The Deal Desk (blog)

October 5, 2024: Recently, I spent a day at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home in Charlottesville, Virginia. I highly recommend the experience. A guided tour of his home, which he designed, sits on top of a hill (Monticello means small mountain), and a few hours at the nearby visitor center and museum provide a fascinating introduction…

September 29, 2024: On my last birthday, I marked off 66 years. Over the course of human history, I have enjoyed a significantly longer life than most people who were ever born. I do not take this cold fact for granted. “Going gray” has become a way to navigate the complexities of life. It’s better…

September 11, 2024: The Greek epic poem “The Odyssey” is believed to have been composed in the 8th century BCE, making it roughly 2,800 years old. The main character Odysseus (Ulysses in Latin) was known for his quick thinking and ability to adapt to various situations. “Polytropos” is how Homer described Odysseus. The Greek word…

September 4, 2024: Ikigai is a Japanese concept referring to the reason for being or the thing that gives your life purpose and meaning. It combines 1. Passion (what you love), 2. Mission (what the world needs), 3. Profession (what you are good at), and 4. Vocation (what you can be paid for). Finding your…

August 28, 2024: The Book of Proverbs is about 3000 years old and is believed to have been written by King Solomon. The phrase “steel sharpens steel” is often attributed to Proverbs 27:17, which states, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Recently, I had a conversation with a successful business owner who…

August, 22, 2024: The need for  “more cowbell from the classic SNL skit is all about injecting extra enthusiasm, energy, and effort into your performance to make it truly exceptional and unforgettable. This can be applied not only in music, where it can give a song a distinctive and memorable impact, but also in various other…

August 9, 2024: I’ve been reading “Meditations of Ralph Waldo Emerson – Into the Green Future” complied and edited by Chris Highland. It’s been on my bookshelf for a while. It has valuable and timeless insights and inspiration for mortgage loan officers on professional and personal development. Emerson’s essay “Self-Reliance” emphasizes the importance of trusting…

August 6, 2024: Chris Voss is a former FBI hostage negotiator and author of the book “Never Split the Difference” He is known for his expertise in negotiation techniques. A mortgage loan officer can learn much from the several effective negotiation techniques from this book. For starters, Voss emphasizes the importance of active listening in…

August 3, 2024: Zen Buddhism emphasizes the importance of the “beginner’s mind.” This concept encourages an approach to life with an open mind, free from preconceptions and assumptions. With a beginner’s mind, we experience the world with fresh eyes and a sense of curiosity, allowing for new insights and personal growth. The Zen master Shunryu…

August 1, 2024: Mark Twain famously said, “I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.” This quote succinctly captures the idea that much of our worry is unfounded and unnecessary, as the things we fear often do not come to pass. The majority of worries, over 70 percent, never…