As always, terrific post. I teach a project management class where during the section on planning, I quote General Eisenhower, “Planning is essential, plans are worthless.”

It is the thought process behind planning where the value is, once you begin to implement it is all about how well you adjust to the changes from the plan, not how far you deviate from it.

I have heard it said that 90 percent of D-Day did not go according to plan, yet Ike and soliders under his command achieved 90 percent of the objectives!

Ben Franklin said the two traits of success for both business and individuals was industry and frugality. I doubt anyone can argue Dr. Franklin is one of the most famous Americans to have ever lived and defines true success. Clearly frugal habits helped him achieve this by his own admission.

It’s about enjoying comfort as a reward for some pretty damned hard work I do. I earned it, I’ll take it. And the part I don’t “get,” is it isn’t the “cost” that scares people… not if they are logical in their reasoning.

I was sitting on the patio, smoking a cigar and having a glass of Kelt with a good friend of mine, Andrew — an anesthesiologist at Duke University — and this very topic came up.

Andrew went inside and brought out pen and paper. We began with assumptions: 2 flights per month, 2 family vacations per year totaling 2 weeks (yes, we take more, but it’s a simple equation). We discovered, in our mathematical genius spurred by the intellect one can only get from Kelt Petra, that our desire to enjoy “comfort” versus “economy” was costing a whopping $7,800 annually.

Eight grand. That’s it. If someone asked you to pay $7,800 for “Year-long first-class accommodations,” would you take it? Most of us would readily write that insignificant check. Too often we look at totals, not deltas.

Sure, my airport town car costs about $100. A cab, however, costs $60. The delta — the difference — is but $40. A full-service Marriott at BWI costs $245/night. The Springfield Suites across the street, with zero amenities or comforts, costs $170. Again, the delta is insignificant, when added together annually. A mediocre meal costs $40. A great one $120 (excluding extravagant wine).

Are we really making personal comfort and enjoyment decisions based on the ridiculous belief that $40 here and $80 there will somehow turn a poor financial year into a great one?

Your comments, Alan, were spot on: “It costs virtually nothing to act successful. But you have to give yourself permission.”

It’s not about the costs at all, since frankly, they are insignificant. It’s about permission.

Cheers,

KB

Yes, gas prices are high - higher than what we were used to paying a year ago. I don’t know what this woman does for a living. Perhaps her business involves transportation of goods or is a service business where she has to travel to the client. If that’s true, higher gas prices cut in to her profit margin.

Anybody with a business that is watching their overhead increase will discuss their frustrations. It’s human nature and all part of operating a business.

I understand your logic - act successful, feel successful and you will be successful. I subscribe to that too, but I’m not going to go broke just to impress a select group of people.

Thanks Alan.

http://susancartierliebel.typepad.com/build_a_solo_practice/2008/04/tip-of-the-we-1.html

Just don’t break a mirror in my presence and we will get along just fine. ; )