Category → Money & Career
Why most women who diet are doomed to fail
Most women have been on a diet at some point. Many are dieting now. The reasons range from ‘lifestyle change’ to downright self-hate, but generally stem from a competitive reaction to the tight-bodied younger models that swarm the summer pavements flashing smooth belly-flesh and tramp-stamps. I’m am glad the toned chicks oblige… it makes the world a prettier place. And even a swift glance at chick flicks and girly mags will tell you that women agree. Fat ain’t ever been all that. (Unless you’re a magical thinker )
Love fed fat soon turns to boredom . – Ovid (Roman Poet, 43BC)
Skinny ain’t sexy either, so there is a middle ground, and it involves tone and smooth curves. In a word: sleekness. While a man can drive a Hummer or toddle about in a Prius, give him Bill Gates’ money and he’ll be down at the showroom test-driving a European coupe the next day. The colours may change with taste, and the interior may be bespoke, but the chassis will be supremely aerodynamic.
Your brand is valuable
In the past few days, I’ve been thinking about the power of brands . Amongst other things, I listened to Sway’s new album , and have been paused for thought since the following lyrics mentioning the new business model of the brand:
Get with the times. Forget getting signed.
It’s nice but you won’t make money from sales
If ya got hype and ya timing’s right
You can make money from everything else
- "Upload", The Signature LP, Sway
Sway knows that many people don’t and won’t buy music anymore – if they did, he’d be rich already. His financial objectives must be met by other means if he wants to make even a penny from the millions of unrepentant pirates scouring the web for his immaculate verses. Rather than whine about it, Sway intends to profit from the attention ; making money from the type of endorsement deals that have seen 50 Cent sell water for $400m while strolling about in his own line of Reebok pumps.
What is stunning about the success of rappers like Fiddy, Jay-Z and Lil’ Wayne in our politically-correct era, is that they are literally on-record, saying things sure to make a man notorious. That is the subtle trick of the rap entrepreneur. Their words made them controversial ; the media-fuelled controversy made them unforgettable.
ps: Attention of any sort will bring you power. Use the limelight wisely and you will create a following . What you choose to do with that following is up to you. Just remember that once the spotlight is on you, the display of insecurity is not an option.
The colour of money
As I’m sure you’ve heard: Paul Newman is dead, and may he rest in peace. Nonetheless, Eddie Felson – the Oscar-winning role Newman played ‘The Colour of Money (1986)’ – lives on.
In the film, Newman reprises his acclaimed character from ‘The Hustler (1968)’ in which he played the classic poolhall hustler learning the trade. At that time he was told about the fallacy of excuses by his manager:
You have the best excuse in the world for losing; no trouble losing when you got a good excuse. Winning… that can be heavy on your back, too, like a monkey. You’ll drop that load too when you’ve got an excuse. All you gotta do is learn to feel sorry for yourself. One of the best indoor sports, feeling sorry for yourself. A sport enjoyed by all, especially the born losers. – Bert Gordon to Eddie in ‘The Hustler’
As the cliche goes: a bad sportsman blames the equipment, weather or referee’s decision in a heartbeat; poor performance gets blamed least.
Understanding the following quotes from the older, wiser Felson in ‘The Colour of Money’, it’s clear why performance is paramount.
Pool excellence is *not* about excellent pool. – Eddie Felson
Being excellent is more than merely achieving success. Excellence consists of *maintaining* success in the face of obstacles. You really believe Jordan never got a bad call?
You *never* ease up on somebody …not when there’s money involved. – Eddie Felson
An excuse is a brakepedal in the vehicle of success. It’s one of the most common forms of self-medication in the human condition, giving birth to depression, regret and self-pity. In ‘business’, money (or a variation; time, reputation etc) is always involved. *Never* ease up. As simple as it sounds, it’s worth stating: a win-win is only a win-win if you win. Or to put it another way:
Money won is twice as sweet as money earned. – Eddie Felson