August 30, 2025 • 29 mins
Welcome to Inspirations for Your Life with me, John C. Morley, serial entrepreneur and podcast coach. Today, we’re exploring a simple but powerful truth: value isn’t always in order. Just because something comes first doesn’t mean it’s the most important, and often the greatest treasures show up later. Let’s dive into 20 insights that will shift the way you see value in your life. Short Points First isn’t always best. Order doesn’t equal importance. Hidden things hold greatest value. Small steps create big change. Later lessons matter most. Sequence doesn’t equal significance. Worth reveals itself over time. Speed doesn’t equal value. Meaning appears in unexpected places. The last may be the most lasting. Value grows when timing is right. Order is structure, not substance. Impact isn’t tied to position. What seems minor can shift everything. Timing doesn’t define importance. First impressions can mislead. Growth isn’t linear. Greatness follows struggle. Seek meaning, not order. Real treasure often comes later.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:25):
Well, hey guys, welcome, it is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
This is the show actually for Thursday.
So a little bit of glitch, basically we
switched to a new provider, I think I
told you guys we were having some trouble
with Restream, and we switched to a new
provider and you know, getting used to some
of their stuff.
(00:45):
Unfortunately, when we did it the first time,
it didn't work well.
Well, so we are redoing Thursday night's show
again.
Alright guys, it's great to be with you.
Our master topic for the week, I'm sure
you guys know what that is, all about
the hidden rules of success that no one
tells you.
(01:05):
And tonight's granular topic is a really, really
good one, you know what that is?
Well, it's value is not always in order.
And if you're new here for the very
first time, I want to take this opportunity
to personally welcome you to Inspirations For Your
Life.
If you're coming back, definitely guys, welcome back.
Thank you so much for being here.
(01:25):
Really do appreciate that from the bottom of
my heart.
And thank you.
If you're thirsty, feel free to go grab
yourself something like some water.
I have my RO here.
Or perhaps, maybe you want a snack, it
could be food, it could be a beverage,
it could be something hot, something cold, salty,
(01:45):
sweet, healthy or not, that's totally up to
you.
And don't forget to check out BelieveMeAchieve.com
guys, after the show, 24 hours a day,
we are around to surf up some amazing
content to improve the quality of your life.
All right, guys, let's get started because I've
got so much to share with you, all
(02:06):
right?
As I said, welcome back to Inspirations For
Your Life.
The podcast that helps you see the world
through new lenses.
I am your host, John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur, video producer, graduate student, marketing
specialist, passionate lifelong learner, engineer, and much more.
(02:30):
And it's a privilege to be with you
guys tonight.
So, we think about all this stuff, right?
We think about different things.
Every week, I bring you thought-provoking ideas,
stories, and of course, strategies to help you
live a more inspired, intentional, and fulfilling life,
right?
(02:50):
And tonight, I'm diving into a powerful truth.
Value isn't always in order.
In life, we often assume that what comes
first must be most important or that sequence
somehow dictates worth.
But the real story is much deeper than
(03:15):
that.
True value, guys, often hides and emerges later
or, I should say, reveals itself only after
we've walked through the challenges.
So, tonight, let's explore 20 transformational insights that
(03:35):
I think will definitely help you to break
free from the trap of order and discover
meaning where you least expect it.
Are you ready?
I know I am.
All right, guys, let's kick this off.
Number one, first isn't always best.
Let me say that again.
The first isn't always best.
(03:57):
No, the first isn't always best.
So, what do I mean by that?
So, we're taught from a young age that
being first means being the winner, the best,
or the most valuable.
But life doesn't always work that way, folks.
(04:18):
Sometimes, the first solution is just the easiest,
not the most effective.
The first impression can be misleading, and the
first attempt may lack depth.
True excellence often comes after refinement, growth, and,
(04:39):
of course, persistence.
Number two, order doesn't equal importance.
Let me say that again.
Order doesn't equal importance.
The way something is presented doesn't automatically define
its value.
Just because something shows up early doesn't mean
(05:02):
it carries any more weight or significance than
something else.
Think of a book.
The introduction is important, but the most profound
lessons may come in the middle, or even
the very last page or chapter of the
book.
What's hidden can hold, ladies and gentlemen, the
(05:23):
greatest value.
Like a seed underground, the most important things
in life often start unseen.
See, we sometimes overlook quiet contributions, hidden talents,
or invisible acts of kindness.
Yet, these are the very things that grow
(05:45):
into lasting impact.
You ready for number four?
I know you are.
The smallest step may spark the biggest change.
And change doesn't always come from massive leaps.
(06:05):
A tiny decision, a small act of courage,
or a single kind word can shift the
entire trajectory of your life.
Don't underestimate the small beginnings because they can
have massive, exponential success trails.
(06:32):
Number five, guys, later lessons often matter most.
Some of the most important wisdom we gain
comes after struggle, after failure, or after years
of trial.
Life saved its deepest lessons for later chapters.
(06:55):
The last parts of story that we read
often carry, well, the most weight, right?
And let's dive to number six.
Sequence does not equal significance.
Sequence does not equal significance.
All right.
So order is simply arrangement.
(07:17):
It doesn't define meaning.
I remember being in grammar school and everyone
always fight to want to be number one
in line.
And like, what's the difference?
We're all going to the same place.
Like, what's the real big deal?
And people would just like rush up to
get to number one.
And I remember one time I was just
walking, not even trying to be first, but
(07:39):
I happened to walk up and I was
going to be first.
And this kid, like, just thought, oh, you're
not going to be first.
I'm like, okay, no big deal.
It's not a really big deal.
Order is something that we've been programmed by
our parents and by society and believe that
because it's first, it's the best.
But that doesn't mean that.
(07:59):
Whether you achieve your goal at age 25
or even later, its significance lies not in
when it happened, but how it shaped you
and others around you.
Number seven, guys, true worth reveals itself over
time.
(08:21):
Some things like fine wine or perhaps lasting
friendships, they grow more valuable the longer they
endure.
Initial appearances might be ordinary, but time has
a way of unveiling real worth.
(08:41):
Number eight, guys, don't confuse speed with value.
So many people do this, whether it's a
car or things like that.
And there's a time when speed is important.
Maybe you're buying a printer and you need
a lot of pages printed.
So maybe a printer that prints 40 pages
a minute is a lot better from you
(09:02):
than a printer that prints eight.
So there's a value to it.
It's not necessarily the speed, it's the fact
that you can be more productive.
So is it the speed that's the value?
It's really the productivity and how quickly you
can get things done.
But it's not just the speed, right?
I think that's important to realize.
Moving fast can feel like progress, but speed
(09:26):
doesn't always equal success.
Slow, deliberate growth often creates stronger foundations than
quick wins that collapse under pressure.
And I've seen this happen so many times.
We were like, oh my gosh, oh my
gosh, oh my gosh.
And they don't know what to do.
(09:47):
Number nine, guys, meaning shows up in unexpected
places.
You know, if we can be open to
things happening where we least expect them, we'll
find some amazing treasures in life.
Some of life's richest lessons come not in
grand achievement, but in quiet, ordinary moments that
(10:11):
we have.
Like a conversation with a stranger or a
sudden moment of clarity while driving home.
These are the things we need to cherish.
These types of times.
Number 10, guys, the last may be the
most lasting.
(10:32):
That's weird, isn't it?
Let me explain that.
We often dismiss what comes last as least
important, but sometimes it's the grand finale that
leaves the deepest impression.
The last words in a speech, the closing
scene in a movie, these are what people
(10:55):
remember.
I know so many times they're like, I
want to be first to speak.
I want to be last to speak.
And so people think that being first means
that's the best.
I've had times when I'm last and I'm
actually getting a standing ovation, okay?
(11:17):
It's what we get people to remember.
The last might stick in somebody's head, but
if I do something that's going to get
you so excited and so curious, you're not
going to forget me whether I was first
or I was last.
Number 11, guys, value grows when the timing
(11:40):
is right.
Yes, it does.
Just like flowers bloom only in their season.
The true value of something appears when the
timing aligns.
(12:01):
See, patience allows value to blossom at just
the right moment.
We sometimes call this divine timing, right?
Number 12, guys, order is structure, not substance.
So order helps organize ideas, but it doesn't
(12:22):
measure or predicate their meaning.
I think that's important to understand.
The outline of a talk or a list
of priorities doesn't determine the importance of each
item.
It only gives structure to how we process
them.
(12:42):
Are you guys ready for number 13?
Sure you are.
Impact isn't tied to position.
Impact isn't tied to position.
Where something appears in a lineup or maybe
a timeline doesn't dictate its impact, a latecomer
in a project may bring the breakthrough.
(13:05):
A child born last in a family may
change everything.
Impact transcends the placement every single time.
Number 14, guys, what seems minor may shift
everything.
Sometimes a small overlooked detail becomes, well, the
(13:31):
very thing that changes the outcome for us.
See, history is full of, let's say, minor
and major events that have altered the entire
course of humanity.
And I think that's something a lot of
people don't realize.
It's the smallest thing we do that's going
to trip somebody's kindness.
(13:53):
I think that is so priceless, guys.
Number 15, timing doesn't dictate importance.
Are you getting where I'm going with this?
Timing doesn't dictate importance.
And I know somebody will disagree with me
and say, oh, John, you don't understand.
I'm like, no, I do understand.
It's you that doesn't understand.
Timing doesn't dictate importance.
(14:13):
Whether it's something happening early, late, or right
on time, its value lies not in the
schedule, but in the meaning it carries.
Some of the best things in life arrive
late, yet turn out to be perfect.
(14:36):
Number 16, first impressions can mislead.
We're quick to judge by appearance.
We shouldn't.
Or initial moments.
But first impressions are often incomplete.
Their real understanding comes from deeper observation and
time.
(14:56):
And I think sometimes people get nervous, and
they don't give that great first impression.
I always like to tell people, you know,
if it didn't go right the first time,
you know, that was just, we were just,
you know, kind of practicing.
Can we do that again?
I was under a lot of pressure to
meet you in all these things.
Now that I know you, next time I
can meet, and I think it'll go a
(15:17):
lot smoother.
And that's important.
Number 17, guys, growth isn't linear.
Neither is value.
See, progress happens in the ups and the
downs.
And value unfolds the same way.
Some of your most meaningful achievements won't follow
(15:41):
a straight path.
But their non-linear journey is what makes
them, well, powerful.
I think that's something that a lot of
people have a hard time grasping or maybe
understanding.
Number 18, guys, greatness often comes after struggle.
The most valuable lessons.
(16:06):
And achievements usually arrive after hard work, setbacks,
and perseverance.
See, struggle is not the opposite of greatness.
It's the doorway to it.
I think if we can put that into
(16:26):
a frame of perspective, like, wow, that's pretty
amazing.
Number 19, don't chase order.
Seek the meaning behind it.
If we focus, ladies and gentlemen, only on
order, we risk missing something much deeper.
(16:47):
The meaning.
But you see, meaning doesn't happen on the
first meeting or the first introduction.
Meaning doesn't happen on the first phone call.
It just doesn't.
Meaning doesn't happen the first time you bump
into someone.
You're just kind of like disoriented.
(17:10):
Value lies, ladies and gentlemen, in purpose, not
in position.
I know that in our world, we're taught
that somebody has a high position.
That position is nothing more than a title.
And title in itself should not deserve respect.
It's the person behind the title and how
(17:31):
they act that means they have respect.
Seek the why instead of the when.
The why can get us so curious.
The when just kind of gets us so
stressed.
Number 20, guys.
The real treasure is often found later.
(17:56):
Life's greatest rewards are rarely immediate.
Whether it's wisdom, it's love, or maybe it's
success.
The most precious reveal themselves at the right
time.
Not necessarily the first moment that you're expecting.
(18:17):
I'm sorry, guys.
They just don't happen like that.
And so when we can think about all
this and we can think about the fact
that, you know, the order does not matter.
I want to talk about something pretty interesting.
So in Discrete Mathematics, we have order for
things.
But I want to share something with you.
(18:37):
How many have ever gone to, maybe you've
gone to high school or grammar school, and
you were issued a combination lock?
Yes, I know I have.
And that combination lock, I still remember the
lock I got in high school.
It was a lock.
It was a, you know, like a master
lock.
Came in the little box and all our
locks were all green.
(18:58):
That's just what the school picked.
And so they had a key on the
back, their own master key.
So they can always get into anybody's locker
very easily.
But you know, the interesting thing about a
master lock, these common, they're called combination locks.
So the thing about combination locks is, you
know, you should turn that dial a few
(19:19):
times and then you come back and then
you're ready to put your combination in.
Now, I bet they probably just have a,
we could just put a button there instead
of, I always hated turning that wheel several
times.
If they just put a little button that
would just clear it, I think that would
be a lot better and a lot easier.
It would save so much time.
Like, oh, we have to turn past zero
twice.
Okay, now we can put the combination.
That was always a pain.
(19:42):
But you know, we were actually lied to.
See, a combination in math is when order
doesn't matter.
How many of you have a combination lock
where the order doesn't matter?
Nobody.
They actually should be called permutation locks.
(20:02):
So I'm going to give you a perfect
example.
So if order doesn't matter, we call it
a combination.
But combination locks kind of break that rule,
right?
I'm going to a bakery.
They have 12 different types of donuts.
I have a box that could hold four
(20:24):
donuts.
Out of the 12 donuts, there are three.
The first, let's say the first three types
we have are raspberry, blueberry, and let's just
say cinnamon.
The next set we have are a cruller,
(20:50):
maybe a cream donut, right?
Or perhaps maybe a piece of crumb cake,
crumb cakes and donuts.
And the last one, let's say, actually not
the last one, maybe we have a peach
cruller.
(21:11):
Maybe we have a blueberry cruller.
Or maybe we have a cinnamon cruller.
And the last set of, you know, the
last set of three would be a sticky
bun, a breakfast, like
(21:37):
they call them, like a breakfast, like a
sweet dough bun, but not the same as
the other.
And then the last one maybe we have
might be a raisin donut.
So if I said to you, you can
have four, how many different ways can I
(21:58):
have that?
So if I said to you, where at
least two of the items must be a
cinnamon, cinnamon or a sticky bun, that would
mean that I would take the total 12.
I take out the sticky bun, okay, and
I would do 11 choose four.
(22:20):
Because I said at least one, that means
I can have a case of zero, which
would be basically the 12 choose four, or
it would be the one case would be
the 11 choose four.
So how do we figure that out?
In the case of the 12 choose four,
which means that, you know, it doesn't matter,
(22:45):
right?
There's no relativity.
It doesn't matter whether there are any or
not.
So they have to have at least.
So if we do that way, then we
know that there's a zero.
And then we also know the next one,
there's a one.
(23:06):
So if we say there is a zero,
okay, that there are zero, in that case,
we basically say that there are zero being
chosen.
That means we're going to do 11 choose
four.
In the case of the other thing where
(23:29):
there's two, so I would then take it
out, okay?
And I would be choosing a little differently.
So I still have my four donuts, right?
But in the case of choosing two, what
do I have to do now?
So we have to at least two of
(23:49):
them have to be this type, right?
So what do I do?
I take it and I subtract out and
I get the same thing.
And basically you use a factorial formula.
So basically in the case of the one
where there was no condition, basically we said
there has to be, if I said at
least one, that means it'd be a one
(24:14):
to two.
If I said at most one, then we'd
have a zero and we'd have a one
condition.
So in the case of, let's say the
case where there is, maybe we have the
11 choose four.
It'd be 11 factorial divided by basically what
(24:36):
we're choosing, four factorial, parenthesis, 11 minus four.
So seven, parenthesis, factorial, and that'll give us
the number of combinations or ways that we
can actually choose the donuts.
Pretty cool, right?
(24:56):
But that's a combination.
A permutation is when the order matters.
And I think this stuff is so fascinating,
but sometimes our society gets brainwashed because the
marketing people that try to put something out
there, they brainwash us with the wrong information.
So marketing isn't always correct.
(25:18):
Marketing is meant to get something in your
head to stick.
That's pretty much what marketing is.
But when you do it unethically, I find
that can be a serious, serious problem.
So understanding now that order and value, that
the order doesn't matter.
(25:39):
So remember everyone, value isn't always in order.
And what comes first may not be the
best.
And what shows up last may be the
most life-changing.
So keep your eyes open for hidden gems,
(25:59):
small steps, later lessons, because those are often
the ones where true transformation is going to
lie.
And so when we think about how this
is going to work, I think the biggest
thing where we talk about something not being,
let's say, last or something like that, or
being first, maybe a perfect example is you're
(26:23):
making spritz cookies.
And the first one coming out is terrible
because the dough hasn't gotten to the right
spots, and the first one just doesn't come
out very well.
So I think that's a really cool thing.
But I know a lot of people, they
get so worked up because they're not first,
(26:43):
because they're not lying first.
I remember being at a carnival, and I
asked them, are you lying?
Of course I'm lying.
Okay, no problem, just asking.
I didn't, I was asking to be nice
because I didn't want to cut them off.
I was being nice.
But then they like take your head off,
right?
I mean, that's just like, I'm sorry, guys,
that's just like a little bit too much
for me.
(27:04):
But I get, ladies and gentlemen, that people
sometimes, they get this way because of maybe
something that happened in their life, or maybe
because of them having a bad day.
I mean, there could be lots of reasons
why.
(27:25):
I mean, so I know that when we
think about these things, we have to remember
that order is something that man made, that
we've come up with, right?
We've come up with that whole concept.
But is the whole concept what we want?
(27:45):
Or is that concept just something that's really
an illusion?
I think it's an illusion.
A lot of our life is an illusion.
What we perceive is what we're going to
believe.
And I know I'm going to get some
people chiming in next week saying, oh, John,
I really love that show where you talked
(28:05):
about this.
And I think that such and such is
going to be a great guest.
I appreciate that they're going to be a
great guest, but they're still going to have
to apply to get on the show.
And they're going to have to realize one
thing, that they have to watch the show,
not the PR agency, not the media company.
Have yourself a great rest of your night
or day.
Well, hey guys, welcome, it is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
This is the show actually for Thursday.
So a little bit of glitch, basically we
switched to a new provider, I think I
told you guys we were having some trouble
with Restream, and we switched to a new
provider and you know, getting used to some
of their stuff.
(00:45):
Unfortunately, when we did it the first time,
it didn't work well.
Well, so we are redoing Thursday night's show
again.
Alright guys, it's great to be with you.
Our master topic for the week, I'm sure
you guys know what that is, all about
the hidden rules of success that no one
tells you.
(01:05):
And tonight's granular topic is a really, really
good one, you know what that is?
Well, it's value is not always in order.
And if you're new here for the very
first time, I want to take this opportunity
to personally welcome you to Inspirations For Your
Life.
If you're coming back, definitely guys, welcome back.
Thank you so much for being here.
(01:25):
Really do appreciate that from the bottom of
my heart.
And thank you.
If you're thirsty, feel free to go grab
yourself something like some water.
I have my RO here.
Or perhaps, maybe you want a snack, it
could be food, it could be a beverage,
it could be something hot, something cold, salty,
(01:45):
sweet, healthy or not, that's totally up to
you.
And don't forget to check out BelieveMeAchieve.com
guys, after the show, 24 hours a day,
we are around to surf up some amazing
content to improve the quality of your life.
All right, guys, let's get started because I've
got so much to share with you, all
(02:06):
right?
As I said, welcome back to Inspirations For
Your Life.
The podcast that helps you see the world
through new lenses.
I am your host, John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur, video producer, graduate student, marketing
specialist, passionate lifelong learner, engineer, and much more.
(02:30):
And it's a privilege to be with you
guys tonight.
So, we think about all this stuff, right?
We think about different things.
Every week, I bring you thought-provoking ideas,
stories, and of course, strategies to help you
live a more inspired, intentional, and fulfilling life,
right?
(02:50):
And tonight, I'm diving into a powerful truth.
Value isn't always in order.
In life, we often assume that what comes
first must be most important or that sequence
somehow dictates worth.
But the real story is much deeper than
(03:15):
that.
True value, guys, often hides and emerges later
or, I should say, reveals itself only after
we've walked through the challenges.
So, tonight, let's explore 20 transformational insights that
(03:35):
I think will definitely help you to break
free from the trap of order and discover
meaning where you least expect it.
Are you ready?
I know I am.
All right, guys, let's kick this off.
Number one, first isn't always best.
Let me say that again.
The first isn't always best.
(03:57):
No, the first isn't always best.
So, what do I mean by that?
So, we're taught from a young age that
being first means being the winner, the best,
or the most valuable.
But life doesn't always work that way, folks.
(04:18):
Sometimes, the first solution is just the easiest,
not the most effective.
The first impression can be misleading, and the
first attempt may lack depth.
True excellence often comes after refinement, growth, and,
(04:39):
of course, persistence.
Number two, order doesn't equal importance.
Let me say that again.
Order doesn't equal importance.
The way something is presented doesn't automatically define
its value.
Just because something shows up early doesn't mean
(05:02):
it carries any more weight or significance than
something else.
Think of a book.
The introduction is important, but the most profound
lessons may come in the middle, or even
the very last page or chapter of the
book.
What's hidden can hold, ladies and gentlemen, the
(05:23):
greatest value.
Like a seed underground, the most important things
in life often start unseen.
See, we sometimes overlook quiet contributions, hidden talents,
or invisible acts of kindness.
Yet, these are the very things that grow
(05:45):
into lasting impact.
You ready for number four?
I know you are.
The smallest step may spark the biggest change.
And change doesn't always come from massive leaps.
(06:05):
A tiny decision, a small act of courage,
or a single kind word can shift the
entire trajectory of your life.
Don't underestimate the small beginnings because they can
have massive, exponential success trails.
(06:32):
Number five, guys, later lessons often matter most.
Some of the most important wisdom we gain
comes after struggle, after failure, or after years
of trial.
Life saved its deepest lessons for later chapters.
(06:55):
The last parts of story that we read
often carry, well, the most weight, right?
And let's dive to number six.
Sequence does not equal significance.
Sequence does not equal significance.
All right.
So order is simply arrangement.
(07:17):
It doesn't define meaning.
I remember being in grammar school and everyone
always fight to want to be number one
in line.
And like, what's the difference?
We're all going to the same place.
Like, what's the real big deal?
And people would just like rush up to
get to number one.
And I remember one time I was just
walking, not even trying to be first, but
(07:39):
I happened to walk up and I was
going to be first.
And this kid, like, just thought, oh, you're
not going to be first.
I'm like, okay, no big deal.
It's not a really big deal.
Order is something that we've been programmed by
our parents and by society and believe that
because it's first, it's the best.
But that doesn't mean that.
(07:59):
Whether you achieve your goal at age 25
or even later, its significance lies not in
when it happened, but how it shaped you
and others around you.
Number seven, guys, true worth reveals itself over
time.
(08:21):
Some things like fine wine or perhaps lasting
friendships, they grow more valuable the longer they
endure.
Initial appearances might be ordinary, but time has
a way of unveiling real worth.
(08:41):
Number eight, guys, don't confuse speed with value.
So many people do this, whether it's a
car or things like that.
And there's a time when speed is important.
Maybe you're buying a printer and you need
a lot of pages printed.
So maybe a printer that prints 40 pages
a minute is a lot better from you
(09:02):
than a printer that prints eight.
So there's a value to it.
It's not necessarily the speed, it's the fact
that you can be more productive.
So is it the speed that's the value?
It's really the productivity and how quickly you
can get things done.
But it's not just the speed, right?
I think that's important to realize.
Moving fast can feel like progress, but speed
(09:26):
doesn't always equal success.
Slow, deliberate growth often creates stronger foundations than
quick wins that collapse under pressure.
And I've seen this happen so many times.
We were like, oh my gosh, oh my
gosh, oh my gosh.
And they don't know what to do.
(09:47):
Number nine, guys, meaning shows up in unexpected
places.
You know, if we can be open to
things happening where we least expect them, we'll
find some amazing treasures in life.
Some of life's richest lessons come not in
grand achievement, but in quiet, ordinary moments that
(10:11):
we have.
Like a conversation with a stranger or a
sudden moment of clarity while driving home.
These are the things we need to cherish.
These types of times.
Number 10, guys, the last may be the
most lasting.
(10:32):
That's weird, isn't it?
Let me explain that.
We often dismiss what comes last as least
important, but sometimes it's the grand finale that
leaves the deepest impression.
The last words in a speech, the closing
scene in a movie, these are what people
(10:55):
remember.
I know so many times they're like, I
want to be first to speak.
I want to be last to speak.
And so people think that being first means
that's the best.
I've had times when I'm last and I'm
actually getting a standing ovation, okay?
(11:17):
It's what we get people to remember.
The last might stick in somebody's head, but
if I do something that's going to get
you so excited and so curious, you're not
going to forget me whether I was first
or I was last.
Number 11, guys, value grows when the timing
(11:40):
is right.
Yes, it does.
Just like flowers bloom only in their season.
The true value of something appears when the
timing aligns.
(12:01):
See, patience allows value to blossom at just
the right moment.
We sometimes call this divine timing, right?
Number 12, guys, order is structure, not substance.
So order helps organize ideas, but it doesn't
(12:22):
measure or predicate their meaning.
I think that's important to understand.
The outline of a talk or a list
of priorities doesn't determine the importance of each
item.
It only gives structure to how we process
them.
(12:42):
Are you guys ready for number 13?
Sure you are.
Impact isn't tied to position.
Impact isn't tied to position.
Where something appears in a lineup or maybe
a timeline doesn't dictate its impact, a latecomer
in a project may bring the breakthrough.
(13:05):
A child born last in a family may
change everything.
Impact transcends the placement every single time.
Number 14, guys, what seems minor may shift
everything.
Sometimes a small overlooked detail becomes, well, the
(13:31):
very thing that changes the outcome for us.
See, history is full of, let's say, minor
and major events that have altered the entire
course of humanity.
And I think that's something a lot of
people don't realize.
It's the smallest thing we do that's going
to trip somebody's kindness.
(13:53):
I think that is so priceless, guys.
Number 15, timing doesn't dictate importance.
Are you getting where I'm going with this?
Timing doesn't dictate importance.
And I know somebody will disagree with me
and say, oh, John, you don't understand.
I'm like, no, I do understand.
It's you that doesn't understand.
Timing doesn't dictate importance.
(14:13):
Whether it's something happening early, late, or right
on time, its value lies not in the
schedule, but in the meaning it carries.
Some of the best things in life arrive
late, yet turn out to be perfect.
(14:36):
Number 16, first impressions can mislead.
We're quick to judge by appearance.
We shouldn't.
Or initial moments.
But first impressions are often incomplete.
Their real understanding comes from deeper observation and
time.
(14:56):
And I think sometimes people get nervous, and
they don't give that great first impression.
I always like to tell people, you know,
if it didn't go right the first time,
you know, that was just, we were just,
you know, kind of practicing.
Can we do that again?
I was under a lot of pressure to
meet you in all these things.
Now that I know you, next time I
can meet, and I think it'll go a
(15:17):
lot smoother.
And that's important.
Number 17, guys, growth isn't linear.
Neither is value.
See, progress happens in the ups and the
downs.
And value unfolds the same way.
Some of your most meaningful achievements won't follow
(15:41):
a straight path.
But their non-linear journey is what makes
them, well, powerful.
I think that's something that a lot of
people have a hard time grasping or maybe
understanding.
Number 18, guys, greatness often comes after struggle.
The most valuable lessons.
(16:06):
And achievements usually arrive after hard work, setbacks,
and perseverance.
See, struggle is not the opposite of greatness.
It's the doorway to it.
I think if we can put that into
(16:26):
a frame of perspective, like, wow, that's pretty
amazing.
Number 19, don't chase order.
Seek the meaning behind it.
If we focus, ladies and gentlemen, only on
order, we risk missing something much deeper.
(16:47):
The meaning.
But you see, meaning doesn't happen on the
first meeting or the first introduction.
Meaning doesn't happen on the first phone call.
It just doesn't.
Meaning doesn't happen the first time you bump
into someone.
You're just kind of like disoriented.
(17:10):
Value lies, ladies and gentlemen, in purpose, not
in position.
I know that in our world, we're taught
that somebody has a high position.
That position is nothing more than a title.
And title in itself should not deserve respect.
It's the person behind the title and how
(17:31):
they act that means they have respect.
Seek the why instead of the when.
The why can get us so curious.
The when just kind of gets us so
stressed.
Number 20, guys.
The real treasure is often found later.
(17:56):
Life's greatest rewards are rarely immediate.
Whether it's wisdom, it's love, or maybe it's
success.
The most precious reveal themselves at the right
time.
Not necessarily the first moment that you're expecting.
(18:17):
I'm sorry, guys.
They just don't happen like that.
And so when we can think about all
this and we can think about the fact
that, you know, the order does not matter.
I want to talk about something pretty interesting.
So in Discrete Mathematics, we have order for
things.
But I want to share something with you.
(18:37):
How many have ever gone to, maybe you've
gone to high school or grammar school, and
you were issued a combination lock?
Yes, I know I have.
And that combination lock, I still remember the
lock I got in high school.
It was a lock.
It was a, you know, like a master
lock.
Came in the little box and all our
locks were all green.
(18:58):
That's just what the school picked.
And so they had a key on the
back, their own master key.
So they can always get into anybody's locker
very easily.
But you know, the interesting thing about a
master lock, these common, they're called combination locks.
So the thing about combination locks is, you
know, you should turn that dial a few
(19:19):
times and then you come back and then
you're ready to put your combination in.
Now, I bet they probably just have a,
we could just put a button there instead
of, I always hated turning that wheel several
times.
If they just put a little button that
would just clear it, I think that would
be a lot better and a lot easier.
It would save so much time.
Like, oh, we have to turn past zero
twice.
Okay, now we can put the combination.
That was always a pain.
(19:42):
But you know, we were actually lied to.
See, a combination in math is when order
doesn't matter.
How many of you have a combination lock
where the order doesn't matter?
Nobody.
They actually should be called permutation locks.
(20:02):
So I'm going to give you a perfect
example.
So if order doesn't matter, we call it
a combination.
But combination locks kind of break that rule,
right?
I'm going to a bakery.
They have 12 different types of donuts.
I have a box that could hold four
(20:24):
donuts.
Out of the 12 donuts, there are three.
The first, let's say the first three types
we have are raspberry, blueberry, and let's just
say cinnamon.
The next set we have are a cruller,
(20:50):
maybe a cream donut, right?
Or perhaps maybe a piece of crumb cake,
crumb cakes and donuts.
And the last one, let's say, actually not
the last one, maybe we have a peach
cruller.
(21:11):
Maybe we have a blueberry cruller.
Or maybe we have a cinnamon cruller.
And the last set of, you know, the
last set of three would be a sticky
bun, a breakfast, like
(21:37):
they call them, like a breakfast, like a
sweet dough bun, but not the same as
the other.
And then the last one maybe we have
might be a raisin donut.
So if I said to you, you can
have four, how many different ways can I
(21:58):
have that?
So if I said to you, where at
least two of the items must be a
cinnamon, cinnamon or a sticky bun, that would
mean that I would take the total 12.
I take out the sticky bun, okay, and
I would do 11 choose four.
(22:20):
Because I said at least one, that means
I can have a case of zero, which
would be basically the 12 choose four, or
it would be the one case would be
the 11 choose four.
So how do we figure that out?
In the case of the 12 choose four,
which means that, you know, it doesn't matter,
(22:45):
right?
There's no relativity.
It doesn't matter whether there are any or
not.
So they have to have at least.
So if we do that way, then we
know that there's a zero.
And then we also know the next one,
there's a one.
(23:06):
So if we say there is a zero,
okay, that there are zero, in that case,
we basically say that there are zero being
chosen.
That means we're going to do 11 choose
four.
In the case of the other thing where
(23:29):
there's two, so I would then take it
out, okay?
And I would be choosing a little differently.
So I still have my four donuts, right?
But in the case of choosing two, what
do I have to do now?
So we have to at least two of
(23:49):
them have to be this type, right?
So what do I do?
I take it and I subtract out and
I get the same thing.
And basically you use a factorial formula.
So basically in the case of the one
where there was no condition, basically we said
there has to be, if I said at
least one, that means it'd be a one
(24:14):
to two.
If I said at most one, then we'd
have a zero and we'd have a one
condition.
So in the case of, let's say the
case where there is, maybe we have the
11 choose four.
It'd be 11 factorial divided by basically what
(24:36):
we're choosing, four factorial, parenthesis, 11 minus four.
So seven, parenthesis, factorial, and that'll give us
the number of combinations or ways that we
can actually choose the donuts.
Pretty cool, right?
(24:56):
But that's a combination.
A permutation is when the order matters.
And I think this stuff is so fascinating,
but sometimes our society gets brainwashed because the
marketing people that try to put something out
there, they brainwash us with the wrong information.
So marketing isn't always correct.
(25:18):
Marketing is meant to get something in your
head to stick.
That's pretty much what marketing is.
But when you do it unethically, I find
that can be a serious, serious problem.
So understanding now that order and value, that
the order doesn't matter.
(25:39):
So remember everyone, value isn't always in order.
And what comes first may not be the
best.
And what shows up last may be the
most life-changing.
So keep your eyes open for hidden gems,
(25:59):
small steps, later lessons, because those are often
the ones where true transformation is going to
lie.
And so when we think about how this
is going to work, I think the biggest
thing where we talk about something not being,
let's say, last or something like that, or
being first, maybe a perfect example is you're
(26:23):
making spritz cookies.
And the first one coming out is terrible
because the dough hasn't gotten to the right
spots, and the first one just doesn't come
out very well.
So I think that's a really cool thing.
But I know a lot of people, they
get so worked up because they're not first,
(26:43):
because they're not lying first.
I remember being at a carnival, and I
asked them, are you lying?
Of course I'm lying.
Okay, no problem, just asking.
I didn't, I was asking to be nice
because I didn't want to cut them off.
I was being nice.
But then they like take your head off,
right?
I mean, that's just like, I'm sorry, guys,
that's just like a little bit too much
for me.
(27:04):
But I get, ladies and gentlemen, that people
sometimes, they get this way because of maybe
something that happened in their life, or maybe
because of them having a bad day.
I mean, there could be lots of reasons
why.
(27:25):
I mean, so I know that when we
think about these things, we have to remember
that order is something that man made, that
we've come up with, right?
We've come up with that whole concept.
But is the whole concept what we want?
(27:45):
Or is that concept just something that's really
an illusion?
I think it's an illusion.
A lot of our life is an illusion.
What we perceive is what we're going to
believe.
And I know I'm going to get some
people chiming in next week saying, oh, John,
I really love that show where you talked
(28:05):
about this.
And I think that such and such is
going to be a great guest.
I appreciate that they're going to be a
great guest, but they're still going to have
to apply to get on the show.
And they're going to have to realize one
thing, that they have to watch the show,
not the PR agency, not the media company.
Have yourself a great rest of your night
or day.
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