Financial Samurai

Slicing Through Money's Mysteries

Isner vs. Mahut: The Greatest Match In Tennis History

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As a tennis fanatic, it would be remiss of me not to mention the greatest match in tennis history when American John Isner beat Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 70 to 68 in the 5th set last week.  That’s right 70 games to 68 games in the fifth set because one must win by two in the fifth set at Wimbledon.  The 11 hour, 5 minute match spanned over 3 days and finished when John Isner hit a solid down the line two-handed backhand to seal the deal.

The previous record for longest match was at the 2004 French open, lasting now just a paltry 6 hours and 33 minutes.  It is completely unfathomable that a match could last so long, simply because it is unconscionable how Nicolas Mahut could hold serve over 60 games in a row to survive!  The physical endurance is one thing, but what’s most impressive is the mental fortitude both players had to never give up.

LESSONS LEARNED

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Staying Calm Under Pressure: A Super Skill

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Even at 7:30pm the night is hot.  That’s what happens when you go barbecuing somewhere in the South Pacific in the middle of summer.  You can almost taste the grilled chicken from the remnant fumes simmering off the grill.  Dinner is served!

The family gathers around the picnic table.  We take a deep breath and begin to eat.  In just the first bite, my father freezes, tries to swallow and let’s out a little gag.

We ask him what’s wrong, and he shakes his head not knowing.  One of us gives him a glass of water, and still, no change.  My father raises up his hand, excuses himself and says that he has to go to the emergency room.

DOUBT AND CONFUSION

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The Carrot That Makes You Jump Through Hoops

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Needs the carrot that makes you jump through hoops. Otherwise, it’s too easy to get lazy, get out of shape, and do nothing.

I started Financial Samurai in 2009, and I’ve been writing 3-4X a week since. I’m constantly looking for motivation to continue because life is too good in America. If you’re wondering, the secret to success is being competing for 10+-years in a row!

It’s crazy to revisit this post I wrote in 2010, more than 10 years later. However, it is absolutely clear to me now that people are successful stick with things.

The Carrot To Make You Motivated

One of my best friends is blessed with skinny genes.  At 5′ 3″ tall, she weighs all of 105 pounds.  When we go out to eat, she doesn’t just order a glass of iced tea and salad with dressing on the side.

She goes all out with mash potatoes, creamed spinach, BBQ oysters and then a nice juicy ribeye for a main course!  I gawk in amazement at her appetite while secretly groaning at trying to keep up towards the end.  After all, shouldn’t she eat 40% less than me if she weighs 40% less?  Guess not!

Despite my friend’s envious genetics, she isn’t exactly iron woman when it comes to sports and outdoor activities.  After three miles on a 10 mile bike ride, she’s pooped and waves at me to take a break.

Meanwhile, I’m going “lah, lah, lah” in my head, not even breaking a sweat as I soak in the glorious views of the Bay.  I let her catch up and we take a five minute pit-stop where she catches her breath as I go do some stretches and sit-ups.

The Gimmick



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“The Happy Loser” Archetype By Clotaire Rapaille

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While waiting at the dentist, I picked up the April issue of Inc. Magazine and stumbled upon an article entitled, “The Secret Of Their Success.”  The article discusses what really drives salespeople to succeed.  We are all salespeople, whether we know it or not, which is why being a happy loser helps bring out the best in everyone.

Clotaire Rapaille, a psychoanalyst and ethnographer describes a happy loser as someone who sees rejection as a challenge.  The first “no” stimulates their brains to want to try harder and not give up.  Clotaire highlights one example where a firm defines success not by how many wins a salesperson achieves, but by how many rejections instead.

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Pretend You Have Arrived So You Can Become

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Before every tennis match, I watch a short video on Youtube of a favorite tennis pro to get inspired.  All that goes through my mind are beautiful strokes and luscious sounding *thwacks* each time the ball leaves my strings.  I prepare my tennis bag with the right equipment: grip, Advil, Gatorade, a change of clothes, flip flops, hat, and sunglasses.  My outfit matches, down to my shoes and I say a little prayer.  Essentially, I go through a routine that any pro would go through, pretending to be one myself,  in order to get ready for battle.

Pretending you have arrived, so you can become is a way for us to get in the right frame of mind so we can tackle many of your challenges with full vigor.  If you are not mentally tough on the court, you will defeat yourself before even giving your opponent a chance to defeat you!  In essence, you are your own worst enemy if not properly trained.

Some may think that if you are a pretender, you have a risk of becoming delusional.  There’s no doubt we often over estimate our own abilities, however, I encourage all of us to increase the belief in ourselves.  If you don’t believe in yourself, nobody else will.

PRO BLOGGER

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Nick Vujicic Shows Us How to Get Up And Never Quit

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Nick Vujicic was born with no arms and no legs.  He admits to us there were plenty of times when all he wanted to do was give up.  Nick didn’t understand the point to his life and therefore wanted to end it.  Thank goodness he’s alive because he’s shared his story with millions of people around the world, inspiring them to keep on going.

Just the other day, someone forwarded me an article about this young woman venting because everybody is a workaholic at her office.  She tells us how incredibly amazing it is that she gets in at 8am and works until 6:30pm everyday.  In other words, she’s asking for praise and sympathy for working normal hours.  The kicker?  She was unemployed for over half a year and just started this job!

Whenever I feel like complaining about how unfair life is, I stop and think about people like Nick who have it just a little bit harder.  Is he complaining?  No.  He is trying harder, and so shall I.  Perhaps so shall we all!  Let’s eradicate the sense of entitlement that lingers among everyone of us; some more than others.  We shall not whine about our jobs or complain why our love lives crumble.  Let’s take ownership of our own actions.  If you are a complainer, please go somewhere else!

Readers,  who inspires you to keep on going?

Regards,

Sam @ Financial Samurai – “Slicing Through Money’s Mysteries”

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Searching For Love And A Little More Money

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Oh, the monotony of it all!  Imagine clocking in, day in and day out with really no change to your job.  You’ve got little risk of getting fired, and in 10 years you’ll retire with several million to last you a lifetime.  In the back of your mind, you wish you didn’t have job security because you despise boredom.  At the same time, you realize you’ve got it made and shouldn’t be so spoiled in your thinking.

One day a headhunter gives you a ring asking if you want an opportunity to make 50% more money a year guaranteed for two years.  The catch?  You’ll be working for a start up with no such promises of job security after year two.  You’ll also have to move to a different city where the cost of living is also 25% higher.  The hours and stress will most certainly more as well.  Welcome to Kathy’s world.

10 YEARS COMPLETED, 10 YEARS LEFT TO GO

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Doing Anything You Can to Survive – Silence And Surprise In The Night

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The poker game ends and the team of entrepreneurs and new media types say their good-byes.  I leave up $51 bucks, which is a nice return given my $100 buy-in, but it’s a pittance against others leaving with wads of cash big enough to substitute for butt-cheek implants if so desired.

The last time I was out until 3:30am was when George W.  proclaimed we won the war.  There are so few cars on the road, when I do see one, I wonder what trickery lies ahead.  There’s a certain tranquility one feels when others are sleeping.  Dim yellow lights glow in San Francisco’s misty haze.  Nobody bothers you because nobody is conscious enough to care.

Almost home, I decide to instead drive towards the Bay and take in the silence of black murky waters and a revolving spotlight that perpetually emits from Alcatraz.  I wondered if this calm is how Frank Lee Morris felt before he tried escaping The Rock some 48 years ago.

TAP, TAP, KNOCK

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The Elegance Of Failure: Appreciate Success

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The following is a guest post from Neal Frankle at Wealth Pilgrim.  Neal is a dedicated father, insightful financial adviser, and honorable Yakezie Challenger who always writes with a breath of fresh air.  You can join his 2,500+ followers on Twitter @NealFrankle.  Enjoy!

Failure is not only a necessary part of life, it can be a beautiful part of life.

This may sound like crazy talk.

After all, if you are a hardworking person, you work hard because you want to succeed, not fail.

And failure stings.

It hurts.

Man….it hurts.

That pain is real….but despite that temporary pain, those set backs are likely key ingredients to your future success. And the success I’m talking about dwarfs financial or career gains.

Let me explain by telling you about an experience I had several years ago.

BACK IN THE MOTHERLAND

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