Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Another tale from my recent safari trip:
One of the coolest things we saw was a river crossing in the northern Serengeti.
Every year, huge herds of wildebeest have to cross a crocodile-infested river because they've grazed their side bare.
It’s cross or starve.
So hundreds of them will mass in one spot before they chance a crossing…
Then as soon as one of them works up the nerve to go first…
It’s a mad dash across the river.
Super cool to witness up close.
We were fortunate enough to see multiple crossings over two days in the Northern Serengeti…
And at one point, a HUGE croc caught a wildebeest by the tail.
Here’s a pic:
Meanwhile, all of his friends took the opportunity to scamper across while this guy desperately tried to escape the jaws of death.
Our guide said he was cooked…
But surprisingly, this story has a happy ending.
Because he fought for a few minutes and eventually the croc gave up and let him go.
Isn’t that crazy?
I was sharing this story on a client call this week…
And she rightly observed that it’s best to cross before you get too hungry.
Otherwise you’re weak and desperate.
Same lesson applies in business:
I know far too many experts who wait to email their list until their bank account forces their hand.
However:
The best time to show up, sell, or make an ask of someone is before you desperately need to.
Because desperation is a bit like sweaty gym clothes left in a hot car.
It has an especially offensive smell.
Followers catch it in your posts…
Subscribers catch it in your emails…
Prospects catch it on your sales calls.
And wherever it shows up, it usually kills the sale.
Something to ponder…
Happy Tuesday ✌️
Jim Hamilton
Learn how to build a profitable daily newsletter with Email Storyselling. Read by 5,000+ subscribers.