What would you drive? Where would you live and take vacations? What passions — art, writing, charity — would you pursue? What schools would your chil… - M.J. DeMarco

Someone who earns $2 million a year is susceptible to the same Sidewalking pitfalls as someone who earns $20,000! Lack of financial discipline is pitted on the Sidewalk, and it doesn’t care what you earn or drive. Financial discipline is blind to income.

In school, failure is a bad thing. Marked by a bloody F and a parental beatdown, failure is admonished. Fail and you’re grounded! No TV, no iPad! Is it any shock that straight-A students make great employees while the C-students are the guys hiring them? The A-students do as they’re told, follow rules unquestioningly and stay within the lines. Meanwhile, C-student and future billionaire Johnny is a ninth grader’s newest BFF — he’s underneath the bleachers selling his older brother’s Playboys at twenty-five dollars a pop.

Complaints are a beautiful thing. They represent free feedback and expose unmet needs in your business. They represent the journey’s road noise.