MonPhilosophyofEverydayLife

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Howdoatheistsexplainthefactthatthemajorityoftheworldbelievesinagod?Isitmassdelusion?Areatheistssmarterorisitsomethingelse?AlexandroChen,IwritecodeandproseHowdoyouexplainthefactwhatthemajorityoftheworldlikeJustinBeiber,LadyGaga,MikeyCyrus,Twilight,50ShadesofGray,andLOLCatz?Well,Ican:... ReadMore

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Whataresomesituationsinwhichyouregretbeingagirl?

MyhusbandandIearnequally.Myhusbandcanfinanciallyhelphisparents(andhiselderbrotherstheystaytogether)andbeopenaboutit.(AndIhaveabsolutelynoissuewiththis).whenIknowmyparentsneedfinancialhelpbadly:Ican'tdoitopenly(myinlawscan'tknow!).Let'ssaywedecidetodoitsecretly(myhusbandhasnoissueswiththis)TheWORSTparttheywouldnotacceptitfrommethinkingwhatmyhusbandmightthinkofthemandthatitwillscartheirdignity.Theyjustwon'tlisten.IfeelheartbrokentoknowIcan'tdoanythingaboutit.IliterallyfeelthatwhateverIamearningisatotalwaste!WishIwereaboy:'(

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Anonymous4.2kupvotesbySashwinAdnani,DelbinThomas,LakshmiTranquilo,VysakhKay,

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22DecBooks Answerwritten

Howcanonebecomepartofthe1%?

Ihavedoneitthreetimesthusfar.Butthereisnoshortcuts,sounlessyouaregoingtowinthelotto,thereisnogetrichquickschemehere.

TherearesomerealbittercountertoCamMiPham'sposts,mostarealongthelinesofhowluckyshewasandsoon.MypersonalviewisthatIwouldagreewithabout90%ofwhatCamMiwrote,butpeopleprobablywantspecificexamples.

IcametoUSalongwithmyparentsasateenagerfrommainlandChinabackinthemid1980s,atimenoonegaveafuckaboutChina.EvenamongtheChinesehereinSeattle,wewereconsidered3rdclasscitizensbehindotherChinese,namelyAmericanbornones,ChinesefromTaiwanandsoon.Wehadnoskills,nomoney,noconnections,butwehadourphysicallaborwecouldsell.MyparentswerecollegeprofessorsfromChinawithnolanguageabilityandzerobusinesssense.So,no,youcan'taccusemeofhavingsomekindofheadstartinbusiness.Theywereutterlyuselessandhadnoconceptofmoneyinthisnewcapitalisticsociety.Theyhadtoworkashousekeepersandjanitors,startingfreshfromthebottomintheir50s.Soyes,Iwanttosayagentlefuckyoutoallthosewhinersabouthowsomeofthe1%hadalltheadvantages.TheonlyadvantagesIhadwasIhadmyfourlimbsintact,andchiponmyshoulder.

MyfirstjobwasatthelocalSafewayforthesimplereasonMcDonaldsturnedmedownduetomypoorEnglishskills.Iwassixteen.Iworkedmyassoff,alwayslookingforwardtoweekends,holidays,andanyovertimeshiftsif

Anonymous2kupvotesbyMichaelLiu,SunnyAggarwal,ZenCharalambous,PatrickYang,

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possiblesoIcanearnmore.Ibikedtoworkintherain(Seattlerainsashitload),snow,ice,sometimesnotgettinghomeuntil2aminthemorning,andIstillhadhomeworktodo.Ifinished4yearsofhighschoolcoursein2yearssoIcangraduateontimewithmyagegroup(myhighschoolinUSdidn'tacceptcreditsfromChina).IdidnotwanttostayinhighschooluntilIwastwenty.SoIhadextracourseloadtoo.DuringthistimeIworkedasmanyasthreejobsatatime.Moonlightingasaclerkattheneighborhood7Elevens,gotabusedatcallcenters,participatedinfocusgroups,soldplasmatothelocalbloodbank.PrettymuchanythingIcoulddotoearnextramoney.Soforthoseofyouwhocomplainedthatyouhavetomakeendsmeettoworkextrahoursandtakeonextrajobs,Iunderstandexactlyhowitgoes,butyouwillnotgetanysympathyfrommebecausetheentiretimeIkepttellingmyselfthisisalljusttemporary.ThereisnowayIwon'tgetoutofthehellholeifIworkedhard.

TwoyearsintomySafewayclerkjobImovedoutofthehouse,Iwaseighteen.Facedwiththeprospectofhavingtomakemoremoneytosupportmyself,savingforcollege,Ilookedforanythingthatwouldpaymoreforahighschooler.Theonlythingthatpaidmorethan$5.25anhourwasselling.

Likealotofmen,Ilikegadgets.Iwasfascinatedbycameras.GrowinguppoorinChinameantvirtuallynoonehadacameraofanykind.Itwasaveryexpensivehobby.IwouldhangoutatacamerastoresinBellevuesoIcanfondlesomeoftheseamazingmachines.TomysurprisealotoftheclerksknewfarlessthanIdidabouttheequipmentstheywereselling.ThismademerealizeIcouldprobablydotheirjobsbetter.SoIaskedtheirmanagersforasalesjob.ButnonewouldhiremebecausemyEnglishwasstillnotsogreat,ofcourseIdidn'thaveanysalesexperience.Theclassicchickoreggthing.IknewIhadtogetsalesexperiencesomehow.

IsawthisflyerfromCutco(Kitchenknives,blocksets,utensils )promisingthatIcouldmake$9anhour.Asitturnedout,itwasallaboutdoortodoorsales.Undaunted,Iboughtthestarterknifesetandstartedselling.IfoundadirectoryofalltheChineseengineersinSeattlethatworkedforBoeingandstarteddialingaway.Iwouldmakeupstoriesabouthowshowingthemkniveswasforaschoolmarketingproject,andassumedtheyallknewmyunclewhoalsoworkedatBoeing.Mostassumedahighschoolkidwouldjustbeharmless,andsomemighthavevaguelyrememberedmyuncle'sname,butfewwouldturnmedownforahousecall.Thistaughtmealesson,ifyoudon'task,youwon'treceive.Ievenwentsofartoaskmyuncletodropmeoffatsomeofthose"friends"housessoIcandomysalesdemo.Ofcoursenoteveryonebought,butthefewwhodidstillremindsmetothisdayjusthowgoodthosekniveswere!

Havinghadthissalesexperienceinonesummer,Iuseditonmyresumeandgotajobsellingcamerasinthelocalcamerastore.Buteventhisfirstsalesjobdidn'tcomeeasy.IhadtooffertoworkforfreeforonemonthjustsoIcouldgetin.ItoldthemanagerifIdidn'tsellasmuchasheexpectedbytheendofthemonth,Iwouldn'tgetthejob.IwentfromCamerasWest(nowoutofbusiness)toSilos(gonetoo),toVideoOnly(Don'tBeSorry...ShopVideoOnly! ).IwasalwaysnearlythetopsalesguyeverywhereIwentbecauseIspentallofmysparetimelearningaboutalltheproductsIwasselling.Ilearnedfromearlyonthatsolutionsellingworked.Iwentfrommaking$5.25anhourtomaking$40,000plusintwoyears.Iwastwenty.

MyjobatVideoOnlyalsogavemeasmalltasteofentrepreneurism.PeterEdwards,theownerofVideoOnlyinstitutedamarginbasedcommissionsystemforsalespeople.Wewouldallgetacomputerprintoutofthe"costs"ofalltheitemsforsellalongwiththedisplayedpriceonthefloor.Thesalespeoplegettodecidewhattheitemactuallygetssoldatbetweenthosetwodatapoints.Bytheendofthemonth,thehighertheprofitmarginofonesoverallsales,thehigherthecommissionpayout.Ilovedthefreedomthisgavemeandittaughtmehowtododealsonthefly.

ThiswasalsothesametimeIgotreallyinterestedinbusinessandfinance.Ispentmostofmy"entertainment"moneyonbooks.Ineverpartied,IsavedwhatevermoneyIcouldsoIcanbuymyfirstpieceofrealestatesoIcanavoidpayingrent.Iboughtmyfirstcondoattwentyone.SinceIworkedinretailsalesandgotprettygoodatit,itquicklymademerealizemostthepeopleIwasworkingwithweretwicemyageorolder,andIwasalreadydoingbetterthanthem.Thethoughtofspendingtherestofmylifeonthesalesfloormademe

lookingfurtherahead.IfIwasgoingtobedoingsales,theonlywayto"scale"wastomovemerchandizewithmuchbiggerdollarvalueorspeed.Sotheideaofbeingastockbrokerorarealestateagentseemedappealing.Igotarealestatelicensebutfoundthepacetooslowandboring.Sostockandbondssalesitwas.Butbeingaminoritywithnoconnections(richfriendsandfamilyyoucanimmediatelybringtothefirm)wasnotsoappealingtomosthiringmanagers,nottomentionthefactIhaveyettograduatefromcollege.

Ikeptcoldcalling,pesteringthelocalbranchmanagersofvariousbrokeragehouses.SinceSeattleisthreehoursbehindNYSEopeningtime,itmeantmostbrokersshowuptoworkaround6AM.SoIwouldcampoutatthelobbiesatbrokersofficesat5AMinthemorning,hopingtoimprovemyoddsofinterceptingthedecisionmakers.Thiswentondayafterdayformorethanthreemonths.Eventuallyitpaidoff,IfinallygothiredatPrudentialSecuritiesbyPaulWonnacottintheirSeattlebranch.ThisisthefirsttimeIhaveactuallyencounterthe1%.Despitethefactstockbrokeragewasreallyjustasalesjob,ItriedtolearnandabsorbeverythingIcould.Finance,accounting,dealstructure,annualreports,researchreports,mostofthesewereGreektomebutnomatter.Ireadandreadsomemore.Ialsogotinterestedintechnicalanalysisforstocktrading.TheearlyBloombergterminalbecamemybestfriend.Icouldn'tbelievehowmuchinformationIwasabletofindonthisorangetintedscreen.InafewyearsIwasmakingsixfigures,orbyearly1990sstandards,Iwasinthe1%myself.Iwasproudbutalsohatedmyjob.Ihatedtheconflictofsellingproductsloadedwithfeesorpromotingstocksthatwe"knew"thefirmhadavestedinterestin.Afterall,itwasallaboutsellingandnotactuallyfiguringouthowtomaketradesandinvestments.Iwantedoutandstartedlookingforareason.

By1996,freshlymarriedandsickofmyjob,Inoticedonlinebrokersstartingtoflourish.ConsideringthefactIwaschargingclients$110atradetotrade100sharesofMicrosoft,theonlinebrokerswerecharging$20atrade,Ithoughtmybusinessasabrokerwasgoingtobetoast.Besides,at$20atrade,itwascheaperthanthe$50atradethefirmchargedemployees.Ifinallysawthechancetoleaveandtradeformyself.

Iquitmyjobbylatespringof1996,butallIhadwasabout$20,000liquidcashtotrade.Thefirst6monthswasadisaster,Ilostnearlyallofmy$20,000onstockslikeAscend,Shivaandahostofotherbygonetechstocks.IhadtodrasticallyscaledownmylifestyleandaskedmyselfifIwasreallyserious.Inordertotradeoutofmyhole,Ineededmorecapital.Imaxedoutallofmycreditcardsforcashadvances.Fortunately,themarketturnedandIrecoveredmylossesandsome.Whenallsaidanddone,Ihad$50,000totrade.ButIknewIneededaplantomakeit.Isetagoalofmakingatleast$100,000ayeartojustifywhatIwasdoing.Thatmeantmakingatleast200%ayearfrommythen$50,000stake.Itseemedalmostimpossible.

AftersomecalculationandobservingwhatIdidwrongIcameupwithasimpleplan.Itwouldbeimpossibletolookforstocksthatcandoubleortripleinayearwithoutmajordownside,thesekindofstocksarevolatile.Butthereareplentyofstocksthatmovesmorethanafewpercentagepointsaday,ifIcancapturejustachunkofthosemovementsIdidn'tneedtoholdstocksovernight.Sincetherearemorethan200tradingdaysayear,itmeant100,000/200=500,orroughly1%returnadayonmy$50,000stake.Thiswasentirelydoable.Thekeywouldbetocontainmylosses.Forthoseofyouwhoknowstrading,thisisdaytradinginitsessence.AndoffIwent.Bytheendof1996Iwasupmorethan$100,000,Ireachedmygoal.

AyearlaterImademorethan$500,000andneverlookedback.Yes,Iwasbackinthe1%.Andthisisalsowherethingsgotcrazy.Sincedaytradingonlyoccupiedafewhoursinthemorning(Seattleis3hoursbehindNYSEtime),andIwasdoneusuallyby10AM,Ihadplentyoftimeonmyhands.Istartedshoppingoutofboredom.Iboughtmultiplecars,houses,myexpensesquicklygotoutofcontrol.PrettysoonIwasfeelinglikeaslavetomypurchases.Themonthlyfixedcosttomylifestylewas$50,000100,000.Foradaytraderstartingfresheveryday,IstartedtofeellikeIhadtomakecertainamountjusttostayafloat.Iwasnoteventhirtyatthetime.Mymoodwasnolongerupbeat,Iwasangryatmyselfandtookoutonpeoplearoundme.IwasthisragingassholebecauseIwassofullofmyselfyetIcouldn'tfigureoutwhyIwassounhappy.Lookingback,Isupposeitwasbecausemoneydidn'tmakemehappy,despitethefactIreachedmygoalIhadnothingbutanemptyfeeling

inside.

Ihadtofindawaytoscalemytradingtopayformynowlavishlifestyle.SoIwentbacktodowhatIhated,namelygoingafterotherrichpeopletoraisefundsformyhedgefund.Iwasn'tparticularlygoodatnetworking(hardtodowhenyouareanobviousasshole),thefundgotstartedwithaverysmallpoolof$10,000,000,agoodchunkfrommyself.Istruggledtotradeunderthenaggingoflimitedpartners,Ihatedit.IfeltlikeIwasbeingwatchedallthetime,mytradingsuffered.IcouldnolongerdothesamestyleoftradeIwasusedto,thereturnslaggedandIstartedtofeelreallydepressed.Iwentthroughacoupleofyearsofdepression,spendingdaysdoingnothingbutstayinghomeandbrowsingonline.Mymarriagesuffered.Iblamedmyspouseandherextendedfamilyforbeinggreedyandalwayswantingmorefromme.Eventhearrivalofmysondidn'tcheermeup.

Duetomyunderperformance,peoplestartedtopullmoneyout.Itcompoundedtomestartingtotraderecklessly.Inolongerhadmyolddisciplineofriskmanagement,itsimplywentfromoneHailMarytradetoanother.By2003Iwasinsolvent.Iburnedthroughallofmycapitalwhilestillstucktomultiplehomesandotherobligations.Igavemywifethebadnewsandshespentdayscrying.Ithoughtmylifewasover.Itriedtokillmyself.

Lookingback,thosewereprettydarktimes.Iwascompletelyalonewithnoonetotalkto.SinceIalienatedeveryonearoundmeforalongtime,itwasnowuptometopickupthepieces.Istillrememberquicklypackingupourbelongingsfrommy"mansion"tomoveintooneofourmuchsmallerrentalpropertiesonenightsotheneighborscouldn'tseemeleaving.Ifeltsoashamedanddesperate.Themansionhadamortgage,Iletitslideintoforeclosure,andforthenextseveralyearsIhadtolearnhowtododgecallsfromdebtcollectors.

EventuallyIcametotheconclusionthathiding,feelingsorryformyselfwasn'tgoingtosolvemyproblems,Ihadtogetupandlookforsomethingconstructivetoworkon.Bynowwehadtodependonmywife'sincometosupportus.Gonearethedaysof$1Mplusayearincome,sayhelloto$70,000.Alsogoneareallthefancycars,unnecessaryspendingandvacations.Mymentalattitudestartedtogethardenedagain.Itwastimeformetogetoutofthehouseandwork.Ijoinedatechstartupin2004asheadofsales,afterall,Icouldstillsell.

Thestartuphadnorealfunding,itwasstartedwithlessthan$50,000seedbythefounders.WhenIjoined,therewereallofonlytwofoundersleft.Ithadnorealcustomerssinceithadnorevenue.WeworkedoutofawarehouseinSouthcenter,anindustryareasouthofSeattle.Itwasactuallyworsethanagarage,theconstantnoiseoftruckscomingandgoingmadeitdifficulttoevenconductphonecalls.Wheneveracustomeroraprospectaskedaboutthenoise,Iwouldjokinglytellthemourbusinesswasboomingsincetheycanobviouslyhearallthecommotionfromtheloading.Idevisedaplantogeneraterevenueanywaywecould.Iwentaroundthecountryonsalescalls,traveledtoChinaalmostmonthlydealingwithvendorsandpartners.Sincetherewasonlythreeofus,Ididsales,businessdevelopment,accounting,financeandmarketing.Inourfirstyearwehadrevenueof$500,000,thenextyearwegotto$2M.ItwasduringthistimeItookoverastheCEOsinceIcameupwiththeplananddirection,generatedallthesales.Thebusinessgrewto$3Mby2007andwethoughtweshouldbeabletoraiseventurecapital.UnfortunatelynooneinSeattleboughtourstory.Allthreeofusareolderwhencomparedtothetwentysomethingstartupguys.Noneofushadacomputersciencebackground,asaCEO,Iwastheleastpresentable.Acollegedropoutwithoutanyexperienceinthetechspace.Despitetherevenue,wewereunfundable.TheVCsinSeattleareaboutasWASPastheycome,buttheydidpointoutflawsinourbusiness.OneofquestionstheVCsaskedoverandoveragainatthetimewas:whatunfaircompetitiveadvantagedidwepossess.Icouldnevergivethemastraightanswerbecausewedidn'thaveanydifferentiatingIP,butevenifwedid,itwouldn'thavemattered.Inwasonlyinhindsightnowthattherealanswerwasthatwehadheart.

Sensingtheoldbusinessmodelwasrunningintoadeadend,wefeltweneededachange.DespitenotbeingabletoraiseVCfunding,wedecidedtopivotby2008.

Ourtimingwashorrible.Walkingawayfrom$3Mayearbusinesswhiletrying

tobuildanewonewithlittlefundingwasmorewishfulthinkingthananything.Wealsohadadozenemployeestofeed.ThefoundersandInevertookasalarybecauseweneededtoreinvestallthecashbackintothebusiness.Thiswasarealstressfultime.Mymarriagewentdownthetoilet.Notearninganincomefrommefor5yearschangedthedynamicsofmymarriage.Iwasnolongerthe"man"ofthehouse.

Theworldnearlycametoanendby2009.Ihadnoincome,thepivotwasn'tgoingwellbecausenewbusinessdidn'tpickupfastenoughtooffsetthelostrevenuefromtheoldbusiness.Themarketandtheeconomycametoahalt.Somethinghasgottogive,asitturnedout,itwasme.

Igotdivorced,laidoffmostofmystaff.Withmydivorcefinalized,Iwasbackdownto$20,000inthebank.ButIhadtofundpayroll.Iwasalsokickedoutofmyformerhome.Notwantingtospendmoneyonrent,Imovedintotheofficebroomclosetwithanairmattress(thepicturebelowwastakenusingafisheyelens,alenswithanormalangleofviewcouldn'tcapturethewholetinyspace.Myheadwasagainsttheotherendoftheroom).

Tomakemattersworse,wewerelateonourofficelease,gotcutofffromourvendorsandowedthebankapileofmoney.Ifinallyhitbottomagain.Iwasbrokeandhomeless.

Thereweredayswhenmythen6yearoldsoncametovisitmeintheoffice,knowingfullwellthatIlivedoutoftheofficebroomcloset,yetthelittleboyneverdisplayedanyshameorembarrassment,itwasasifheknewIcanworkmywayoutit.HowcouldIpossiblynotbemotivatedifmylittleboyisunfazed?!!Ofcoursewecouldn'thelpbutturnabadsituationintosomethingfun,sowewouldbounceupanddownontheairmattressjustgoofingoff.

Livingoutatinyspacewithafewpossessionsmakesonerealizejustlittlematerialthingsmatters,Ifeltlikeachildagain,myheadwasclearanduncluttered.MyemployeesknewIwaslivingoutofthebroomclosetbutnoonetalkedaboutit,lifeandbusinesswentonasifnothingisgoingon,eventhoughthewholefinancialsystemwasinatrainwrack.

Itwasobviouslyadiresituationinmylifeandbusinessatthetime,butthefunnythingisthatIwasn'tsadorangry.Iactuallyfoundmysituationcomical.IhadalwaysbraggedtoothersthatIcamefromnothingandIwouldn'tbeafraidtogobacktonothing.Igotmywish,nowwhat?IknewIcouldn'tstayinthebroomclosetfortoolong,itwasagainstthebuildingcode.Mygymmembership(whereItookshowereveryday)wasgoingtobecancelledbecauseitwasafamilymembershipfrommyex'sworkplace.Ihadtogetbacktotradingagain.

Theironyofstartingwith$20,000totradedidn'tescapeme.Thiswas2009,atimewithextrememarketvolatility.Itwasgreatforadaytrader,butIhadtobeextremelycarefulnottogetstuck.Theovernightriskwastremendouslyhigh.FortunatelyIstillhadsomeofmyoldtradingmoves,prettysoonIwasmakingenoughtomakesomeofthepayrollandhangontomykeyemployees.Irenegotiatedwithourlandlord,banksandsupplierstoallowustofloatabitlonger.Iintuitivelyknewatthetimethattheworstrecessionofmorethanfiftyyearwasgoingtowipeoutalotofourcompetitors.Allwehadtodowastostayalive.Ineededtodoanythingpossibletodojustthat.

ItwasduringthissameperiodIhelpedoutatechsupportguyfromacompetitorofours.Let'scallhimJoe.Joewasrecentlylaidoff,hishomewasforeclosedandtheentirefamilywiththreeteenagekidshadtomovebackinwiththegrandparents.Isensedthesameburningdesireinthisguytosucceedafterhisfinancialfailures.IofferedJoeajobinsalesinsteadoftechsupport.Weworkedtogetheronthecompany'ssaleseffortsbygoingaftersomeofoldaccountshesupportedathispriorjob,wemanagedtopoachafewthisway.Itgaveusmuchneededconfirmationthatwewereontherighttrack.

Byearly2010Iwasabletomoveoutofourofficebroomcloset,Iturned$20,000tradingstakeinto$250,000.Itgavethecompanymuchneededbreathingroomtosurvive.Wewerealsoabletolandourfirstbigcustomerwithournewlypivotedproduct.Wefinishedtheyearwith$1Minnewsales.

Fouryearslater,theeconomyhasrecoveredandsohaveI.Mycompanydid$20Minsalesinthepast12monthsandweareonpacetodo$50Mnextyear.MuchofthishadtodowiththeeffortoftechsupportturnedsalesguyJoe.Fromastartingsalaryof$40,000backin2010,Joemade$750,000lastyearandhewillbankmorethan$3Mthisyearfromsalescommissions.Inearly2015,JoetookcareofallthebaddebtsfromhispastandboughthisfamilyanicehorseranchrightoutsideofSeattlewithcash(noonewouldfinancehimstill).SomedayJoeshouldbetellinghisownstoryonQuora.

Withgrossmargininthe80%rangeandplentyofcashinthebankIpaidmyself$1M.Thebusinessisprobablyworth23Xsalesinprivatemarketvalue,soanywherebetween$100150Masofthiswriting.Iamprettyconfidentitwillbeabletodo$300Minsalesinafewyearsduetoourbacklog.Sothenumberof$1Bisentirelypossible.ItisprobablysafetosaythatIamfirmlybackinthe1%again.Ihopetostaytherethistime.

IknowIwentlongwithmycrappywriting.Butherearesomeofmylessonsformyself,youcantakeawaywhateveryoucanfrommyupsanddowns.Ifyouwanttobepartofthe1%youhavetodothefollowing:

1.Bementallytough.Learntogetoveryourfears.ImighthavebeenluckytohavebeenbornwhatisthetailendoftheCulturalRevolution,atimeofmasschaosanddestruction,bothfigurativelyandliterally.Imightalsohavebeenblessedwithanaturaltendencyofbeingrebellious,goingagainstthegrainandpaidnorespectforauthority,allqualitiesthatcouldhavemadelifemiserableinaconservativeAsiansociety.ButIwaslucky,Ileftnotbymychoosing.Thepointis,Ihadplentyofpersonalturmoilatanearlyage,wheretherewasn'talotofsecurityandstability,soyousortofgetusetoit.Itisalsothisexperiencethatmademerealizethatmostpeopleareafraid,andforthemostpart,irrationallyafraid.Whathappenswhenoneisafraid?Youretreat,youholdback,youdither,youprocrastinate.Worse,youbecomemoreprejudice,oreventakeonextremeformsofhate.Youmissoutonopportunities,youbecomeaprisonerofyourirrationality.Solearntoaskasimplequestionwhenyouareuncomfortablewithsomething,whathaveIgottolose?Inmostcases,nothing,nothingbutthatquickeningofyourheartbeat,nothingbutthatlittleburningsensationonyourface,nothingbutthategoofyoursgettingpinched.Hereisthing,onceyourealizedtheabsurdityofthosefears,yousoonrealizethatvastmajorityofpeoplearoundyouarepreoccupiedwiththosesameidioticfears!Soifyoureallywanttogetheadandshouldersabovetherestofpeople,youdon'tneedtohavebetterlooks,youdon'tneedtohavemoremoney,youdon'tneedtohavebettereducation,youdon'tneed....wellthelistgoesonandon.Butyouonlyneedonethingthatisactuallyinallofus,justreachdownabitmore.Youhavethecourage,thetoughness,yoursskinisthickenough,yourtimehereisonlygettingscarce...sogetoveritalready!

2.Livewithinyourmeans.Don'tbeanidiotlikeme.

3.Learnhowtomakemoney,nothowtosavemoney.Youwillneversaveyourwaytoriches.Again,thisdoesn'tmeanyouneedtobeanidiotwithmoney!

4.Learnhowtoscaleyourselfandthebusiness.Thismeanslearninghowtodelegate,howtomotivateothersandrecruitgreattalenttodoworksyoudon'tknowhoworcan't.MycompanyisfilledwithpeopleIrecruitedandmostofthemareunconventionalsuccessesaswell.MysalesguyJoeisagreatexampleofthis.Withouttheeffortsofothers,thereisnowayIamwhereIamtoday.

5.Learnallthetime,Iread1020booksonKindleorAudibleamonth.

6.Learnfromhistoryandprevioussuccessaswellasfailures.

7.Askalotofwhys.Usually5whysinarowwillhelpyoudigoutthetruthofthematter.

8.Workwithsmarterpeople,peoplewholiketohackmostly.Learn,stealtheirideas,theywon'tmind.

9.Travelasmuchasyoucanafford,youwillhaveamuchbroaderperspective.Gogetyourpassportalready!

10.Laughatadversity,havefun.Lifecanbereallyhard,don'ttakeitpersonally,evenBillGateshavereallyreallyshittydays.

11.Don'tbeavictim,don'tmakeexcuses.Nobodygivesashitaboutyourproblems.

12.Learnatradethatcanmakeyoumoneyingoodtimesandbad.Ipersonallycanalwaysfallbackonmytradingnomatterwhat.Thismakesmefearless.

13.Findanoutletforyourstress.WhenIreallyreallyfeellikeIcan'tdealwiththingsanymore,orjustdon'twanttofaceanythingIgetinmycarandgoonaroadtrip,allbymyself.Iamfortunatetoliveinoneofthemostbeautifulpartoftheworld,soIdon'thavetoventurefartofindpeace.SoofmyfavoriteplacestodrivehavebeenDeathValley,Highway1upanddowntheWestCoastofUSA.Theotheroptionformeistogoseakayaking.ThereisnowayIamgoingtogetstressedwhenIamsittingdowninakayakpaddlingaroundtheocean.WhenIdidn'thavemuchmoney,Ispentmyzentimelisteningtomusic,mostlyclassicalmusictoescape.

14.It'sgoodtohaveachipontheshoulder,itgetsyoumotivated.Butitisanannoyingpersonalityquirktoo,sobalanceitwell.

15.Maybeyouarejustnotbornwithit,Imeanmotivation.Mybrotherisnothinglikeme,heisperfectlyhappybeingaverageandcouldn'tgiveashitaboutmystrugglesandsuccesses.Don'tstressyourselfoutevenmore,ifyouaren'tmotivated,learntobecontent.

16.Itisnicetobeinacountyorasystemthathasplentyofopportunities.IwasluckytohavebeeninUSallthistime.Ifyoucan,move.

17.Don'tbelievetheBSaboutinequality.Therealinequalityisthelevelofpersonaldriveandintelligence.Icamefromnothing,droppedoutofcollegewithIQnohigherthanGeorgeBush.IfIcanjointhe1%3times,socanalotofpeople.

18.Yes,itisyouagainsttheworld.

19.Learnhowtosell.Thisisperhapsoneoftheeasiestwaytogetaboveeveryoneelse.Whetheryouareadoctor,lawyer,accountantoranyotherprofessional,youwillnoticetheonesontopareusuallypeoplewhocansell.Theysellthemselves,theyselltheirideas,theysellandmotivateotherstodotheirbidding(thisisscaling).Bottomline,salespeoplearesomeofthehighestpaidoutthere,anditrequiresnospecializationoreducation.

20.Don'ttakeyourselftooseriously.Makesureyouarehavingfun.TheAmericanclicheaboutworkingonsomethingyouloveorhavingpassionisgrosslyoverrated.Itisfareasiertofindsomethingyoucanfunin.Businesscancertainlybefun.Oftentimesfunandnottakingyourselftooseriouslycanbethekeydifferentiatorforyourbusinesssuccess.Whowantstodobusinesswithabunchofboringandsourpuss?

21.Formostpeoplethisisthepartthatishardtotake:youwillnevergetrichworkingforsomeoneelse.Youmightstillbeabletojointhe1%ifyouhaveahighlypaidjob,butyouarestillsomeoneelse'swageslave.Fairornot,capitalismisabouttheownershipofcapital,themeansofproduction.Inaworldwherelongtermgrowthstagnates(Europe,JapanandevenAmerica),

ownershiptakesonevenmoreimportancebecauseaccesstocapitalisconstrainedandreturnoncapitalislow(trytogetasmallbusinessloantheseday).Sotheonlywayoutformostpeopleisthroughentrepreneurship.Tryandfigurethisoutearlyinyourlife.IgotluckybecauseIdidn'tarriveatthisnotiontwentyyearsagothroughthoughtandanalysis,itwaspuredrive.

22.Iamprobablygoingtooffendalotofpeoplewiththisone.Yes,IamChinese,orwhatmightbeconsideredaminorityinUS.ButIneverviewmyselfassuch.ImeanIneverconsideredmyselfasChinese,Asian,yellowskinnedandsoon.ItabsolutelyhelpstobeinacountrysuchasUSwherethereissuchamixofraceandculture.BUT,theraceandcultureaspecthasbeenplayedfartoomuchbytheminoritygroups,includingtheChinese.Iamnotsuggestingthereisn'tracism,noramIsayingthereisn'taglassceilingforsome.Youcandecryallthe"unfairness"thatisinlifeoryoucanignoreitandfightonanyways.IamgratefulforthelikesofMLKwhohelpedtopavethewayforminoritiesandthedisadvantaged,butlifeisshort,youdon'twanttowallowinyourselfpityjustbecauseyourcircumstances.Race,skincolor,whereyouarefromarejustsomeofthesmallbumpsinyourlongstruggleinlife,sogetoverit.Ihavepersonallyexperiencedwhatsomemightconsideredracism,butIneverletitgettome.Isimplytryharder.Youwillbesurprisedthatevenracistappreciatessomeonewhodoesn'tgiveafuckandsimplyouthustles.Effortisinfectious!

23.Youhavetoknowhowbadlyyouwanttosucceed.SomeofthecommentsIseeoutthereregardingthismoreorlesssuggeststhatIamnotthenormandIgottowhereIambyluck.IwilladmitthatIhavebeenincrediblyfortunate,butmuchofithadtodowiththedesiretosucceed.Iwentthroughhighschoolandcollegeyearsnevergoingtoparties,neverdrank,nevertouchingdrugs,nevertraveledandsoon.Isimplyworkedandworkedsomemore.Anysparetimewasspentlearningandreading.Thisinhindsightisperhapsatallorderformostpeople,butitlaidthefoundationforwhereIamtoday.Youhavetobehonestwithyourselfjusthowbadlydoyouwantit?InmostWesterncountries,itisn'tthathardorterriblyuncomfortabletobeaverage,sothejourneytosuccessmightnotbeworththepriceforalotofpeople.Lastly,ittakesasainttolivewithsomeonelikeme.Someofhoursandsomeoftheupsanddownsareabsolutelybrutalonrelationships.Ifyoudon'thavesomeonewhocanunderstandandtolerateit,youarelookingatyearsoflonelystrugglewithnorealprospectofpayingoff.Somemightfindmystoryasinspirational,butitisalsoawarning.Evenwiththebestofintentions,itcanwreckyourlifetoo.

24.It'sOKtobeageneralist.Myparent'sgenerationlikedtolabelpeople.Youareadoctor,lawyer,engineerandsoon.WhenIcametoSeattlewhenIwassixteen,myunclewasstillworkingatBoeingasanengineer.HewassomeoneIlookedupandwantedtomodelmylifeafter.ThatthoughtwentoutofthewindowwhenBoeingdidaroundoflayoffintheearly1990sandmyuncletooktheearlyretirementpackage.Hewasstillinhismid50satthetimeandhehasneverworkedsince.IevenwentsofartotryandapplyforsomeengineeringorientedcollegesandsomehowmanagedtogetacceptedbyCaltech.Ithinktheymadeamistake,becauseinhindsightIreallysuckedatmathbythetimeIgottocollegeandIdidn'tatallenjoyanyoftheengineeringclasses.Iwouldhavefailedmiserably.FortunatelyIwastoopoortobeabletoaffordCaltechanyways,IwenttoUniversityofWashingtoninstead,buteventhenIdidn'tfinish.Lookingback,myworkinvolvedinsales,finance,trading,businessdevelopment,accounting,HRandmanagement.Mytitleswereallovertheplace.Iwasa"courtesyclerk",backwallclerk,salesman,stockbroker,financialconsultant,investmentadvisor,hedgefundmanager,startupCEOandventurecapitalist.Ifyouaskedmewhatismyspecialty,Ihavenoidea.ForyearsmyparentsjustassumedIBSforaliving,theydidn'twanttointroducemetotheirfriends.Ihaveonlyrecentlygainedrespectabilityintheireyesbecauseourofficeislargerinanicerbuilding.Truthis,allofmyexperiencesbroughtmeheretoday.Nooneshouldcopyme.Itwouldbealmostimpossibleanyways.Isupposeitisarecentfadthatgeneralistslikemearenotacceptablebutsomehowthoughtasbeingapositiveattribute.BeingageneralistbecauseItriedandfailedatsomanythingsistherealreasonIamwhereIamtoday,butbeingabletosynthesizeallthethingsIlearnedfromdifferentaspectofworkandlifeistheultimatetriumph.

25.Pursuewhatyouloveissooverrated.IfIweretobelefttomyowndevices,Iprobablywouldhavepursuedsomethinginthearts.Myparentsandmy

brotherareallclassicalmusicians.Igrewuplisteningandlovingmusic,Ipainted,Ispendalotoftimeandasmallfortuneonphotography.Butmostofthesepursuitswouldhaveeasilylandedmeinthepoorhouse.MyburningdesiretosucceedinbusinessiswhatwillactuallyallowmetopursuewhatIlove,nowthatIhavethetimeandresources.ButdoesthismeanIhatedwhatIdidalltheseyears?Absolutelynot.Ilovedtrading,Ilovebeingengagedandbuildingbusiness,Ilovemotivatepeopleandseethemdoamazingthingswithabilitiestheydidn'tthinktheyhave.Ilovedtheprocessofbuildingabusiness.Iabsolutelydespisedthelittletasksrequiredtogettherethough.Idon'tcareforaccountingatall,yetIhavenoqualmsspendingatonoftimereadingfinancialstatementsandreportstospotopportunities.IguesswhatIamtryingtosayisthatoneneedstohaveanopenmindandlearntoloveandenjoytheprocessofabusiness,evenifyouratherpursueyour"passion"somewhereelse.Ifyougetsomesuccessinbusiness,youwillhavefarmoreresourcesandtimetogoafteryourreallove.

26.Ifyouareayoungmanjuststartingoutinlife,thisistheadviseIgotfromsomeoneyearsagoandIstilltrytolivebyittoday:Tryeverythinginyourtwenties,youaren'tgoingtobeanygoodatanythinganyways,peoplehavelowexpectationsfromyousodon'tworryaboutfailingorbeinglousyatwhatyoudo.Havefun,tryeverything!Tryandfigureoutwhatyouaregoodatinyourthirties.Maximizewhatyouaregoodatinyourforties.SinceIamstillinmyforties,IguessIcan'treallytellyouanymore!

27.Ifyouarestartingatthebottom,regardlessofyourage,rememberthisonesimplerule:alwaysdelivermorethanwhatisexpected.Idon'tcarewhatjob,whatindustry,orjusthowmenialthetaskis,goaboveandbeyondwhatisrequired.Ifyoualwaysdomore,ordeliveringmorevaluetoyourboss,youremployer,yourpartner,yoursignificantother,thereisnowayyouwon'tsucceedatwhatyouareworkingon.Keepinmindthisdoesn'tnecessarilymeanworkinglonghoursandworkinglate,workingsmartmattersevenmore!Successinonesmalltaskcanleadtosuccessinsomethingmuchbiggerdowntheroad.Itisthementalattitudethatyouarejustgoingtodomore,offermore,keepcomingupwithmorethatwillimpresspeopleandmakethemwanttoworkwithyouandoffermoreopportunitiestoyou.IstillrememberatmyfirstjobatSafeway,IknewIwastakingontheworkloadof23morepeoplewithoutgettingpaidmore.Itgotmeaquickpromotionandraisefrom$3.50anhourto$5.25anhour.Ittaughtmethateffortdoesleadtorecognitionandpayoff.Ofcourse,ifyouremployerdoesn'trecognizethis,he/sheisanidiot,youshouldmoveon.

Ishouldaddthislittletidbit.Mysonwasdiagnosedwitharareformofblooddiseasein2009,whileIwasgoingthroughmydivorce.HenearlydiedifnotfortheeffortsofChildren'sHospitalinSeattle.Hespentamonthinchemoatthetimeheisnowinremission.Iamnotexactlyanoldmanyet,sothismaybepresumptuousatthispoint.IfIgettostayinthe1%andevengettobeabillionaire,Ihavenointentionsofgoingbacktomyformeryoungandstupidlifestyleagain.I'mlivinginamiddleclassneighborhoodthistimearound.Idon'thavemultiplepropertiesorabunchoffancycars.Myonlysplurgeistravel.IwanttolivewaybeneathmymeansandleaveallofmymoneytoChildren'sHospitalwhenIdie.Thisdoesn'tmeanIwon'tdomybesttomakeasmuchmoneyasIcanatthemeantime:)

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