The Profit Prophet

Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial...

Here's how...and it is NOT what you think. As of 2009, the IRS did a study on how the 400 highest income earners made their money (if you want to go to the source, you can review it here: 400 Individual Tax Returns Reporting the Largest Adjusted Gross Incomes , an annual report issued by the IRS).  To give you the Reader's Digest version, in 2009 $77.4 million got you in the club; but the average earnings were $202.4 million, a lot of money but well down from the $334.8 million average in 2007.  In interesting thing is WHERE they made their money: Wages and salaries:  8.6% Interest: 6.6% Dividends: 13% Partnerships and corporations:  19.9% Capital gains: 45.8% Yep, almost 50% was made in capital gains...investing in theirs or others companies. Diving deeper there can be seen obvious conclusions: Working for a salary won't make you rich. Neither will making only safe "income" investments. Neither will investing only in large companies. Own...

Here is a contrast of cultures: one that spends money wastefully, on a problem that has an easy remedy, and the other, well that does not. What is your business like? Paralyzed by procedure, or free to make quick, market drive decisions? California ... The Governor of California is jogging with his dog along a nature trail. A coyote jumps out and attacks the Governor's dog, then bites the Governor. The Governor starts to intervene, but reflects upon the movie "Bambi" and then realizes he should stop because the coyote is only doing what is natural. He calls animal control. Animal Control captures the coyote and bills the State $200 testing it for diseases and $500 for relocating it. He calls a veterinarian. The vet collects the dead dog and bills the State $200 testing it for diseases. The Governor goes to hospital and spends $3,500 getting checked for diseases from the coyote and on getting his bite wound bandaged. The running trail gets shut down for 6 months whi...

What if we are alone?  With the recent breathtaking Venus in Transit pictures happening yesterday, I was amazed at the size and scope of this cosmic happening. What struck me was how everyone was talking about how rare an event this was, and it got me thinking about space, and probabilities, and are we alone? I remember as a kid hearing Carl Sagan talk about the billion upon billion of stars in the universe and the probability that somewhere out there, there has to be life around one of those other stars. According to the European Space Agency’s scientists, there are 1 times 10 to the 12 (a 1 with 12 zeros trailing) stars in our galaxy, and perhaps 1 times 10 to the 11 or 12 galaxies in the universe.  That means there are 1 times 10 to the 23 or 24 (1 with 24 zeros trailing) stars in our universe. That is a vast amount of places that could have a planet like ours.  But now we have to think small, like in chance and probabilities, and this got me postulating. Ea...

Fifty-five years is a long time: 3 generations, and a lot has happened since 1956 . Lots of good stuff, civil rights, walking on the moon, the computer, etc. These are great things to be sure, but along the way, something happened. Some "misbehavior" that on the surface would be an "edge case," meaning it happens so infrequently and in such small numbers that NO ONE should notice, began to take over our common sense and ability to judge. For an example, I will use what it was like in high school in 1956 versus today, and you will get my point. HIGH SCHOOL -- 1956 vs. 2012 Scenario 1: Jack goes quail hunting before school then pulls into the school parking lot with his shotgun in his truck's gun rack. 1956 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's shotgun, goes to his car and gets his shotgun to show Jack. 2012 - School goes into lock down, FBI called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his truck or gun again. Counselors calle...

Thomas Jefferson was a very remarkable man who started learning very early in life and never stopped. He learned from some of the greatest people of all time, was a scientist, scholar, and truly understood the benefits and vices of government. Below is a brief rendition of his history and contribution of being the father of Freedom and Choice... At 5, began studying under his cousin's tutor. At 9, studied Latin, Greek and French. At 14, studied classical literature and additional languages. At 16, entered the College of William and Mary. At 19, studied Law for 5 years starting under George Wythe. At 23, started his own law practice. At 25, was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses. At 31, wrote the widely circulated "Summary View of the Rights of British America” and retired from his law practice. At 32, was a Delegate to the Second Continental Congress. At 33, wrote the Declaration of Independence. At 33, took three years to revise Virginia's legal code and wrote ...

OK, I have been asked what would the world be like it we lead a dog's life, so I cobbled together a list.. * Always run to greet loved ones when they come home. * Never pass the opportunity to go for a joy ride. * Recognize the ecstasy of fresh air and wind in your face. * Take naps and stretch before rising. * Run, romp and play daily. * Thrive on attention and love * Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. * On warm days, lie on your back in the grass. On hot days, drink lots of water and find the shade. * When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body. * Enjoy long walks. * Be loyal. * Never pretend to be something you're not. * If what you want is buried, dig deep until you find it. * And, when someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently. Seems pretty complete to me! How much better would your life be if you could follow this?

Some people do not understand why they become entrepreneurs and go blindly into an endeavor thinking that becoming rich is the only thing that is important. Here is a tale of perspective that all should read: ________________________________________________- An American investment banker was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them. The Mexican replied, "Only a little while." The American then asked, "Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more fish?" The Mexican said, "With this I have more than enough to support my family's needs." The American then asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?" The Mexican fisherman said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wi...