To be truly successful in anything you do, you must think like the house, not the player.
Flickr CC via Dirk Vorderstraße
By Elijah Medge, Los Angeles, September 2015
I love Vegas. It’s an incredibly fun place to let loose; but like anything in life, it comes at a cost. I used to attend annual conferences in Las Vegas and would stay in really nice hotels like The Palms, Caesar’s Palace, and Red Rock. Our daytime schedules were packed with networking, events, and meetings. Our nights, however, were all about leisure… and when you’re in the heart of Las Vegas, it’s difficult to ignore the casinos around you that are practically screaming your name.
Generally speaking, I’m not a big fan of gambling. I don’t typically enjoy activities that cause me to lose money. However, “When in Vegas”, as they say. So when I do gamble, I make sure I’m extremely disciplined about it. I start by figuring out how much I am willing to lose. Typically, 300 dollars is where I draw the line.
I grab 300 bucks from the ATM, and leave the hotel with nothing but the cash and my ID, being sure to leave behind my credit and debit cards. I’ve established my bottom and once I hit it, I’m unlikely to venture back to the hotel to get my cards and take more money out. If I take on the Las Vegas labyrinth of light, loud noises, and tourists it will be to retire for the night.
This is where I differ from the house: The house has no bottom. The oxygen will pump, the drinks will be poured, the cards will be dealt, the slots will spin, and the chips will be counted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The house doesn’t have a bottom or a limit – and that is why the house always wins. When people like me hit their 300 dollar bottom, or whatever it may be, the house is still the last man standing. It will fall down 7 times and get up 8. The house doesn’t throw in the towel. The house has stamina and is perpetually resilient.
Such is life and business. To be truly successful in anything you do, you must think like the house, not the player. Playing the game over and over and over again will increase your odds of winning. But in order to stay in the game, you will have to tap into your own personal bank of success-minded attributes. Money can run out; but effort, attitude, and work ethic don’t have to. When it comes to tackling new challenges, you must continue to play the next hand, no matter how many hands you lose. You must play until no opponent is willing to play against you because you won’t back down.
Elijah Medge (Los Angeles, CA) owns and manages direct marketing firms throughout the United States. He is a coach and mentor to budding and experienced entrepreneurs in a variety of industries. Be sure to connect on Facebook and Tumblr.
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