22 Comments
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Deepak Bhat's avatar

This was an interesting post but also quite disappointing to see how many times you misspelled Mehta's last name. Pure dumb luck?

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Bill Murphy Jr.'s avatar

No, just an error. I fixed it in the web version. Thanks. We try very hard, but I still make mistakes.

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Deepak Bhat's avatar

My apologies. My comment came out rather mean. It was not intentional at all. Thank you for fixing the error though.

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Bruce S.'s avatar

I'm sure you're well aware of the quote attributed to Roman philosopher Seneca, "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity". I'll take luck any day of the week.

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dj l's avatar

first off, I love your "I am a charter resident of Overthinking Island." --- I might be your neighbor.

another comment, I was telling my husband about one of your notes & told him how much research you must put into finding your stories/quotes, etc

speaking of dh, we play pool together almost every day. He often says "that was lucky" when he gets a shot - sometimes, yes, it was, but other times, no, it was skill & I tell him so

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US's avatar

Hey! You two should pay me rent: meet the owner of Overthinking Island!

I liked today's newsletter!

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dj l's avatar

sad about the financial situation for GenZers. I have to add tho, I'd like to see their credit cards, how they spend their money, have they decided to cut back on any unneeded expenses? I don't know how many high schools REQUIRE economics & budgeting for graduation.

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Bonnie's avatar

I want to continue receiving both Understandably and Big Optimism and I'm already a paid subscriber; do I need to do anything?

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Bill Murphy Jr.'s avatar

I would need your email address to check. (For some reason I can't see it here.) Can you send me a very quick note at bill@understandably.com and I will check? Thank you!!!

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dj l's avatar

re: studying AI, one son, now 43, rec'd his double major degree in a combination that included AI 'way back before it was a specified degree; he's been working in the field all these yrs since graduation

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dj l's avatar

sad about the loss of Girls in Tech. I help provide scholarships $$ in my state for students, criteria being they have to pursue STEM; each yr I look for females, sometimes yes, sometimes no

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Tom Shields's avatar

I am probably getting this wrong, but I seem to remember a saying that goes something like “Luck is when preparation meets opportunity”.

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Thomas Savarino's avatar

I wish I knew the attribution; “Luck favors the prepared mind”. I really enjoyed the letter today

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Jay Keany's avatar

I enjoy both newsletters and look forward to them. I frequently share or forward to others who I think would like them. I always read the other stuff after your article to. I find some very interesting rabbit holes there. Keep up the good work.

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Tommy Jennings's avatar

A conundrum - how we downplay ourselves, then find it off-putting when someone describes us the same way. I get it, but had never thought of it. This is why I subscribe. These tidbits expand my thinking. Or at least puts things out there that I hadn't thought of (which are a LOT, and happen quite often). Thanks!

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Karen Chin's avatar

Yes. I think of my myriad experiences and opportunities in life as having “just fell into” or “it happened that…” In retrospect I actually groomed myself for these various positions I held - perhaps sometimes unknowingly.

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SPW's avatar

So Luck and Hard Work bump into each other, have a baby named Success? Im thinking that somewhere in there is the midwife, Sacrifice, too.

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Lynne's avatar

I must be your neighbor on that island 🥺

Love Understandably, thanks

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Wendy DeBord's avatar

I love Understandbly, but I REALLY love Big Optimism! I’m happy to receive either one any day of the week. I always learn something new and it’s so fun to share something that isn’t on everyone’s newsfeed. Thanks for doing all the heavy lifting❤️

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ann 2031's avatar

Love your posts! Another thing that the best leaders do is to credit the Team -- always surround yourself with folks who know more than you do! And listen to them! And give them the credit for a job well done! :)

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