Four Frameworks for Business and Life Success: Lessons from Gary Vee

August has always been a special time in my calendar-a time when most people around me start winding up, waiting for the end of the year. But I have learned one thing different from Gary Vee, which is that it's actually the time we should be doing quite the opposite: doubling down to set ourselves up for a strong finish. In this article, before the month ends, I want to share with you four major frameworks that set the way I think about doing business and living life. Whether career, business, or personal, these are the frameworks that would allow you to maximize success and happiness.

1. The Oyster Rule: Say Yes More Often

I think that, at one time or another, we have all been there-doubt before trying. I hear statements like "I can't do that," "That won't work for me," and "I could never achieve that" from individuals all the time. Named the "Oyster Rule," according to Gary Vee, it stems from the number of people he encounters who declare they've never tried oysters yet nonetheless profess to dislike them.

Without trying anything, how would you know what suits you or what you like? We genuinely owe it to ourselves to explore new things and leave our comfort zones.?

Instead of instantly saying "no," try instantly saying "yes," or at least "maybe." It is natural to fear the unknown; it's also what keeps us back. Whether that's starting that podcast, testing out that new idea for your business, or applying for that job you think you're underqualified for, do it. Keep 20% of your mindset open to curiosity and the possibility that this could actually work. And if you've never had an oyster, well, try one.

2. The $1.80 Strategy: Invest in Your Community

The $1.80 Strategy is outrageously simple, yet effective, created by Gary Vee to help grow one's business, brand, or social following. In a nutshell, the idea is that one should leave their "two cents" on the top nine trending Instagram posts for 10 different hashtags relevant to the brand or business each day. Done and dusted, you've spent $1.80 of your thoughts with your community.

This is not limited to Instagram. That goes for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and any other platform: interact with people, know what's being talked about in your niche, and add to the conversation. That strategy began on Twitter for Gary, talking to anyone who spoke about wine. It did not involve an account made up of big numbers of followers but community building. And that is what counts, because the people are the real ROI in life, not numbers. Leave your two cents wherever you can, and watch your community build up.

3. The 3 P's: Practical, Positive Perspective

Negativity is just everywhere, and it's pretty easy to find it in today's world. What if we flipped that inside out? Gary Vee staunchly promotes something he refers to as the 3 P's: a practical, positive perspective. What this mindset is not for is to not look at or bypass the difficulties and hard times which life will bring but to really find that silver lining.

Yes, life is difficult and does not always involve sunshine and rainbows. You have to strive for what you want; you can't just wish you were there.?

But isn't it just great that we live these days when technology has expanded our possibilities tenfold? The 3 Ps mindset helps you appreciate trying-even if success is not guaranteed. This framework is going to relate to more than career or financial success; it's about bringing in more happiness by focusing on the positives and remaining realistic.

4. The 51/49 Rule: Be the Giver

The core of business and life is all about relationships. Gary Vee's 51/49 Rule explains giving much more than taking. Whichever partnership one gets into, be it business or personal, one has to give 51% and take 49% back. It's not a principle dealing with keeping scores of how much one gives and takes; it's in the mindset-one gives and takes without expecting anything in return.

Just check out how this is perfectly exemplified with one of the stories from his Gary's Wine Library days: he once delivered a case of some low-end wine in the snowstorm-not because he had to, but just because he wanted to show his appreciation. The customer's son placed a monster order from him a few years later, after that kind gesture. As Gary could not have foreseen that this would be the manner in which it occurred, again-this is how one gives first. When you focus on others, that comes full circle in many good ways, often when you least anticipate it.

It is these four frameworks-The Oyster Rule, The $1.80 Strategy, The 3 P's, and The 51/49 Rule-that have been at the helm of Gary Vee's astronomical successes and can be responsible for yours too. I encourage you at the end of the year to bring these principles into your life. They're not just for business success but also part of living a fulfilling and happy life.