BIO: Mark Graban is an author, speaker, consultant, and podcaster. His podcasts include Lean Blog Interviews, Habitual Excellence, and My Favorite Mistake. He’s also affiliated with the technology company KaiNexus and the healthcare advisory firm Value Capture.
STORY: Two of Mark’s worst investments were investing $4,000 in a company he knew nothing about and living in denial about his ADHD diagnosis for over 20 years.
LEARNING: Be careful when choosing individual stocks. Don’t be in denial about things. You’re beautiful as you are.
“If you think you might have a problem, you probably have a problem. It’s worth talking to a professional to get help.”
Mark Graban
Guest profile
Mark Graban is an author, speaker, consultant, and podcaster. His podcasts include Lean Blog Interviews, Habitual Excellence, and My Favorite Mistake. He’s also affiliated with the technology company KaiNexus and the healthcare advisory firm Value Capture.
His books include his most recent, titled Measures of Success: React Less, Lead Better, Improve More.
He has a BS in industrial engineering from Northwestern University and an MS and an MBA from MIT.
His website with all of his books, podcasts, and more is MarkGraban.com.
Worst investment ever
In early 2000, Mark was trying to get started with a retirement account when a colleague told him about a stock they had invested in. The colleague raved about how the stock had skyrocketed, making them a lot of money. The company was called Commerce One. Mark didn’t know anything about it and didn’t do any research. He just took his colleague’s advice and invested $4,000. Before long, the value fell by about 50%.
Another one of Mark’s worst investments is living in denial about his ADHD diagnosis. He has struggled with attentiveness, especially at work in meetings and conferences. He would often blame and shame himself for not paying attention. He regrets not doing something about it 20 years ago.
Lessons learned
- Be careful when choosing individual stocks. Let professionals do it for you through diversified mutual funds or index funds.
- Don’t be in denial about things.
- Don’t shame yourself for your differences.
Andrew’s takeaways
- If you’re struggling with anything, don’t be afraid to talk about it.
- You’re beautiful as you are.
No.1 goal for the next 12 months
Mark’s number one goal for the next 12 months is to write a book based on the lessons from the My Favorite Mistake podcast series.
Parting words
“Embrace the idea of transparency and openness when you’ve made a mistake at work.”
Mark Graban
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