‘Don’t Poke a Badger With a Sharp Stick’ Sounds Like Good Advice for Anyone

WE ASKED HUNDREDS of Big Survey respondents to share their favorite “truth bombs,” pieces of advice that at first seemed mundane or innocuous, but which became more and more profound the more they mulled it over.

Advice ranged from the humorous and the enigmatic to the practical and the profound.

Here’s a sample:

• Years ago, an older jeweler said to put aside 5 percent of sales every day no matter what for a rainy day fund. This fund became a life saver.
• It’s your name on the front of the store; act like it.
• The loudest boos come from the cheapest seats.
• Soak your feet in hot water and drink ice cold red Gatorade to get rid of a migraine.
• Enjoy every sandwich.
• Stay single and your pockets will jingle. LOL But seriously, merchandise bought well is half sold.
• Don’t poke a badger with a sharp stick!
• As you grow your business work in it and live in it the way you see it to be in the future so that you grow into that store you visualize.
• Never burn a bridge you may have to crawl back across.
• Good, Fast or Cheap. You can have two but not all three.
• Golf is a good walk spoiled.
• You may not sell anything if you’re open, but you sure won’t sell anything if you’re not.
• PPPPP. Proper preparation prevents poor performance.
• The way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.
• Pigs get fat, hogs get slaughtered. Make a fair profit, but be fair to your customer. Make the deal and move on.
• Please don’t cry when you’ve worn out your prongs. It’s like crying over your worn tires. Remember, if your tires are worn, lady, you’ve been places!
• People are the worst. Even the good ones.
• I feel better now that I’ve given up hope.
• Not all people have the wiring for sales. (Credit: Peter Smith)
• It’s not the employee you fire that gives you grief; it’s the one you don’t and should.
• A full moon brings out the craziness in people.
• Every piece of jewelry tells a story.
• It’s nice to be important but it’s more important to be nice.
• You’re never too important to vacuum.
• Guys buying engagement rings have a stake in the game. If the girl buys her own ring, it won’t last. True almost every time!
• We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit. (Aristotle) Also, You can’t be honest some of the time. (My dad)