03.31.08
Kissing Frogs - Tired of the Warts?
We know “You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince” and “Duds Lead to Studs”, so we often justify time wasted with losers, posers, wannabes, has-beens, and conmen, justify pearls cast before swine, and are consequently tempted to kill more often than is healthy. Throwing them up against the wall and hoping some with stick gives you a sore back and dirties the wall. I have learned in the past few months to become an obsessive compulsive QUALIFIER to avoid killing someone out of pure frustration.
In the past, I would believe the lies or losers and arrogantly and idealistically convince myself that I could change a duck into an eagle. Then I learned that it is better to pre-qualify people. The more selective I become, the more rewarding my relationships have become. “Some will, some won’t, so what? NEXT!” is fine, but why spend so much time shouting, “Next”? Learning to say “No” will save more time, since by the time you get to “Next” the blood pressure has risen, the hands on the clock have moved, and you have wasted time that could have been spent with a more deserving character. Spend more time with less people.
And so, to provide you with a few clues to conmen, here are six Red Flags that can save your precious resources:
1. Victims - look out for self-pity, blaming of parents, excuses, or self-absorption.
2. Track Record - People seldom change and they need to demonstrate this ability before you vest to much in them. Give them a few small tests to make sure they are even able to change.
3. Back doors - if they insist on back doors, escape routes, Plan B’s, “money-back guarantees”, and other revelations of their inadequacy, weakness, and putrid self-esteem, you know they have failed again, before they even begin.
4. Second-guessing, analyzing, and questioning your guidance and instructions right at the outset - find a cattle brand and put that “L” on their foreheads to protect others from them in the future.
5. Any signs of socialism, entitlement, arrogance, or being cheap should instantly disqualify them.
6. Anyone touting a resume is really waving a bright, red flag.
Make people qualify for your attention. Raise the barrier. Increase the price. Reserve the right to reject. Qualify and select, and remember that you’ll only accept 3% of the applicants. Don’t confuse peasants and laborers with entrepreneurs. Have them do a personality assessment at their own cost. Make them earn the right to your guidance. And at any time, do not hesitate to terminate the relationship. Spend more money on royal banquets than you do on wart ointment.
Robin J. Elliott www.DollarMakers.com
