A millionaire – let’s call him Ben, walks into a popular bank in the middle of New York City and requests to speak to a loan officer. He doesn’t alert the staff to his immense riches, he simply says he’s going away on business for a few weeks, to another country, and needs to borrow a small sum of money – $5000.

Banks being banks they immediately asked for security on the loan, after all they’re not just going to let anyone walk away with a big wad of cash.

Ben then points out of the window to the shiny new Ferrari parked right in front of the bank. He took the title, paperwork and keys out of his pocket and slapped them down on the counter like a man on a mission. The staff went to work checking out the validity of his ownership and sure enough, everything checked out.

And of course, which bank is going to turn down a quarter of a million dollars in collateral for a measly $5000 loan? This was a no-brainer (an ironic turn of phrase as you’ll soon discover).

Ben left the bank with his $5000 and the bank employee took Ben’s keys and drove the brand new Ferrari down into the bank’s underground garage. He assured Ben that it would be perfectly safe down there. Ben then left the bank and caught his flight to China.

Two weeks go by and sure enough the bank opens Monday morning to see Ben stroll in and slap the $5000 he had borrowed back on the counter, plus the interest which was around $15. The loan officer asked that the car be brought round to the front of the bank and then asked Ben a question.

“Our bank prides itself in details and customer service” he said “and while you were away we did a background check, it’s routine, and discovered you are actually one of the wealthiest men in America. Why on earth would you need to borrow $5000, it just doesn’t make sense.”

Ben smiled, picked up the keys from the counter and said “Can you tell me another way I could have parked my new Ferrari in the middle of New York for two weeks, for just $15, and still expect it to be in mint condition when I get back?” With that, Ben walked out of the door and the loan officer smiled a bigger smile.

Whether this story is true or not, it’s a good lesson in lateral thinking. A kind of mentality that is common for some successful people on this planet. Succes not necessarily measured in financial or monetary gain – as it is in the case of Ben. However this kind of lateral thinking did help Ben and others like him to achieve the great things they once achieved or will achieve in the future.

Absorb it and think about it. I mean, really – think about it!

It has been emotional,

Alfredo.

I must thank the watchful twitter-eye of @verkoren for the input for this article.