BUSINESS BASICS SERIES
By Dan Cavalli

Most people I talk with agree that experience is the best teacher. People learn from experiencing things personally or through observation and then applying what they have learned to themselves.

Anecdote

Let me tell you a story. It doesn’t seem that long ago that I was wound up in my own success, killing myself and working 15 hour days.

I Started the day at 5am and went through to 8pm snacking on goodies every 2 hours and enjoying $400 lunches. I ended up gaining 45 kg weighing 130kg and sat in front of a computer doing very little else.

What was worse was the more successful I became the busier I was. I was caught in a vicious cycle, a roundabout and I couldn’t seem to get off. I was like a raging bull charging straight for the matador only to have his sword plunged between my shoulder blades down into my heart.

Casually, during a conversation, a colleague said to me in a light hearted manner, “What are you going to do with all your money when you’re dead?” It was like a 10 pound hammer had hit me between the eyes and I felt dizzy as though I was seeing yellow stars!

Examples

Take for example people that smoke. They know the possible consequences of smoking but do they stop? They often stop when they are in hospital and the doctor advises them to quit or they will die.

What about speeding? Speed can maim or kill if in an accident. And yet people still speed.

In these examples as with most experiences the person knew about the consequences of their actions however refused to change until they personally experienced devastation.

The Astute

The astute person watches others to end up with the desired outcome they are interested in having. It’s simple really, assimilate the experiences of others and don’t do something that has an outcome you don’t like.

Now, relate that back to the situation above and ask if it would be wise to be motivated by my story. Do you want to be free of stress and have a healthy lifestyle? Well, don’t do what I have done. This is what I did to change my situation.

Ignorance Price

Many times my advice has been ignored by those asking for it and in many cases this has cost them dearly. That’s their prerogative, I can only empathise not sympathise with them for being fools.

On one such occasion I asked an individual who had just lost $750,000 this question: Why did you not take my advice? They said, “Just because I get advice, I don’t have to take it”. The answer blew me away.

What a foolish man. He is and will be paying for that attitude for many years to come. Asking for, taking and paying for advice is something to be valued. Learn from the experience of others.  Don’t play the ignorant fool and have to learn from your own personal experience.

Dan Cavalli
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