While vacationing in northern Michigan, a management consultant decided to spend a week on the legendary Mackinac Island between the state’s upper and lower peninsulas. The rather small historic island covers a mere 3.8 square miles and is home to a population of just 523 residents. However, it plays host to as many as 15,000 tourists a day during summer prime time.

Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the island so travel is either by foot, bicycle, horse-drawn carriage, roller blades or saddle horses.

While hiking along the uninhabited shoreline, the consultant came across a lone, elderly fisherman who was obviously not one of the many tourists visiting the scenic island. Noting the quality of the catch (whitefish, lake trout and other native species), he asked the fisherman how long it had taken to catch them.

“Not too long,” answered the quiet fisherman.

“Then why don’t you stay here longer and catch even more?” asked the consultant.

The fisherman explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.

The consultant then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

“I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, walk and talk with my wife, take a nap in my hammock, and simply enjoy my life on the island. In the evenings, I watch the sun set and the lights on the ‘Big Mac’ bridge begin to twinkle against the night sky. I walk into town and have a beer with my friends, chat with tourists, and watch the ferry boats come in from the mainland. In short, I have a great life,” replied the fisherman.

The consultant shook his head and offered: “I have an MBA from the University of Michigan, and I can change your life. All you have to do is start fishing longer every day and start selling the extra fish you catch. With that additional income, you can soon buy yourself a real, fully equipped fishing boat. Using that bigger boat, you’ll soon have even more money to invest allowing you to add a second boat, then a third and so on until you have a large fleet. Instead of selling your catch to neighbors and tourists, you can negotiate directly with processing plants and maybe even open your own plant some day. You can then leave this small island and move to a large city where you can then direct the empire which you have created.”

“How long do you think that would take?” inquired the fisherman.

“Oh, probably no longer than 15 or 20 years,” replied the consultant.

“And then what?” asked the fisherman.

“That’s the beauty of this entire strategy,” said the consultant smiling broadly. “When your business reaches its pinnacle, you can start selling shares in your company and make millions of dollars!”

“No kidding, millions? Really? And then what?” pressed the fisherman.

“Then you reap the benefits of all your hard work. You can retire back here on the island, sleep late, fish a little, play with your children, walk and talk with your wife, take a nap in your hammock, and really enjoy your life on your island. In the evenings, you can watch the sun set and the lights on the ‘Big Mac’ bridge begin to twinkle against the night sky. You can walk into town and have a beer with your friends, chat with tourists, and watch the ferry boats come in from the mainland. In short, you’ll have a great life,” said the consultant.

HELLO?

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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This story has been around for a very long time and really proves a point in a very humorous but realistic way. After a great deal of research, it was revealed that the story is not actually true. Nevertheless, it’s a great story, creates a fantastic punch-line visual, and makes a very important point.

It consists of an “alleged” transcript of an actual radio conversation between a U.S. naval ship and Canadian maritime contact off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1995.

Americans: “Please divert your course 15 degrees North to avoid a collision.”

Canadians: “Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees South to avoid collision.”

Americans: “This is the captain of a U.S. navy ship; I say again divert your course.”

Canadians: “No. I say again, you divert YOUR course.”

Americans: “THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS LINCOLN, THE SECOND LARGEST SHIP IN THE UNITED STATES’ ATLANTIC FLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH, THAT’S ONE FIVE DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTER-MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THIS SHIP.”

Canadians: “We are a lighthouse; your call.”

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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The majority of the requests we receive for our goal-setting program, “On Your Mark, Get Set, Goal!” seems to come to us from high school and/or college audiences. Personally, I think that’s terrific because this is a critical subject area for young people who have their entire careers ahead of them. Goal setting abilities are crucial at this point and studies have shown that they certainly pay off in a very big way.

What amazes me is the fact that so many adults in today’s workplace have not been exposed to the goal setting process and therefore are not benefiting from this practice. Oh, we talk mission, vision, goals, targets, etc., but it seems to stop at talking. If more adults were familiar with a goal-setting strategy and actually practicing this powerful procedure, it’s somewhat certain that we wouldn’t see as many organizations falling short of their short- and long-range aspirations.

Some people today actually doubt the power of goal setting. Read today’s generational gem and see what you think.

The Catalina Island is 21 miles away from the coast of California, and many people have taken the challenge to swim across it. On July 4, 1952, Florence Chadwick stepped into the water off Catalina Island to swim across to the California coast. She started well and on course, but later fatigue set in, and the weather became cold. She persisted, but fifteen hours later, numb and cold, she asked to be taken out of the water.

After she recovered, she was told that she had been pulled out only half a mile away from the coast. She commented that she could have made it, if the fog had not affected her vision and she would have just seen the land. She promised that this would be the only time that she would ever quit.

She went back to her rigorous training. And two months later she swam that same channel. The same thing happened. The fatigue set in, and the fog obscured her view, but this time she swam with faith and vision of the land in her mind. She knew that somewhere behind the fog was land. She succeeded and became the first woman to swim the Catalina Channel. She even broke the men’s record by two hours. When you set your goal, keep pressing on even when you are tired, physically and mentally, and even though there are many challenges ahead. Keep the vision of your goal crystal clear before you and never, never, never give up!

See the vision, commit to it, and you will surely see your goal realized!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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Very seldom does this subject not come up at some point during our “I Hate Time Management” or “Stress: The Ultimate Paradox” seminars. Someone in the audience always seems to experience that epiphany that seems to stop us in our tracks and causes us to ask: “Why am I working so many hours?” or “Why am I away from home so much?” or “Why am I focusing only on earning money for a family I never see?” Kind of ironic, isn’t it? We get so caught up in striving for a better life that we miss much of the life we have in the process.

Sometimes we merely need to pause for a moment to enjoy the more simplistic but rewarding moments in life. The benefits can’t be measured. They shouldn’t be. They should be enjoyed and treasured. That thought brings us to our next generational gem.

Magic Marbles

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn’t help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

“Hello Barry, how are you today?”

“H’lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus’ admirin’ them peas. They sure look good.”

“They are good, Barry. How’s your Ma?”

“Fine. Gittin’ stronger alla’ time.”

“Good. Anything I can help you with?”

“No, Sir. Jus’ admirin’ them peas.”

“Would you like to take some home?” asked Mr. Miller.

“No, Sir. Got nuthin’ to pay for ’em with.”

“Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?”

“All I got’s my prize marble here.”

“Is that right? Let me see it” said Miller.

“Here ’tis. She’s a dandy.”

“I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?” the store owner asked.

“Not zackley but almost.”

“Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble,” Mr. Miller told the boy.

“Sure will. Thanks, Mr. Miller.”

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, “There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn’t like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.” I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man.

A short time later I moved to Colorado, but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles. Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community, and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them.

Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could. Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts … all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband’s casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband’s bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket. “Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim ‘traded’ them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size … they came to pay their debt.”

“We’ve never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,” she confided, “but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho.” With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral: We will not be remembered by our words but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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I think I’ve lost track of the number of organizations that have made the claim that their people are their greatest asset. That sounds noble. It could possibly be a monumental strategy. It has the potential for striking great pride into the hearts of every employee. It offers the probability of enhanced productivity. Of course, all of these benefits evolve only if the organization “walks their talk.” Sadly, for a variety of obvious reasons, far two few companies invest the time and effort to properly do so.

If you truly believe your employees are an asset, it’s best to treat them as though they are exactly that. Coach, mentor, train and develop them to their fullest potential. Sometimes that will mean allowing them to experiment, struggle and even fail to a certain extent. Those elements are critical to the evolution of a productive staff. This process is exemplified by today’s generational gem.

A man found a butterfly’s cocoon. He observed it regularly and one day noticed the appearance of a small opening. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through the little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared stuck.

The kind man decided to help the butterfly by cutting open the cocoon with a pair of scissors. The butterfly then emerged easily. However, something seemed strange. The butterfly had a swollen body and shriveled wings. The man watched the butterfly expecting it to take on its correct proportions. Unfortunately, nothing changed.

The butterfly stayed the same. It was never able to fly. In his kindness and haste the man did not realize that the butterfly’s struggle to get through the small opening of the cocoon is nature’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight. Like the sapling which grows strong from being buffeted by the wind, in life we all need to struggle sometimes to make us strong. When we coach and teach others, be it children or employees, it is helpful to recognize that people sometimes need to do things for themselves.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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It appears as though we’re moving in the right direction with our “Generational Gems” category as I’ve received a number of comments from readers that appreciate the revival of some favorite “classics,” others have been reminded of “Gems” they had totally forgotten, and a few others are now making a concerted effort to pass some of their favorites on to the younger generation in hopes of keeping them alive.

In my opinion, today’s gem should be required reading in grade school. If I had been exposed to this captivating tale at that age, I feel quite certain I would have spent more time and energy evaluating my local environment for obvious advantages that offered potential value in my search for success.

This story was inspired by a true story with an ageless moral and was originally communicated as a lecture. If you’d like to learn more about the historical background of this narrative, the author, it’s remarkable popularity and growth over 165 years, and it’s similarity to two major movie paragons, visit our web site. Acres of Diamonds is one of the ten new book reviews we recently added to our suggested reading list … bring our total to 170 reviews.

ACRES OF DIAMONDS

This is the story about a farmer who lived in Africa on a good-sized plot of land. Over the years, the farmer learned that diamonds were being discovered in abundance all over the African continent. He got so excited about the idea of millions of dollars worth of diamonds that he sold his farm and began his search for fame and fortune. Leaving his family behind, he wandered all over the continent, constantly searching for diamonds which he never found. Eventually he went completely broke and, in despair, threw himself into a river and drowned.

Meanwhile, the new owner of his farm picked up an unusual-looking rock about the size of a country egg and put it on his mantle as a sort of curiosity. A visitor stopped by and in viewing the rock practically went into terminal convulsions. He told the new owner of the farm that the funny looking rock on his mantle was about the biggest diamond that had ever been found. The new owner of the farm said, “Heck, the whole farm is covered with them” and sure enough it was. The farm turned out to be the Kimberly Diamond Mine … the richest the world has ever known. The original farmer was literally standing on “Acres of Diamonds” until he sold his farm.

Can the same be said of you? In your search for a better job, new home, fashionable friends, better education, additional experience, good employees, greater riches, peace of mind, contentment … consider looking much closer to home. Think about the possibility of finding the riches of life in one’s own back yard. For instance, are you searching for new employees rather than developing the potential of those currently on your payroll?

Discuss this classic with your team and consider the multitude of gems waiting to be mined within your own “Acres of Diamonds”… where the true riches of life may be found.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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My career choice of consulting and training has provided me with a variety of “perks” I may otherwise never have enjoyed. Among those is the privilege of observing, interacting, and contributing to an enormous variety of industries across North America. We’ve had the opportunity to work with leaders of every ilk at every level under most every circumstance.

To increase productivity, profitability, customer satisfaction and employee growth, we’ve shared the wisdom of such notables as de Bono, Deming, Crosby, Juran, Ishikawa, Drucker, Welch, Peters, Covey, Collins, Lencioni, Maxwell, Blanchard, Bennis, and many, many others. No one dares question the combined education, intellect, experience and intuition of these great minds. The many processes, strategies, tips and tools offered by these renowned gurus have changed individuals, organizations, and countries alike.

And yet, without reservation, I would submit the following generational gem as being just as effective, if not even more so, than anything offered by those mentioned here. The question lies not in the value of the content but in the simple application of these words of wisdom.

From what began as the creation of a personal statement of his belief, or Credo, in 1986, best-selling author Robert Fulghum published a volume of essays that reads like the original guidebook for Success #101 and continues to brighten the lives of readers everywhere to this day. One of those essays is extraordinarily elemental in its offering but quite possibly the most powerful strategy ever offered to any culture in today’s workplace. Visualize the organization of your choice and imagine the incredible results that might be achieved if the following strategy was practiced by everyone within that group of potential winners. I have a giant framed poster hanging in my office containing these words of wisdom, framing the photo of a large, red apple like those presented to special teachers. Fulghum’s famous essay, from the book by the same name, should be practiced worldwide. Please read, enjoy, practice and pass on this generational gem.

All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate-school mountain, but there in the sandpile at Sunday School. These are the things I learned:

Share everything. Play fair. Don’t hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don’t take things that aren’t yours. Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. Live a balanced life—learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and work every day some.

Take a nap every afternoon. When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that. Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup—they all die. So do we.

And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned—the biggest word of all—LOOK! Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living. Take any one of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life and work or your government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm. Think what a better world it would be if we all—the whole world—had cookies and milk about 3 o’clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess. And it is still true, no matter how old you are—when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

Why not give this strategy a try in the coming year? You might very well be pleasantly surprised.

We thank Robert Fulghum for allowing us to share his masterpiece. Visit his web site to learn more about the offerings of this insightful writer, speaker, painter, sculptor, and musician.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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If you’ve been reading our generational gems for any length of time at all, you’re well aware of the fact that we’ve been sharing wonderful lessons, anecdotes, allegories, parables, and narratives with future leaders. These articles have been around a very long time and most business veterans have heard them many times. They are certainly the mortar in the building blocks of many very successful foundations … of both individuals and organizations. That’s why they must be passed on to future generations.

I can’t imagine this series ever being complete without the following classic. I’ll summarize it briefly and include a link to the entire story as it’s a bit lengthy but definitely a story you’ll want to read fully.

I’d like to explain how I first happened to hear this story. I’m very proud of the fact that I have accumulated a personal library of more than 4,000 books. The very first book in that library was purchased from a table in the hallway of a large auditorium that was promoting a motivational seminar decades ago. Early in my career, I was taken to that seminar by a supervisor who thought I might enjoy it. It featured some of the best motivational speakers in the business at that time, although I wasn’t familiar with any of them.

That list included such notable professionals as Wayne Dyer, Denis Waitley, Earl Nightingale, Og Mandino, Leo Buscaglia, and Robert Schuller. Every one of these speakers was fantastic. I was mesmerized from early morning until late in the day when the program finally ended! However, each served as pretty much an opening act for the speaker of the day … Zig Zigler!

I’d never seen or heard of this man before but after watching him grace the stage and tell his stories in his very unusual manner, I knew I would never forget him. He was a very tall, lanky hillbilly who was born in Alabama and raised in Yazoo City, Mississippi. He had a southern accent that made you feel as though you’d known him all his life and could trust him forever.

His mother raised him and his ten siblings all by herself after his father died when Zig was six. He had the unique ability to make you feel as though you were a part of every story he shared. For years he was a top pot and pan salesman breaking just about every sales record that existed at that time. He went on to gain fame in other areas of sales and then to train others, which quickly lead him to a career as a motivational speaker and self-help author. On this day, I remember three distinct things that changed the direction of my life.

1. I first heard Zig’s story of “Priming the Pump.”
2. I remember him saying: “You can have anything in life that you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” I’ve been trying to do exactly that ever since.
3. I bought my very first book, which was Zig’s See You at the Top. You can still find it in book stores all over the country. It not only changed the direction of my career but has served as an inspiration to me ever since.

I hope you enjoy Zig’s inspirational tale as much as I did and feel inspired to pass it on to any future leader in your life.

PRIME THE PUMP … FOR SUCCESS!

It all started with this tall, lanky hillbilly (and I say that with the greatest respect and note that Zig referred to himself as just that!) emerging on the stage in a burst of verbal and physical enthusiasm, lugging an old-fashioned, large, chrome-plated water pump. It caught everyone off guard. He quickly and very proficiently shared the reason for the unique prop. He said he felt the water pump conveys the story of life at its simplest. He went on to demonstrate that before you can get water, you first have to prime the pump.

He said that if you expect to get something out of life, your marriage, your job, etc., you have to first put something in. Too many people tend to say: “If you give me a raise today, I’ll perform much better starting tomorrow.” Zig gave the example of someone saying, “Stove … if you give me some heat, I’ll put some wood in you as soon as I get warm!”

Once the pump is primed, Zig points out that you have to begin pumping vigorously to get the water all the way up the long pipe. If you happen to get tired and stop pumping, the water will fall all the way down again, and you’ll have to start all over again. All the time Zig was enthusiastically making his point, he was always working the handle of that pump as though it was dredging up hundred dollar bills. He never missed a beat.

He points out that you have to persist in whatever you do in life. When you start a new job or take on a new challenge, you have to pump with enthusiasm … even though you may not see results in the short term. When the water finally flows, it then becomes an easy gentle pumping action to keep it flowing in abundance.

That’s the story in a nutshell. Our challenge is dealing with the fact that most of today’s generation has no idea how an old-fashioned water pump operates as they’ve more than likely never seen one. It’s our job to bridge that knowledge gap because there is, indeed, a very valuable lesson to be shared here. In addition, I strongly advise you to visit the following link to hear Zig’s full rendition of this age-old classic. You don’t want to miss this one.

I also encourage you to visit Zig’s website, www.ziglar.com, to learn more about him, his history, books, tapes, staff and associates. I personally guarantee you won’t regret it. I certainly appreciate Zig giving us permission to share his classic with our readers. I’d also like to thank him for decades of personal inspiration and direction.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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I’ve written several articles on the subject of the power of perspective, and that’s probably because I see so many examples of it in today’s business world.

For instance, as a father and a grandfather, I’ve always tried to share wisdom and basic truths with my kids and grandchildren in hopes of preparing them for the many challenges that await them as they grow older. I think of that as a very natural thing to do because, as adults, we have so much more experience and education from which to draw.

However, I must inwardly smile at the many times I’ve found just the opposite to be true … that some of life’s greatest lessons were imparted to me in a most revealing way from the younger spirits in my charge. So often is this the case.

That leads me to today’s generational gem. A dear friend e-mailed it to me with a short note explaining that she had received it from an associate, thought it was a wonderful piece and wanted to share it with me. I couldn’t help but notice that it was penned by my favorite author, Anonymous. I hope it brings a smile to your face as it did to mine.

The Difference between Rich/Poor People?

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”

“It was great, Dad.”

“Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked.

“Oh yeah,” said the son.

“So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.

The son answered:

“I saw that we have one dog and they had four.

“We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden, and they have a creek that has no end.

“We have imported lanterns in our garden, and they have the stars at night.

“Our patio reaches to the front yard, and they have the whole horizon.

“We have a small piece of land to live on, and they have fields that go beyond our sight.

“We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.

“We buy our food, but they grow theirs.

“We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.”

The boy’s father was speechless.

Then his son added, “Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we are.”

Isn’t perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don’t have.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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We’ve all heard that phrase at one time or another but have you ever really thought about it in terms of your own life or career? I think there’s a time in all of our lives that this monumental observation might apply.

It’s interesting how you’ll hear a totally new phrase and then suddenly recognize the fact that it pops up again and again within a very short period of time. That recently happened to me soon after reading author John Gardner’s comment: “Most ailing organizations have developed a functional blindness to their own defects.”

The more I hear it, the more I realize how very true it is. We see it every day. It reminds me of another generational gem that really hits home. After reading it, don’t be too quick to judge it as being profound or too far out of the question to be true. Take a moment to examine your own environment in search of similar outrageous situations.

Performance Evaluation?

Following a poor first-half year performance, the board of a major manufacturing corporation demanded that a senior manager investigate what was happening on the factory floor, since the directors believed poor productivity was at the root of the problem.

While walking around the plant, the investigating manager came upon a large warehouse area where a man stood next to a pillar. The manager introduced himself as the person investigating performance on the factory floor, appointed by the board, and then asked the man by the pillar what he was doing. “It’s my job,” replied the man. “I was told to stand by this pillar.”

The investigator thanked the man for his cooperation and encouraged him to keep up the good work. The investigator next walked into a large packing area, where he saw another man standing next to a pillar. The investigator again introduced himself and asked the man what he was doing. “I’ve been told to stand by this pillar, so that’s what I do,” said the man.

Two weeks later the investigator completed his report and duly presented his findings to the board, who held a brief meeting to decide remedial action. The board called the investigator back into the room, thanked him for his work, and then instructed him to fire one of the men he’d found standing by pillars, since obviously this was a duplication of effort!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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