January-February 2009 Issue

	January-February 2009

A Few of My (Many) Lessons from Life

By George Burk

Difference between a Winner and Whiner is two letters. How do you ‘spell’?

Your attitude is everything. How you see yourself is how the world sees you.
“Hot dogs” are what you buy at the ballpark.
Be an ‘upper’ not a “downer.”

Arrogance and control are smoke screens for incompetence and poor self-esteem

The “small man” complex is alive and well.
Trust and be trustworthy.
The only person you can control is yourself.

“Skill and confidence are an unconquered army.” — George Herbert, priest

People who do the most, talk the least. People who talk the most, do the least.

The former: people too busy doing.
The latter: people too busy talking.
Walk the Talk versus Talk the Talk.
Can’t "do” when you’re always talking.
So that’s why your chest is bruised.

Don’t hang out with idiots. You’re known by the words you use and the company you keep. Choose them both wisely.

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck.
People see you before they hear you. Don’t act the fool, open your mouth and convince everyone else of the fact.

Don’t EVER do Drugs! NEVER!

It’s a career killer and can kill you, too!
Drug related accident/incident? You’re an addict.
Ask for help…before it’s too late.

Get “high” on life.

“The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people (are) so full of doubts.” — Bertrand Russell, mathematician

Don’t get sloppy drunk.

Drinking underage? Alcohol related incident? You’re sloppy drunk.
It too is a career killer and can kill you, too!
Ask for help…before it’s too late.

Live within your means.

Pay yourself first.
Don’t pay the "pig."
Buy what you can afford.
Don’t count on someone else to help you.
Live now like facing tough times.
Sleep better at night.

Be likeable and valuable. Do what’s expected of you and then some.

Sequential. Start with self first.
Learn to think 1-2 steps ahead of your boss.
Think…not Thimk

Treat yourself and everyone else with respect.

Respected equals respectful.
Practice the “Golden Rule.”
No one’s perfect. Seek quality and excellence.

Don’t fight. If you want to duke it out, try organized boxing.

Takes a bigger "‘man" to walk away than to stay and fight.
Take your frustration out on a punching bag, NOT your spouse or children.

Always be squared away.

Shoes shined. Gig Line straight. Hair clean. Teeth clean. Smell good.
Clothes clean, pressed, coordinated.
Look good. Feel good. Act well.

If you’re on time, you’re late. If you’re early, you’re on time.

Early bird gets the worm.

“Waste your money and you’re only out of money, but waste your time and you’ve lost part of your life.” — Michael LeBoeuf, author

Focus, discipline, goals.
“Get up, get up, get out of bed or you will wish that you were dead."
First person gets the oyster, second one the shell.
“Let’s be clear. I’m NOT your mother!”

Truth is better than compassion. Clarity is better than emotion.

Always tell the truth. You never have to worry what you’ve said to people.
Know the truth, and the truth shall set you free.
Accountability rather than enabled. Enabling is emotionally crippling.

“There is nothing worse than a brilliant image of a fuzzy concept.” — Ansel Adams, photographer

Leadership is about inspiring. Leadership is lonely.

Aspire to inspire before you expire.
If you’re not lonely, you’re not leading.
Leaders lead people. Managers manage things (processes).
Leaders pull. Managers push.
You lead from the front. Manage from the rear.
Get them confused: FUBAR!
Decide. Delegate. Disappear.

“Leadership is action, not position.” — Donald McGannon, businessman

Judge a man by his questions, NOT by his answers.

Knock and the door will be opened.
Socratic coaching. Answer a question with a question.
Peel the onion.
Tell ‘em what they need to know, NOT what they want to hear. It can save lives!
“Why?”

What’s pitiful is when your income grows and you don’t.

You can’t buy trust, character, honor, courage and integrity.
Earn it! Learn it! Keep it! Do it!
Know thyself and to thine own self be true.

Do it BIG or stay in bed.

Have a vision? What is it? Where will you be in 5, 10, 20 years?
Your PURPOSE? Why are you here?
BHAGs? Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals?
Snooze…You lose.

“By perseverance the snail reached the ark.” — Charles Spurgeon, British preacher and writer

Discipline weighs ounces but regrets weigh tons.

Acknowledge mistakes. Apologize. Turn the page. Move forward.
Only people who fear death are those with regrets.
Have…No …Regrets! EVER!

The only disability is a bad attitude.

Have extremities? Walk? Talk? Eat? Breathe? Think? Use the facilities?
What’s the problem??
PTSD? It IS in you’re head. Get help!
Character to think it out. Courage to talk it out.
Survivors want a hand up — when they ask for it.
Victims want (come to expect) a hand out.

“If you can’t change your fate, change your attitude.” — Amy Tan, author

No man who has friends is EVER a failure.

Failure is not falling down but staying down.
Reach for the stars, if you come up a bit short, it beats staying in the mud.
I think I can, I think I can…I KNEW I could!
You CAN soar like an eagle.
To all of my friends, “Thank you for the wings.”

“Good friends and great leaders are like stars. You may not always see them, but you know they are there.”

No man who has a mother for a friend is EVER poor.

My Mother My Friend – The Story of a Boy and the Love of His Mother (non-fiction)
- “Honey, when a man has no integrity, he’s naked. Not clothing for his body, but clothing for his soul.”
- “Remember: no matter what happens, I will always love you.”
- You left me too soon. I still have more questions. I miss you. I love you, Mom!

Life isn’t fair. Get over it!!

‘Nuff said?

Editor's Note: Some of the above aphorisms are not original thoughts of the author. Citations of sources, most of which are in the public domain, are not included. Search here for sources of quotations.

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