Apple it seems, is a bit greedy. They want you to ditch your old iPhone for a shinier, new version. They do this by pushing updates that reduce the battery life of older iPhone’s and make them run slower.
The other day I saw a classic Rolls Royce drive past me.
It was a thing of beauty. As it drove by everyone was staring at this majestic work of art.
This made me think:
There are very few things which get better with time*.
I find it sad that so few things are built to last.
In fact nowadays, “planned obsolescence” – where products are designed to break after a period of time – is part of the plan so that people will upgrade or buy more of the same products.
This sort of impatience and nearsightedness doesn’t do anyone any favours and yet it seems to be affecting people’s thinking when it comes to all sorts of things.
People even talk about “flipping businesses”! As soon as they start a business they’re looking for an “exit” to literally get out.
Screw that!
Do the opposite!
Instead of looking for a way to get out, plant deep roots.
Instead of “flipping a business”, serve your customers for the long-term.
Instead of making sure your product breaks, make something that gets better with time.
If you as a freelancer, an artist, a writer an entrepreneur can lean in when others bow out, then there will always be people out there who would like to be served by you.
*Off the top of my head I can only think of a few things which get better with time; old recipes, certain watches, certain cars, fine wines, art, nature….
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