Mark Twain wrote…
“Whenever you find you are on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
This is something I have done in my 30 years as a professional. But to be truthful, probably goes back to my earliest years…never was comfortable going the easy, popular route. Just never made sense to me. Possibly some genetic deficiency…
It’s why Lupine Partners’ website looks different than our competitors. It’s why my personality and beliefs are so prevalent on the site and in all of our products. NOT because I am that much of an ego maniac, but because all of my competitor’s sites are so homogenous and bland, that you cannot get a sense of who they are and why they exist. Companies are founded and consist of people – real human beings. To me it’s always been good business to show who you are and why we are good for you – using real words and real emotions. To be different, and to stand out from the crowd.
YOU may choose to move from one group to another by ‘moving’ your ambition, thinking, acquisition and use of information, initiative, and effort. But regardless of your choices, the fact that the majority of your peers are dead-wrong won’t change a whit. For the most part, where a particular person gets to in this continuum from the top 1% to the bottom 40% has much less to do with differences in genetics, upbringing, education, opportunity or luck than it does decisions. Associations matter a lot, but they are or can be chosen. The first critical decision for upward movement is to ALWAYS distrust the majority. It’s not an easy decision to make. It’s even harder to stick to. To see a majority stampeding north and stubbornly turn south. Not easy at all. Remember that whatever ‘everybody’ is infatuated with – you should spurn.
It’s worked for me…