Playing With Toxic People
AI and Wealth Management – On Demand
Starting Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025
Ending Date: None
https://truesdellwealth.com/events
The Truesdell Military Portfolio – Seven Company Profile
Starting Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Ending Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025
https://truesdellwealth.com/events
Casual Cocktail Conversation at the Stonewater Club
Friday, March 21st, 2025 at 6:30 pm
In-Person – Reservations Required – Text or Call 352-612-1000
“or” use the Contact Form: https://truesdellwealth.com/events/rsvp
https://truesdellwealth.com/events
Paul Grant Truesdell, Sr.
J.D., AIF, CLU, ChFC, RFC
Founder & CEO
The Truesdell Companies
The Truesdell Professional Building
200 NW 52nd Avenue
Ocala, Florida 34482
212-433-2525 - Switchboard
paul@truesdell.net - General Email
Websites
truesdellwealth.com
Truesdell.net
PaulTruesdell.com
Rough Show Notes – Broad Script Used for This Episode
I saw a picture on Facebook that said, *The only way to win with a toxic person is to not play with them.* I like that a lot. The image was of a girl holding an umbrella, but the message goes both ways.
Some people, when they disagree with you, completely lose it. They scream like wild banshees. Then you have the "Karens" of the world—self-centered, privileged, and completely unaware of what’s going on. And if your name happens to be Karen, sorry, but that label has taken on a life of its own.
This reminds me of Nelson Rockefeller’s son—yes, the son of former Vice President Gerald Ford’s running mate and former New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller. His son got eaten by an angry tribe in Africa after he took some of their sacred objects to bring back to the U.S. for his father’s museum. If you don’t know that story, I’ll be sharing it soon.
But the bottom line is this: people on all sides have lost their minds. If you don’t agree with them, you’re automatically labeled—you're a Nazi, a racist, a homophobe, sexist, uneducated, or just plain despicable. The name-calling is unbelievable.
At this point, I just don’t care anymore. My clients like me, and I like them. The people I’ve made exceptions for in the past—those who didn’t fit my usual working relationships—have always, *always* ended up screwing me over.
Here’s an example. Back when I used to do seminars (which I don’t anymore because they aren’t worth the time), I’d present solid, valuable information. Someone would come up afterward, set an appointment, and I’d take the time to listen to their situation, document everything, and give them thoughtful recommendations. And what happens next? They take that information and implement it with their cousin, their neighbor, or their brother-in-law.
I’ve asked people outright, *Why didn’t you work with me?* The answer is always something like, *Well, I have a friend in finance.* And when I ask, *Why didn’t you go to them first?* I hear, *Well, he used to be a car salesman, and he’s only been in finance for a year or so, but I wanted to talk to someone who really knows what they’re doing first.*
Then, when I tell them my consulting rate—$1,500 an hour—they balk. *I’m not paying that.* But they just spent four hours with me. That’s $6,000 worth of my time. *I’d never pay that!* Well, there’s your sign.
Some people simply don’t value expertise. But here’s the thing—if you’re bleeding out on the side of the road, and I show up with a sewing kit, a feminine napkin, and a big roll of gauze, suddenly my skills matter. I know how to stop the bleeding. I know how to put on a tourniquet. But if I’m *not worth it* in your eyes, then fine—here’s the needle, here’s the gauze, good luck.
The point is simple: when people don’t value you, don’t chase them.
And that applies to finance, too. If you’re conservative, why are you working with financial professionals who don’t share your values? Why are you putting your money in bundled products where part of your fees are funding causes and organizations you oppose? That’s what USAID does—our government gives money to our enemies in the name of diplomacy and international relations.
I get it—some people think it’s all part of a big chess game. But sometimes, it’s not about playing 3D chess. Sometimes, it’s just about playing a simple game of cards. Maybe a round of *War* or *Hearts.* Maybe a hand of *poker.* Or even just *checkers.*
The reality is, some people make mountains out of molehills. I don’t. I keep things simple. And I live by what Timothy Leary once said—something like *tune in, tune out, drop out.* The people who aren’t worth your time? Ignore them.
Ever since I started thinking this way, life has been a lot more peaceful. I’ve been in this business for decades, and I just don’t care anymore. If you want to work with me, great. If not, move along.
Here’s my approach—keep it simple. Don’t overcomplicate things. When the market crashes, we’ll be there. When you call and need an appointment, if I’m booked with real emergencies—helping someone who lost a spouse, downsizing, or transitioning to assisted living—you’re not jumping the line because of some minor issue with a statement you don’t understand for the 57th time. I’m not running a walk-in clinic.
At the same time, I’m not shipping people off to some call center in Bangladesh. I don’t do that either. Business is a two-way street. It’s about mutual respect.
And I’ll repeat what I’ve said in past podcasts:
1. Follow the Truesdell Golden Rule—treat others the way you want to be treated and expect the same in return. No exceptions.
2. Minimize and maximize your TEAM—time, effort, aggravation, and money.
3. Do what you like, are good at, is profitable, and can control.
And when you work with me, you get the Camelot Process—a system I developed and trademarked. It stands for:
- Common Sense
- Advice
- Management
- Education
- Encouragement
- Logic
- Organization
- Technology
Day in, day out, that’s what I do.
So, to wrap it up—don’t work with people you don’t like. Don’t work with people who aren’t on your team. And definitely don’t work with people who are working against you.
Some will say, *That’s not very diverse!* But it has nothing to do with race, gender, or national origin. It’s about mindset.
Mindset is the most important component of wealth. If someone doesn’t share your mindset, you’re not going to change them, and they’re not going to change you. It’s a waste of time.
And with that, I’m done.
Starting Date: Sunday, February 23, 2025
Ending Date: None
https://truesdellwealth.com/events
The Truesdell Military Portfolio – Seven Company Profile
Starting Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Ending Date: Sunday, March 23, 2025
https://truesdellwealth.com/events
Casual Cocktail Conversation at the Stonewater Club
Friday, March 21st, 2025 at 6:30 pm
In-Person – Reservations Required – Text or Call 352-612-1000
“or” use the Contact Form: https://truesdellwealth.com/events/rsvp
https://truesdellwealth.com/events
Paul Grant Truesdell, Sr.
J.D., AIF, CLU, ChFC, RFC
Founder & CEO
The Truesdell Companies
The Truesdell Professional Building
200 NW 52nd Avenue
Ocala, Florida 34482
212-433-2525 - Switchboard
paul@truesdell.net - General Email
Websites
truesdellwealth.com
Truesdell.net
PaulTruesdell.com
Rough Show Notes – Broad Script Used for This Episode
I saw a picture on Facebook that said, *The only way to win with a toxic person is to not play with them.* I like that a lot. The image was of a girl holding an umbrella, but the message goes both ways.
Some people, when they disagree with you, completely lose it. They scream like wild banshees. Then you have the "Karens" of the world—self-centered, privileged, and completely unaware of what’s going on. And if your name happens to be Karen, sorry, but that label has taken on a life of its own.
This reminds me of Nelson Rockefeller’s son—yes, the son of former Vice President Gerald Ford’s running mate and former New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller. His son got eaten by an angry tribe in Africa after he took some of their sacred objects to bring back to the U.S. for his father’s museum. If you don’t know that story, I’ll be sharing it soon.
But the bottom line is this: people on all sides have lost their minds. If you don’t agree with them, you’re automatically labeled—you're a Nazi, a racist, a homophobe, sexist, uneducated, or just plain despicable. The name-calling is unbelievable.
At this point, I just don’t care anymore. My clients like me, and I like them. The people I’ve made exceptions for in the past—those who didn’t fit my usual working relationships—have always, *always* ended up screwing me over.
Here’s an example. Back when I used to do seminars (which I don’t anymore because they aren’t worth the time), I’d present solid, valuable information. Someone would come up afterward, set an appointment, and I’d take the time to listen to their situation, document everything, and give them thoughtful recommendations. And what happens next? They take that information and implement it with their cousin, their neighbor, or their brother-in-law.
I’ve asked people outright, *Why didn’t you work with me?* The answer is always something like, *Well, I have a friend in finance.* And when I ask, *Why didn’t you go to them first?* I hear, *Well, he used to be a car salesman, and he’s only been in finance for a year or so, but I wanted to talk to someone who really knows what they’re doing first.*
Then, when I tell them my consulting rate—$1,500 an hour—they balk. *I’m not paying that.* But they just spent four hours with me. That’s $6,000 worth of my time. *I’d never pay that!* Well, there’s your sign.
Some people simply don’t value expertise. But here’s the thing—if you’re bleeding out on the side of the road, and I show up with a sewing kit, a feminine napkin, and a big roll of gauze, suddenly my skills matter. I know how to stop the bleeding. I know how to put on a tourniquet. But if I’m *not worth it* in your eyes, then fine—here’s the needle, here’s the gauze, good luck.
The point is simple: when people don’t value you, don’t chase them.
And that applies to finance, too. If you’re conservative, why are you working with financial professionals who don’t share your values? Why are you putting your money in bundled products where part of your fees are funding causes and organizations you oppose? That’s what USAID does—our government gives money to our enemies in the name of diplomacy and international relations.
I get it—some people think it’s all part of a big chess game. But sometimes, it’s not about playing 3D chess. Sometimes, it’s just about playing a simple game of cards. Maybe a round of *War* or *Hearts.* Maybe a hand of *poker.* Or even just *checkers.*
The reality is, some people make mountains out of molehills. I don’t. I keep things simple. And I live by what Timothy Leary once said—something like *tune in, tune out, drop out.* The people who aren’t worth your time? Ignore them.
Ever since I started thinking this way, life has been a lot more peaceful. I’ve been in this business for decades, and I just don’t care anymore. If you want to work with me, great. If not, move along.
Here’s my approach—keep it simple. Don’t overcomplicate things. When the market crashes, we’ll be there. When you call and need an appointment, if I’m booked with real emergencies—helping someone who lost a spouse, downsizing, or transitioning to assisted living—you’re not jumping the line because of some minor issue with a statement you don’t understand for the 57th time. I’m not running a walk-in clinic.
At the same time, I’m not shipping people off to some call center in Bangladesh. I don’t do that either. Business is a two-way street. It’s about mutual respect.
And I’ll repeat what I’ve said in past podcasts:
1. Follow the Truesdell Golden Rule—treat others the way you want to be treated and expect the same in return. No exceptions.
2. Minimize and maximize your TEAM—time, effort, aggravation, and money.
3. Do what you like, are good at, is profitable, and can control.
And when you work with me, you get the Camelot Process—a system I developed and trademarked. It stands for:
- Common Sense
- Advice
- Management
- Education
- Encouragement
- Logic
- Organization
- Technology
Day in, day out, that’s what I do.
So, to wrap it up—don’t work with people you don’t like. Don’t work with people who aren’t on your team. And definitely don’t work with people who are working against you.
Some will say, *That’s not very diverse!* But it has nothing to do with race, gender, or national origin. It’s about mindset.
Mindset is the most important component of wealth. If someone doesn’t share your mindset, you’re not going to change them, and they’re not going to change you. It’s a waste of time.
And with that, I’m done.