Most people live their lives on “Auto-Renew.”
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They stay in a relationship because they have been in it for 5 years.
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They keep a product line because they launched it 3 years ago.
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They keep an employee because “he’s been here a while.”
This is the Sunk Cost Prison. You are letting the Past dictate the Future. You are driving by looking in the rear-view mirror.
The Drucker Question
Peter Drucker gave us the most dangerous question in business: “Knowing what you know today, would you start this?”
If the answer is No, and you are still doing it, you are not “persevering.” You are failing.
The Protocol: Re-Purchase Your Reality
Every 90 days, you must perform a Zero-Based Audit. Assume you have been fired, stripped of all assets, and kicked out of your house. You have to buy everything back with your current knowledge.
The 3 Tests
1. The Employee Test
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The Question: “Would I hire this person today at their current salary?”
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If No: You must fire them. Keeping them is an act of cowardice, not loyalty.
2. The Project Test
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The Question: “If we weren’t already doing this project, would we launch it today?”
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If No: Kill it immediately. The money you spent is gone. Do not throw fresh money after dead money.
3. The Relationship Test
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The Question: “If I met this person today, would I try to date/befriend them?”
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If No: Why are you still spending your limited time with them? History is not a valid reason for misery.
The Action
Inertia is the most powerful force in the universe. It takes massive energy to stop a moving train. But if the train is heading off a cliff, pulling the brake is not “risky.” It is the only safety.
#DhandheKaFunda: Don’t let your past mistakes take your future hostage. Fire the past.