Thursday, December 4, 2014

Lessons from Chi

My father and I had a very difficult relationship. Mostly because of me I am sure. He was killed when I was 19 and the authorities have so far not been able to find the killer. The story is I was afraid of being lost as a child so I named him Chi. If I yelled Dad all the other dads would come but if I yelled Chi only he would come find me.

When I was young he had a number of jobs like most young men trying to find their way in the world. He worked as a salesman and a music teacher. He taught English as a second language and music. He studied hard and became a Insurance Salesman and helped to create a new industry called Financial Planning. In fact he was the first Dean of the College of Financial Planners. We take it for granted but I remember him traveling around the country telling people about this new field. He wrote a book and had his name removed by an unscrupulous partner. Can you believe that??? Anyway he taught me 2 things I have used all my life.

1)      Only a Lawyer can legally give you legal advice and only a Doctor can give you legally give you medical advice, but ANYONE can read their books.
2)      If you have something to do you have never done before find the laziest person to do it because they will find the easiest way.

I think he would say outwork Everyone but think lazy and read everything.

Do you know I read a chapter a day? My own personal discipline and I pride myself on outworking everyone. I know I am considered a Know-it-All, but in my defense think if you had read 30 – 35 books a year for 40 years in any field that you were facing or that caught your fancy? Now with the internet what I am able to research and retain is incredible.


I guess my dad left a mark on me I am very proud of. I wish he could see what I have become. I never told him but I am proud of what he became.