Over the years I have adopted a few mantras which, while not mystical in nature, do accurately summarize circumstances. Recently it occurred to me that I had never really cataloged these sayings. I know them intimately, so I've not felt the need; some others, however, have inquired so (in no particular order) here is where I'll keep The List:
Fast, Cheap, Correct: Pick Two.
There are a variety of Venn Diagrams that try and illustrate this in creative ways, some of which I''ve posted. In 30+ years, I have rarely had the need to do more than simply remind people: you only ever get two…
Always give people three options: two to choose from and one to throw away.
A valuable rule I learned from David Hardesty back in 1982. It was a sales focusing technique at the time, but it has been useful in so many areas of life…
Be First or Be Best.
While substantially different than the Economics Theory of the First Best, I have often thought this more relevant advice when undertaking new business pursuits…
Backup Before Proceeding
Counter-intuitive because we always hear it in terms of going backwards when we want to move forward. It never fails, however: You will need those backups. Trust me…
Wherever You Go, There You Are.
Whether you attribute this to Buckaroo Banzai (as I do) or the old English proverb, it still resolves to the same question/answer: You are here and it is now; Now what? Many better than I have used this as a great illustration…
Work Hard, Play Hard.
Many people chose to proclaim Play Hard or Go Home, but my reminder: life only offers us Hobson's choice, so by staying in the game you must continually play. Do it well…
Never Accept a Computer´s Double
Unlike some backgammon players grouse, it's not that the computer cheats, but let's face it: it is faster at statistical math (which, in this case, equates to better) than you are…