Powerful Ideas for an Extraordinary Life

[Guest guest]

71

Be kind, considerate and courteous. But also be shrewd and know when to be tough

and courageous. This is the mark of a well-defined character and you will surely

command respect. It is most useful to read books on friendliness and enhancing

relationships by being a good listener, showing others sincere appreciation and

refining other inter-personal skills. But, to truly succeed, one must also

recognize that worldly wisdom and shrewdness are essential skills to foster.

Become an expert in human psychology and be able to read the essence of people.

Never be taken advantage of and be aware of the politics around you. Stay above

petty gossiping and office politics but appreciate that they indeed exist and

know what goes on behind your back. Every great leader does.

 

72

Create your identity in the world as a highly competent, strong, disciplined,

calm and decent individual. Find that crucial balance between working on the

image that you project to the rest of the world and your inner character. The

successful citizens of this world think thrice before they speak because a word

uttered can never be retrieved. Speak only good things and people will flock to

you. Never speak ill of others and all will know you will not malign them behind

their backs. Build your character and live a highly principled life. Shine.

 

73

Familiarity breeds contempt is a very good rule. The stars remain far above the

Earth. You must keep a distance from all but your closest of relations. Once

people see everything of a leader he loses his aura and with it the authority

and mystique he may have created. For example, Ronald Reagan was known to many

as an excellent leader. He carefully cultivated his image of a folksy,

considerate politician who kept the interests of the United States first and

foremost in his mind. At gatherings of world leaders, he commanded attention and

respect in his dark suits, surrounded by the trappings of power such as

political aides, security officers and a convoy of limousines. As soon as he

appeared, thoughts of authority and power came to our minds. Did you ever see

the President with his shirt off swimming at his pool? How about in his dressing

gown after waking up after one of his long sleeps, hair tousled and beard grown?

Reagan's handlers never allowed such glimpses because they detract from the

perception of authority. The American nation was not exposed to these sights. In

the Clinton Era things changed and you saw the President eating Big Macs and

wearing baseball caps with a full business suit. Whilst these scenes may be

endearing to the public, there is little doubt that President Clinton was more

familiar to us, merely another one of us and, unlike the stars above, much

closer to the ground.

 

74

Learn to organize your time. It is incorrect to say that by becoming a

meticulous time manager and living by a carefully defined schedule you become

rigid and non-spontaneous. Rather, proper organization allows one to accomplish

those goals which are truly important as well as enjoy leisure time. Good time

management offers more time for fun and relaxation - not less. These important

periods are scheduled into the week just like other commitments which may appear

more pressing. Neither are sacrificed. Also, discipline yourself and stop

wasting time on all those immediate and pressing but unimportant tasks (i.e.,

the ringing phones) and concentrate on the activities that are truly meaningful

to your life's mission. Such activities include time for self-renewal and

reflection, time forging relationships built on trust and mutual respect, time

for physical fitness, time to read and think deeply and time serving others in

your community.

 

75

Be a world-class thinker. Keep well-informed about current events, the latest

books and popular trends. Many peak performers read five or six papers a day.

You don't have to read every story of every paper. Know what to focus on, what

to pass by and what to clip out and read at another time (many successful people

scan scores of magazines and papers, clipping out articles of interest; these

articles go into a file folder which can be read in your down time). Knowledge

is power. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a corporate leader or someone leading

a family, you can profoundly change your life and the lives of those around you

with a single idea. Just ask Gates, Edison and Bell.

 

76

When choosing your life partner, remember that this is the most important

decision of your lifetime. The marriage relationship offers 90% of all your

support, happiness and fulfillment so choose it wisely. Consider qualities such

as affection, sense of humor, intelligence, integrity, maturity, temperament,

compatibility and that indescribable characteristic of chemistry. If these are

present, your relationship stands an excellent chance of great success. Move

slowly and let no one press you into an uncomfortable decision. Be true to

yourself.

 

77

Today, raise your standards. Step into the highest version of your best self.

You can transform your life with a single choice.

 

78

Schedule relaxation time into your week and be ruthless in protecting it. You

would not schedule another activity into the time planned for an important

meeting with the president of your company or your best client so why would you

put off a period to invest in yourself? We must have time for ourselves to

reflect, unwind and recharge our batteries. These are the renewal activities

that allow us to maintain peak performance and are exceptionally valuable

periods.

 

79

83% of our sensory input comes from our eyes. To truly concentrate on something,

shut your eyes and you will remove much distraction.

 

80

Be the master of your will but the servant of your conscience.

 

By Robin Sharma

 

to be continued...