Well, hello, my friends, and welcome to Monday morning moments with John O'Leary.

I record these so that we may begin our weeks in awe and on fire with a burst of inspiration.

I got a question for you that was asked of me about 25 years ago.

So hopefully you're buckled up by the time you hear this because I might catch you a little bit

off guard. It certainly did me. Here we go. Were you born stupid? Or have you just become stupid

over time?

Well, my friends, as a 20-year-old college finance major, I had an amazing opportunity to work at a world-class financial service firm.

Although at that age, my ability to balance my personal checking account was in serious question.

This organization placed me in a position to support their most successful financial advisors.

Truth be told, the majority of my job consisted of making copies, printing spreadsheets,

occasionally making coffee, and assembling mailing packets.

On the few occasions, my phone actually rang. I'd answer, of course,

excitedly. Unfortunately, the majority of the calls were either college friends pranking me or my mother calling to see how my day was going. It's going fine, Mom. Well, there was, however,

one unforgettable phone call.

As the phone rang, I cleared my throat and answered in my most professional voice.

Managed products, this is John O'Leary.

How may I help you?

A deep, grumpy voice barked back into the line.

Good, John, I got you.

Have a question for you.

Were you born stupid or have you just become stupid over time?

Startled.

...