Today, we look at three quotes from Ben Franklin and examine how they apply to what we do”

1. “Well done is better than well said” – I do enjoy this quote!  Most things are easier said than done.  Anything is possible, if you don’t have to do it yourself.  Individuals often confuse effort with results.  All derivations on the same theme.  We create credibility with results.  Words may impress for a short time, but the failure to act soon erases those same words.  OK – time for some self-assessment…  Honestly, are you more prone to be one that talks a good story or one that finishes a good story?  Is it time for a mid-course correction?
2. “Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment” – How did Franklin know in the mid-1700’s that people in 2015 would still have a problem speaking before thinking?  There are times when it is best to take a loss and walk away.  We typically feel the need to get in the last word – how many times has that “last word” cost you a friend, made a new enemy, or created division rather than unity?
3. “You may delay, but time will not, and lost time is never found again” – Today is the only day we’ve been promised.  We are trading a day of our life for what we do today.  Today may be the only chance in history we get to make a friend, change a life, right a wrong, or accomplish something amazing!  Why not promise that today we will each do something remarkable?  If you can’t think of anything, do something nice and totally unexpected for someone else.  If you do that, this day will not be wasted or lost.

Let’s make this an amazing day!

During the holidays, I took some time to read the Christmas cards and letters we received this year.  The custom of sending Christmas cards to share highlights of the past year seems to be waning some as the number we received (and, frankly, send) has decreased over the years.  Nonetheless, I made a few observations about these cards and letters that I thought might be worth sharing.  I would expect that many of you have observed similar things and had the same thoughts, at one time or another.  So, here are my observations (all of the examples I use below are true, believe it or not):

1. There are some things that simply do not need to be shared – We receive one letter every year that always amazes us.  In it, this family takes several pages to describe the excruciating details of their health adventures.  For example, one year, we heard about how many times “Mother” had a rash on her back.  They talked about visits to specialists to diagnose rare diseases and we received a detailed history of the location, size, and shapes of moles removed for the year.  Really?  Who in their right mind would ever think that this information should be included in a Christmas letter sent to dozens of people?  Can we keep it simple and at a very high level?  (I hope I didn’t catch any of you doing this.)
2. Honestly, no one wants to hear about your fabulous vacations or new convertible – I love this one!  I have actually seen individuals write Christmas letters to “friends” that they know have been without a job for months and talk about their fabulous vacation to Europe or their new sports car that “they only use on sunny days.”  Can you not think about what you are writing?  Wow!  When I get one of these, I want to write back something like, “Well, this was another rough year.  I am hoping to get my teeth back soon, we eat oatmeal for every meal, and we give blood often just to get the cookies they give away.”  Oh, well….
3. We love hearing that your kids are doing well, but hold back on the hype, please – We receive one letter from a family that we fight over.  Literally, when we get their letter in the mail, my wife and I fight to read it first!  One year, they talked about their “lean, mean, straight A machine..” son.  We also hear how their other son “has been told by many that he might be the most wonderful person ever born.”  Can you believe someone would actually write that?  Maybe you can see why we fight over that one!
4. Hearing from many of you brings back wonderful, happy memories – On the other hand, some of these letters and cards bring me to tears.  They help me remember some of the happiest times of my life.  I think of one friend in Michigan that died a couple years ago.  She was a gem and spent her entire life serving others.  But, she also provided some of the funniest memories of my life.  I’m almost laughing out loud right now just thinking about one incident involving Mary.  I miss her!  I think of friends that I haven’t seen in 10 or 20 years.  I remember times when their kids were playing with ours.  Truly, these letters are worth reading and the memories are worth having.
5. Hearing from you inspires me to take much overdue action – And, the letters I have read this year are inspiring me to action.  I haven’t seen one of my friends in a few years.  He has probably made me laugh more than any other single person in my life.  He had me laughing again over the holidays when I called him.  In 2016, I am committed to visiting him.  There are others that I have promised myself to write, call, or see.  I might not have another chance.

So, did you have any of these same reactions reading letters and cards you received this past season?  I would also say that each of us has a friend or two or ten that we need to connect with in a more consistent way.  Is there a friend here that you need to take to lunch?  Let’s not someday regret losing time with someone that cares for us or that we have befriended.

Have a great and terrific first new workday of 2016!  Let’s make this “our best year yet!”

 

Today, I look at some quotes from A. A. Milne, the author of Winnie the Pooh books.  I am a rather new fan of the sayings contained in Winnie the Pooh.  Had I known the wisdom contained in Milne’s books, I would certainly have exposed my own three children to them.  But, I have another chance with my grandchildren, so they will be getting a steady dose starting soon.

Milne’s quotes apply very well to life in general and the things we experience in our world every day.

1. “People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” — When you enjoy what you do, it does not seem like work.  In fact, our work, especially when things go as we plan, can be fun and enjoyable.  It can also seem that we can easily work hard all day, yet accomplish nothing.  Some of the greatest inventions or greatest works of art required years of day-by-day progress.  When it seems that you are not making progress with your work, your hobbies, your rehabilitation, your kids… whatever the task, remember that progress occurs item-by-item, day-by-day, success-by-success.  Don’t give up!

2. “You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.” — I hear individuals say to me at least weekly, “I sent him/her an e-mail and need an answer before I can go to the next step.”  Sometimes, you make greater and faster progress when you go see the person face-to-face.  As Pooh says, “You have to go the them sometimes.”

3. “It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like “What about lunch?” — Don’t overuse the language.  As someone once said, “The best solutions are often the most simple ones.”

4. “If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.” — Patience is a virtue.  It is easy to jump to conclusions about someone – that is, until you know what they are going through in their lives.  Before you place blame or become frustrated with others, first put yourself in their shoes.  When you know the real story, their actions may be totally understandable.

5. “When you see someone putting on his Big Boots, you can be pretty sure that an Adventure is going to happen.” — We are all in a Great Adventure.  It can be an exciting time, but there are challenges occurring every day.  Are you up for the challenge of a Great Adventure or are you just trying to get through the day?

The question for today is, “Will you put on your Big Boots or will you go hide in the forest?”

Will Rogers was an American author, actor, and commentator from the 1920’s and ‘30’s.  He was known for his witty, but insightful thoughts on life, success, and surviving during tough times (e.g., the Great Depression).  Some of his sayings can be applied very well to us today:

1. “You’ve got to go out on a limb sometimes because that’s where the fruit is.” — We cannot live in a ‘zero-risk’ world.  Every day we take numerous risks – driving a car, eating food prepared by someone else, making decisions.  Though we should never take undue risks, we often need to be more aware of the risks and balance them against the possible rewards.  In other words, sometimes we cannot get to the 95 – 100% confidence point for a key decision.  Sometimes we have to make a decision based on being at the 75% confident point.  In these cases, be aware of the risks, mitigate what you can, and move forward.  We might not get that apple unless we stretch ourselves a bit.
2. “Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.” — The reason older individuals seem wiser sometimes is that they have a lot more experience to draw upon.  And, unfortunately, some of that experience was painful.  We need to understand that mistakes will occur.  When they do, we need to use them to learn.  Several years ago, I was told a story about an individual that made a mistake that resulted in a loss of $2MM worth of product.  The head of manufacturing asked the department manager to bring the individual involved in the mistake to his office.  The department manager said, “OK, I understand.  You plan to fire this person, right?”  The head of manufacturing responded, “No, of course not.  I just want this person to know that I trust that such a mistake will never happen again.  This individual, my friend, will turn out to be the best employee we have, if he learns from this.”  Of course, that individual did become a star performer at that company.
3. “If you want to be successful, it’s just this simple. Know what you are doing. Love what you are doing. And believe in what you are doing.” — When I think about this quote, I am trying to think of anyone I know that is successful that did not know, love, and believe in what they were doing.  There may be examples, but they would be rare.  So, what does this say about you?  Are you destined for success or do you need to be thinking about next steps?
4. “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” — Complacency is an enemy.  I’m reminded that “if you think you are humble, you are not.”  Once we think we have accomplished it all, we are doomed.  Let’s adopt the mindset that anything we do can be improved.
5. “Never let yesterday use up too much of today.” — Today is the only day we have or can count on.  Though things may have not gone well yesterday, lingering there can ruin today.  If the past is keeping you from doing your best work today, it is time to move past it. Early in the new year of 2016 is a great time to focus on the future, not the past.

I believe that if we are successful and happy in our personal lives, we will be successful and happy in our work life.  And, if we are, we’ll be able to focus and do our very best in every aspect of our lives.

Have a terrific day!  There is still that chance that it might be a Top 10 day.