As always, a thoughtful and thought demanding piece today Steven. It's interesting, being of Jewish faith, albeit more by heritage than practice, I think back to growing up and agree, these are ideals for which we can strive. I find, however, that life 'gets in the way' so often and that the amount of time available to be able to be competent, if not excel, in some of those areas, precludes the opportunity to consider others. Personally, I always default to honesty, with yourself and others, as the linchpin of success, taking responsibility for my actions as those are the only ones I can truly control, and try to be considerate of all those with whom I deal. Maybe not as comprehensive a list, but at least it's a start.
Happy new year and keep publishing as I do enjoy your thoughts
Thank you Andy for your always thoughtful conmentary. Where I find we - in our secular world - fall down most egregiously from these tenets is in the area of community. We struggle enough to protect and nurture our families but tying that unit into a larger construct of community, especially for those living in cities, often appears impossible. That I believe is the great flaw in our modern society. In the countryside we are more dependent on our neighbours and the parish church acts as a coordinating hub for community, however an intimate - possibly in our modern eyes claustrophobic - community with elders and rituals and everybody knowing everybody’s business is a great way of keeping you straight and living those values, the keeping of which over a lifetime leads to success and prosperity.
You can build those communities in different ways - I know I have. My commitment to the Small Giants Community (smallgiants.org) is an example of a “values-based” community of shared interests in which I aspire to be an active contributor and example, and in which I have found and developed some deep friendships. We are not in each other’s faces every day but we are in each other’s lives, which is a start and a comfort.
But I'd like to affirm that the point of advice number 6 is something that shipping companies need to learn better when drafting a contract-spec for clients who charter their ships! A point that our Abrahamic cousins, the Muslims, frequently invoke when they say 'inshallah'.
I’ve thought very much about #17 and always have a bit of hesitation when hiring support for this reason. There’s a sense of unfairness when someone works for you and it requires a bit of reframing in my head. Unless clear support, encouragement, and an agreed “what do you want out of this?” happens, I find myself discontent.
That said, Roberto Blake (a really smart youtuber) said something to me at the CEX conference that really stuck: “there is no exploitation required in certain businesses; mine doesn’t require I profit from another human. This is the power of a one-person media business.”
As sure as the Sun rose over Virginia today, you have once again delivered a full scoop of wisdom in a concise fashion that even a novice might enjoy. Thank you Sir! Well done!
Thank you Will - it has been far too long since we talked or corresponded. I am off to the States tomorrow morning for two weeks. How about a call sometime soon? Happy New Year my friend.
It’s interesting to note that nine times out of ten it is secular Jews who commit heinous business crimes. Very rarely do we hear of religious/orthodox Jews doing so. One sometimes wonder whether secularism is, in part, an excuse to ignore consequences.
Well good luck with finding an excellent one who will help you grow and expand your potential. I am currently in Charleston which is a foodies paradise enjoying some sunshine after a long dark wet series of winter months in Ireland. Wishing you a great start to a prosperous New Year 2023 - thanks for your engagement.
As always, a thoughtful and thought demanding piece today Steven. It's interesting, being of Jewish faith, albeit more by heritage than practice, I think back to growing up and agree, these are ideals for which we can strive. I find, however, that life 'gets in the way' so often and that the amount of time available to be able to be competent, if not excel, in some of those areas, precludes the opportunity to consider others. Personally, I always default to honesty, with yourself and others, as the linchpin of success, taking responsibility for my actions as those are the only ones I can truly control, and try to be considerate of all those with whom I deal. Maybe not as comprehensive a list, but at least it's a start.
Happy new year and keep publishing as I do enjoy your thoughts
Thank you Andy for your always thoughtful conmentary. Where I find we - in our secular world - fall down most egregiously from these tenets is in the area of community. We struggle enough to protect and nurture our families but tying that unit into a larger construct of community, especially for those living in cities, often appears impossible. That I believe is the great flaw in our modern society. In the countryside we are more dependent on our neighbours and the parish church acts as a coordinating hub for community, however an intimate - possibly in our modern eyes claustrophobic - community with elders and rituals and everybody knowing everybody’s business is a great way of keeping you straight and living those values, the keeping of which over a lifetime leads to success and prosperity.
You can build those communities in different ways - I know I have. My commitment to the Small Giants Community (smallgiants.org) is an example of a “values-based” community of shared interests in which I aspire to be an active contributor and example, and in which I have found and developed some deep friendships. We are not in each other’s faces every day but we are in each other’s lives, which is a start and a comfort.
There is so much to say on this. :)
But I'd like to affirm that the point of advice number 6 is something that shipping companies need to learn better when drafting a contract-spec for clients who charter their ships! A point that our Abrahamic cousins, the Muslims, frequently invoke when they say 'inshallah'.
I’ve thought very much about #17 and always have a bit of hesitation when hiring support for this reason. There’s a sense of unfairness when someone works for you and it requires a bit of reframing in my head. Unless clear support, encouragement, and an agreed “what do you want out of this?” happens, I find myself discontent.
That said, Roberto Blake (a really smart youtuber) said something to me at the CEX conference that really stuck: “there is no exploitation required in certain businesses; mine doesn’t require I profit from another human. This is the power of a one-person media business.”
Wonderful. As a Northern working class catholic, I found myself nodding in agreement with every tenet.
As sure as the Sun rose over Virginia today, you have once again delivered a full scoop of wisdom in a concise fashion that even a novice might enjoy. Thank you Sir! Well done!
Love this one, Steven. Wishing you a happy and prosperous new year!
Thank you Will - it has been far too long since we talked or corresponded. I am off to the States tomorrow morning for two weeks. How about a call sometime soon? Happy New Year my friend.
Would love to catch up! I'll follow up shortly.
Hard to believe how any individual, organisation or community practicing those 20 ‘secrets’ would not enjoy outsized success.
Like you #6 and #19 caught my eye. All the best for ‘23.
It’s interesting to note that nine times out of ten it is secular Jews who commit heinous business crimes. Very rarely do we hear of religious/orthodox Jews doing so. One sometimes wonder whether secularism is, in part, an excuse to ignore consequences.
Steven,
Thank you for another thoughtful post. Number eight is on my 2023 list.
Happy new year!
Well good luck with finding an excellent one who will help you grow and expand your potential. I am currently in Charleston which is a foodies paradise enjoying some sunshine after a long dark wet series of winter months in Ireland. Wishing you a great start to a prosperous New Year 2023 - thanks for your engagement.
I appreciate this article, but am rather mystified how one can avoid contracts/promises.