I wrote this blog post on my website this summer while reading Delivering Happiness. We lost another great too soon. Your lesson will live on.
The most important decision when walking into a card room is what table to sit at... and to know you can always change tables.
Tony Hsieh’s words hit me like a ton of bricks reading his book last night.
It applies in various ways...
If you're surrounded by people 6 that don't value hard work, you become the 7th.
If you're surrounded by people not pushing for a better future, you become the next.
We're tribal animals and you'll there is a gravitational force in groups... it has the power to suck you in.
Sitting at a table with a bunch of tired players that lack poker skill makes you a ton of money tonight...
Unless you don't read the room correctly and go sit with a bunch of sharks that just sat down.
One choice makes your night, one choice ruins it.
But you also have the power to course correct, you can move tables.
If you're surrounded by people that don't want the best for you, move tables.
If you're unhappy where you are, move tables.
If you're not getting the results you want, move tables.
Southwest Airlines made up its own game. It doesn't fly hub and spoke like every other airline.
Amazon was willing to lose money upfront to create a lifetime customer that would eventually make them money with the 2nd, 3rd, and 60th purchase you make on the website.
If you don't like the game, change the game.
The action itself is a potential solution, if it doesn't solve your problem, act again.
Are you at the right table in your life right now?
Should you play a different game?