Wisdom for 2018 — and Beyond
by Miki Saxon
Just a few days left this year, so I thought it would be a good time offer up some wise words for the coming year — actually, they are wise any time and any year.
I rarely quote those who cultivate guru status, but this from Craig D. Lounsbrough really resonates. It’s something many of our so-called leaders should embrace.
“An exceptional future can only be built on the transformation of the mess I’ve made out of my past, not the elimination of that mess.”
We all have messes, some worse than others, so stop minimizing yours or offering glib apologies and mea culpas.
Alan Cohen reminds us that there is no “right” time to start, including New Year’s.
Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect.
Beginning opens the door to success, but also to failure — or does it? (I got into a lot of trouble for this post, but I still stand by it.)
There is no failure except no longer trying. —Elbert Hubbard
Finally, a few words from two folks who have forgotten more about succeeding than most of us will ever learn.
Unlike Jeff Bezos, Tony Hsieh does a great job channeling many of Henry Ford’s attitudes. While Bezos is devoted to “delighting customers” and taking care of his professional employees, the same can’t be said for the rank and file.
A business absolutely devoted to service will have only one worry about profits. They will be embarrassingly large.
Finally, it seems that too many founders and investors have forgotten, if they ever knew, what drove Thomas Edison’s inventing.
I never perfected an invention that I did not think about in terms of the service it might give others… I find out what the world needs, then I proceed to invent it.
Useful thoughts and good guidance no matter when or where you are in your life.
Image credit: Eddy Van 3000
