FROM THE BLOG

We’re a Texas firm with a bunch of Texas folk and a lot of Texan inclination. We like our independence, tend to align with others who like theirs too, and don’t scare much from a little work when there’s a cause worth working for. That said, I’m not Texan myself, and I wouldn’t hazard to misrepresent myself as such. I don’t know the first thing about saddling a horse or even what to do if a horse just happened to show up pre-saddled. However, a lot of virtues related to life and business, like independence and work ethic, can have a little Texas twist but also cross state lines just fine.

I don’t need to hail from Amarillo to claim, “leave all gates and barn doors as you found ‘em,” as a formative life lesson. In the moment, the “guidance” was more literal—spending an August afternoon chasing down the livestock you accidentally set free is not a mistake you make twice. The real lesson, translated for a lifetime of use, is, of course, to respect other people and their property (direct translation for teenagers: leave the bathroom like you found it!).

As business owners (or parents), we all seek help in aligning our respective stakeholders to start the hard work of building something worth having—be it within a growing wealth management practice or an aspiring lemonade stand. It’s the getting started where most plans stall, and here are a few swing thoughts that might help free the axels to get your team on board with your next audacious idea…

Trying Something New Isn’t Comfortable

“Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn’t it? If you’re comfortable while you’re doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.”

– Ted Lasso (played by Jason Sudeikis), “Ted Lasso” (2020)

Trying always comes with a non-zero probability of failing. It wouldn’t be called trying otherwise—I suppose we’d just call it doing. Trying a hard thing, in particular, comes with a nearly 100% chance of discomfort. Might as well put that in the brochure; it’s better packaged there than as a surprise later.

Prove Simple Wrong First… If You Can

“… the best part is no part.”

– Elon Musk (from “Elon Musk” by Walter Isaacson)

It’s not debatable that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. The path from where you are to where you want to be won’t likely be a straight line, but fewer digressions from that line are better than more. Elon Musk was asked by the biographer Walter Isaacson about why putting legs on Starship wouldn’t work (as opposed to catching the rocket with mechanical arms). His response, “Sure, legs would have worked, but the best part is no part,” is a great reminder to first consider a process with less complexity—even if it seems impossible at first.

A Little Courage Goes a Long Way

“Sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.”

– Benjamin Mee (played by Matt Damon), “We Bought a Zoo” (2011)

Half-hearted efforts tend to fail—or never really get off the ground in the first place. The best things in life generally require an initial level of commitment that is immense. It’s amazing how easy difficult things can be when you conjure that full commitment—and how simple it then becomes afterward. Courage need not be brought by the gallon either; a few drops are often enough.

If You Stare Too Long at Obstacles, That’s All You’ll See

“I have not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that will not work.”

– Thomas Edison, in pursuit of the incandescent lightbulb (~1870)

The reasons for not trying are often many, but they aren’t usually an inspiring lot. Those leaders you know that have won the hearts and souls of others—that have a team (even a rec league soccer team) following them, asking “when,” not “why”—they’ve probably tried and failed more than most have tried at all.

As Thomas Edison famously intimated about his ten-thousandth failed attempt at the lightbulb, it’s not a failure if it gets you closer to your breakthrough.

Here’s to trying!

Paul Keeton
Managing Director, Investments & Advisory Solutions

Posted by Prospera Financial