Opinions vary based on experience and culture.
Opinions may or may not be based in fact.
Opinions can be wrong.

You are entitled to your own opinion, not your own truth.

When YOUR OPINIONS become YOUR TRUTH, YOU’RE TRAPPED.

Your truth determines your actions.
Your actions form your culture.
Your culture influences your opinions.

See the problem…?

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

1 Kings 18:21 KJV

Opposition is uncomfortable. | Echo is comfortable.

Opposition has a different perspective. | Echo resonates.

By nature, we are more apt to engage with echo instead of opposition. The algorithms of your favorite social media platform are built on this very fact. Algorithms are seeking engagement not insight.

How you think and the decisions you make are your responsibility. Be well informed. Surround yourself with people who will push you, not the people who always agree with you.

Bad decisions are made in an echo chamber.
Your opposition is not always your enemy.

But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:

1 Kings 12:8 KJV

If something has value, it has cost. Right? We perceive college education as valuable because it is so expensive. Oftentimes, the most expensive tuition is paid at the school of hard knocks.

Quick story on knocks and stocks.
After the financial crisis in 2008, everything was tight and I was thrifty. My wife and I had been working and saving money for a few years. We were really proud to build a 60k nest egg and I thought we were really doing well. I made the mistake of losing focus on the business and started looking for a way to make some easy money. I’m a risk taker but not a gambler…so I thought.

“O, I wish I had a drink of water from the well in Bethlehem.” King David was held up in a cave outside the city. The enemy was stationed there and ready for war. David was tired, thirsty, and wishing out loud, as we all do. Three of his men overheard and went into action. They fought their way through enemy lines, made it to the well, and retrieved the water for their King. David was so moved by the love and honor shown by his men, he would not drink it. He proceeds to pour out the water unto God.

This is one of the all time great stories of humility, honor, love, and respect. The fact that David poured out the water, for which his men risked their lives, is a testament to the reason they went in the first place.

This level of humility begs the question. When was the last time I received a blessing I thought I was unworthy of? 

If being a servant is beneath you, being a leader is beyond you.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.

This has been my achilles heel as long as I can remember. I think all entrepreneurs are soloists to a certain degree. That mindset is absolutely necessary when working 80 hours a week just to get traction, but it will kill you if you want to build a company. There are several things I have done wrong along my journey as an entrepreneur. Here are a few, hope you take note and don’t make the same mistakes.