Lucas's Blog

I love Peanut Butter

Anyone who knows me well knows I could eat it morning, noon, and night for all eternity.

So

When I discovered there was a sweet old lady at the Sucre central Mercado selling peanut butter cookies

For less than 50 cents

I proceeded to visit her every day for the 9 days I was in town

Each day I would wander down after my Spanish class had finished

Mostly to fill my stomach after class, but also to practise some Spanish

After my first visit to the Sweet peanut butter cookie lady, I was hooked

Both the delicious treats she was selling

But also getting to interact with this lady every day

Each day we learn more and more about each other’s lives

“De Donde Eres?” (Where are you from?) she asked me, a big smile plastered on her face.

To which I replied, “Soy de Australia” (I am from Australia).

She laughed, and we exchanged some further conversation in Spanish.

After that, I took my biscuits, continued my tradition of pointing at her and saying

“Hasta Mañana” (I’ll see you tomorrow) & left the market.

I also love coffee.

Whilst in Sucre I visited a coffee shop called ‘Coffee Bike’ almost every day I was there

A slight detour on my way to class allowed me to practice my coffee ordering in Espanol

But to also see the staff in the cafe each day

Every day I’d enter, exchange greetings with the staff & get my coffee to go

On the final day, I was there,

The staff as usual greeted me with their usual greetings, smiles & friendliness

“Come to Llamas” (What is your name?) the barista asked me

“Lucas” I told them.

After I ordered, they brought me 5 Madeline biscuits to have with my coffee

I didn’t order them, but I’m assuming they were so grateful I’d come in every day for almost 2 weeks.

Now, these are both skewed examples.

As both these interactions are ‘small’ business related

They obviously want to treat their customers well so they return

But this phenomenon is actually something greater

I’ve titled this blog, “Play long-term games with long-term people”

This is a phrase I’ve taken great inspiration from the author and businessman Naval Ravikant.

Super fascinating guy who I have a lot of learnings from.

Having just finished his autobiography, it was good timing these interactions played out.

He talks about focusing on always having a long-term mindset

For business, relationships, decisions, money etc.

If you can’t imagine spending a day with X thing or person

It might not be worth it in the long run

These two examples were a great example of this.

See, relationships & business work compoundingly.

The longer you do them, the better and better they get.

You know the relationship you have with your favorite coffee shop or restaurant.

The longer you go to these places, the more you enjoy going.

You find out about their lives, their pets, what makes them happy

You go beyond the usual pleasantries of a first time interaction each time

It only gets better as time goes on

The same goes for business.

Business relationships are built on a foundation of trust

Dishonesty can erode that foundation quicker than any bad deal ever could

The more you’re able to be truthful, honest and ethical with people you deal with

The more they’ll want to include you in things in the future

The more this happens, the more that happens

The two examples I gave at the start are minuscule examples of what can happen over even a week period.

By the last day I was just about ready to go over to this Sweet Abuela’s house for lunch.

The point is

We all have relationships in our lives

Some great, some good, some bad

Water & nurture the great ones.

The ones that make you feel energetic after they’re over.

The ones where you can see yourself hanging out with that person in 20 years

Water the ‘good ones’ to make them great. Otherwise don’t invest any more time.

Be honest, be open & allow there to be effort from both sides.

Otherwise, you’re trying to play an individual sport on a team.

Cut off the bad ones.

Life is to short to invest your time into people you don’t want to play the game with.

Energy takers, dishonesty & people who are pessimistic.

Surround yourself with people that you want to be around in 20 years time.

And enjoy the benefits of compounding interest in your friendships, relationships & businesses.

If that sweet peanut butter cookie lady taught me anything

It’s that a good relationship is worth even more than the deliciousness of a PB cookie

Play the long term game with these people & you’ll be fulfilled for life.