Does this really surprise you? At this point in your life do you actually still believe that people are telling you the truth? Please! Business writers and success gurus are not telling you the truth about what it really takes to be successful. They don’t care whether you are successful or not. They want to sell books and will say what it takes to do it–even when what they are saying makes no sense at all.
Just because a guy can write a bestseller about business doesn’t mean he really knows about business. It just means a lot of copies of the book were sold. It says more about the buyers than it does about the writer. Remember, Jersey Shores and Housewives of ‘Who Give’s A Crap’ are still some of the most watched television shows on the planet. That doesn’t mean it’s quality programming, it just means a lot of people watch the show.
I’m a professional speaker and have written 5 national bestsellers myself. I am a member of the Speaker Hall of Fame. I am hired by some of the largest, most respected companies in the world to rant on stage about business and personal success. I attend huge conventions of national associations and do my stuff. I personally know many of the most successful speakers and writers in the country, and I also currently read about one business book every week – all the top sellers. So I actually have some expertise is this area. I know what’s being said and I know what people are buying.
Know what? Those business writers and speakers are selling you a big ol’ bucket of doo-doo. Yep, they are lying to you. I like most of these guys – many are good friends of mine. But I also know the truth about most of them. Very few of them actually do what they are telling you to do. They talk the talk, but they don’t walk the walk.
I know many of the world’s leading customer service speakers and writers. Call them. You will be lucky to get your call returned.
I know many of the leading experts on leadership. Most of them can’t keep employees working for them because they are such lousy leaders.
I know almost all of the sales gurus personally–the men and women who give the speeches and write the bestselling books. Many can’t sell their own sales training.
I know more motivational experts and success teachers than I can count. Not really – I can count pretty high. But let me tell you, most of these guys are anything but successful.
The relationship experts aren’t usually in a relationship. The humorists aren’t funny. The financial experts are broke. I even know experts on ethics and integrity who don’t pay their bills.
These people clearly are not experts. They may be well known and they may have given lots of speeches and sold lots of books, but they aren’t true experts. Not in a practical sense. Yet people are clamoring to buy their books and hear their speeches. Again, it says more about the buyer than the seller. People are hungry for the truth. Eager to find the next new thing. So people end up buying these books with the hope of finding something new, some secret that will help them discover what it takes to be successful in business and in life. And while some of those books and speeches have actually helped people, for the most part the information is worthless.
For instance, there is a bestselling book on the market that has a chapter that says “nice managers get better results.” Absolute hogwash. Being nice has nothing to do with results; no more than being mean has anything to do with results. Results are never about nice or mean. Results come from clearly communicating what is expected from the employees, training them to do the job, and then staying involved enough to make sure the job is actually being done. When it is, you reward the employee; when it isn’t, you discipline the employee. In a nutshell, that is the job of a manager. Whether you are a nice manager or a mean manager is not important. It comes down to doing your job. Managers who do their job get results.
There is another book out there at the top of the bestseller lists from a chef who says that the key to leadership is to forget making sure the customer is happy and instead focus on making your employees happy. Is this guy crazy? Who cares if your employees are happy? It is impossible to make an employee happy anyway! (More on that later.) Focus on making the customer happy because it is the customer’s money that keeps you in business. How long is good ol’ Chef going to be able to keep his restaurant open with happy employees and unhappy customers? Remember this: The customer is revenue and the employee is an expense.
See how stupid some business writers are? People are selling stuff that makes absolutely no sense! Yet people buy it. Because it looks and sounds new, it sounds like a secret that no one else has said yet and it must be right for that reason alone.
Let me make this clear: there are no secrets. None. There is no new information. What it took to be successful a thousand years ago is exactly what it takes to be successful today. I only remind people of the stuff that eons of data have proved to be true. That is information you can trust. Information that is tried tested and true. But that information doesn’t always sell because it doesn’t have the same sizzle as the new stuff. And success must be a secret since it has managed to elude people for so long. So sell it as new and say it’s a secret and you are almost guaranteed bestseller status.
I recently checked Amazon to find out the number of books containing all of those secrets people want to know about. This is what I found:
There are 1,800 books about the secrets of success. 500 books about the secrets of customer service. 600 books about the secrets of selling. 700 books about the secrets of leadership. You can find the secrets of leadership according to Harry Potter, Santa Claus, Billy Graham and Hitler.
Get this: There are over 46,000 books that contain the word “team” or “teamwork.” All selling a load of crap. Teamwork doesn’t work. Yes, I know that is business blasphemy, but I am right and everyone else is wrong. Teamwork doesn’t work. And the reason is because someone on the team won’t work–which means you no longer have a team. You have a few good people who have to pick up the slack for the bozo that isn’t doing her share. They are frankly pissed off about it too. Because they know, at the end of the project, they will have to share the credit with her because after all, she is on the team. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
Again. There are simply no secrets. When you see the word “secret” you should run! And when you hear that someone has a brand new concept for how to be successful, beware. You don’t need anything brand new; you need to go back to the old and simple stuff that makes sense.
Instead of 500 books about the secrets of customer service, try this: Be nice. Say thank you. A secret? I hope not. Isn’t that all you are looking for in a transaction?
Instead of 600 books on the secrets of selling, try this: Ask. Just ask people to buy. Ask, ask, ask, ask, and ask. Become a master asker.
Instead of 700 books about the secrets of leadership, try this: lead. Get out in front of people and give them something to follow. Santa Claus has nothing to teach you about leadership.
“So, Larry, are you an expert? How do we know you are telling us the truth? Aren’t you just trying to sell us a book, too?”
Am I an expert? Absolutely! However, I am not an expert at leadership, though I have lead many successful organizations. I have lead some into stardom and one into bankruptcy. Which did I learn the most from? The one I lead into bankruptcy. I am not an expert at customer service. I have delivered both kinds of service: great and suck-y. And I recognize it when I get both, too! I am not an expert at selling, though I have been an award winning salesperson. I am not an expert at money or financial success, though I have gone from bankruptcy to multi-millionaire. I am certainly not an expert at relationships. I have screwed up many of them.
All I am really an expert at is being stupid and learning from it. In fact, I could be the poster child for stupidity. The key is that I learn from my stupidity. I pay attention to my mistakes. I have become an expert at not making the same mistake twice, and learning from every stupid thing I have ever done. And I have become pretty good at communicating it. I am not pretending to be something I am not, and I am not saying I am better than any of the others who write the books and give the speeches. I do more wrong before noon than most people will screw up in a week. But I learn from every stupid mistake I make. And I am upfront about it all.
And of course I want to sell you a book. Hopefully, lots of books. I am a businessman. I do this to make money. I wrote this article to make money. Everything I do is to make money. I don’t do this out of some overwhelming need to change the world or to change people’s lives. The world doesn’t want to change or it already would have changed all on its own and without any help from me. People change their lives when they want to, not because I want them to. No book ever changed a life and no speaker ever did, either. People have the power to change their own lives and no author or speaker should take the credit for it. That statement alone should answer your second question: Am I telling you the truth?
In fact, I am totally addicted to the truth. The cold, hard, ugly, like-it-or-not truth! At least the truth as I see it. That’s all any of us can really do: tell the truth as we see it from our own experience, our personal perspective and in our own style. So I will tell you the truth–my truth.
Here are my truths about business. See if they make sense to you. If they do, give them a try. If they don’t, give them a try anyway. Chances are what you are doing isn’t working, so give my ideas a try. After trying them, if they don’t work then move on and try what someone else has to say. And know that you are a little closer to discovering your own truth. If they do work, throw yourself a little party because you have learned something that works.
Larry’s Truths About Business:
Apathy is killing business. Employees don’t care whether they serve the customer well or even if they serve the customer at all. Managers don’t care enough to make sure employees are serving customers or doing their job. And customers don’t care enough to complain because they are confident not much will change even when they do. Want things to change? Care. As a customer, care enough to complain. As a manager, care enough to make sure your employees are doing their job. As an employee, care enough to serve the customer well and do your job.
Attitude doesn’t matter. Motivational gurus have made trillions of dollars telling us that having a positive attitude is the key to success. Wrong! You can be positive all you want and still be positively wrong, positively lazy and positively stupid. I don’t always have a great attitude. In fact, many times I have a really crappy attitude. That makes me a real human being. Things go wrong and affect my attitude. Luckily, I am not paid to be positive. You aren’t paid for your great attitude either. You are paid to do your job. I’ll take Mr. Crappy Attitude who gets the work done, and you can have Mr. Positive who believes that there are no problems, only opportunities. I’ll go with the guy who knows a problem when he sees it, gets ticked off by it and solves the problem!
Who cares if your employees are happy? I have employees and I don’t care whether they are happy or not. I don’t pay them to be happy. I pay them to do the job. Know what? They don’t care if I am happy, either. They just want me to do my job so they can get paid. It’s not about being happy. It’s about getting the job done. Besides, I learned a long time ago that I couldn’t make another person happy. I can’t be happy enough to make them happy. I can’t get mad enough or sad enough to make them happy. People are happy when they want to be and if they want to be. No other person has any impact on it.
You don’t have to love your job – but it helps. Too much has been said about loving your job. Even I used to fall into this trap. You don’t have to love your job to be good at it – but it helps. I don’t love what I do. Oh wait, you think speaking and writing is what I do? It isn’t. I only spend about 100 hours a year on stage. That’s two weeks work if you put it all together – barely enough to count. That stage time is a part the part of my business that I love and it is the payoff for what I really do for a living. I travel for a living. I pack my crap, go the airport, put up with the security stupidity, and the abuse of the don’t-give-a-damn flight attendants, only to get there and wait an hour for my bag that statistics say has probably been pilfered, then get in a cab that smells like crap driven by a guy who can’t speak English and drives out of the way to pad his bill, then check into a hotel where they can’t find my reservation so I can order up some room service that will be late and cold and wrong. Then I go on stage, love my hour I’m up there and start over again. That is the reality of what I do for a living. In my spare time, I write a book or two and shoot a television show. I don’t love what I do most of the time. I put up with it because I love those hundred hours. And I’m not complaining – the hundred hours is worth the trouble or I wouldn’t do it.
The good news is that none of us are paid to love our jobs. You aren’t. You never got a check notated in the notes section, “Because he loves his job.” You got your check because you did your job, not because you loved your job. If you love your job, that is a bonus.
Not firing people is a cancer on your business. People don’t do their jobs. You see it every day. I know I do. I go into businesses where I have to beg people to answer a question or pay any attention to me. I have to break up conversations between workers in order to get them to take my order and my money. People take breaks twice as long as they are entitled to. They come in late. They call in sick when they aren’t. And they don’t get fired. Why? Why do we let people by with not doing their job? Fear. We are afraid. We spend so much time and money worrying about the rights of the employee that we forget about the rights of the business. If an employee isn’t doing his job – isn’t earning his money – isn’t doing what he is paid to do – he has no rights. Fire him.
Keeping a bad employee destroys your credibility with your other employees. Bad behavior then spreads like a cancer because there are no visible consequences. This is inexcusable because ultimately the person who suffers most is the person who should suffer least: the customer.
“But what if I fire him and he sues me?” You are right about this one. He might sue you. We have become a big sue-happy society. People sue for everything. Get a paper cut? Sue the bastards for unsafe working environment. Someone compliment your outfit? Sue for sexual harassment because obviously, “Nice dress” really meant, “Let’s have sex.” So yes, you might get sued. Fire him anyway. Remember, it’s better to pay a really good attorney than a really bad employee.
Do the right thing no matter what. Ethics is a matter of black and white – not grey. It’s either right or wrong, good or bad, hello or goodbye, you are either in the way or on the way. How will you know whether something is the right thing to do or the wrong thing to do? If you have to ask, it’s the wrong thing. You always know the right thing, you only question when it is the wrong thing. So do the right thing. Even when it is unpopular or might cost you money or be embarrassing. In the long run, consistently doing the right thing will pay off every time.
Larry’s all time best advice for business success:
Do what you said you were going to do, when you said you were going to do it, in exactly the way you said you were going to do it. You won’t ever get any better business advice than that.
Be there when you said you would be there. Deliver when you said you would deliver. Call when you said you would call. Be a person who can be counted on by keeping his word every time.
“If I do all of this, Larry, will I be successful?”
Beats me. Success is a funny thing. Sometimes you can do everything right and it still all goes wrong. If you don’t understand that, then you are naïve. So I can’t guarantee your success. However, don’t do any of these things and I can guarantee your failure.
Excellent advice Larry! I especially like the part of “Do the right thing no matter what.” I said something very similar on an interview last night when I was talking about the warrior’s edge, which involves living and acting with honor and integrity, which at it’s core is doing the right thing. Keep up the great work.
This is the best article I ever read. Winget, I love you and you’re my kind of guy. At last someone who refuses to live in a world full of hypocrites and dares to tell things the way they really are !!!
I do this all the time and man does it feel good after doing it. The downside is you don’t make lots of friends for being so blant and upfront. I must say, the article is very well written and gets the point across very clearly. Thank you Larry.
Nice! And yes, I don’t care too much for my job, but my Wife owns the company! It’s outstanding that you speak the truth! I appreciate you! PS. Get to know Jeff Hayzlett! FB him! He’s written a little gem called “The Mirror Test!” I met him in NYC a couple of months ago. You two are from the same mold!
Stay healthy my friend!
Marco in Dallas
And if you’re ever in Dallas, give me shout! I have some Lollipops for you! No sugar, no chemicals, and they’re organic!
Finally! Someone who cut’s through the crap and tells it like it is. This is where the rubber meets the road.
I have been a millionaire and am currently flat broke and rebuilding my life at the young age of 59 with nothing in my bank account. BUT I have an awesome spouse, good health and a keen mind. Age is nothing more than a number to me. I refuse to quit. The best is yet to come. Thank you for having the guts to speak the truth.
Yes! Yes! Yes!
It’s when I read a blog like this that I remember why I like you so much. We live in a world where people seem to quit caring, don’t seem to give a rip if they tell the truth or not, make commitments they won’t, don’t, can’t or care to keep. I’ve always thought after reading hundreds of these success books that they were all a bunch of crap for the most part. I too, always wondered if these people did what they preached. Yeah, I know they didn’t either.
Larry, I love your style and I read your books for two reasons only. One, I know you tell it like it really is and second, sometimes I need a kick in the ass. Seems I have no one around me other than my wife who will tell me when I suck and luckily, I have your writings to jerk me back into truth-ville to remember we can’t “manifest”, positive image, positive think anything into fruition. I’m learning success comes only by hard work, doing what you don’t feel like doing when it needs done, learning from mistakes, accepting what is as what it is, and then move forward to change it. Hopefully we get more right than wrong. I guess those reasons are why so many don’t have success and no doubt, why I don’t have the success I want yet either. Sure positive attitudes and all that crap will no doubt usually work better than a negative one will but like like Yoda says; “You do, or do not, there is no try”.
-Kory (I just don’t know anymore)
Larry, I’ve been on this planet for 77 years. After tons of books and DVDsall I can say is this – if any one of those books and DVDs had the “secret” you would not need any of the others and the author would be wealthier than Bill Gates and Warren Buffet put together.
Since we know that person does not exist – what does that say about all the “experts”.
Many times it just like they read each others stuff, change a few words and becoime an “expert”.
Thaks for your meaningful comments on work and on life.
Joe
Larry, I enjoy and usually pass along everything you write that I read. Keep up all that you do. Thanks. Sheila
Larry,
I love your truth-telling way.
Someone asked me recently what my definition of “success” is. After much thought I decided that success is a process, or a journey. (Like life)
What is your definition?
Larry knocked this one out of the park! No truer words have ever been spoken.
Remember one thing: When all is said and done, more is said than done.
Absolutley right Larry too much fluff,lies and missrepresentation.
the straight unvarnished truth is the best starting place for success
but it’s just the start. Work is the four letter word for success today. Teams don’t work individual accountabilty is required.
thanks!
David Schultz
Golden.
Dang Larry.
That has to got to be one of the best rants I’ve heard in ages. Between the bit about apathy, following your commitments, and just being ‘true’ to yourself this should be required reading – period. For everyone.
A great reminder to kick my own behind and not fall prey to my own mistakes and excuses…
I’m sorry to say that I’ve read some of your works and I really don’t need to buy another book right now, but I’m tempted to buy one or send you a few bucks just for this…
Thanks for keeping me on my toes, I’ll be sure to at least buy you lunch if I ever run into you…
I agree with this 100%; I see this in the wellness world all the time. Trendy diets, fitness programs, gurus & TV shows are all over the place. Some are good, some are so-so, and some are just pathetic.
A diet or program being popular does not equate to productive or successful, it just equates to popular. Case Point: Oprah is one of the most popular media folks around who has touted and promoted wellness; yet I would not call Oprah successful at wellness. Even she can’t ascertain between trendy and productive barring financially productive as far as I can see.
This is not to mock; this is sad and a case for a reality check to the public. It’s not rocket science on how to lose weight, get well and feel better – however, it’s not going to be easy.
As an author, luckily, my book is gaining popularity probably because people are sick of being talked down to; I respect them too much for that and it shows.
So, yes, I can’t say you’ll be well but I can bet if you follow empty trends, you won’t be.
Thanks for this, Larry! I probably exhausted the self-help sections of libraries and bookstores for 25 years before I reached these conclusions you’ve related so succinctly here. I was trying to find a magic handbook that would effect both immediate and long-term results and always came up wanting. Like a well-prepared, satisfying gourmet meal, some of the ideas would motivate me for a few hours or even a couple of days, but nothing stuck.
Obviously, there are merits to having a can-do attitude and providing above-and-beyond service, but something as simple as employing the Golden Rule is more effective than reciting some rhyming “attitude platitude” affirmation 100 times a day and believing it’ll attract success in every endeavor. I can visualize being a millionaire oceanographer in Wyoming, but why?
Just wanted to get that off my chest. I’ve seen enough book covers with authors’ smug grins, confidently folded arms or index fingers pointing at me to pursue their *secrets of success*. Sometimes you just gotta wise up, take your lumps, and stop making the same careless or useless mistakes.
Larry! You need to stop being so shy and retiring and just tell us what’s on your mind for heaven sake! (haha)
Well one thing is certain, the business book writer community certainly knows how to belabor a point. How about a new book entitled Belaboring Points for Profit. It’s screaming (and screaming and screaming) to be written!
🙂 Linda
Mr. Winget, I have to agree with every word you say here. While I respect the work you do, I think it is a shame you have to spend so much time away from your beautiful wife and other loved ones, just to trot yourself out on stage and tell people what they should already know.
My public library has some of your books, I have others, I have access to your website, and I am on your e-mail list. I still haven’t watched, heard or read everything. I focus on the main message and try to fit the rest into my spare time. Yes, I would enjoy seeing you in person, but it’s not critical to understanding what you are trying to tell me.
Until reading your books, I felt too shy to consider going into business for myself. It’s a long-term goal now, but at least it is a goal. I feel confident about it now, because you helped me understand what I have to do. I don’t have to be a natural-born salesperson, or have an MBA, or be charismatic or popular. I just have to ask people what they want, and then work hard and give it to them.
Recentkly I have bought a number of business-section books, but they are manuals on specific, practical topics. I find it is more motivating to surround myself with positive people, than with motivational books.
It occurs to me, are you really that much into high quality custom cowboy boots, or is it also the customer service you get from the manufacturer? If the latter, have you made a video on the boot companies, just to show people how it should be done?
Right on!
Amen…
Great article!
Sad but true as well. I know of some ‘business experts’ who fall into this category.
Joe
Spot on Larry! In my opinion, it’s not so much about clamouring for the latest ‘wisdom’ as it is finding an outlet for their lack of personal responsibility. You are the ONLY ‘guru’ I know with such a straight-forward approach.
what a great article! How can you argue with Larry he will beat you to the punch every time.
Love, love love your message Larry!! a couple of quibbles, I love Jeffrey Gitomer’s stuff too and he says if you’re not having fun, get out of it.. and I get the impression that his employees are having a lot of fun too… I think you can set the tone where your employees are having fun and doing their job…
I think back to some of the most miserable jobs I’ve had and it’s because these bosses have no sense of humor and make the place the most miserable place to work… it’s the rules!!!
I remember a talk a CEO gave, I find myself going deaf when someone says it’s not company policy, I don’t give a damn about company policy if someone is getting results.
And Gitomer deals with all the snarly so called service people you do too.. but he’s got such a great sense of humor… challenges them, oh you’re friendly?? gave a ten dollar tip to a sandwich maker who bent the rules for him… gotta love it….
When I was crabby like this, my mom would give me a dose of mineral oil. Try it.
God, Larry, you were talking to me! I’ve read many of your books…especially about parenting and family…yet my Psychology degreed 31yr old son died this last November and now my just turned 50yr old nurse sister died…both in tragic accidents…and along with the recession I’ve been trying so hard to keep my really cool woman owned biz open, and my attitude above despair….so my point is, despite all my pain and concern, everything you said was better than getting “shrink-wrapped”…and I believe every word of it…the only thing I add when I receive an order is a verbal thank you and always how grateful I am that they trust me with their buisness. As always, thanks for telling it like it is…..and I am so very grateful.
When I was in the army, there was a very popular drill sergeant. One of the other sergeants was talking about this particular man. “If that man tells you a rooster can pull a box car, you better be huntin’ him a harness!” I laugh every time I think about that statement but also try to follow that rule. Thanks for your blog, it really hits home!
Truth is all we need and it is plain and simple
NO MORE SECRETS – arrrggh
This article once again confirms the old idea of being good in what you do in any case. Bravo Larry!
I read “Shut Up, Stop Whining and Get a Life!” when my life was in the crapper, and your book was pretty much right on target. I’m not living the life of Riley, but at least I can pay my own bills. Sometimes that’s all life will give you — for now. And that’s a lot better than what I used to get out of life.
I watched “212 degrees” and learned the hard way it was just a pretty video that offered nothing of substance whatsoever.
Parts of your blog are hard to accept, so I’ll pay extra close attention to them. That’s probably where you’re hiding the best advice.
A couple more thoughts: I think the experts’ appeal stems largely from a human desire for a pep talk now and then to feel good about yourself in spite of the circumstances. I believe in the Bible it’s called “wanting your ears tickled.” (Not surprisingly, many successful televangelists now are on the motivational train in their messages, too.) As you and a few people here have pointed out, though, often the most effective motivation comes through a jolt on the seat of the pants.
So darn refreshing. Thank you.
Excellent article Larry. We need more of you. As far as the “houswives shows, etc” ? Disgusting, absolutely disgusting. And it is frightening to know that they are so watched!!
The truth. Does anyone in this world today even know what that means?? Not many. For sure.
Thank God for you and your articles. I love them and look forward to your “truth”.
THankyou.
Great honest information as usual. We all know what do do, it’s the getting off our butts and doing it that we always need help with. It seems like most people are happier to sit on their couch watching other people’s lives than creating their own lives. It’s like most people just don’t care about themself or anything else anymore. We’ve definitely been lied to and we’ve been lying to ourselves.
Larry,
I agree there are no secrets.
However, I have been on teams where everyone pulls 100% of their weight with great success.
Also, as a manager, I manage but do it with a pleasant attitude (nice?) and get more and better results that being mean. People (generally) work harder for me when I am nice. As long as you don’t confuse nice with weak.
Keep up the work, people need to hear the word. Just get in and do it, stop looking for the magical recipe.
Larry,
This is some of the best business advice I have ever heard – and I have heard a lot of it!
Adam Robinson
God Bless Larry….his in your face truth is just what I needed when I read “Shut Up Stop Whining and Get a Life” a few years ago. To this day I still tell myself (when needed) “shut up, stop whining, and get your work done 🙂
I love your style, Larry and am very grateful for your Truthful
Work!
Trish
I am always accused of being mean. I am not, I am direct and if you don’t want to know the truth don’t ask me. My current district manager thinks I’m intimating , yet I have made the present list every month I been with the company. My former employer used to call me ruthless, but broke every company record they had since 1978. Being direct and truthful works for me, I do not always agree with my employers but will respect their wishes. I am productive, I don’t have time to babysit other employees. I like what you wrote. Thanks..
Tremendous! Your definition of a manager is spot on. As usual your content in a brief article has more substance than most entire books can provide. Thanks for reminding us of the basics without the b.s.
Larry,
I appreciate your honesty. I tend to surround myself with people that are honest with me (even when they knock me right upside the head with the truth). One of the things I have learned that relates to your article is that I am an expert on what works for me and I figure I owe it to my clients to not try to teach them something I know nothing about.
Josh Bulloc
Kansas City, MO
How can I help?
I woke up this morning with my thoughts focusing on my prior financial mistakes and it went downhill by coffee time. Your article, an absolute blast of fresh air, woke me up. I’m doing all the right things, got a great job, and a great family. It’s a long haul to reverse stupidity and I needed a jolt of truth to remind me that I’m on the right track. I may not find success, but I’m committed to doing the right things and being a real person. Thanks Larry. Nothing hits home more than the truth and it does free ya! You are a true oasis in a desert of stupidity, greed, and bullshit! 🙂
I heard today that you would be speaking at an upcoming conference that the company I work for is soon hosting out in the Palm Springs area. I am a big fan, an avid reader and hopeful self healer. Your books have taught me a great deal and you have made me laugh my a#@ off! I look forward to seeing you soon.
C T S
California
Larry, you are my hero of motivational speakers! You say what needs to be said and you say it with honesty. Ever since my husband and I saw you on stage, I can’t say how often we have quoted you! If more people would just shut up and stop whining and get to work, it would take the focus off their tiny self-centered, instant gratification world and maybe they would be successful! I heard a quote a other day that you must have written, it went something like this: “the reason why most people fail to succeed is because they give up what they want for what they want right now”. Larry, I love your style. Thank you for always telling it like it is!
Larry,
As always, your advice is right “on-point”, telling how life really works.
We have become a society that shuns personal responsibilty yet justifies blaming others for problems that we create and own.
You are a beacon of truth for anyone willing to take responsibiltiy and do what it takes to create lasting results.
Randy Farmer
Fishers, IN
I’ve noticed that managers who don’t go around blaming and shaming employees get the truth out of them in time to fix mistakes. After all, who wants to admit an error if you’re going to get reamed for it? A boss might get the rep of being nice simply by not being a blamer, but this is efficiency and honesty at work, not niceness per se. I’m for it.
I just finished reading Your Kids Are Your Own Fault and found it to be an interesting read. I agree with most of the common-sense advice.
However, I’m curious as to your take on the whole “No lying to your kids – ever” and how that relates to Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, etc. I’m a bit torn on the issue since I don’t want to propagate tall tales, however, I remember believing these stories when I was a child. We have a 4-month old baby so we’re new to parenting and want to start off on the right foot.
Your thoughts?
@ Marco: It’s outstanding that you speak the truth!
Funny how quickly “a truth” becomes “the truth” and then it becomes collective reality. But I liked the article anyway.
Love this! I’m so glad you took the time to write it. “Experts” simply get us on merry-go-rounds, where we are constantly buying their products over and over… and we do that with multiple experts and the MAIN POINT is this: merry-go-rounds are fun and exciting but they DO NOT TAKE YOU ANYWHERE! And yes, there are no secrets but everyone selling something wants us to think there is. Thanks again! I’m going to encourage my clients to read this article!!