Want to read Slashdot from your mobile device? Point it at m.slashdot.org and keep reading!

 


Forgot your password?
Close
typodupeerror
×
User Journal

Journal SlashChick's Journal: Oprah's Wise Words To Live By (Yes, I Said Oprah!!) 14

Journal by SlashChick

So I started watching Oprah the day she gave away all those cars. I had never before watched Oprah in my life...can you believe it? This woman is a billionaire (and if you know me, you know I can obsessively repeat the 5 self-made billionaire women in the world, as it's my goal to one day be there...or at least close.) Fortune describes her as a "media mogul", and with the way so many women love her, I'd say that's a fairly accurate description.

So when I heard about Oprah giving away a car to everyone in the audience, I decided to Tivo the show and check it out. After all, what better opportunity to watch a "media mogul" and woman billionaire in action than to Tivo what would surely be a landmark show?

Well, I Tivo'ed it and I was not disappointed at all! In fact, it was such a fantastic show that I decided to grab a season pass on the ol' Tivo and keep it busy in the afternoon. Now I watch Oprah every night (for the most part) when I get home (typically while I'm eating dinner) and I haven't been disappointed yet. She has a fascinating show.

The show that was the most significant to me was the one where she had the author of a book on. The book (based on a Sex and the City episode; the book's author was one of the show's producers) is called He's Just Not That Into You: The No-Excuses Truth To Understanding Guys. The show featured several women from Oprah's audience, each with a different sob story (some sad, some hilarious) about guys who were (say it with me) JUST NOT THAT INTO YOU! I got a real kick out of the show (no, the super-celebrity you dated 8 months ago is not into you just because he booty-calls you occasionally!)

The most important thing Oprah said on the show (and something that I am now using as a magnifying glass to look into my own life) was "Doubt means NO! Don't do it!"

It's so important to trust your gut reaction in a lot of cases. I can see a trouble customer from a mile away. Sometimes I take them anyway (and often regret it later!) But one thing I have learned is to trust my instincts. If you have doubts about something, especially if it's a new experience for you, figure out why you're having the doubts. If you're fearing for your safety or sanity, it's time to say "no."

This has saved me a lot of grief in both my business and personal life. Don't forget about your "gut feeling." It's there to help you!

This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

Oprah's Wise Words To Live By (Yes, I Said Oprah!!) More

Oprah's Wise Words To Live By (Yes, I Said Oprah!!)

Comments Filter:
  • Not to burst your bubble or anything, but Oprah's giving away of those cars actually created quite a stink. The recipients got stuck with the tax bill, you see.

    I'm not sure how, or even whether, it all got sorted out.
    • Really? When I heard about it, they said that the taxes were also going to be paid by the show.

      meta:
      Erica: how 'bout a journal entry detailing how you got your first 10 customers?

      • They were going to pay some local taxes and other fees, but these are income taxes that they'll have to pay (since the car counts as income.)

    • This is very common, any time a company gives you something the recipient pays the taxes. The only time I've not run into this is with Microsoft. When I worked there and they paid for my relocation expensis they also paid for the taxes on it, which then meant I had to pay taxes on that amount, but a much less amount of money for sure.
      • When I worked there and they paid for my relocation expensis they also paid for the taxes on it

        Um. Relocating for your job is tax-deductible. Or at least it was about ten years ago when I did it.
        • Who ever pays for it can deduct the taxes. In this case MS paid for my relocation which meant they didn't have to pay the taxes, however the government then says that I have to pay the taxes. Then MS was nice enough to cover the taxes for me. I had to pay about $1000 when I worked at MIT for the same thing and they didn't reimburse the tax amount.
  • Comment removed based on user account deletion
  • you fell into her trap. Now, whenever you are faced with a decision, you will not rationally think it through, you will research your library of Oprah shows and books to see what the "Great O" would do in that situation. You will go broke buying tissues and Opera Book club books.

    Or you might just watch her and be completely normal. :-)

  • I record her show every day, too, but I only watch it past the introduction about once a week, more often than not she's talking about something I don't have an hour for, but she is one amazing human being and if you emulate her model of enlightened leadership and examined living, you'll go far. I do. She's most definitely one of my role models. I read the magazine, too, though usually other people's copies.

    Oprah's show is *the only place on TV* I have ever heard the truth told about losing weight and m
  • You know those people, under law, have to pay over $7000 in taxes for that car or they have to give it back.
  • So, my brother IMs me one day and tells me I have to have my wife watch Oprah when she gets home from class, because his wife is going to be on, and we should look for her on camera, wouldn't that be cool?

    It was a rather curious way to start a conversation, but I passed on the message and promptly forgot about the whole thing.

    Then my wife calls me that Monday screaming (literally!!!) and babling on about how I have to call him back right now and find out if his wife won a car, 'cause Oprah just gave a way
    • Thanks for telling the story... It was kinda cool to hear why it was like from someone else's point of view.

      An interesting thing is happening to us though. Sadly Oprah is not super-hip as I once thought her to be. They (being Oprah and Pontiac) have decided to tax everyone, in the form of a 1099. This means all of these really poor people who might get FIA, etc won't be able to get it next year.

      My wife and I won't be able to attend school next year because we will be without financial aid. The government

Slashdot Top Deals

Stellar rays prove fibbing never pays. Embezzlement is another matter.

Close