Be Persistent

About 30 years ago, a young woman graduated from college with a BA in American studies.  The twenty-two year old had aspirations of working in television, but knew landing a job in that competitive industry would be a challenge.  She sent out resumes and made cold calls, but neither of those methods yielded success.  One morning, she decided to put on her best professional outfit-a blue blazer, a blouse, and a bowtie- and find a job.  She hopped into her family’s cream-colored Buick station wagon and headed down to the ABC News bureau in Washington D.C.

Despite her prior efforts to earn an interview at ABC, she was ignored by the deputy bureau chief’s secretary.  So she went down to the bureau in person and asked the security guard if she could see the deputy bureau chief.  When he learned she did not have an appointment, he chuckled at her and said she could not see him at this time.  Not easily defeated, she asked if she could use the phone in the waiting area, dialed the operator, and asked, “Can you connect me to David Newman, the executive producer of World News Tonight?”  He answered his phone, and she explained to him that his twin brothers went to high school with her sister.  She also told him that she lives down the street from his sister Julie.  Then, she asked if she could come up to the newsroom and visit with the deputy bureau chief.  Completely taken aback by her forwardness, he responded, “Sure, come on up.”

Still impressed, he dropped her off in front of the deputy bureau chief’s door as she walked right back the secretary who disregarded her calls and resume.  She told the deputy she was qualified to work for ABC and she could bring a unique skill set to the organization.  A few weeks later, she was hired.

This short story is a testament to the power of persistence and ambition.  Without taking action to make yourself stand out, achievement will be tough to attain.  You are bound to make a few mistakes along the way, but you will learn something by seizing opportunities.

Incidentally, the woman in the story is award-winning journalist Katie Couric.  The anecdote above can be found in her book, ‘The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives‘  

Guest Post: Melanie Bowen

Today, I’m pleased to publish a short piece written by Melanie Bowen.  Melanie is a part-time contributor on the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance Blog and has dedicated her time to provide encouragement for those on the path to healing.  

Inspiration Accomplishment: Writing thoughts and desires

There are many people that find personal enjoyment in creating a list of events, places, things they want to accomplish in life. Creating such a list actually makes a lot of sense because it often helps people to push forward, especially in times when they may be feeling down in the dumps and need that extra push to keep moving forward. This can also be helpful for those who are recently struggling from a life threatening illness such as mesothelioma.

Creating a list of things to do is almost like setting up specific goals for one’s self because they will ultimately be working to complete each of these tasks throughout their lifetime. When an individual completes each task and is able to scratch one thing off of their list, they will gain a sense of accomplishment to make them feel like they can achieve much more. Creating a list can even help a person get through a grim prognosis; it can help an individual get past daily adversities they may emotionally, mentally or physically face when fighting an illness.

How to Create a List of Things to Do

Writing down ideas to complete within a lifetime is actually quite simple. First, the person who is making the list will need to decide how they want to document their hopes and dreams. Of course, a piece of paper and a pen can easily do the trick for creating a list of aspirations. However, for more motivation, one may want to begin blogging about certain things they want to achieve throughout their lifetime. A blog is not only a way for an individual to keep track of the things they want to do; however, it is a way for them to share their thoughts and ideas with other people who can help to keep them inspired. A blog with a list of things to do in life can also encourage other people to make a list as well so that they can make their life more meaningful too.

Getting Ideas of Things to Do

One problem many people face is that they find they have a hard time figuring out what it is that they actually want to accomplish. However, it is important for an individual to brainstorm and think of what exciting and different things they would like to do to improve their life and make it even more meaningful than it already is. It is important for an individual to think of how adventurous they truly want to be when making their list. There are lots of fun, exciting, and thrilling ideas that can be added to a list of things to do throughout life. Such things including riding on the back of an elephant, skydiving, learn an entirely different language, travel to different areas with just a backpack, go surfing, learn a new dance, study abroad or even learning to play a new instrument.

No matter what it is you chose to do within your lifetime, you are in the driver’s seat to finding personal success. Sit down and truly think about what will make life more meaningful for you and what it is you wish to become, experience and see throughout the world. Start with short terms goals and then begin to think about long-term dreams and aspirations. You may find that by simply blogging, journaling and creating a list of goals will improve the quality of your life and bring you more happiness than you ever thought imaginable.

Jeremy Lin

Jeremy Lin has dominated the sports headlines in the past week.  As his New York Knicks ride a 5 game winning streak, Lin is facing the reality that he has become an instant cultural phenomenon.  He has scored at least 23 points in each of his last four games, shot at least 53% from the field, and recorded at least 7 assists in each contest.  

Throughout his career, Jeremy has consistently been overlooked by scouts.  Out of high school, he did not receive an scholarship offer despite averaging 15.1 points, 7.1 assists, 6.2 rebounds, and 5 steals per game.  He led Palo Alto High School to 32-1 record and a state championship.  Instead of walking on at Stanford or UCLA, he attended Harvard where he was a unanimous selection for the All-Ivy League First Team during his senior year.  In 2010, he graduated with a degree in economics and a 3.1 GPA.  Although his basketball credentials were impressive, no NBA team was willing to take a chance on him in the 2010 draft.  After working hard to impress NBA scouts in summer league games, he received contract offers from four teams.  He eventually signed with the Golden State Warriors, but saw minimal playing time in his first season.  He was assigned to the Warrior’s developmental league affiliate on three separate occasions.  On the first day of training camp after the NBA lockout, the Warriors released him. 

On December 27, 2011 the New York Knicks claimed Lin off waivers to be their backup point guard.  After another brief stint in the D-league, Lin has become an instant sensation after his strong performances in the past two weeks.  Even though he isn’t the best athlete on the court, he plays the game with great poise and awareness.  

His success story provides a striking insight.  Overlooked opportunities exist everywhere, and it can benefit us to discover them.  Each day, we miss opportunities because we have inherent blind spots and engrained patterns of thinking.  If we apply this idea to business, we realize that there might be unclear openings to add value to a company.  In relationships, there might be someone that can help you with your personal development if only you are willing to give that individual a chance.  Food for thought.         

College Bucket List

You hear so many people rave about their college years.  They tell you college were the best years of their life.  In just 1.5 years, I will be graduating, which is testament to how fast college years pass you by.  Tom Petty summed up this common sentiment when he said, “You have four years to be irresponsible here.  Relax.  Work is for people with jobs.  You’ll never remember class time, but you’ll remember time you wasted hanging out with your friends.  So, stay out late.  Go out on a Tuesday with your friends when you have a paper due...The work never ends, but college does.”   

So how do you get the most out of your college experience?  My recommendation would be to make a college bucket list, a variation of the idea of a list of things you want to do before you “kick the bucket”.  It doesn’t matter if you are a high school senior or a college student, I’d encourage you to sit down and list out some things you’d like to achieve in your college years.  Here’s mine if you need help getting started.  The bolded and italicized items still need to be accomplished.

Academic

1. Earn membership in an honor’s society

I would create my own honor’s society if I had the capital, but being invited to various societies was a good enough self-esteem boost.

2. Be recognized for my academic achievements

3. Study abroad

Immersing yourself in other cultures is absolutely essential to the college experience.  Fortunately, I have taken advantage of the tremendous study abroad opportunities at the University of Kansas.  

4. Take classes that interest me outside of my academic majors

I have taken a number of philosophy courses at KU.

5. Interview a professor

You can read my interview with Dr. Raquel Alexander here.

6. Apply for the Rhoades scholarship

The chances of winning are slim to none, but one thing is guaranteed--you will not win if you don't apply.

7. Win Scholarships

Get commendable grades and search for scholarship opportunities.

Extreme Frugality

8. Pay under $100 for a semester’s worth of textbooks

Just accomplished this one this semester!

9. Go a week without paying for lunch

The first week of the semester is typically the best time to rummage for free food.  Student organizations and companies visit campus and purchase food to draw you in.

Culture and Causes

10.Attend a play, recital, or show

11. Participate in the March for Life in Washington D.C.

Leadership

12. Serve as President of a student organization

13. Start a business with college friends

Time Management

14. Get a job

15. Take 20 credit hours in a semester

Professional

16. Land an internship

Fun

17. Take a road trip with friends

Doesn’t the idea of driving across the country appeal to you?  I hope to get away with some friends and head to the eastern seaboard.   

18. Pull a harmless prank that makes the University Daily Kansan

19. Attend an obscure sporting event

20. Organize a massive game of hide and seek in the Anchutz library

21. Go swimming in the Chi Omega Fountain

Reflections from India

Regular readers of Joe’s Musings should rightfully feel deprived of posts.  Good news: I have safely returned from a three week study abroad trip to India, an adventure that consisted of company visits, cultural experiences, and classroom learning.  Today, I’m happy to announce that Joe’s Musings will commence as usual moving forward.

Background  

For the second year, a group of students from the University of Kansas visited major cities in south India to learn about business practices in India.  We were hosted by the Asian School of Business, a small, yet top university in Thiruvananthapuram, India.  We gained an understanding of a wide spectrum of industries through interactive company visits to IT companies, a private hospital and manufacturing plants.       

In addition, I have some thoughts on my experience that could be beneficial for everyone interested in traveling internationally.  This post will be unorganized reflections, but I will include takeaways in the event you are considering a study abroad trip.  In just three short weeks, I experienced things I will remember for a lifetime.  My first piece of advice for prospective travelers to India is to immediately change your mindset about traffic and driving.  Indian drivers are reckless, and will not stop for you to cross the street.  In Bangalore, I saw a motorized rickshaw barrel down a road into a crowd of people, narrowly missing a mother and child by no more than a foot.  Animals, pedestrians, cars, and trucks all share the same road.  Forgot about stop lights and crosswalks.  Indian drivers use their car horn liberally to let pedestrians know “I am here”.   A gentleman at a hotel explained to me Indian consumers keep purchasing passenger vehicles, but the roads are not equipped to handle the rising number of drivers.  Auto sales in India are on pace for a record-setting year.  From October 2009-October 2010, sales of passenger vehicles rose 38 percent!

Takeaway: Research the driving customs in the country you are visiting.

Despite the high potential for economic growth, a common theme persisted among Indian business people we visited with.  It takes a great deal of time and effort to get around the masses of red tap evident in the Indian government.  One professor at the Asian School of Business phrased it well--the government prepares for the future based on yesterday’s demand.

Takeaway:  If you are interested in doing commerce internationally, learn about the opportunities and challenges facing businesses in your resident country.  

Because the British ruled India for centuries before independence in 1948, many Indians speak English.  Even the Bollywood film we watched contains traces of English in a hybrid language known as Hinglish (combination of Hindi and English).  However, a language barrier can present an opportunity to international travelers in other countries to learn the local tongue.   

Takeaway: Learning even the basics of a new language can be time-consuming.  Before you sign up to study abroad, inquire about the languages commonly spoken in other countries.   

The food was above average, and at times, excellent, but there is no substitute for an American hamburger.  Cows are regarded as sacred in India, so finding a genuine beef burger was next to impossible.  However, I particularly enjoyed the seafood selection of fish, prawn, and lobster.  The Indians also carbo-load at every meal, eating rice, idly, and poori.  Dinner is usually served at 9 PM or later in India, so that took some time to acclimate to.  

Takeaway: Bring snacks in the event the meal times are different.  Try the local food, but be careful to eat only cooked food.

I have still not fully processed this experience yet, but I am certain of one thing--my observations in India made me appreciate the blessings we have in the United States.  Although India’s economy is growing rapidly, an average citizen’s standard of living is nowhere near that of the United States. 

"It Wasn't Your Baby"

 

There were two warring tribes in the Andes, one that lived in the lowlands and the other high in the mountains. The mountain people invaded the lowlanders one day, and as part of their plundering of the people, they kidnapped a baby of one of the lowlander families and took the infant with them back up into the mountains.

The lowlanders didn't know how to climb the mountain. They didn't know any of the trails that the mountain people used, and they didn't know where to find the mountain people or how to track them in the steep terrain.

Even so, they sent out their best party of fighting men to climb the mountain and bring the baby home.

The men tried first one method of climbing and then another. They tried one trail and then another. After several days of effort, however, they had climbed only several hundred feet.

Feeling hopeless and helpless, the lowlander men decided that the cause was lost, and they prepared to return to their village below.

As they were packing their gear for the descent, they saw the baby's mother walking toward them. They realized that she was coming down the mountain that they hadn't figured out how to climb.

And then they saw that she had the baby strapped to her back. How could that be?

One man greeted her and said, "We couldn't climb this mountain. How did you do this when we, the strongest and most able men in the village, couldn't do it?"

She shrugged her shoulders and said, "It wasn't your baby."

The Power of Asking Questions

Think back for a moment over your grade school, high school, and even your college years.  How much critical and creative thinking did you do?  Did you simply memorize information so you had the “right” answers to questions, or did you work on asking the right questions?

One lesson I’ve learned in my short life is that learning the art of questioning is just as valuable than the ability to produce answers.  I prefer to study with the students who seek a further understanding than the instructor can put on an exam.  It always impresses me when a student asks a question that starts off with, “What if...”  This demonstrates to me that the student is not simply memorizing one of many possible scenarios. 

It can be so tempting to move on without fully understanding a concept or idea.    Once you make up your mind that you cannot understand something, you have hurt your chances of asking the question that will unlock comprehension for you.  From my observations, students prefer to go for the basic knowledge on Bloom’s taxonomy instead seeking the “whys” and “hows” of a discipline. 

So how then can we be become more skilled at asking questions?  I guarantee you it will not happen overnight.  Becoming better at asking the right questions takes many conversations, reflection, and life experiences. 

In her post, “How To Ask Better Questions”, Judith Ross argues the most effective and empowering questions create value the following ways:
-They create clarity.
-They construct better working relations.
-They help people think analytically and critically.
-They inspire people to reflect and see things in fresh, unpredictable way.
-They encourage breakthrough thinking.
-They challenge assumptions.
-They create ownership of solutions.

Sadly, it is easy to begin implementing proposed answers before we are certain that the right questions has been asked.  We have been programmed to find the “right” answer through standardized tests and multiple choice questions, but many times, a college degree does not equate into being skilled in the discipline of asking the right questions.   

Asking the right questions at the right time will not only make you a better student and a more valuable employee, it will also boost your self-esteem.  If you able to create value through your ability to question, you’ll instill in yourself a sense of your own strength and aptitude.  You’ll gain more confidence and become more competent.   

How To Turn Your Weaknesses Into Strengths

We all have shortcomings, flaws, and weaknesses--to deny this accepted truth is an exercise in arrogance.  Fortunately, with the sincere desire to become better and the proper mindset, everyone can learn how to transform those limitations into strengths. 

For example, when I started blogging a year ago,  I had no idea where to start.  My learning curve was steep at first, but now, I’m just getting the hang of everyday blogging, and the importance of promoting yourself.  I still have many weaknesses that I need to improve, but I’ve come a long ways from the first time I sat down to write a blog post. 

If you want to turn your weaknesses into strengths, a positive mental attitude is important.  You are your own worst critic-- it’s very easy to throw in the towel after telling yourself, “I can never achieve that.”  Here’s a short story to demonstrate how having the proper mindset can turn a weakness into a strength.

There was once a 10 year old boy who decided to learn judo.  Despite only having only his right arm, he worked hard to perfect one move, while becoming acquainted, but not skilled in other basic throws and techniques.  When the boy entered his first tournament, he was nervous at only being able to confidently use one throw.  To his surprise, he won every match with his one move, and won the tournament.  On the way home, the boy summoned the courage to ask his master, “How did I win the tournament with only one move?”  The master responded, “You won for two reasons. First, you’ve mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo.  Second, the only known defense for that movie is for your opponent to grab your left arm.   

So as you can see, it’s not necessary to go read thousands of self-help books or pay exorbitant fees to speak with a psychologist about your shortcomings.  Sometimes, all it takes it reformulating a situation so that something that would normally hold you back becomes an aid to your success.  There are probably exceptions, but not many.  Even if there are, it is beneficial to examine your weaknesses and see how you can use them to your advantage.     

Here are just a few examples.
Not a good writer.
Find different ways to express your ideas.  If you struggle with writing, become excellent at conversations.  Make videos and podcasts instead of written materials.
Not naturally smart in school.
Work your tail off instead.  While there is a correlation between giftedness and success, being smart by no means guarantees happiness.  More often than not, it’s the hardest working who succeed in this world. 
Not a fast worker.
Join the club.  I’m a slower writer than most, but I produce more high-quality content than most blogs out there.  One beautiful thing about blogging is that being thorough, deliberate, and methodical will attract a larger audience than if you just pump out poorly written posts with great frequency.

Now, viewing your weaknesses as strengths should not be seen as a substitute for working hard to better yourself.  The two should work in tandem to help you eliminate faults as well as build up your strengths. 

Work/Life Balance

Once upon a time, there was a father who was a hardworking man.  He delivered bread as a living to support his wife and three children. He spent all his evenings after work attending classes, hoping to improve himself so that he could one day find a better paying job. Except for Sundays, Father hardly ate a meal together with his family. He worked and studied very hard because he wanted to provide his family with the best money could buy.

Whenever his family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.

The day came when the examination results were announced. To his joy, Father passed, and with distinctions too! Soon after, he was offered a good job as a senior supervisor which paid handsomely.

Like a dream come true, the father could now afford to provide his family with life’s little luxuries like nice clothing, fine food and vacation abroad.

However, the family still did not get to see the father for most of the week. He continued to work very hard, hoping to be promoted to the position of manager. In fact, to make himself a worthily candidate for the promotion, he enrolled for another course in the open university.

Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.

The father’s hard work paid off and he was promoted. Jubilantly, he decided to hire a maid to relieve his wife from her domestic tasks. He also felt that their three-room flat was no longer big enough, it would be nice for his family to be ablt to enjoy the facilities and comfort of a condominium. Having experienced the rewards of his hard work many times before, the father resolved to further his studies and work at being promoted again. The family still did not get to see much of him. In fact, sometimes Father had to work on Sundays entertaining clients. Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.

As expected, the father’s hard work paid off again and he bought a beautiful condominium overlooking the coast of Singapore. On the first Sunday evening at their new home, the father declared to his family that he decided not to take anymore courses or pursue any more promotions. From then on he was going to devote more time to his family.

The father did not wake up the next day.

Life Lessons From The Blue Man Group

Back in the late 1980’s, Phil Stanton, Matt Goldman, and Chris Wink formed the Blue Man Group, a high-concept performing trio with cobalt-blue skin, no hair, and an inability to speak.  After kickstarting their careers in New York in 1987, the Blue Man Group has performed thousands of times in five continents.   

When Phil, Matt, and Chris pitched the idea to people, it was viewed as absurd and ridiculous.  Even close, well-meaning friends and family, told them hundreds of reasons why they were crazy.
-It’s not reasonable.
-It’s weird.
-It’s too childish and strange.
-It’s too long.
-People won’t get it.

Here’s how “crazy” they are--the Blue Man Group has been nominated for a Grammy Award and performed live at the Grammy to a standing ovation at the Staples Center.  They have received millions of dollars in donations to help families with AIDS.  They have gone to Washington D.C. to lobby senators and representatives to fund music and arts education in the public school system and started a private elementary school.  They have participated in a panel to find different ways to creative with two Nobel Prize laureates, the Dalai Lama, and a British Knight.   

If someone ever tells you what you can’t do, let those comments fuel your passion and drive.  Allow their words to motivate you to reach your goals that much more.  You can take yourself to higher levels regardless of anyone else’s opinion. 

Blue Man Group co-founder Phil Stanton grew up curious about tinkering and building things.  At the time, Phil had no desire to pursue a career in theatre even though both his mother and father were musicians and singers.  He was a shy child, and suffered from stage fright.  After graduating high school, Phil got a job at a store that sells tons of industrial building materials.  While working there, he became intrigued with gears, nuts, bolts, PVC pipes, and stainless steel.  Eventually, Phil moved on and that job ended.  He went to a liberal arts college and bounced around between several majors before finally settling on acting.  After meeting Chris Wink while working at a waiter in New York.  He met Matt Goldman soon after.  When the threesome was just starting out, all that knowledge about pipe, metal, and building materials from the job at the hardware store 12 years before came flooding back to Phil.  They constructed odd instruments and other mechanical stage sets that eventually became  integral elements to the Blue Man Group experience. 

Had Phil not taken that high school job at the industrial building store, he would not have had the know-how to construct these bizarre, yet potent instruments.  The lesson here is if you pay attention to and learn from every experience life has to offer, you will be able to apply that knowledge in whatever you wind up doing.  There should be an overarching continuity in our lives between different time periods.  It’s not like you become a completely different person when you go off to college.  No matter where you go, you still have sum of your experiences to draw from.

Life Lessons

The following is a list of a life lessons posted on Everyday Life Lessons that really resonated with me.  The site is maintained by Marc of Marc and Angel Hack Life. 

“Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together.”

“You never know how strong you really are until being strong is the only choice you have.”

“The best revenge is happiness, because nothing drives your adversaries more insane that seeing you smiling and living a good life.”

“Making one person smile can change the world.  Maybe not the whole world, but their world.  Start small. Start now.”

“No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying.”

“Never let success get to your head and never let failure get to your heart.”

“In work and business, when they need you more than you need them, you have succeeded.”

“Good relationships don’t just happen; they take time, patience, and two people who want to work to be together.”

“I don’t need a certain number of friends, just a number of friends I can be certain of.”

“The only different between an obstacle and an opportunity is your attitude.”

“The secret to success is no secret.  Just work hard and add more value to people’s lives than anyone else does!”

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way.  If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse.”

“Don’t carry your mistakes around with you.  Instead, place them under your feet and use them as stepping stones.”

“Free your heart from hatred.  Free your mind from worries.  Live simply.  Give more. Expect less.  Smile when you can.”

“Change is the only permanent thing in life.”

“Life isn’t about winning or losing, it’s about continual growth.  Achievement, failure, and the path to these two teach you valuable lessons, which contribute to your personal growth.  No matter what you do, you grow in one way or another.”

“Share your knowledge.  It’s a simply way to achieve immortality.”

“The happiest people I know keep an open mind to new ideas and ventures, use their leisure time as a means of mental development, and love good music, good books, good pictures, good company, and good conversation.  And oftentimes, they are also the cause of happiness in others, me in particular.”

“Enjoy the little things, because one day you might look back and discover they were the big things.”

Warren Buffett's 10 Rules from Jimmy John's

Last Thursday, I made my ritualistic visit to Jimmy John’s for a double provolone slim and a B.L.T.  I’ve learned many things in my business courses, but I noticed a sign in Jimmy Johns that make me think about business and investing outside the classroom.  As you might know, Jimmy Johns has epic signs, many of which are humorous.  However, this sign contained Warren Buffet’s 10 Rules, and I believe you should carry this valuable list in your wallet or purse so you can reflect upon it from time to time.  

No. 1: Reinvest Your Profits
When you first make money, you may be tempted to spend it. Don’t. Instead, reinvest the profits. Buffett learned this early on. In high school, he and a pal bought a pinball machine to put in a barbershop. With the money they earned, they bought more machines until they had eight in different shops. When the friends sold the venture, Buffett used the proceeds to buy stocks and to start another business.

No. 2: Be Willing to Be Different
Don’t base your decisions upon what everyone is saying or doing. When Buffett began managing money in 1956 with $100,000 cobbled together from a handful of investors, he was dubbed an oddball. He worked in Omaha, not on Wall Street, and he refused to tell his partners where he was putting their money. People predicted that he’d fall, but when he closed his partnership 14 years later, it was worth more than $100 million.

No. 3: Never Suck Your Thumb
Gather in advance any information you need to make a decision, and ask a friend or relative to make sure that you stick to a deadline. Buffett prides himself on swiftly making up his mind and acting on it. He calls any unnecessary sitting and thinking “thumb-sucking.”

No. 4: Spell Out the Deal Before You Start
Your bargaining leverage is always greatest before you begin a job – that’s when you have something to offer that the other party wants. Buffett learned this lesson the hard way as a kid, when his grandfather Earnest hired him and a friend to dig out the family grocery store after a blizzard. The boys spent five hours shoveling until they could barely straighten their frozen hands. Afterward, his grandfather gave the pair less that 90 cents to split.

No. 5: Watch Small Expenses
Buffett invests in business run by managers who obsess over the tiniest costs. He once acquired a company whose owner counted the sheets in rolls of 500-sheet toilet paper to see if he was being cheated (he was). He also admired a friend who painted only the side of his office building that faced the road.

No. 6: Limit What You Borrow
Buffett has never borrowed a significant amount – not to invest, not for a mortgage. He has gotten many heartrending letters from people who thought their borrowing was manageable but became overwhelmed by debt. His advice: Negotiate with creditors to pay what you can. Then, when you’re debt-free, work on saving some money that you can invest.

No. 7: Be Persistent
With tenacity and ingenuity, you can win against a more established competitor. Buffett acquired the Nebraska Furniture Mart in 1983 because he liked the way its founder, Rose Blumkin, did business. A Russian immigrant, she built the mart from a pawnshop into the largest furniture store in North America. Her strategy was to undersell the big shots, and she was a merciless negotiator.

No. 8: Know When to Quit
Once, when Buffett was a teen, he went to the racetrack. He bet on a race and lost. To recoup his funds, he bet on another race. He lost again, leaving him with close to nothing. He felt sick – he had squandered nearly a week’s earnings. Buffett never repeated that mistake.

No. 9: Assess the Risks
In 1995, the employer of Buffett’s son, Howie, was accused by the FBI of price-fixing. Buffett advised Howie to imagine the worst- and best-case scenarios if he stayed with the company. His son quickly realized the risks of staying far outweighed any potential gains, and he quit the next day.

No. 10: Know What Success Really Means
Despite his wealth, Buffett does not measure success by dollars. In 2006, he pledged to give away almost his entire fortune to charities, primarily the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He’s adamant about not funding monuments to himself – no Warren Buffett buildings or halls. “When you get to my age, you’ll measure your success in life by how many of the people you want to have love you actually do love you. That’s the ultimate test of how you lived your life.”

The Story of Soichiro Honda

Did you know that you will fail before you succeed?  You have probably heard of Honda Motor Company, the Japanese multinational corporation that manufactures automobiles and motorcycles.  Honda has been the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959.  What you might not know is the inspiring backstory of how Honda became a thriving business...

In the 1930’s, Japan’s economy was hit hard by the Great Depression.  Money was tight, so in 1938, Soichiro Honda started a small auto mechanic shop while he was still in school.  It was here that he developed the concept of the piston ring, an idea he hoped to sell to Toyota, which was a major car manufacturer back then as well.  He worked relentlessly, never letting go of his belief that he would perfect the piston’s design and produce a valuable product.  After he married, he pawned his wife’s jewelry out for cash to finance his business (with her permission).

The day came and Honda took his working sample to Toyota headquarters, where he was told the piston rings did not meet quality standards.  Soichiro went back to school and endured ridicule when the other engineers laughed at his design.  Instead of giving up, he continued to work towards his goal of perfecting the piston ring.  After two more years of hard labor and redesign, Honda earned a contract with Toyota.

By this time, Japan was preparing to go to war.  Honda invented a new concrete-making process that enabled him to build a factory in a short time.  Before long, the factory was bombed, twice, and materials to rebuild for a third time were not available.  Honda started collecting surplus gasoline cans discarded by US fighter, which he termed, “Gifts from President Truman”.  The cans became raw materials for his rebuilt manufacturing process.  Shortly after, an earthquake destroyed the factory for a third time.  

After the war, a gasoline shortage forced many Japanese people to walk or ride bicycles.  To transport himself, Honda built a tiny engine and attached it to his bicycle.  His neighbors wanted one of these contraptions, but the materials to build more engines were unavailable.  So Honda wrote to 18,000 bicycles shop owners and asked them to help revitalize Japan.  5,000 responded with what little money they could.  Honda’s first models were to bulky to work efficiently, so he continued to develop and work until the small engine became a reality.  Before long, Honda began exporting his bicycle engines to Europe and America.

This business was not as lucrative as Honda expected.  In the 1970’s, there was another gas shortage, this time in America.  Automobile companies started creating smaller cars that used less gasoline.  Honda quickly started to manufacture tiny cars, smaller than anyone had seen before, and it quickly became a success.

Today, Honda employs over 100,000 people in the US and Japan, and is a global leader in automobiles, motorcycles, and other electronics.  Honda’s success can largely be attributed to the dedication and determination of one man- Soichiro Honda.  

He never gave up and neither should you.  Don’t expect overnight success.  Transformation can take years, and this story is evidence that many successful people fail many times before they get their desired results.  

Things You Don't Need

I’d like to share with you a simple fact- life is too short to tolerate nonsense.  You don’t have to endure things that cause distress and suffering.  The clock is ticking, and it’s time to reclaim your life.

Negative People- You should be excited to spend time with your significant other, family, and friends.  Relationships should be healthy, not detrimental.

A Job You Hate- If you don’t like your job, get out.  Life is full of choices, so keep searching until you find work you love.  If you find something that interests you, go for it with you’ve got.

Clutter- Clear it out.  Get rid of stuff you don’t use and get organized.

Debt- Be wise and live below your means.  Keep track of your personal expenses and always save your money.

Greed, Envy, and Jealousy- Be the best version of yourself, not somebody else.

Peer Pressure- Never do anything solely because someone told you to.  Always be your own person and think independently.

Last Minute Plans- Waiting until the eleventh hour generally creates chaos and confusion.  Wouldn’t it be nice to have everything run smoothly for once?  Plan ahead so you don’t have to rush around like a crazy person.

Lack of Sleep- Productivity and sleepiness are like oil and water.

Stress- Push until you find a way to keep your sense of inner peace.  If you bit off more than you can chew, slow down.

Pebbles, Rocks, Sand, and Beer

In March of 2009, I learned a valuable life lesson through a speech on a retreat.  It went something like this..

A student counselor stood at the front of the room with some items on the table in front of him.  When it came time for him to deliver his speech, he wordlessly picked up an empty two-liter bottle and proceeded to fill it with rocks.  He then asked the retreatants if the bottle was full.  We agreed it was.

So the counselor then dumped a box of pebbles into the bottle.  He shook the bottle lightly, and the pebbles rolled into the open cracks between the rocks.  He then asked us if the bottle was full.  We agreed it was. 

The counselor then picked up a small container of sand and poured it into the bottle.  The sand filled up the remaining empty spaces, and once again, the students agreed the bottle was full unanimously.  

Finally, the counselor cracked open a can of Bud Light and poured it into the bottle.  As expected, we resoundingly agreed the bottle was filled to capacity.

“Now,” said the counselor, “ I want you to recognize that this bottle represents your life.  The rocks are the important things- your family, your health, and your friends.  These things would still make your life full even if everything else was lost.”

“The pebbles are the other things that matter- your job, your house, your car, and other important material possessions.”

“The sand are the small things that don’t really matter and the beer are vices.”

“If you put the sand, pebbles, or beer into the bottle first, there is no room for the rocks.  The same goes for your life.  If you spend all your energy and time on the small stuff- material things and vices- you will never have room for the things that are truly important.  Pay attention to the things that are critical in your life.  Spend time with your parents.  Be there to talk your friend through a tough situation.  Take care of the rocks first- the things that really matter.  The rest is just pebbles, sand, and beer.”