Some People are Destined to a Life of Mediocrity
I interact with a lot of people for work. Sometimes I am the customer, and sometimes the people I am dealing with are my customers. Over the years I have become more and more aware of the fact that some people are just not very productive, no matter what job you put them in. They just are not mentally prepared for success and therefore are destined for a life of mediocrity. I started thinking about why some people are more driven (and likely) to succeed than others. One of the many reasons that people think the way they think is the environment in which they are raised. My father recently passed away. I took some time over the past several weeks since his death to reflect on what I learned from my Dad and how those lessons have made me the man that I am. While my Dad gave me plenty of advice (some good, some bad :-)), there were three recurring themes in all of his lessons. They are actually pretty straightforward words to live by. I have captured them here and hope that they are as helpful to you as they have been to me.
Be Excellent
Dads Words: "If you are going to be a skunk, be the best skunk."
Translation: Be excellent in everything you do.
Explanation: Simply put, my Dad strived to be the best at what he did and he encouraged his kids to do likewise. Even if you were doing something you did not enjoy or were not necessarily happy about doing, you should always try your best. Being excellent is a thought style that directly impacts what you accomplish in this life. Demanding excellence from yourself and working hard to achieve it sets you apart from your peers, and serves as an example to others.
Be Industrious
Dads' Words: "Why are you watching that TV son? Those people are making money. You're not making money watching them."
Translation: Be industrious and use your time wisely to generate value.
Explanation: Dad was gone to work before I got up for school and often did not come back home until I had gone to bed. He would work all day, every day, trying to build his business. He had the work ethic of an Ox. Some of his business ventures panned out worse than others, yet he was never deterred. When it came to the potential that life offered, my Dad was the eternal optimist who had an eye that saw business ideas everywhere. Once I asked him when he was going to slow down and relax. His response: "The night before the viewing boy!"
Be a Hard Worker
Dads' Words: "Your back is strong boy! If your back is strong, you can make it."
Translation: Stop whining about your situation and do something. Get off your butt and work.
Explanation: I called my Dad for career and life advice when I first got out of the Marines. It was hard finding work and I was dead broke. It was one of the single best piece of advice a young man can have today. Thomas Edison said that "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
My Dad was imperfect. He made both good and bad decisions that either benefited or negatively impacted others. In short, he was just like the rest of us. Carrying my fathers casket to the grave and watching them put dirt on it was probably the hardest moment of my life. However, I am encouraged and strengthened by the lessons I learned from my Dad, A.C. Williams, and sincerely hope that you can benefit from them too.
Do you have some key lessons that you learned from your parents or older/wiser family members that you believe have helped you succeed? Perhaps you've had someone special in your life that has passed, and the lessons they shared have stuck with you. Please take a quick moment and share them with us.
Be Excellent
Dads Words: "If you are going to be a skunk, be the best skunk."
Translation: Be excellent in everything you do.
Explanation: Simply put, my Dad strived to be the best at what he did and he encouraged his kids to do likewise. Even if you were doing something you did not enjoy or were not necessarily happy about doing, you should always try your best. Being excellent is a thought style that directly impacts what you accomplish in this life. Demanding excellence from yourself and working hard to achieve it sets you apart from your peers, and serves as an example to others.
Be Industrious
Dads' Words: "Why are you watching that TV son? Those people are making money. You're not making money watching them."
Translation: Be industrious and use your time wisely to generate value.
Explanation: Dad was gone to work before I got up for school and often did not come back home until I had gone to bed. He would work all day, every day, trying to build his business. He had the work ethic of an Ox. Some of his business ventures panned out worse than others, yet he was never deterred. When it came to the potential that life offered, my Dad was the eternal optimist who had an eye that saw business ideas everywhere. Once I asked him when he was going to slow down and relax. His response: "The night before the viewing boy!"
Be a Hard Worker
Dads' Words: "Your back is strong boy! If your back is strong, you can make it."
Translation: Stop whining about your situation and do something. Get off your butt and work.
Explanation: I called my Dad for career and life advice when I first got out of the Marines. It was hard finding work and I was dead broke. It was one of the single best piece of advice a young man can have today. Thomas Edison said that "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
My Dad was imperfect. He made both good and bad decisions that either benefited or negatively impacted others. In short, he was just like the rest of us. Carrying my fathers casket to the grave and watching them put dirt on it was probably the hardest moment of my life. However, I am encouraged and strengthened by the lessons I learned from my Dad, A.C. Williams, and sincerely hope that you can benefit from them too.
Do you have some key lessons that you learned from your parents or older/wiser family members that you believe have helped you succeed? Perhaps you've had someone special in your life that has passed, and the lessons they shared have stuck with you. Please take a quick moment and share them with us.
I'm very sorry to hear about your dad passing--that is a difficult and seminal moment. I can see your father's work ethic and the outcome of his advice in your attitude.
ReplyDeleteI remember thinking when my dad passed away, "I'm not ready to be the dad yet." Some of the advice my dad would give me:
"Do the hard thing first; the rest will be all the easier." I've always tried to follow that advice and he was right.
"Save your tears for something worth crying about." His way of saying live happy because we all sooner or later run head long into sadness and tragedy before life is over.
"Learn something new everyday." Doesn't much matter if it is a big or small thing, just keep learning.