I can tell the likelihood of someone’s success by what they read. The subject matters, and reading is essential. However, you can read yourself into oblivion if what you’re consuming disempowers you, for instance, sensationalist news media. Its main job is not to inform, but rather to steal focus.
Consider that bit of information the next time you get hooked by a headline. Is a controversy worth your precious peace of mind, not to mention your limited energy reserves? I’d argue no.
While some might conclude it’s best to bury your head in the sand, I don’t advise that. A happy medium exists between staying carelessly misinformed and obsessing over things outside your control. Pay enough attention so you know who and what you’re voting for come election day. That’s common sense.
Reaction is a choice, not a reflex
But successful entrepreneurs take it one step further. They innately know that, regardless of the party that wins, the most important task after the election is to learn the updated rules and regulations put in place by the new administration. Those most determined to succeed never vent their frustration after an election. Even if their preferred candidate loses, they maintain their focus to strategize and come up with their next move.
Decisive business owners don’t dwell on what they’re powerless to change. Instead, they exhibit stoicism. They acknowledge that whatever exists outside their influence isn’t worthy of their attention. What matters is staying informed of the rules of the game. This doesn’t make them cold or heartless. It has nothing to do with lacking morality or virtue. Possessing a neutral demeanor in the face of adversity is a characteristic of the most valiant. You could be wholeheartedly passionate about your inevitable success and yet totally unphased by any potential roadblock or setback. Such self-regulation is the hallmark of a champion.
Perhaps you’ve already tuned your mind to this way of operating. Calm confidence is an intrinsic state for anyone who considers their success all but certain. Such composure comes in handy, particularly when the world refuses to bend to your will.
Ever notice how few political leaders are willing to do your precise bidding? No matter how pure and noble your ideas, the world seems to operate in accordance with its own whims. No matter how smart you are, others are bound to disagree with you. That’s OK. It must be OK because often there’s simply no appealing to their logic.
Proper focus, not money, solves issues
Here’s the good news. It isn’t your job to get others to agree with you, so take that impossible task off your to-do list. I remind myself that my beliefs are for my benefit, regardless of whoever shares them or shuns them. When it comes to running my business, I hire people who possess my core values and principles. I also recognize that they all come with their own perspectives, which won’t always be in lockstep with mine. I prefer it that way because I know I’m not immune to blind spots.
Of course, the same goes for you. When you consult with me, it’s my job to see what you can’t see regarding your own path. During the past four decades of helping others navigate their blind spots, I’ve learned that money won’t solve what only proper focus can. Looking back, I used to help clients immediately with increased revenue generation. Higher profits would surely fix their woes, right? Wrong.
In most instances, more money made their problems worse. I eventually likened it to offering an addict cocaine. The last thing you give a client with a spending problem is more money. Until their fundamental outlook on success shifts away from consumption toward strategic investment and growth, an increased flow of dollars only distracts.
This must sound like a funny thing to hear from someone whose entire business revolves around the creation of multigenerational wealth. However, when you come to terms that life isn’t what happens to you, but rather for you, the inevitable fluctuation of dollars holds less significance. Just like you can’t control the weather, the stock market, the lawmakers, or your favorite sports team, you have little say over exactly how and when the money comes rolling in.
As long as you’ve prepared accordingly, temporary lulls aren’t a big deal. A stoic person stays cautiously optimistic. Bring both a bathing suit and an umbrella. Attend the game, but don’t bet the farm on it. Learn how to make new legislation work to your benefit. Always make it a habit to invest before you spend.
Being a stoic person doesn’t necessarily equate to living life in the fast lane, but that doesn’t mean you can’t drive the fancy red sports car. Plan for it, and it’s yours, provided you have the requisite insurance and obey the traffic laws. I want all my clients to enjoy the fruits of their tremendous success. I also encourage them to cheer on their sports teams, follow the campaign of their favorite candidate, and stay current on their news interests. The caveat? Don’t allow any of it to dictate your mood lest you hand over the keys to your emotions to circumstances outside your control. It’s too great a risk.
Self-regulation is worth mastering. Understand that being a stoic person doesn’t happen overnight. It takes practice. On occasion, life will still get the best of you. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Eventually, you’ll become so proficient at maintaining your mood that nothing outside of you, not even the wayward opinions of others, will have any sway over your success.
Editor's note: This article appeared in the June 2025 print edition of Dental Economics magazine. Dentists in North America are eligible for a complimentary print subscription. Sign up here.
