CAN YOU NOT REALLY LIVE WITHOUT . . .

"It happens as one sees in cages: the birds who are outside despair of ever getting in, and those within are equally desirous of getting out."

Montaigne (1533-1592) French philosopher/essayist.

So many of our "must haves" are quickly cast aside in favor of new "must haves".

Are there ever fewer?

How's your list of "things I don't need"?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN I CAN'T HAVE IT?

"We find many things to which the prohibition of them constitutes the only temptation."

William Hazlitt (1778-1830) British essayist.

This manifests itself many ways in business and none more than short supply.

We want what we can't have.

ALL THINGS IN MODERATION, INCLUDING DESIRE

"We never desire strongly, what we desire rationally."

François de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French writer

Our rational mind moderates our desiring mind, a good thing.

PITY THE UNSATIATED

"We never reflect how pleasant it is to ask for nothing."

Seneca (4 BC-65) Roman philosopher/playwright

What if you could never be full, get enough sleep, have enough money, enjoy those you live and work with, or any number of other things you can name?

Simply never be satisfied.

How unhappy you would be.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NEED AND WANT

"He is not poor that hath not much, but he that craves much."

Thomas Fuller

17th century British clergyman/author

To a point.

I find having and attempting to achieve goals to be helpful keeping me moving forward.

But you have to find balance between what you have and what you'd like to have.

NEED WHAT YOU WANT

"Fact I know; and Law I know; but what is this Necessity, save an empty shadow of my own mind's throwing?"

Thomas H. Huxley

19th century English biologist

A fine line between need and want.

Try not to cross it unknowingly.

I NEED THAT

"Necessity never made a good bargain."

Benjamin Franklin

18th century American statesman/scientist/philosopher

And much need arises from not having planned for arising needs. 

You can't foresee them all but you can and should anticipate many.

I Need You?

"Make yourself necessary to somebody."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

19th century American poet/essayist

Good advice on a personal level in addition to business, but certainly in business.

People sometimes pay for what they don't need, but always pay for what they do.

The Never Ending Quest To Satisfy Want

"Want is a growing giant whom the coat of Have was never large enough to cover."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

19th century US poet/lecturer

Do you want more than you have?

Most people do.

If so is it a problem for you?

Is Enough Ever Enough?

"As long as I have a want, I have a reason for living.  Satisfaction is death."

George Bernard Shaw

Late 19th century, early 20th century Irish writer

Does this apply to business?

Is a company that is not continually striving to achieve (want) something destined to die?

What is the relationship, if any, between satisfaction and complacency?

And does what a company want make any difference or is it enough to simply continually try to achieve new things?

The Difference Between Want And Need

"Necessity has no law."

Benjamin Franklin

18th century American statement/inventor

This relates to yesterday's post.

What is and is not necessary depends on one's views.

How do you decide?

The Cost of Need

"Nothing is cheap which is superfluous, for what one does not need, is dear at a penny."

Plutarch
1st century Greek essayist

I see that.

If you don't need it, no price, including one cent, is the right price. But does "need" change when we include "want"?

And in business, whose needs and wants should we consider?