A Father’s Lesson: Putting Business Setbacks Into Perspective

Lessons from my father.
On the importance of putting things into perspective and doing it instantly.

Here’s an actual exchange that happened between my father and I when I was in my early 30’s.

Me: Hi dad, we just found out that we’ve lost a major contract. This is a deal that we’ve been working on for 18 months. I’m shocked. I didn’t see it coming. It’s absolutely devastating.

Dad: (giggling) Oh, so this is a problem that money can solve? Thank goodness for that.
Me: Hey?

Dad: (more giggling) You’re very lucky, son. You have a problem that money can solve. Real problems are problems that money can’t solve. Terminal cancer, dementia, the loss of a child, a rift in the family …
He didn’t say anything more and he didn’t need to. Perspective is a wonderful thing.
From that point on, if I ever lamented a business defeat, I would always say, either before or afterwards: “Thank goodness, it’s just a money problem.”