Beware of Geek’s with Formula

Beware of Geeks Bearing Formula’s. Pretty great quote, right? It is from Warren Buffet. It’s interesting that the 2nd wealthiest person in our country would heed warning against mathematical formulas and the geeks who tout them. I loved this quote from the moment I saw it. It was just plain reactionary…so I had to inquire as to why I love this quote and why I agree with it.

Looking at my life, most of the things I became serious about started with a formula. In basketball, I decided I wanted to go pro someday and I formulated that if I shot 500 baskets a day every day I would indeed go pro. Now the 12-year-old version of me didn’t follow through on this, but man did I cling to that formula! In high school, I got into bodybuilding (the reason I chose to quit basketball) and I would spend hours every week formulating the perfect diet and workout program. I was religious about it. This point in my life is where I started learning that life doesn’t respond to my math simply because I think it is right. On paper, my diet was perfect. But in real life, even though I did follow my diet, I got 3rd place in my competition and the there was no way the 2 guys who beat me worked harder and had better formulas. I was sure of that!

A formula, essentially is an arbitrary and made up calculation or step by step plan based on one’s perception of reality. During this time, I began studying a guy in bodybuilding named Frank Zane. Now Frank Zane was a Mr. Olympia winner and he was very unorthodox. He didn’t work out the way anyone else did, he didn’t diet the way anyone else did, and he didn’t supplement the way anyone else did. Frank talked more about his mind than he did his bodybuilding “formulas”. It baffled me that a guy who focused so little on methodology could be such a tremendous winner. As I studied the real Greats more and more I noticed many of them had the same attitude. They listened to their bodies, worked on their minds, observed the data available, and then acted upon what made most sense at the time of the decision.

I began to realize that formulas aren’t the way to success. Every minute of life is case by case and there is no blanket system for anything to simply plug into and get the right answer. The equation is always different. The reason this is important is because we base most, if not all, our decisions off formulas that other people used and taught us because they subjectively were satisfied with the results they achieved from this particular formula. In other words, if I give you a formula or equation for your finances and I tell you that if you follow my equation you will get the results I got, you would be foolish to simply follow my formula because it worked for me.

In an equation or formula, there is a result we are trying to solve for. For example, in the equation of 2+2=4 we are apparently trying to solve for the number 4. If my formula is not centric around solving for the number 4, then you should not follow my formula.

Next, we have methodology. In this equation, we are trying to solve for the number 4 through addition. If it is your intention to achieve the number for via addition and I give you a formula that is 6-2=4 then you should not follow my formula. I did not take the path you are taking. Also, I did not have the same elements at play in my environment. I’m dealing with a 6 in my equation and you don’t have a 6. Therefore, there is no proof that my formula will get you the right answer. Yes, it got me my own right answer, but it is obviously not applicable to you.

Ultimately, formulas are not bad. It is the information within the formula that can be bad or cause a result other than the intended one. It is critical to ask ourselves “Am I operating with the right information?” When someone comes to you with a formula, this is evidence to be skeptical. They may not desire the same results you desire, they may not be using the same methodology you are using, and they may not have the same elements at play in their environment that you have at play in yours.

If you aren’t getting the results you want to get, that is a 100% sign that you are operating on the wrong information. If you want to become financially free and you aren’t there yet and you also aren’t making progress rapidly, you are operating on the wrong information. Wealth building is what I do. I am a master at it in my personal life and I spend 80+ hours per week studying it and helping other people master it as well. From this experience I have in observing wealth and people, I can say that most of us are using formulas we got from nerds and those very formulas are the things keeping us from our goals.

If you’re ready to break through, abandon your old thoughts, and create new ideas with new results then click here. We help our clients create their own formula to wealth based on their goals, the vehicles they desire to use, and the elements at play in their own lives. This approach is the only true way to a Life by Design.

Jerry Fetta

Jerry Fetta is a husband, son of Yahweh, Entrepreneur and owner of 5 privately held businesses. Jerry lives in Alaska with his wife and 2 dogs. His no-nonsense approach to business, finances, and life speaks truth and provides clarity to his clients and followers. His personal mission in life is to empower millions of leaders to own their God-given, ultimate potential