All I Need To Know That I Learned From “Billions” Episode 4

If you’re ready to break free from the long-fetishized story of being a broke artist and live a life where you make money from doing exactly what you love, then you must start thinking like a business person. You and your talent are a product and a service — not a gift to the world that will just automatically be recognized and celebrated for the simple sake of its being — that are the key to living life on your own terms, being your own boss and living a life of creative fulfillment.

When I attended an arts high school, there was zero focus on business. We were all treated like beautiful snowflakes that the world would be so lucky to have amongst its constituents. This bred an attitude of entitlement and built egos that gave us the courage to wear zebra print pants on a Tuesday and smoke our Camel Lights from cigarette holders when we were fourteen years old. My mother jokingly, but accurately, observed that the school’s motto should be “LOOK AT ME”. No one told us that some day we were going to have to work for our validation or that beyond talent strategy, manners, ethics and morals were going to shape how far we would be able to go.

Let’s say that you are already aware of the fact that we, as humans, are capable of creating any kind of reality in this world, but you are not intimately knowledgeable of that yet. But you know you’re ready to create a life doing that thing which you must, give into that beautiful heart purpose of yours. One of the best things you can do is start studying the behaviors of people who have already created a limitless reality for themselves. There are plenty of resources for doing that, but one of my favorite new ones right now is the new Showtime show Billions. The writers spent years researching and spending time with billionaires and other people with amounts of power that most of us cannot not conceive of or probably don’t aspire to. And while the broke artist narrative might lead us to demonize these people, it’s best to put aside our morality glasses and start looking at other populations with a mood of curiosity because there is always something to learn.

So. Billions: well-written, compelling and in it lies some lessons that we can apply to our non-billionaire lives.

Here are two of those things that jumped out at me while watching Episode Four.

1. Always be on time. It doesn’t matter what level you’re playing at, if you want people to respect you, assess you as someone who is worthy of trust and someone who is capable of making and keeping plans, always be on time. When Freddy doesn’t show up on time to hop on the private jet taking Axe and his buddies up to Quebec for a Metallica concert where all-access VIP treatment is waiting for them, Axe gives him a break, but it’s noticed by the rest of the group. Freddy’s sloppiness shows up in other ways when he makes a move that Axe has to bail him out of and at the end of the conversation Axe mentions that the plane leaves at 9:30 the next morning. Freddy wakes up to an empty house. It’s 9:40. Don’t be sloppy. Don’t disrespect peoples’ time. It’s often an accurate indicator that you’re willing to be disrespectful in other ways as well. Otherwise no one is going to be inviting you on to that plane, or the opening, or the meeting, or whatever might be the door/conversation/encounter that opens up new possibilities for you. On the flip side, Axe respects himself enough that he will forgive the transgression just once. Respect yourself and do not tolerate people who think their time is more important than yours.
2. Temptations Are Everywhere. Be In Integrity With Your Commitments. The human condition is a cruel one. Many of us pursue marital intimacy, that special world that we share with just one person then our biology acts at odds with the life we’ve so meticulously nurtured and crafted. When Axe arrives at soundcheck, his friends go to frolick with some groupies which leave Axe right in the line of fire of a beautiful songstress who clearly has eyes for him. And why wouldn’t she? He’s handsome. He’s a billionaire. He’s there. Why wouldn’t she go after him? The thing is, Axelrod is no dummy and he married well. His wife is beautiful, smart and comes from working class roots. She knows how to get her hands dirty, but dazzles at a black tie benefit. She can tell people to stand down when necessary and is the warm epicenter that holds their family together. He has committed himself to her. So when the songstress lays her cards down on the table, doing all but saying she’ll do him right there and then, he politely explains to her why it’s not going to happen. Life is full of temptations. Success is grounded by not being seduced by the sparkly new thing, but in keeping your integrity and remembering who truly has your back. When your ego is being stroked in the form of a shiny new thing being dangled in front of you, it’s best to remember that your ego is a scorpion riding on your back and will sting you as soon as your willingness to transport it becomes boring.

Do you watch Billions? Did you notice anything else that should be on this list? Let us know! Comment in the comments section, hit us up on Facebook, Twitter or email yours truly.