A couple of years ago I read the book The Art of the Deal by Donald Trump. I wrote down a few quotes that I liked. I am going to share some of those quotes with you. Sometimes with, other times without, any comment. I hope it ads some value.
“I like to keep every option open in life …” Page 293
Options cost money. Sometimes the OPTION to buy something costs much more than the actual item. Example: in the 1980 a person bought an option to buy a specific piece of land at a specific price. Let’s say he had the option to buy a specific piece of land for R200 000 and the option cost him R20 000 per year. Then a big retailer wanted to build a new store and that was the only land in the area. So he they bought the option for R2 000 000. In 1986 that was a lot of money!
Keep your options open, is like a chorus. That is why my children never had a choice at school about maths and science. You don’t need maths and science for every course or work, but without maths and science, there is a definite limit to your choices. Keep your options open – and the price you pay is taking maths and science, although it is not necessarily your favourite subjects.
When signing a contract, sign the best deal that leaves you with the best options. Rather do a 5-year lease with the option to renew than a 10-year deal.
I hate it when I am forced to do anything. I want options, I want to be able to evaluate and choose the best route or option. To me life means to have choices. When you die, there are no options left. And I kind of feel when I have no options left I am dead.
This is important. Whatever you do, consider the options. Which options will leave more choices? Which option will afford you better choices? Be it in marriage, business or negotiating a property sale, never paint yourself into a corner. Try to always have either the door or the window, and preferably both, available to enter or exit. If you cannot have either, then try for a thin or soft place in the wall!
Some time ago I wrote about jumping off at Losklip in Hermanus. While you stand at the top, you have options – you can go back, left or right. Once you jump, there is only one option – down and into the water. Be sure that is the right option, the one you really want, before you commit.
But best of all, always the first prize, is to keep your options open, at least as long as possible.
I like this line!
“When you die, there are no options left. And I kind of feel when I have no options left I am dead.”
I also like to keep my options open, but don’t use it in contracts. I should. Keep up the good work.
Have you tried jumping from ‘Dreunkrans’ yet?
Sparks Esterhuizen made me jump many years back. I had no option.
Hi Colin, I am too old for Dreunkrans – Sparks discovered it after my time. But I am proud to say I did go down Losklip when I turn 40 and plan on doing so agian next year when I turn 50. Are you joining me?
But think about it: right up till the moment you actually jumped, you could turn around – you had an option. The problem is: the fear of what the rest of the group (and Sparks) would say is bigger than the fear of jumping. Many people do a lot of funny things for that exact reason.
Thanks for the comments.
Hi there! I found your page on yahoo. I’m just in the process of implementing a blog and wondered how you found the WordPress platform to install.Anyway, great site and ill def be visiting again! cya
Hi Darlene, my host did the installation for me – I know too little about the background stuff. But I have no problem with WordPress as such, and there are a number of plug-ins that make life very easy, such as auto updating, for instance.
Good luck with the blog – let me know when I can visit it. Piet