John-Talmage Mathis

“Creativity and passion dwindle when hungry. Premiums for talent are easier to demand when desperation isn’t part of the equation. If I’m established, I can demand $350 an hour. If I’m desperate, I may accept $5.”

“The truth is, living in any society is difficult. Those who become desperate with a fractured sense of security are much more prone to being taken advantaged of.”

“Let your strength from the pastprovide proof of your abilities to . . .conquer the difficulties of the present.”

“Preparation:allows you to prevent . . .the intensity of the ordeal.”

“Electricity, shelter, and a safe place to sleep . . .trump the need to preserve your credit score, orpurchase a new gizmo.”

“Self-preservation—this is your new focus. The only obligation of today is to preserve the breath of tomorrow. Then, once footing is regained, you can begin to fulfill debt obligations. Debt is hindsight.”

“You’ve had many ordeals in the past. During these ordeals, life seemed unbearable. You may have collapsed from the exhaustion of hopelessness and curled into a fetal position. Regardless of how difficult this new ordeal may be, as with the others, this too will be overcome. It will make you stronger.”

“Life is about finding . . .what works best for you.”

“The ordeals of others . . .prepare us, andlater become the compass . . .in our time of ordeal.”

“When the noise is gone, and the air is still . . .prepare for survival.”

“Until a job is outsourced or streamlined through an innovation, an employee is trained to operate robotically. This is what a brand is.”

“Don’t forget:Ruts aren’t that much different . . .from graves.”

“Don’t allow past experiences to be forgotten.Hold them close.”

“Is it really necessary to reward the CEO with several million dollars? Why isn’t it logical or common sense to pay the minimum-wage employee another quarter, give a quarterly fifty-dollar bonus, or even provide a two-hundred-dollar gas gift card?”

“All decisions we’ve come to accept as right or wrong are ingrained in us from the society in which we abide. Rights and wrongs are not universally known or transferable.”

“Life isn’t fair. It doesn’t make sense. This unfairness is felt by everyone, from the Las Vegas tunnel dweller all the way to the executive in the high-rise. To some, these “unfair” experiences become a chastening ball and chain attached for the remainder of life.”

“The pain and shame felt are unknown to those with planned vacations. They know not of the tsunami that rescinded the homes, goals, and hopes of its victims—swallowed by the sea of greed.”

“My first bit of advice is to not personalize a job loss. The cause for the dismissal was a business calculation. This is difficult for many to grasp; it’s difficult to accept that events just occur. Come to see this as an experience. Obviously not the most pleasant experience, but it is one that you’ll overcome.”

“Fear is different;it remains;it causes prejudice.”

“Tools that make life simpler . . . tend to make life more hectic, and more prone to disruptions.”

“This is what you have . . . that many don’t: TIME”

“Listen to people; nothing is accomplished if you dismiss other viewpoints. And of most importance: be confident. Have confidence in yourself. Have confidence in your resume—in your skills and in your qualifications. Be willing to learn.”

“Dedication is a great trait. It’s also the trait most abused by superiors. In short, you are an asset that can be easily replaced. Your proficiency is profitable to the company and makes life easier for supervisors. But the constant imbalance may result in a divorce or decline in health. Is that what you agreed to when you were hired?”

“Don’t allow another human to decide your priorities. Their decisions are made without the slightest concern for how you’re inconvenienced.”

“The recipe for success in business is this: increase profits and forecasts by reducing expenses through labor elimination and restructure.”