UNexpected Grounds

The single most powerful pattern I have noticed is that successful people find value in unexpected places. (credit: Peter Thiel)

Familiarity breeds complacency….heard of it ya. Perhaps that is why most people fall under the herd mentality. Everyone follows everyone to places where “gold” is supposedly found.

Well, nothing wrong with that but just that these places are gonna be crowded. We need to learn to open our eyes and mind. Be alert to areas/places where it is not crowded. Why bother expanding your resources to fight over a limited pie?

Go Blue Ocean. Avoid a bloodbath with the market.

Exclusivity and Uniqueness is profitable. Go find your “unexpected places”.

Smiling Assassins

Seeing smiles on people’s faces usually put us at ease. However, in the marketplace, wisdom tells us not to be ignorantly innocent. A smile is a smile. It does not necessarily indicate that person is a friend. If you observe, enemies may flash an even bigger smile.

I am not a negative person. I do not have negative perception of the world. In the marketplace, we need to be a realist. God after all advised us in His word Matthew 10:16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves”. It is simple wisdom and common sense to be careful.

So my dear friends, my numerous experiences have taught me that to heed God’s word. Blind faith is not faith. Know your friends. Know wolves in sheep’s clothing too.

Swimming Among Sharks

Being in the marketplace, I’ve encountered countless number of characters. Most are nice and fair but there are those I will not be ashamed to label them sharks.

Strong words? Not if you had encountered them in my shoes. Why do I call them sharks??? Here’s why…

• They think only of themselves
• Only one party may benefit — them!
• It is a one way communication, I.e. They talk, you obey
• They have no consideration or respect for other people

It is my natural instinct to stay away from these people. Hey, won’t you stay away from sharks too? Unfortunately for some, their true colors are not revealed till a much later date.

While we can never entirely avoid encountering this species, we can do much  to protect ourselves, e.g. Learn their character and/or learn to manage them.

Here’s a toast to all of us — I wish all of us will have the wisdom and patience to deal with them instead of wanting to strangle or stab them. Peace to all mankind 🙂