A fascinating article in Forbes looks into the minds of 14 of America's wealthiest men. They were asked twenty questions. Below I've answered them just for the hell of it. Feel free to answer them in a comment or otherwise. As for the fourteen about half of them said that they pray in some way or other. And seven said that the idea and execution were equally important, while three said the idea and four said the execution. If you're at all interested in the habits and values of successful people you should peruse the article. Here are the 20 questions:
1. What do you eat for breakfast?
I used to eat breakfast every day, but now I usually just drink coffee until lunchtime. I know it's not the healthiest thing, but it's a habit that I'm not very motivated to change.
2. What was your nickname in high school?
Rae, though I never really thought of it as a nickname.
3. What was your first job?
Summer I was 17, worked for "Kelly Services" (a "temp" agency) doing 'clerical' work (filing, etc.), first assignment was being paid $7.00/hour stuffing envelopes for IBM (this was during its heyday)
4. How often do you exercise?
Not enough. (even if you count sex, lol)
5. Who was your mentor?
The few people who might qualify as "mentor" probably wouldn't want to claim me as their "student". This isn't an insult to them at all... I'm just not worthy.
6. How many hours a day do you read?
I have no idea, probably half of it in some way.
7. What motivates you?
The need to know.
8. What is more important: the idea or the execution?
An idea isn't much use if it can't be executed or isn't shared. I'm not a good "doer" though. I like to come up with ideas for other people to test. ;-)
9. Worst day of your life?
when mom died
10. Do you pray?
yes
11. What was your biggest mistake?
Not sure because I've learned something from all of my mistakes, but I think that all of them happened because I didn't listen to my "gut" feelings.
12. Worst business idea you ever heard? (Did it succeed?)
That time they changed Coke was pretty stupid, and no, it obviously didn't succeed. Anytime an established, popular thing is "updated" there is a huge risk that often isn't worth the effort. New ideas are great, but they have to be practical and logical.
13. What can’t you live without?
Love and my children.
14. What is your favorite way to relax?
Soaking in a hot bath.
15. What is the best part about being the boss?
Being in control I guess. I don't know because I'm not the boss (yet). ;-)
16. What is “success” to you?
To be admired by my family and friends and to feel happy/peaceful with myself.
17. What is the best investment advice you ever heard?
Not exactly "investment" advice, but when I was spending my first ever paycheck (for the IBM envelope stuffing) the saleswoman at the department store told me, "Never settle for a man who can't do for you what you can do for yourself." Actually, that probably is good investment advice.
18. Is there any reason to get an MBA?
Not for me, but maybe for someone else, I might rather go for an MFA (and the "F" doesn't stand for "f*cker", lol)
19. If you could be anything else, what would it be?
A World Dictator or other similar thing. ;-)
20. What is your advice to young entrepreneurs?
Be willing to work more than play, but if you are doing what you love that won't be a problem.
4 comments:
OK, Rae, I backed you for Supreme Court all the way, but world dictator? I don't think so!
Dictator? lol!
You mean like Saddam?
You know where all dictators end-up
OK, I'll play along.
1. What do you eat for breakfast?
Poptarts, the breakfast of champions. I chase it with iced coffee (or regular coffee in the winter).
2. What was your nickname in high school?
Reb.
3. What was your first job?
Aside from mowing lawns, I worked in a crab stand at Fisherman's Wharf, SF.
4. How often do you exercise?
When the weather is good, I'm on the golf course 3-4 times a week, walking, not riding a cart.
5. Who was your mentor?
Sounds cliche, but my Dad.
6. How many hours a day do you read?
Usually about half an hour. This doesn't include the time I spend on the net.
7. What motivates you?
Taking care of the fam.
8. What is more important: the idea or the execution?
I agree with Rae Ann: An idea isn't much use if it can't be executed or isn't shared. However, I'm a doer, not an idea person.
9. Worst day of your life?
When Dad died...I was 2000 miles away.
10. Do you pray?
Yep.
11. What was your biggest mistake?
Probably not working as hard as I could have in college. But I had a good time...
12. Worst business idea you ever heard? (Did it succeed?)
Tenure for teachers. You tell me if it's successful.
13. What can’t you live without?
My wife, kids.
14. What is your favorite way to relax?
On a golf course.
15. What is the best part about being the boss?
Watching somebody succeed under me.
16. What is “success” to you?
To live a life that makes a beneficial impression on others.
17. What is the best investment advice you ever heard?
Buy real estate.
18. Is there any reason to get an MBA?
Sure...to line the pockets of college profs.
19. If you could be anything else, what would it be?
An astronomer.
20. What is your advice to young entrepreneurs?
Pursue your dreams when you're still young...while you still can.
1. What do you eat for breakfast?
Cereal. Unless I can get ham, eggs, and hash browns.
2. What was your nickname in high school?
I don't recall - there might have been a few, but later it was Classical Joe.
3. What was your first job?
Paperboy. Age 12+. The snow was a lot deeper in those years
4. How often do you exercise?
Every day. Almost
5. Who was your mentor?
My mother
6. How many hours a day do you read?
Ten or so, counting email, etc. Less if I have a lot of meetings
7. What motivates you?
Mainly curiosity. Hunger also works, though.
8. What is more important: the idea or the execution?
For me, the ideas. Luckily the world also includes people who feel otherwise!
11. What was your biggest mistake?
Probably starting a blog!
12. Worst business idea you ever heard?
YouTube. Doh!
13. What can’t you live without?
Family
14. What is your favorite way to relax?
Sleep!
15. What is the best part about being the boss?
Having somebody actually execute the ideas!
16. What is “success” to you?
Picture on the cover of "Rolling Stone"
17. What is the best investment advice you ever heard?
I forget. Maybe it was to pay attention. I don't think I was paying attention.
18. Is there any reason to get an MBA?
I have a small one I keep in the closet to meet and greet visiting dignitaries.
19. If you could be anything else, what would it be?
Smarter, younger, a better athlete, richer, musically talented, thinner, better looking... Oh yeah, and a professor.
20. What is your advice to young entrepreneurs?
Don't be like me - focus!.
Post a Comment