Partnership Advice: Grow With Me or Not | Partnership Advice | You Shouldn't Go With Me
Explore essential partnership advice with the mantra 'if you can’t grow with me, you shouldn’t go with me.' Discover how to build strong, mutually beneficial relationships in life and business. You shouldn't go with me. Partnership advice.
MONTHLY STATEMENTS
“When the top of an anthill is destroyed by an enemy, the first ants that come out are extremely offensive and aggressive and will fight ruthlessly, attacking any outsider or obstacle they find. If you dared place your finger around them, they would bite and sting you terribly. After they have confirmed peace in the area, they return to the anthill and another set of ants comes out with wet soil to rebuild the anthill. When you place your finger during this process, it is ignored and simply built around with no single attack. Business and life are exactly programmed to be that way. At least, history teaches us that. Even ants, the most self-sustainable animals teach significant lessons about resilience and rebuilding. If you don’t draw clear boundaries between when to attack without favor and when to ignore and build vehemently, you will inevitably fail! This I can almost guarantee, based on observed patterns of behavior in various aspects of life. That is exactly why FORGIVENESS AND MERCY are not just optional; they are two of the greatest virtues EVERY TRULY GREAT human possesses, transcending cultures and generations.
This reminds me vividly of when Sir Isaac Newton lost a fortune in the South Sea Trading Company bubble of 1720. After this unfortunate event, he lamented profoundly that he could calculate the motions of heavenly bodies, meticulously mapping the cosmos, but could not fathom the madness of men, who are often driven by greed and emotional turbulence. His experience is a lesson to us all about the unpredictability of human behavior, much like the fluctuating nature of the stock market, which often defies logic. Such reflections take us on a journey through history and personal success.
Earlier this year, I passionately wrote about how the biggest extremes of humanity have to contend with the burden of mankind's expectation for an endless series of successes, especially in a world that often only celebrates those who excel once, versus an unending series of failures due to a few missteps. Many individuals often succumb to external pressures, and that is how most people miss the most valuable assets of their lives, which oftentimes come in the form of relationships and connections with others. We can learn best through failure and get motivated best through success, creating a delicate balance between our personal aspirations and the collective experience of humanity.
A few days ago, I was deeply engrossed in reading from Sharon Lechter, who expertly wrote, ‘If you want to invest in investments that the rich invest in, you have to be more than just rich. You need to be a sophisticated investor, not just a rich person who invests. Ultimately, you cannot teach someone to be a sophisticated investor; rather, someone can learn to be a sophisticated investor through experience and insight.’ This understanding emphasizes that wealth is not merely a matter of accumulation but of knowledge and strategic thinking.
Lechter further articulated a fascinating perspective: ‘Many people think the Indians who sold Manhattan Island, aka New York City, to Peter Minuit of the Dutch West India Company for $24 in beads and trinkets made a bad deal. Yet, if the Indians had wisely invested that money for an 8 percent annual return, that $24 would be worth over $27 trillion today! They could have bought Manhattan back and had plenty of money left over. The problem was not the amount of money but rather the lack of a well-thought-out plan for investing their money strategically and wisely in a way that ensures growth and sustainability.’ This anecdote serves to remind us of the importance of financial literacy and the long-term implications of our decisions.
I think there is a chasm of difference between what we think might work in theory and what really works in practical terms. Contrary to the beliefs of Mother Teresa, I firmly believe the preaching point can actually serve as the meeting point for diverse ideas and perspectives. Sharon Lechter is indeed the co-author of the highly influential “Rich Dad Poor Dad.” She is not just an author but a dedicated mother of three, a devoted wife, a Certified Public Accountant, and a business owner. Her expertise spans across various areas such as accounting, insurance, and publishing industries. Lechter graduated with honors from Florida State University with a degree in accounting, paving her way towards meaningful financial guidance.
This brings me to the overarching theme of this month: Time vs Money. What do you value more? Do you often look closely at prices before making purchases? Do you find yourself spending valuable time—sometimes hours—engaging in complex bargains to minimize costs? It is imperative to note that you can make more money ad infinitum, but cannot obtain more time than you already possess. When asked why he doesn’t focus on saving money, Donald Trump famously said, ‘Saving money doesn’t increase my income; it limits me, and I consider it clinging to money. If you want to be wealthy, consider saving time, even if you have to pay more money for it, rather than simply saving money.’ This perspective challenges conventional wisdom about frugality and highlights the opportunity cost of time.
Ultimately, one thing I learnt from observing monkeys in the wild is not to let go of one branch until I have a secure grip on the next one. The wise words of Bishop TD Jakes resonate powerfully: ‘If you can’t GROW with me, you shouldn’t GO with me.’ This truth speaks volumes about the importance of surrounding ourselves with individuals who are committed to growth and success.
I hope this greatly EMPOWERS YOU enough to conquer the challenges set before you in MAY 2013.”