Michael J. Uhrinek

Successful People - Why I’m the way I am.

I’ve been fortunate to meet many successful entrepreneurs in this world. What I find fascinating is that nearly all of them share a few unique characteristics. Most things that you would not think would lead to success, yet some how the combination of these traits do just that. When I first started noticing it in the first few people I met, I thought, well maybe its just coincidence. Person after person, the same checklist is created and I can now say its more than just coincidence. These character traits (or flaws) were exhibited in probably 90% of successful people that I’ve met in my life. Here are some of the big ones.

1. They are crazy / weird - Not, “Oh God, I got so hammered last night it was CRAZY” I’m talking something is seriously wrong with the mental state of this person. The synapses in the brain fire just a little (sometimes a lot) differently and it gives these people a different view of the world. Being able to see things differently is the key to discovering the truly great business ideas. If a normal person were to sit and really get to know them, they would more than once say, “that is crazy…” to something this person says or does on a regular basis. You will either find this person weird or fascinating.

2. They are quick to pull the trigger – Status Quo is the bane of these people’s existence. They simply cannot tolerate doing the same thing every day over and over again. Which is why, these people are not the type to sit around and create a business plan or 5 year projections. They jump into the deep end. Shoot first, ask questions later. Whatever metaphor you want to use, these people are compelled to execute ideas. When they come up with an idea, they literally cannot stop thinking about it until some action is taken. Change is their drug. This is more a character flaw, because to have any type of success takes persistence and ADD is the opposite of persistence. Truly successful entrepreneurs have learned to tune down the idea ADD and stay persistent on a project until they consider it complete.

3. They have laser focus – Wait a minute, you just said they have ADD…. They do in the sense of what the idea of the month is, but once the decision is made to move forward, their focus is deadly. They will work longer and harder than “normal people” because they crave results. Results are the “high” for these crazy people. They will work 17 hours a day until they have something (real hours, not 17 hours checking email or facebook). They will devour content and learn more about the subject matter in a week than others who spend years studying. Often the results seem to come out of the blue to spectators, but its because this person has put so much energy into the project.

4. They are unreasonable - These people set unreasonable, “unrealistic” goals. They work unreasonable hours. They create “unmarketable” products and services. Yet everyone is surprised 2 years later, 5 years later when it actually worked. What is considered unreasonable to normal people is 100% plausible and can be accomplished by these crazies.

5. They are cheap - These people will squeeze a dollar of a nickel. They will always look to try to get anything done cheaper. Barter, exchange of service, negotiation is always first before the check book or credit card comes out.

6. They are resilient – These people once their mind is made up, once their sights are set, it is almost impossible to knock them off course. Everything can be going to shit, but they will continue. You would be surprised how many successful entrepreneurs will tell you that they were “too stupid to quit”.

7. They have a fairly high opinion of themselves – Some may call it arrogant, but these people hold themselves in high regard. They believe that there is something special about them which is why they are going to be successful. Whether its, “I’m smarter” or “I’m going to work harder” or “I’m the best” these people are aware of their strengths and dedicate more energy towards that. It’s necessary because many times, especially at the start, there is no one else who will believe in them.

Why I Love My Wife

Originally posted 2/9/11 — I love my wife.  We’ve been married for nearly 6 years (been together for nearly 8) and it appears (at least to me) that she still loves me.  So, I thought I would offer up some reasons why I love my wife (in no particular order, and subject to addition):

  1. She loves me.
  2. She lets me love her.
  3. She is funny (important to me).
  4. She thinks I’m funny (well… I tend to repeat jokes and stories, so she may not think so much of the material).
  5. She is very level headed (Temper control, not so much for me).
  6. She is very organized (Have you seen my desk?!).
  7. She drives the car when ever we go anywhere around town ( I’m on my phone constantly).
  8. She actually likes to mow the lawn (she considers it an opportunity to exercise).
  9. She loves to Facebook (she probably reads more Facebook threads than I do, and that’s saying something).
  10. She likes to do the daily bonus in every single Zynga game everyday.
  11. She is still a stunner (no one else has ever gotten my attention like she has, and still does 3 kids later).
  12. She takes good care of herself, but is not self-absorbed about her looks.
  13. She is detail oriented (I’m a big picture person, so we complement each other’s strengths).
  14. She is a great friend (I don’t have all that many).
  15. She is patient (important when dealing with me).
  16. She is a great cook (as evidenced by my near middle-age ever expanding waistline).
  17. She is very independent (as am I, so we are good at leaving each other alone, when necessary).
  18. She doesn’t like me to bring her flowers (she sees it as a waste of money).
  19. She doesn’t mind it if I occasionally buy her expensive jewelry.
  20. She is thrifty, but not cheap. 
  21. She is a serial couponer. 
  22. She likes the same kind of movies that I do.
  23. She is a great mom to our kids.
  24. She actually loves me (I know, I used it to start, but it still surprises me that every day I get to wake up next to such a wonderful woman).

What do I fear?

I fear stagnation and lack of progress.

I fear never reaching my potential and being average.

I fear being forgotten..The past..Yesterday’s news.

I fear giving up and being passed by, going softly into that good night.

I fear settling, giving in to the “that’s just the way it is” mindset.

I fear not feeling these fears anymore and just floating along.

These fears feed me, they nourish my drive.

I love my fear.

~~ Attribution Unknown

The Don’t Quit Poem

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, 
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill, 
When the funds are low and the debts are high, 
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, 
When care is pressing you down a bit, 
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns, 
As every one of us sometimes learns, 
And many a failure turns about, 
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow— 
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than, 
It seems to a faint and faltering man, 
Often the struggler has given up, 
When he might have captured the victor’s cup, 
And he learned too late when the night slipped down, 
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out— 
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, 
And you never can tell how close you are, 
It may be near when it seems so far, 
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit— 
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

~~ Attribution Unknown

Anyone who has lost track of time when using a computer knows the propensity to dream, the urge to make dreams come true and the tendency to miss lunch.

 Tim Berners-Lee