If you need a friend, get a dog.

“If you need a friend you need to get a dog.”

By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter

The full quote from Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko in Wall Street is:

“Have you ever wondered why fund managers can’t beat the S&P 500?” Because they are sheep and sheep are slaughtered. I’ve been in the industry since ’69. Most of these high paid MBA types, they do not add to dog shit. Gimme guys who are poor, smart and hungry. And no feelings. You win some, you lose some but you continue to fight.

Most employees are trained to be good sheep. The sheep eventually come to a point where they complain about their lives in the pen and try to do something about it.

But they are still sheep.

Somewhere most of us got the message to comply and it is activated regularly.

Maybe it comes from our parents or teachers, but when we meet certain employers, we are reminded of being nicely obedient and returning to sheep.

I remember working for a bully that reminded me of qualities in my mother who scared me too often. (And to be clear she was far more than this one quality and almost all of them were great. This one was a problem). I spent most of my time working for a company scared even though I was very successful and effective.

I think most of us should be reminded of the things that trigger us for this behavior, where we think it is a good thing to be ordinary, rather than unusual. If you’ve read some of my LinkedIn articles, you know I’ve reviewed employers about hiring yes men and women (or using the company Vernacular, “Team players.” Ugh).

Lovely sheep that will take orders.

What happened to your dream of making a difference in your work and in your home life? Do you think this will happen by working 70 hours a week only to be laid off with the next downturn in the economy. . . You realize there will be another downturn, right?

Which trigger brought you to the point where you sacrificed yourself and your dreams to be cannon food for a company that will shoot you?

Changing your environment at work

Dreaming is a muscle that needs activation and exercise.

As losing 25 pounds, focus and effort is required.

But when you think about how things are going now, think ahead. Is this enough or do you see some other options?

The Gordon Gekko character also says, “Wake up, will you, Pal? If you’re not inside, are you outside, okay? And I’m not talking at $ 400,000 a year working Wall Street Stiff Flying First Class and is comfortable, I’m talking about fluid.” Rich enough to have your own jet. Rich enough not to waste time. Fifty, a hundred million dollars, friends. A player or nothing. “

Gekko only talks about money, but it doesn’t have to be.

What is the one thing you have been afraid of doing and what little first step can you take to make it possible?

“A small step,” you ask.

Yes, start with the first step and start making small changes over time.

© The Big Game Hunter, Inc. Asheville, NC 2015, 2019

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