Greg's Right FIT Newsletter #123

Techniques for FIT

This week I am running between St. Louis and Omaha for one son's college graduation and the other son's high school graduation. High-fives all around! And Dad advice for all.

• Finish your day on paper the night before. 

• Sometimes it's as easy as showing up early, working late, and being sober. 

• To make the right decision, first, make a decision. Then make it right. 

• Your memories are the stories you tell yourself, so watch the negative self-talk and give yourself a break. 

Being Human - Go with the flow

"Follow the money." Deep Throat

Boys,

One of the strange powers of money is it's influence on who we listen to. If the person has money, we humans, especially USA humans, default to taking whatever they have to say seriously.

For instance, last Sunday night, I was in a nice restaurant with your mother when the servers start scrambling and arranging the tables next to us into a long row. One-by-one a group of business people trudge in and take their places. For fifteen minutes I hear them grumbling about being there on Mother's Day before their boss comes waltzing in and their frowns turn to smiles and the mood lifts. How do I know it's their boss? Because he used to be my boss. And what does it have to do with money influencing who we listen to? Well, he made a ton of money in the 90's and I could see myself in those men, hanging on every word and looking to make an impression on the rich guy. 

Over time I've come to realize that outside of the narrow area of expertise where he made his money three decades ago, I'm not sure of the value of his opinions. That said, if you are selling anything to his current company executives, all they need to hear is that their boss sent you and your taken seriously. Conversely, if the manager tells the boss to talk to you, I can guarantee you won't get an audience. The reason? His money flows to the executives, not the other way around. Whether or not your product is the right for the company has nothing to do with it.

Knowing that, consider the direction money is flowing when you are referred to someone or hear about an opportunity you want to follow up on.

At the same time, when you find yourself listening to someone's random advice, ask if money is influencing your perceptions. 

I'm not saying it's bad, I'm just saying be aware. 

Good stuff.

Now, go call your Mom. 

Random Stuff

Some days. . .

When I started this business, part of the promise to myself was I would only make myself as busy as I needed to be. Add value where I can and keep away from activities that have questionable value to my client. That worked well for the first five years. . . and then I released this book, "The Human Being's Guide to Business Growth." 

Since then, I've been busy. Podcasts, articles, meetings, proposals, projects, and speaking opportunities. It's almost like I've gone to work for the worst version of my young managerial self. Pressing for more just for the sake of getting more. 

That's when I turn to the left, and see The Humble Administrator, our beta buddy. 

He reminds me of the episode of The Simpsons where Bart looks longingly at his frog and says, "Ah, the life of a frog. That's the life for me."

Good stuff. 

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