Articles from 2018
116 articles · browse by month or scroll through the year.
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
Can You – Should You – Value Knowledge in Dollars and Cents?
Friday, September 28, 2018 Delray Beach, FL - I try to limit my wealth-building and business advice to what I know to be true from experience. That’s because I am skeptical of advice derived solely from…
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Notes From My Journal
Get Better by Todd Davis
Friday, September 28, 2018 Delray Beach, FL–I purchased the book because I liked the title – Get Better: 15 Proven Practices to Build Effective Relationships at Work. It seemed like it was going to be the sort…
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
That Was Then, This Is Now (but It’s Still About Then)
Wednesday, September 26, 2018 Delray Beach, FL - South Side High School’s Class of 1968 had its 50th-year reunion last weekend. About 75 of the 300 students in our class attended. I wasn’t going to go. Then I…
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Notes From My Journal
The Economy Is Looking Good: Don’t Get Giddy… or Scared
Delray Beach, FL- There are lots of reasons why many people today are excited about the investment markets. For the first time in 10 years, for example, the GDP growth rate is higher than the unemployment rate…
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Notes From My Journal
The Lessons of History
Monday, September 24, 2018 Delray Beach, FL- On the recommendation of Tim Ferriss, I’m reading Will and Ariel Durant’s The Lessons of History. Published in 1962, it contains the occasional paragraph that seems…
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
Every Problem Should Have a Simple Solution
Monday, September 24, 2018 Delray Beach, FL - On August 15, I published an essay titled “Growers and Tenders” in which I suggested that there are two kinds of employees. I wrote: This is an exaggeration, but I…
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Notes From My Journal
This Actually Happened
Saturday, September 22, 2018 Delray Beach, FL- We were talking about sexual harassment. Sally and Leslie and I. Sally said, “At my age, I could use a bit of it now and then. Leslie laughed, agreeing. “I’m way…
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Worth Reading
A Letter I Would Send to My Teenage Self
What I'm Reading... James Altucher is a very impressive guy. But two things impress me most: his ability to absorb not just knowledge but wisdom – fast. And his relentless drive to improve his life. By James…
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Fun and/or Interesting
Did You Know? — September 22, 2018
Did You Know?: A rabbit’s predator can literally scare it to death.
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A Word to the Wise
Today’s Word: roseate (adjective)
Today’s Word: roseate (adjective) Roseate (ROH-zee-it) is rose-colored, resembling a rose. It can also mean overly optimistic. As used by Oliver Wendell Holmes: “Speak not too well of one who scarce will know…
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
Elegant Solutions
Saturday, September 22, 2018 Delray Beach, FL - In his book In Pursuit of Elegance, Matthew E. May tells a story about Drachten, a Dutch village that had a serious problem with traffic at its main intersection…
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Notes From My Journal
A Passing Jealousy
Thursday, September 20, 2018 Delray Beach, FL– Walking to my office, a woman passes me, going the other way. She is attractive. Tall, lean, and handsome. And I notice that she is dressed attractively too, in a…
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Worth Watching
The Elephants That Came To Dinner
Watch This… 'The Elephants That Came to Dinner' [embed]https://youtu.be/NdTII_unZSA[/embed]
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Worth Quoting
Worth Quoting — September 20, 2018
Worth Quoting: “You cannot create experience. You must undergo it.” – Albert Camus
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Fun and/or Interesting
Did You Know? — September 20, 2018
Did You Know?: Carl Sandberg’s first book of poetry and prose, Incidentals, was self-published.
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A Word to the Wise
Today’s Word: rood (noun)
Today’s Word: rood (noun) Rood (ROOD) is an old word for crucifix. As used by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in his historical novel The White Company: “By the black rood of Waltham!” he roared. “If any knave among…
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
The Miracle of Compound Knowledge
Thursday, September 20, 2018 Delray Beach, FL - I have a little gift for you. A simple idea that can mean the difference between struggling and being immensely successful. It is a very small idea that will be…
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Notes From My Journal
More on Caring Less: The Questionable Virtue of Restraining Desire
Tuesday, September 18, 2018 Delray Beach, FL-“The discipline of desire is the backbone of character,” wrote Will & Ariel Durant. That’s different from the Buddhist idea of extinguishing desire. The difference…
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Fun and/or Interesting
Art Notes
Ernesto “San” Avilés Van der Weyden + Des San Juanes, 1969 I have more than a thousand works of art in my collection. This little painting by Salvadoran artist San Avilés is one of my favorites. As you can…
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Worth Quoting
Worth Quoting — September 18, 2018
Worth Quoting: “There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second.” – Logan Pearsall Smith
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Fun and/or Interesting
Did You Know? — September 18, 2018
Did You Know? Burt Reynolds was offered the role of Han Solo in Star Wars. He took it, but then backed out.
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A Word to the Wise
Today’s Word: languid (adjective)
Today’s Word: languid (adjective) Languid (LANG-gwid) means lacking in vigor or vitality. As used by Jonathan Swift: “As love without esteem is capricious and volatile, esteem without love is languid and cold.”
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
Collecting: The Best Way to Satisfy Your Inner Material Girl (or Guy)
Tuesday, September 18, 2018 Delray Beach, FL - I’m a big fan of rewarding yourself whenever you’ve made significant progress on any of your long-term goals – especially your wealth-building goals. If, say, you…
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Notes From My Journal
Hiring Creatives? Standard Practice Doesn’t Work
Sunday, September 16, 2018 Delray Beach, FL- He needed a new editorial director. I asked him how the search was progressing. He said that someone was “currently reviewing resumes” for him. That worried me…
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Worth Reading
What I'm Reading
I have often made this argument in conversation but never in print. Had I tried I could not have done as well. All the World on Stage By Theodore Dalrymple in Taki’s Magazine http://takimag…
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Worth Quoting
Worth Quoting — September 16, 2018
Worth Quoting: “Age considers; youth ventures.” – Rabindranath Tagore
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Fun and/or Interesting
Did You Know? — September 16, 2018
Did You Know?: Smarter people have more zinc in their hair.
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A Word to the Wise
Today’s Word: meritorious (adjective)
Today’s Word: meritorious (adjective) Something that is meritorious (mare-ih-TOR-ee-us) is deserving of honor or esteem. As used by St. Thomas Aquinas: “Not everything that is more difficult is more…
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
Principles of Wealth: #19 of 60
There are two ways that investments can build wealth. One is by the generation of income. The other is through appreciation – an increase in the value of the underlying asset. Certain asset classes are…
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Notes From My Journal
What’s the Truth About Employment in America Today?
Friday, September 14, 2018 Delray Beach, FL- In South Florida, it’s difficult to find contractors these days because the demand for new construction and renovations is stronger than it’s been in years. It’s…
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Worth Watching
Watch This
This video is entertaining... clear, funny. I'm sure the kid that made it is getting offers. https://biggeekdad.com/2018/08/the-singing-waiter/
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Worth Quoting
Worth Quoting
Worth Quoting: “I choose my friends for their good looks, my acquaintances for their good characters, and my enemies for their intellects. A man cannot be too careful in the choice of his enemies.” – Oscar…
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Fun and/or Interesting
Did You Know?
Did You Know? The honeybee kills more people worldwide than all the poisonous snakes combined.
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A Word to the Wise
Today’s Word: acolyte (noun)
Today’s Word: acolyte (noun) An acolyte (AK-uh-lite) is (1) one who attends or assists a leader, or (2) a follower. As used by the musician John Fahey: “From a social perspective, I am looking for friends, not…
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
Should I Care Even Less?
Friday, September 14, 2018 Next on My Passion Diet: Economic Theory Delray Beach, FL - Popular philosophy today promotes the idea that a good life is a passionate one, that by caring more we can lead fuller…
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Notes From My Journal
Notes From My Journal — September 10, 2018
Does the SEC Really Give a Crap About Small Investors? Delray Beach, FL- “The private markets are awash in capital these days,” Jay Clayton, Chairman of the SEC, told entrepreneurs and business-school students…
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
Get Up, Take a Walk, Extend Your Life
Delray Beach, FL - You don’t have to be a physiologist to understand how unhealthy it is to spend 8 or 10 hours a day sitting on your butt. The stiffness you feel when you get up should be an obvious warning…
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Notes From My Journal
Notes From My Journal — September 8, 2018
Everything Is Going Up New York City- Walking uptown on 8th, from 17th to 41st, we passed through what used to be called Hell’s Kitchen. And we were surprised to see a half-dozen glittering glass skyscrapers…
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Notes From My Journal
Notes From My Journal
A New Word, an Old Peeve New York City- Sitting on the stoop in front of this brownstone, reading a magazine, I come across a word that’s new to me: glanceable. This doesn’t happen often. And when it does…
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Notes From My Journal
The Soothing Power of Making Music
Wednesday, June 20, 2018 Delray Beach, FL - About 55 years ago, I won second place in a solo contest for the French horn. I played a tune called Mighty Major. I got back into it about five years ago and then…
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
An Unavoidable Hazard of Success
Wednesday, June 20, 2018 Delray Beach, FL - If you’re smart, hardworking and persistent, you’ve got what it takes to be successful at any career you choose. But as you climb the ladder, you’re likely to face a…
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
Is Someone Abusing You? Here’s How to Claim Your Power Almost Instantly
Saturday, April 28, 2018 Delray Beach, FL. - He was the kind of person that leaned into you when he spoke. Poked you in the ribs to emphasize his enthusiasm and never laughed at your jokes. When he met K for…
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Notes From My Journal
The Importance of Being Earnest
Saturday, April 28, 2018 Delray Beach, FL – He had accepted the opportunity to become a partner in our Jiu Jitsu studio, but a week after he started he realized he couldn’t do it. He had two other jobs, a sick…
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
Swarm Intelligence and Free Enterprise
Tuesday, April 24, 2018 Delray Beach, FL - Scientists use the term “swarm intelligence” to describe how relatively dumb animals can do amazingly smart things. Termites, for example, have nearly nonexistent…
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Notes From My Journal
The Rental Market Today vs. 2007
On April 16, 2007, I wrote this in my journal: Rents are expected to go up in 2007. This would be the third year in a row. The rise is projected to be 5% this year for a 14% total rise since 2004, a report by…
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
How to Fix Your Business in Seven Days
Saturday, April 21, 2018 Delray Beach, FL - Your business is stuck. Or maybe it’s you. It needs something to get out of its rut and on to another level. What to do? How about a 7-day Gordon Ramsey redo? Have…
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
Net Investible Wealth
Saturday, April 21, 2018 Delray Beach, FL - Principles of Wealth: #14 of 61 Income is an important factor in the acquisition of wealth, but it is not a measure of it. Nor are expensive possessions. The only…
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Miscellaneous Essays
Liberal Arts Over Technical Skills For Business Success
I am sometimes asked – and I don’t know why – what course of study I recommend for college students wishing to become successful in business. My answer usually provokes skepticism if not scorn. I recommend…
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
The True Cost of Buying
Saturday, April 14, 2018 Principles of Wealth: #13 of 61 Delray Beach, FL - We buy financial products and services because we believe they will make us richer. But we should never forget that the purchase…
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From My Work-in-Progress Basket
One Thing & Another — April 7, 2018
Word for the Wise Leonine (LEE-uh-nine) = of or relating to a lion. Example as used by Sax Rohmer in the 1915 crime novel The Yellow Claw: “In the leonine eyes looking into hers gleamed the light of admiration…
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