Back to school with principles for success

September 05, 2019 | Dan Rudisuela


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“Above all else, I want you to think for yourself to decide 1) What you want 2) What is true and 3) What to do about it.” – Ray Dalio

The adventure of a new school year has begun! We get our kids ready for the year with school supplies, packed lunches and tuition cheques. It's also a time for pep talks about doing your best, embracing the challenge and finding your way. Who better to impart words of wisdom than an entrepreneur who has known both incredible success and failure and has thought deeply about both.

Ray Dalio founded Bridgewater Associates, the largest hedge fund in the world. He credits his success in large part to the principles that he lives and works by. Ray shares his principles (while encouraging others to think for themselves and choose their own) and the lessons that he has learned along his journey in a 8 part ultra mini series here.

The complete series takes only 30 minutes to listen to but if you have just 4 minutes to share some wisdom with the student in your life, I would urge you to watch episode 4. Ominously titled "The Abyss" Ray's biggest mistake and resulting failure are shared with unflinching honesty. He is equally direct in cautioning that bad things will happen to all of us. Rather than being a depressing message, Ray's calm confidence that we can all learn the principles to deal with setbacks is contagious and uplifting.

I assure you that there is always a best path forward and you probably just don't see it yet. You just have to reflect well to find it. You have to embrace your reality.

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