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Editor's note: Regular DailyWealth readers know we typically focus on safe and unconventional ways to invest. But the holidays are a great time to think about how to live a richer, fuller life.
So this week, we're running a series of classic essays from Steve that cover different perspectives on "the rich life" and how to achieve it. Today, Steve explains how he has had the opportunity to work with some of his heroes...
How to Become Friends With Your HeroesBy
Tuesday, December 27, 2016
"You're so lucky Steve... You've gotten to meet and work with all these famous guys..."
When I hear that, I usually say something like, "Yeah, it's hard to believe... I have been pretty fortunate!" And I leave it at that.
But the truth is much different... It's NOT luck. It's NOT good fortune.
There's a secret to doing what I've done. And I will share it with you today...
Maybe there is a bit of "luck" involved... But it didn't happen without me putting myself in luck's line of fire. Let me give you an example of what I mean...
A while back, I knew I was going to have the chance to shake hands with one of my heroes.
When I met him, I could have just said, "Uh, gee, it's nice to meet you. I'm a big fan." But that would have been a missed opportunity.
Instead, I spent a few days thinking before I met him... I came up with a plan to make an impact – to give him a chance to want to get to know me...
I got out a 3-by-5 note card. And I wrote out what I called "12 Ways to Take Over Your Industry." I included my name, phone number, and e-mail address. When I shook his hand, I smiled and handed him the card. And that was that...
He could have easily thrown the card away. He could have thought, "Who is this joker?" He could have taken my suggestions... but still never bothered contacting me. For any number of reasons, he could have ignored me.
Instead, he reached out to me... In the end, he tried all of my dozen ideas, except one. Now, when he wants a second opinion on something (outside of his corporate yes-men), he sends me an e-mail or gives me a call. And he has included me in events around the world and decisions that I've been grateful and flattered to be a part of.
The best part to me is that I can call a hero of mine a friend as well.
That didn't happen because I'm "lucky." It happened because of a simple secret. There are two parts to it:
Then you're off... At that point, you have done your best to kick off a potential legitimate friendship. I often had to create these moments. Usually, they don't just happen.
For example, a few years ago, I ended up on the phone with another hero of mine. He said: "Next time you're in Nashville, give me a call and we can get together." Look, I'm NEVER in Nashville... But I went to Nashville that week. (I re-routed a flight to have a long layover there.)
I made it happen when the opportunity was there. And it was a fantastic few hours. Another hero of mine is now a friend of mine, too.
Most of the time, it doesn't work out this way. But it's 100% worth trying... Your downside risk is a little wasted effort. Your upside is a legitimate friendship with one of your heroes. That's worth it to me!
You can do it. You have to get creative to create the opportunity. You have to offer something that benefits your hero. And you have to do it without asking for anything in return.
You have to create your "luck."
It has worked for me. I have been able to get close to many of my heroes – both in business and in my hobbies. And I believe it can work for you, too...
How cool is it to have your heroes as your friends? Just follow these tips, figure out your opportunity, and go for it... You can do it...
Regards,
Steve
Further Reading:
"You make your own luck, they say, so create opportunities for yourself as best as you can," Steve wrote in August. Learn how to do that here: If You're So Rich, Why Do You Still Work?
In August, Steve shared another tip that will help DailyWealth readers be dramatically more productive, successful, and wealthy: the "Sjuggerud Advantage." It's a major secret to his life's success. Learn more here.
Market NotesNEW HIGHS OF NOTE LAST WEEK
Allegheny (Y)... insurance
Travelers (TRV)... insurance
Allstate (ALL)... insurance
Anthem (ANTM)... health insurance
Medifast (MED)... weight loss
SodaStream International (SODA)... homemade soda
Rite Aid (RAD)... drugstore chain
Microsoft (MSFT)... computer software
Nvidia (NVDA)... computer chips
Western Digital (WDC)... computer storage
TD Ameritrade (AMTD)... online brokerage
Charles Schwab (SCHW)... online brokerage
1-800-Flowers.Com (FLWS)... online flower delivery
Paychex (PAYX)... payroll processor
Robert Half International (RHI)... temp agency
Pool Corp. (POOL)... swimming pools
Pier 1 Imports (PIR)... furniture
La-Z-Boy (LZB)... furniture
CarMax (KMX)... used cars
Waste Management (WM)... waste disposal
Apollo Education (APOL)... for-profit education
Strayer Education (STRA)... for-profit education
NEW LOWS OF NOTE LAST WEEK
Not many... It's a bull market, you know!
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