figure in your area of expertise. In essence, you’ll be enjoying the benefit of a magnified accumulation of knowledge and you’ll be free to use it to make loads of $$$ and heal the worlds’ woes.

By: Pete Abilla

Pete Abilla — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 05:52:39 +0000

My advice is relevant to (a), (b), and (c) and it is also advice that I’ve personally taken, so there’s no hypocrisy here: I took the Myers-Briggs Test and now have a coach to help me improve in areas where I am personally weak.

Yes — and, you know what — this is the best thing I have done to-date for my personal life and career. I am 32 years old and have done pretty well in life, but recognized some serious weak spots in my business and personal life. I am now taking proactive steps to know myself better and to also improve in specific areas that I care about.

That’s my advice.