Stuart C. Lathrop

humanist & technologist

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Mantras

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…