Weekly Thought – September 1, 2015
Fred was born September 1, 2015. His Mother was his guiding light. She taught him the value of ideas and their ability to affect outcomes. The limits placed on him through physical disabilities and economic lack did not dampen his dreams. The little boy who listened to the world on his crystal radio in the attic became a man who stretched others. We continue with his principles for high impact living. Parts one and two can be accessed at www.breakfastwithfred.com in the Weekly Thought archives or on www.bwfli.com
On this day when Fred would have been 100 years, please tell someone else about the website and the Weekly Thoughts. Help us expand his reach and deepen the impact.
Get It Done People – Part Three
High Impact People:
21) Vision of success – They have a picture of who they want to be and what they want to do. They understand the old Chinese proverb: “If you vision is one year, plant wheat; the years, plant a tree; and 100 years, plant people.”
22) Associate with the Best – Be the smallest fish in the biggest pond. Always put yourself in the arena with stronger players. And remember to associate for growth and development, not social climbing.
23) Travel – Expand your view of culture and cultures. Take calculated risks and enjoy challenging experiences.
24) Read – My friend Charlie “Tremendous” Jones says, “Except for the people you meet and the books you read, you will be the same person in five years as you are today.” The old axiom, “leaders are readers” still holds true. But, be discerning. Read in your areas of development. And don’t feel like you have to read something just because somebody recommends it, or sends it to you. Don’t just read what you agree with – let others challenge you.
25) Write – My mentor Maxey Jarman demanded written solutions to any problems I could recognize. He reminded me that thoughts untangle as they pass through the mind and out through the point of the pencil. Writing clarifies.
26) Are Respected by Others – International developer Trammel Crow said, “I only want executives that others want to see succeed.”
27) Pick the right mentor – Never accept a volunteer mentor. Understand the principles of a mentoring relationship. Know what the responsibilities of the mentor and the mentoree.
28) Demonstrate humility – My favorite definition of humility is: “Humility is not denying the power you have but admitting it comes through you, not from you.” Meekness is harnessed strength, not weakness.
29) Operate ethically – One of my friends had a plaque on his desk which read: “You can count on me to be who I say I will be and do what I say I will do.” Nick Moore of Price Waterhouse Coopers put it this way: “It is important to know what you stand for and what you won’t stand for!”
30) Follow Jim Collins’ Good to Great model – “Have the wrong people off the bus, the right people on, and the right people doing the right things.”
This week think about: 1) Which of these strikes me the hardest? 2) Where am I influencing others? 3) Who could benefit from Fred’s wisdom this week?
Words of Wisdom: “Humility is not denying the power but admitting it comes through you and not from you.”
Wisdom from the Word: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” (Proverbs 11: 2 NET Bible)