Not surf related, but life related. As a young man of 33, I had a discussion with a much older business associate. He was 52 yrs old, at the time. I was wringing my hands, and whining about a knotty business situation. He listened to me patiently, and then he asked me an unbelievable question. "So, do you really think that’s a problem?‘’ To which I replied, ‘‘I sure as hell do!’’ His next comment, made me think to myself, ‘‘That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard, what does this old fart know.’’ But what he said nagged at me. It challenged me to question everything about my ‘‘problem.’’ I forced myself to try to think, where was the upside, the benefit, the opportunity? By the next day, in a flash of insight, I had the answer. What he said to me, altered the way I think about, and approach, what seems to be a problem, in the moment. What he said to me, in response to my ‘‘I sure as hell do!’’ comment, was … ‘‘Well along the way, I’ve found that most problems, are opportunities that we haven’t recognized yet.’’ That was 42 years ago. I still marvel at the power of that simple statement. It changed my mindset, and my thinking process. I hope you, the reader, find some value in this little tale. Give it some thought, and apply it, if you’re able.
All the best, Bill. All the best to you.
I’ve always said “a true entreprenueur is one that recognizes a problem and turns it into money” similar to what Bill said.
…developing the ability to adapt to changing circumstances ?..we’ve all had to do that since the infamous GFC…when the dust settled , some continued to see it as a problem…while others seen it as an opportunity , and rolled up the sleeves. Regarding the surfboard industry , the Clark shutdown was a seminal event … a big problem for some , and a great opportunity for others…commonsense is something that never changes…in the end , it’s got to be about far more than just the money.
yep, I often have thought
my wife a problem.
shortly thereafter though,…
…ambrose…
having the same problem/opportunity
for goin’on 48 years.
Hahahaha,
All the best to you too Ambrose
“a true entreprenueur is one that recognizes a problem and turns it into money”
“Necessity is the mother of invention”
I’d like to add the invese.
When working on something that doesn’t seem to be a “problem” people often ask: “What problem does it solve?” or “How are you going to make money with it?” …
When you’re doing what you love, these questions are irrelevant.
By doing something, you’ll start to find opportunities to solve other problems.
Good stuff Bill
IN CHINESE…THE WORD CRISIS IS TWO SYMBOLS…THE FIRST MEANING ; “DANGER”
THE SECOND SYMBOL MEANING ; " OPPORTUNITY".
Timeless wisdom, eh?
Some things never change.
changing clothes
from old dirty smelly stuff
to fresh clean smell like soap stuff
can make a diffrence in who will
be likely to give you a ride home
from the beach.
aloha from waipouli
…ambrose…
hiya herbie!
… saw the eclipse last evening
remembered the pinhole in the cardboard method
at the last minutes before the sun set
the following light show on the way to eat
tempura was a real wow daddio gob smacker!
full eclipse viewable from asia------------------------
apply it, if you’re able.
Check…
HAVING FUN !
A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.
The travel board! Yah! Did it ever make it home with the log? Mike