.
Does your stuff define your life? Or does your life define your stuff?
When you start with stuff, it goes like this:
See it. Like it. Want it. Buy it. Pay for it. Accessorize it. Maintain it. Store it. Repair it. Upgrade it. Replace it. Repeat, ad infinitum.
That’s ok if it is what you really want. If it fits in with what you want to do with your life. If it satisfies.
Too often, it does none of that. If it is something your friends have or do, and enjoy immensely, you may think it will do the same for you.
Maybe it is something you really enjoy doing or having, but it consumes more money or time than you really want to spend on it. There’s other things you’d rather do with your life.
In short, it doesn’t really satisfy. Because it is borrowed pleasure. It is second-rate enjoyment. It does not satisfy because it does not fit you, or your life.
If you repeat that scenario with enough things or activities, enough its, you’ll discover your life so full of stuff, there’s no room for you. Your life is now defined by your stuff. Your life is what you have and do. You have no time or money to be anything else.
So what happens if your life defines your stuff?
That’s next.
.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Busy Tailor
.
“I’m quite too busy sir, I’m very sorry.” The city’s finest tailor looked at the city’s best dressed man with regret. “Next month perhaps?” He turned back to his broom.
The man doffed his fedora and shook his head. “I must have it in two weeks. Perhaps an assistant would be beneficial?”
The tailor grimaced. “No, indeed. Many a fine lad has offered his help, but I cannot afford such an expense.”
The city’s best dressed man left the shop of the city’s finest tailor, disappointed. Across the street he saw the sign: Your next favorite suit in 7 days. Guaranteed.
He crossed the street and was warmly welcomed by city’s newest tailor. As they discussed fabric, fit, and cut, the man observed a young man busily sewing buttons, pressing and wrapping a suit, cleaning up, and then arranging materials for the next garment.
The man inquired. “You can afford an assistant?”
The new tailor looked astonished. “I can’t afford not to have one, sir. I fit and cut and sew your suit like nobody else can. I’m the tailor. He does the rest.”
The city’s best dressed man did indeed receive his next favorite suit in seven days. The city’s newest tailor acquired a coveted client. And the city’s newest tailor became the city’s favorite tailor, because of his simple principle:
“In my signature skill lies my greatest value. All else is a waste of my time.”
Paying the right person to do the job right is not a waste of money.
.
“I’m quite too busy sir, I’m very sorry.” The city’s finest tailor looked at the city’s best dressed man with regret. “Next month perhaps?” He turned back to his broom.
The man doffed his fedora and shook his head. “I must have it in two weeks. Perhaps an assistant would be beneficial?”
The tailor grimaced. “No, indeed. Many a fine lad has offered his help, but I cannot afford such an expense.”
The city’s best dressed man left the shop of the city’s finest tailor, disappointed. Across the street he saw the sign: Your next favorite suit in 7 days. Guaranteed.
He crossed the street and was warmly welcomed by city’s newest tailor. As they discussed fabric, fit, and cut, the man observed a young man busily sewing buttons, pressing and wrapping a suit, cleaning up, and then arranging materials for the next garment.
The man inquired. “You can afford an assistant?”
The new tailor looked astonished. “I can’t afford not to have one, sir. I fit and cut and sew your suit like nobody else can. I’m the tailor. He does the rest.”
The city’s best dressed man did indeed receive his next favorite suit in seven days. The city’s newest tailor acquired a coveted client. And the city’s newest tailor became the city’s favorite tailor, because of his simple principle:
“In my signature skill lies my greatest value. All else is a waste of my time.”
Paying the right person to do the job right is not a waste of money.
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
