Member-only story
Having a side hustle can ruin your chances of success
This story explains why
This is a good story, so sit back, relax, and enjoy the read.
Many years ago, I read a short story by Hanoch Teller that had a powerful message.
A businessman was rushing to catch his train on the subway, and dumps a dollar into the cup that some random guy shoves under his nose. This guy then chases him through the station, calling out, “Sir! Hey, Sir!”
What does he want already, thinks the man. I gave him his dollar, does he want more? Leave me alone, I have a train to catch!
The guy finally catches up to him as he gets on the train, and hands him a pencil. “You paid for it Sir, here’s your pencil!”
The man is taken aback, and says, “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realise you were a merchant.” The doors close, and he is whisked away towards his destination.
Fast forward a few months. This man is walking through another station, in less of a hurry this time, and stops to buy a newspaper at a stand. The owner takes one look at him and exclaims, “It’s you!”
“Me? What about me? Do I know you?”
“I used to sell pencils at subway stations. You’re the one who told me, ‘I didn’t realise you were a merchant’. Well, I hadn’t…
