Wisdom Behind SLOWLY Making Haste

When it comes to reaching our most important goal–peace, prosperity, loving families, personal satisfaction and the joy of living well, Mother Nature seems to know something. She moves slowly and methodically. She does her work in small increments, day by day, always moving forward, taking her time and doing her work with exquisite beauty. We can learn from that.

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Remember the saying, “haste makes waste?” We live with constant change and tremendous impatience. We want solutions and we want them “NOW!” We want relief, we want success, we want the future to arrive easily, cheaply and soon!

And, at the same time, we want peace of mind, simplicity, and release from the stress of modern life. I heard this somewhere; “hurry is the devil” and I believe that’s true. I love the quote from Gandhi that “there is more to life than increasing its speed.”

Remember when Steve Jobs offered a free case to “fix” the new iPhone’s antenna problems. In their rush to market, they over-looked something and they ended up with egg on their face.

I think nature is constantly trying to tell us this. Recently, I saw a National Geographic on how change takes place in nature and while this was not their major lesson, here’s what I got:

1. Rapid change is often marked by chaos, confusion, pain, suffering and sometimes disaster.

2. Slow change is marked by growth, beauty, evolution and astonishing complexity.

Now, obviously those rules don’t always apply, but here are my thoughts. Rapid change comes from things like volcanoes and earthquakes and hurricanes and floods. Yes, change is quick and powerful and awesome. And, yes, there is beauty in Mother Nature’s power, but the results are unpredictable and filled with unintended consequences.

On the other hand, slow change created the Grand Canyon, Giant Redwoods, and the rich soil of the Great Plains. Slow, methodical human labor created the great pyramids, the Great Wall of China, and the Taj Mahal. In his biography of Wilbur and Orville Wright, Fred Howard makes the point that they were successful precisely because of their methodical experiments, careful notes, exhaustive research and willingness to learn from others. They took their time and learned to fly!

We know that fad diets and rapid weight-loss often lead to gaining the weight back within a few months. A better way is to change lifestyle, burn more calories than you consume and slowly, methodically (and safely) achieve your desired outcome.

In the quest for “instant wealth,” how many have fallen for “get rich quick schemes?” In our “need for speed,” how many of us have run aground, taken the wrong turn or rushed impatiently down the wrong path?

There is wisdom in the story of the tortoise and the hare. Remember their race? The rabbit jumps off to a dramatic, frenzied start while the poor lumbering tortoise doesn’t seem to have a chance, but I’m sure you remember how the story ends!

Sure, I want to reach my goals as quickly as possible. Sure, I like going fast! Of course I prefer my high speed internet connection! Who doesn’t?

When it comes to reaching our most important goals—peace, prosperity, loving families, personal satisfaction and the joy of living well, Mother Nature seems to know something. She moves slowly and methodically. She does her work in small increments, day by day, always moving forward, taking her time and doing her work with exquisite beauty. We can learn from that.

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“The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes of mind!”
–  William James

“Try not to become a (person) of success but rather try to become a (person) of value.”
–  Albert Einstein

“How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something, but someone.”
–  Coco Chanel

“Keep true, never be ashamed of doing right. Decide on what you think is right,
and stick to it.”
–  George Eliot

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In the U.S., taxes are going up this year. No one knows how much, but whether its capital gains, tax on earned income and dividends, or a whole new system of VAT or flat taxes or death taxes, it sure looks as if the government is going to take more of our money. That may be a good thing. Personally, I think it’s a terrible idea but this isn’t about politics.

In previous years, usually in November, I’ve encouraged subscribers to expense everything you reasonably can against this year’s income. BUT THIS YEAR IS DIFFERENT!

That’s why I’m sending this much earlier, and with the opposite advice!

If you believe taxes will go up next year, I recommend that you maximize income this year, while delaying ordinary business expenses so you can use them to minimize income in a higher-tax environment next year.

Now a huge and essential reminder: DON’T CHEAT! Do nothing that is illegal or unethical! It doesn’t pay and it won’t work and I’m not talking about that. Play by the rules and use them to your advantage. Check with your tax professional and follow their advice.

But if you can influence how much you earn and when you earn it, you’ll want to be smart. The goal is to earn as much as you can while legitimately owing as little tax as possible. If tax rates are lower this year, earn more! If you expect taxes to be higher next year, maximize next year’s (legal and ordinary) business expenses to reduce income in a high-tax environment. That’s common sense.

The reason I’m sending this now is that increasing income often takes more time, work and planning than taking end-of-year expenses. You may want to ask for pre-payment of contracts, increase retainers or maximize collections this year, and your customers will need time to adjust. You may want to work extra hours or extra hard, and the family may need to adjust.

Be smart. Plan wisely. Pay all the taxes you owe, but do all you can to legally minimize them. It’s good business!

You can contact me for an initial consultation at:rodger@rodgerblaker.com

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My thoughts were never this funny so I thought I’d share these one-liners. As always, Thanks! (And if you come across humor, jokes or puns, please send them to me at: rodger@rodgerblaker.com I love this stuff!)

I was thinking about those cell phones that everyone has clipped on. I can’t afford one, so I’m wearing my garage door opener. Now everyone thinks I’m cool, too.

I was thinking that women should put pictures of missing husbands on beer cans.

I was thinking about old age and decided that it is a lot like when you still have something on the ball but are just too tired to bounce it.

I thought about making a fitness movie for older folks and call it, “Pumping Rust”.

I think I have gotten that dreaded furniture disease…when your chest is falling into your drawers!

You know when people see a cat’s litter box, they always say, “Oh, have you got a cat?” Just once I wanted to say, “No, it’s for company!”

Employment application blanks always ask who to notify in case of emergency. I think you should write, “A Good Doctor!”

Why is it that no matter what color of bubble bath you use, the bubbles are always white?

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with the hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give their vacuum one more chance?

Why is it that no plastic garbage bag will open from the end you first try?

In winter, why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

Why do old men wear their pants higher than younger men?

How come we never hear any “father-in-law” jokes?

If at first you don’t succeed, shouldn’t you try doing it like your wife told you to in the first place?

Why is it that men can react to broken bones as ‘just a sprain’ and serious wounds as ‘just a scratch’, but when they get the sniffles they are deathly ill and have to be bedridden for weeks?

Rodger Blaker works with executives, small business owners and professionals who want to grow in their business and create an extraordinary life!

For info on resources for your success, visit: http://www.BlakerBusinessCoaching.com or call me at 214-485-2238.

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