55 Life Lessons of 55 years

Blog Fifity Five Life Lessons

Back to All Articles
55 Life Lessons of 55 years22 articles
20.10.2010.1955
55 Life Lessons of 55 years

20.10.2010.1955

I also learned what I consider to be the two most important lessons in my life, after sharing which I will end this introduction. The first relates to the fact that essentially we are all in control of our lives and selves and no matter how powerful or powerless we may believe we are, there is always something that we can do to make a difference. ‘I will not allow what is not in my control, to prevent me from doing what is in my control.’ The second relates to the fact that everything we do counts and defines us as human beings and becomes our legacy to the world. I ask for the courage to do what is in my control, fearing nobody but my Creator to Whom is my return.  ‘All that we chose to do or chose not to do, defines brand value and character.’

9 min read
Arapaimaintegrity
Read
Never try to change your spouse
55 Life Lessons of 55 years

Never try to change your spouse

Go look in the mirror and tell yourself that the only one in the world who thinks that you are an unqualified blessing is perhaps your mother and that too, perhaps. Tell yourself that you married your spouse because you liked them, not because you found them when they lost their way to their shrink. They didn’t come to be changed. They came to be friends, to share their lives, to slog their butts off to keep you in the style to which you have become accustomed. Surely that deserves a ‘thank you’? Look at their good side. The side you married them for.

5 min read
caringchange
Read
Negative or positive, the choice is ours
55 Life Lessons of 55 years

Negative or positive, the choice is ours

Negative people look for things to complain about and find them. Positive people look for things to be grateful for and find them. Make your choice I’m sure you’ve heard this before that every day we wake up, we have a choice. We can choose to see the day as positive or negative. And guess […]

6 min read
compassionGuyana
Read
Do what you can
55 Life Lessons of 55 years

Do what you can

I will not allow, what is not in my control, to prevent me from doing what is, in my control. This is my motto in life by which I have lived all my life. I always try to focus on what I can do no matter whatever else I can’t do. I do that because […]

3 min read
actionempower
Read
Take tough decisions
55 Life Lessons of 55 years

Take tough decisions

Problems need solutions, not complaints or endless analyses. We need solutions, not tedious explanations. In all the years that I have been advising companies about achieving remarkable results, especially family businesses, one thing is very clear. Top management’s unwillingness or inability to take tough calls is the single, most destructive factor that blocks their success. […]

4 min read
acceptanceanger
Read
Tomorrow also has only 24 hours
55 Life Lessons of 55 years

Tomorrow also has only 24 hours

Good intentions are not a substitute for systematic action. Neither is enthusiasm a substitute for discipline. Noise is different from music We all have the same 24 hours and no, tomorrow won’t have more. All tomorrows have only 24 hours. ‘Tomorrow I’ll have more time,’ is the biggest self- deception line of all time. The […]

2 min read
disciplinedream
Read
Focus on contribution – not entitlement
55 Life Lessons of 55 years

Focus on contribution – not entitlement

Add value first. Entitlement will follow. Entitlement goes with the territory. Contribution defines the territory Because entitlement is directly proportional to contribution. Entitlement is the result of contribution. If you want more ‘entitlement’, contribute more. Only those who contribute greatly are entitled to great rewards. What do I mean? We live in a world of […]

3 min read
compassioncourage
Read
55 Life Lessons of 55 years

Use things, not people; Value people, not things

Invest in people, not things Right people add value. Possessions add cost, not value and always depreciate Surround yourself with great people and value them. Tell them, show them, and do it often. Valuing is not simply patting backs or giving blue ribbons or bonus cheques. Valuing is to push them to do their best, […]

2 min read
brandsinvestment
Read
Invest, invest, invest
55 Life Lessons of 55 years

Invest, invest, invest

Forget sacrifice, think investment All sacrifice ends, but investment yields forever Invest in yourself, in your learning. Knowledge is the key to success. But only if applied. Knowledge applied thoughtfully yields wisdom. The two are not the same. So focus on your investment; track it, measure the yield, and do it often. Write your own […]

4 min read
investinvestment
Read
Forget about money
55 Life Lessons of 55 years

Forget about money

Money measures nothing except greed. When money becomes the objective, misery is the return. Service is the goal, the result of which is prosperity. Money is an effect, a result. What do I mean? Well, you see, we live in a world of cause and effect. The fundamental rule here is, ‘If you want an […]

3 min read
centscompassion
Read
Value friendships
55 Life Lessons of 55 years

Value friendships

Friends are not forever, but for as long as you live. And that is long enough, so choose wisely But first take the trouble to decide who is a good friend. 1. A good friend is someone who tells you what you need to hear, not only what you want to hear. […]

2 min read
BertyCuthbert Suares
Read
Complacency is death.
55 Life Lessons of 55 years

Complacency is death.

Invite the ‘ghost competitor’ and beat your own record. The ‘ghost competitor’ is a tool that great athletes use to improve their own standards of performance. If you are Usain Bolt, you are already the fastest man on the planet. That you are actually slightly slower than a hippo is neither here nor there, because […]

3 min read
changecomplacency
Read

Ready to Transform Your Organization?

Let's discuss how these principles can be applied to your unique challenges and opportunities.