Great read. Similar vibes to your post applying the Eisenhower Matrix to watch collecting, in which you suggested chasing the highest urgency highest importance watch on a collector’s list. Doing exactly that landed me a true grail last year.
Great post. High agency in my view is one of the most crucial and desirable qualities to have in both a personal and professional life.
People who have a bias for action, who problem solve, ask questions and make a move fare better than those who don’t.
It’s a trait i love to screen for when recruiting and have seen it play out a lot in personal situations within my network including watch collecting.
Have a buddy whos a natural relationship builder, over 3 years got a sub a gmt and a daytona from his AD with no other spend, and is one of the highest agency people I know compared to another buddy who earns significantly more but struggles considerably with his allocations.
“Differentiating those who win from those who whine” was the most apt description I ever saw.
Honestly though, I find this to be an increasingly rare trait because people society is more interested in woke ideology. So kids can’t “win” and all get a medal for participating. And in offices you can’t call out poor performance as harshly and mediocrity is tolerated... this makes it so easy to coast through life with low agency. Whats worse, there aren’t too many examples of high agency which kids are exposed to... are there? Maybe I’m just having a negative day, I’ll revisit this tomorrow 😅
Have you ever spoken to either of those two friends about agency before?
I think you’re right to an extent as society gets more woke or coddles further kids become less exposed to times where agency can shine. I think the only way they can get exposed to it is navigating social situations as kids themselves. Plus if they’ve moved countries as kids, had tons of different experiences. To an extent i think the ‘hard times create strong men’ saying plays into it.
Yes the first buddy I remember we had gone out for some team event, somehow the place had double booked our team for dinner. Hes one of the more junior guys but straight away he whipped out his phone, found places nearby and was calling to see who could accommodate all 10 of us at a few minutes notice. Small example, but he also happens to be a collector, have noticed he gets him name on closed lists, and gets allocations quick. Works in the deal making side of the business, you could argue its swimmers body illusion at play, but a very likeable guy. I’ve commented to him and others before how high agency he is, and probably one of the best examples i’ve witnessed in real life.
The other guy, has the assumption that with money he can and should be able to open doors regardless. A view that life is transactional, he has no interest in forging relationships with people, watch brands etc and his money should do the talking.
That “hard times create strong men” resonates well. Indeed, one could even argue that hard times create more opportunities for high agency!
The first guy sounds like a good example. The second guy sounds less like a low agency guy and more like a low EQ guy 😂 - even when one has low agency, not recognising the power of relationships is a separate issue entirely I think!
Great read. Similar vibes to your post applying the Eisenhower Matrix to watch collecting, in which you suggested chasing the highest urgency highest importance watch on a collector’s list. Doing exactly that landed me a true grail last year.
You’re the second person to say this about that Matrix post, and that truly makes be happy! So glad to hear it. Which watch was that?
Indeed, if you truly want something, go and do something about it. At least try..
On a separate note, Cyprus is sunny around 350 days a year and people are still complete and utter cvnts😂
😂 must be the olive oil syndrome 🥂
Great post. High agency in my view is one of the most crucial and desirable qualities to have in both a personal and professional life.
People who have a bias for action, who problem solve, ask questions and make a move fare better than those who don’t.
It’s a trait i love to screen for when recruiting and have seen it play out a lot in personal situations within my network including watch collecting.
Have a buddy whos a natural relationship builder, over 3 years got a sub a gmt and a daytona from his AD with no other spend, and is one of the highest agency people I know compared to another buddy who earns significantly more but struggles considerably with his allocations.
“Differentiating those who win from those who whine” was the most apt description I ever saw.
Honestly though, I find this to be an increasingly rare trait because people society is more interested in woke ideology. So kids can’t “win” and all get a medal for participating. And in offices you can’t call out poor performance as harshly and mediocrity is tolerated... this makes it so easy to coast through life with low agency. Whats worse, there aren’t too many examples of high agency which kids are exposed to... are there? Maybe I’m just having a negative day, I’ll revisit this tomorrow 😅
Have you ever spoken to either of those two friends about agency before?
Excellent insight ..... woke 🙄
Chop the tall poppy👇🏼😏
I think you’re right to an extent as society gets more woke or coddles further kids become less exposed to times where agency can shine. I think the only way they can get exposed to it is navigating social situations as kids themselves. Plus if they’ve moved countries as kids, had tons of different experiences. To an extent i think the ‘hard times create strong men’ saying plays into it.
Yes the first buddy I remember we had gone out for some team event, somehow the place had double booked our team for dinner. Hes one of the more junior guys but straight away he whipped out his phone, found places nearby and was calling to see who could accommodate all 10 of us at a few minutes notice. Small example, but he also happens to be a collector, have noticed he gets him name on closed lists, and gets allocations quick. Works in the deal making side of the business, you could argue its swimmers body illusion at play, but a very likeable guy. I’ve commented to him and others before how high agency he is, and probably one of the best examples i’ve witnessed in real life.
The other guy, has the assumption that with money he can and should be able to open doors regardless. A view that life is transactional, he has no interest in forging relationships with people, watch brands etc and his money should do the talking.
That “hard times create strong men” resonates well. Indeed, one could even argue that hard times create more opportunities for high agency!
The first guy sounds like a good example. The second guy sounds less like a low agency guy and more like a low EQ guy 😂 - even when one has low agency, not recognising the power of relationships is a separate issue entirely I think!
Somehow missed this one 👀
Fantastic stories!
Thanks! 🙏
The caveat is someone who’s a beginner will genuinely ask that question because they just don’t know.
Not convinced. But pretty sure it will be clear they’re actually a beginner… and even then, I think the logic stands up anyway
https://youtu.be/S94Bh3Qez9o?si=5Pfq3EQNXZFWFZV7
Heartwarming stuff 😄🥂
Exceptional writing; great read! Nuff said 😐👊🏼
Cheers hermano!
Thanks, needed this reminder.
🫡