Thought I would post this. Words of wisdom.
Common Cents: Make yourself happy
By Tom Mills
Several years ago I shared some pearls of wisdom from a little book, "Tips on Finance" by Herbert N. Casson. Although written nearly 80 years ago, the principles are timeless. I found in chapter two, "Making Money Happily-12 tips on Success and Happiness," another trove of concepts that would rival the best "positive mental attitude" writers of today.
The premise is that the purpose of life is to find happiness, lasting or true happiness. Mr. Casson warns us not to be fooled by our childhood definition -- a good time means fun, no work and getting something for nothing. "Many of us, not all, discovered that this is a silly notion. It leads only to mischief, spankings and stomach-aches."
We are counseled that success may be measured by what we possess but happiness is judged by how we feel. But how do we make money happily?
* Do your job, whatever it is, a little better than people expect you to do it. Your attitude is everything, especially your attitude about your work. To many, work is regarded as a penalty. Do something extra. Do something you were not told to do. This is the first step.
* Learn all you can from those above you. Ask yourself about your attitude about those above you. Do you cast dispersion on your seniors or do you seek after their wisdom? We need to be teachable. Our egos need to be set aside. We need to stop castigating or jeering those at the top and learn from them.
* Help those who are less fortunate. When we have had some success, we need to pass on some of it to others. Casson said it well, "This for your own sake Š it's not a price to pay for heaven, nor a bribe to avoid hell. It is the one way to get success and happiness. Learn then teach. Get then give. This is a law of life."
* Get rid of fear. Check your personal "self-talk." See how many times a day or week you use the phrase, "I'm afraid." For many it has become habitual and debilitating. Fear never accomplished anything. Playing it safe all the time only achieves "not getting hurt" -- that's all. We never learn to be a good loser until we have lost. Understand fear, accept it for what it is and then do something you're afraid to do.
* Live one day at a time. There is nothing so precious and so scarce as time. It has been said the best increment of time is the day. Casson says, "Monthly reports are valuable. Weekly reports are far better and daily reports are the best of all. Sweeten every day with a good deed, a little fun, romance and adventure. Don't let the routine swallow up your priceless days. Routine is the basis of everything, but it is not the superstructure."
* Waste no time on little things. Distinguishing the big and little things of life is an enviable talent. Many of us waste our energy and often our anger on things that don't matter. Deciding what is important and what is not is the secret.
* Build something. To be a builder is to be a creator. One of business' primary functions is to create, then serve. To build a home, a company, a service organization or a nation is the task, but build something.
* Back yourself to win. Have faith and avoid pessimism. It is impossible to have life without risk. There will be times when things look the bleakest. Have the courage to stay with your convictions. Mr. Casson said, "A man must have faith in himself and in what he is trying to do. ... He must back himself to win. He must bet on himself. He must put up his money and play the game hard."
* Put yourself above worldly goods. Whatever happens we must live with ourselves. Wealth begins with you. If it does not, then your wealth only makes you conspicuous and absurd.
* Think more of people and less of things. After self respect comes the respect of others. Developing friendships assures happiness, not success. We should cultivate friends as the gardener does flowers.
* Develop your capacity to love. Friendship added upon is love. Casson defines a happy man as "one who is glad that he is alive -- who is making progress along the lines of his own wishes -- who is ripening into a wiser, finer and kindlier man." As we develop our ability to love we develop our completeness.
* Develop your mental and spiritual force. Success and happiness come from within. They are mental and spiritual. They are the byproducts of mental and spiritual preparedness. We are not just things in the world but creators of our own worlds. We can't be beaten unless we surrender.
These 12 tips on success and happiness are true principles. Nearly every great business person I know has a personal philosophy that incorporates many of these concepts. Casson offers timeless counsel for us all.
Common Cents: Make yourself happy
By Tom Mills
Several years ago I shared some pearls of wisdom from a little book, "Tips on Finance" by Herbert N. Casson. Although written nearly 80 years ago, the principles are timeless. I found in chapter two, "Making Money Happily-12 tips on Success and Happiness," another trove of concepts that would rival the best "positive mental attitude" writers of today.
The premise is that the purpose of life is to find happiness, lasting or true happiness. Mr. Casson warns us not to be fooled by our childhood definition -- a good time means fun, no work and getting something for nothing. "Many of us, not all, discovered that this is a silly notion. It leads only to mischief, spankings and stomach-aches."
We are counseled that success may be measured by what we possess but happiness is judged by how we feel. But how do we make money happily?
* Do your job, whatever it is, a little better than people expect you to do it. Your attitude is everything, especially your attitude about your work. To many, work is regarded as a penalty. Do something extra. Do something you were not told to do. This is the first step.
* Learn all you can from those above you. Ask yourself about your attitude about those above you. Do you cast dispersion on your seniors or do you seek after their wisdom? We need to be teachable. Our egos need to be set aside. We need to stop castigating or jeering those at the top and learn from them.
* Help those who are less fortunate. When we have had some success, we need to pass on some of it to others. Casson said it well, "This for your own sake Š it's not a price to pay for heaven, nor a bribe to avoid hell. It is the one way to get success and happiness. Learn then teach. Get then give. This is a law of life."
* Get rid of fear. Check your personal "self-talk." See how many times a day or week you use the phrase, "I'm afraid." For many it has become habitual and debilitating. Fear never accomplished anything. Playing it safe all the time only achieves "not getting hurt" -- that's all. We never learn to be a good loser until we have lost. Understand fear, accept it for what it is and then do something you're afraid to do.
* Live one day at a time. There is nothing so precious and so scarce as time. It has been said the best increment of time is the day. Casson says, "Monthly reports are valuable. Weekly reports are far better and daily reports are the best of all. Sweeten every day with a good deed, a little fun, romance and adventure. Don't let the routine swallow up your priceless days. Routine is the basis of everything, but it is not the superstructure."
* Waste no time on little things. Distinguishing the big and little things of life is an enviable talent. Many of us waste our energy and often our anger on things that don't matter. Deciding what is important and what is not is the secret.
* Build something. To be a builder is to be a creator. One of business' primary functions is to create, then serve. To build a home, a company, a service organization or a nation is the task, but build something.
* Back yourself to win. Have faith and avoid pessimism. It is impossible to have life without risk. There will be times when things look the bleakest. Have the courage to stay with your convictions. Mr. Casson said, "A man must have faith in himself and in what he is trying to do. ... He must back himself to win. He must bet on himself. He must put up his money and play the game hard."
* Put yourself above worldly goods. Whatever happens we must live with ourselves. Wealth begins with you. If it does not, then your wealth only makes you conspicuous and absurd.
* Think more of people and less of things. After self respect comes the respect of others. Developing friendships assures happiness, not success. We should cultivate friends as the gardener does flowers.
* Develop your capacity to love. Friendship added upon is love. Casson defines a happy man as "one who is glad that he is alive -- who is making progress along the lines of his own wishes -- who is ripening into a wiser, finer and kindlier man." As we develop our ability to love we develop our completeness.
* Develop your mental and spiritual force. Success and happiness come from within. They are mental and spiritual. They are the byproducts of mental and spiritual preparedness. We are not just things in the world but creators of our own worlds. We can't be beaten unless we surrender.
These 12 tips on success and happiness are true principles. Nearly every great business person I know has a personal philosophy that incorporates many of these concepts. Casson offers timeless counsel for us all.
