Smarter Minds Introduction
In this introduction, I reflect on a quote from Alan Sheinwald: “Rich or poor, it’s nice to have money.” My mother often referenced this as I was growing up. At first, it seemed like a witty comment, but as I navigated through life and the business world, I realized the deeper truth in those words. This book isn’t a manifesto claiming that money is the ultimate goal. Rather, it acknowledges the significant role financial security plays in our lives.
I want to be clear from the start: this book isn’t about promoting the pursuit of wealth above all else. Instead, it’s about understanding that while money may not be the most important thing, it’s undeniably crucial for facilitating the tangible things that are. Throughout my journey, I’ve seen how financial stability—or the lack thereof—can profoundly impact individuals, families, and businesses. Money isn’t just about luxury and opulence; it’s about having the peace of mind that comes with affording life’s necessities and occasional indulgences. Whether it’s ensuring food on the table, covering unexpected hospital bills, handling essential repairs, or securing a good education for children, money plays a pivotal role.
This book is about developing a mindset that fosters financial security, regardless of your age or life stage. It’s for those striving to achieve a balance, recognizing that while money isn’t everything, it is a key component in building a life that allows room for what truly matters—health, family, passion, or peace of mind. In essence, this book is a journey through the practicalities of achieving financial stability, intertwined with the philosophy that while money isn’t the be-all and end-all, it is indeed good to have—whether you’re rich or poor.
To me, success means having enough, whether that’s money, relationships, family, free time, or career stimulation. If you can end each day feeling satisfied with what you have, that’s success. Some may argue that having what you want is what makes you successful, and they might look at others with more and feel envious. If you appreciate the finer things in life, that’s great, as long as you strike a balance.
Who is this book for? It’s for anyone who wants to succeed in business more easily and is willing to enlist the help of others. While some might say hard work is the key to success, there’s more to it, and it doesn’t have to be hard. The bonus is that you will enjoy the process if you do it right. Though no path to success is without challenges, the concepts in this book will show you how to leverage the brains of others for your benefit. These “smarter minds” shouldn’t diminish you by comparison but rather build your assets—both tangible and intangible—beyond what you could achieve alone.
You might think this sounds self-centered and greedy, but it’s the opposite. The secret to making success simple lies in relationships, not greed. Developing deep, meaningful relationships is one of the most rewarding things you can do. Sure, you’ll learn about business and money management, but if that’s all you take away, you’re missing the point. Some people view the wealthy as greedy or selfish, but leveraging smarter minds to make money is usually a win-win. For instance, I made three deals within five years, which I discuss in Chapter 1. I share these not to brag but to show that everyone involved benefited, not just me. Success often comes from a good idea at the right time with the right team, and these are all learnable skills.
Why am I telling you this? I’m not Warren Buffet, Bill Gates, or Mark Zuckerberg. While they are undoubtedly successful, my relative anonymity qualifies me to guide you to success. I’m not as brilliant as these men; I’m more of an average Joe. My friends say they love my detailed directions because I have a terrible sense of direction myself. I’ve learned to compensate for my limitations, and that’s been a key to my success. Almost everything I’ve achieved has been built on the shoulders of smarter minds in my network. If you can be an expert at one thing, let it be cultivating a strong network. Recruit your personal board of directors, just as HR professionals do in companies.
Whatever your definition of success, it can seem daunting. Our society constantly tempts us with “more,” and the average person sees thousands of ads daily, most trying to sell something unnecessary. Social media bombards us with even more ads, conditioning us to want more. Generally, more requires money. While success may seem hard to achieve, I believe it can be made easier.
My purpose in writing this book is to help you understand this key concept: leveraging smarter minds makes success infinitely more accessible. I firmly believe you can accomplish more and make more money by leveraging the talents, experience, knowledge, and ideas of others. This mindset should become a natural way of living. The more knowledgeable people you bring into your inner circle, the more you can accomplish than if you were to go it alone.
As you read these pages, I hope you find insights and strategies not just to accumulate wealth but to use as a tool to enhance the quality of your life and those around you. It’s about leveraging personal resources to attract opportunities, overcome challenges, and ultimately lead a life that aligns with your values and aspirations, which may, for you, come down to money. My approach to success involves cultivating the right relationships; without their knowledge, support, and connections, my world would look very different. If you start applying the principles and practices I discuss, your world might change in surprising ways as well.
This book is organized into three parts:
- Basics of Relationship Building:This section covers good networking practices and why they are crucial. It emphasizes quality over quantity in connections and provides foundational concepts for cultivating a relationship-based network.
- Nurturing and Cultivating Your Network:This part discusses maintaining relationships beyond initial meetings and integrating these practices into daily activities. It warns against the “one and done” approach, which can harm your reputation and chances of success.
- Financial Rewards from Leveraging Smarter Minds:This section ties the relationship-building and nurturing strategies to financial success. It teaches how to build your net worth in tandem with building your network, highlighting that your network is directly linked to your net worth.
I hope this book helps you understand that leveraging smarter minds can make success more accessible and enriching. The insights and strategies provided aim to enhance not just your wealth but the overall quality of your life and those around you, rooted in my personal experiences and philosophies.