We know working hard is how we achieve what we want, but it’s not the only way.
Simply working hard isn’t a guarantee of doing well. Nothing is, but working smarter can get us there as well, and that sometimes means being more productive and profitable without adding more effort and work hours than necessary.
Sound impossible? It’s all about strategizing and effective use of our time
Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs once said in an interview: “This is how I do it. I take a sheet of paper, and I say, ‘If my company can only do one thing next year, what is it?’ Literally, we shut everything else down.”
Jobs believed in prioritizing and not wasting time on things that weren’t likely to meet the ultimate goal.
Warren Buffett
Buffett believed in the “5/25 rule,” where you write down 25 goals, and then circle the five goals that are most important to you. That way you know the priority, and all the others are secondary. Much like Steve Jobs, don’t even think about that other stuff until you take care of the stuff on the top of your list.
Mark Cuban
Mark Cuban knows how to make the best use of his time, and that’s related to ONLY doing email. He wastes no time on phone calls or meetings unless it’s to get paid. That helps him maintain control of his schedule and have no interruptions.
Bill Gates
Bill Gates suggests that you get two monitors, one to use for whatever you’re working on and a second dedicated solely to your email. That way when you do have emails you need to look at, you don’t lose your place on what you are working on.
Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos has a two-pizza rule when it comes to meetings. He never attends a meeting that has so many people that two pizzas couldn’t feed them. Why? Too many people talking and shouting at each other leads to nothing actually getting accomplished and a lot of time being wasted.
Mark Zuckerberg
Zuckerberg is actually doing things a little differently than the other masterminds of business. “I think a simple rule of business is, if you do the things that are easier first, then you can actually make a lot of progress,” Zuckerberg said. He believes once you get the simple things out of the way, your list is shorter of remaining tasks and you have a sense of accomplishment from what you’ve already done!
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.