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• “Even if you are on the right path, you will get run friends around you, so find smart, nice
folks and make them better. In turn,
over if you just sit still,” has been attributed to Will Rogers.
you will improve and be more content.
Start new projects and move current projects along because no
Conversely, toxic people can take the
matter how far down the track you are, you will get run over if you
life out of you. And be wary of trying to
are immobile.
change toxic people because most times
• “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest,” you will burn up an excessive amount of
according to Benjamin Franklin’s sage and timeless advice that energy without much progress. Using
reaffirms the importance of life-long learning. Southwest Florida limited resources on folks who want to
ranks 8th in nation for learning or doing something interesting daily. change and are not set concretely in their
Having our many institutions for higher education— for example, ways is better.
FGCU, FSW, Hodges, and our public school system—to create
• “One view is worth a hundred reports,” by George
learning opportunities makes Franklin’s point.
S. Patton captures the need to see and be seen. General Patton
• “Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work was referring to joining his front line troops, sharing their
at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a experiences, gathering intelligence, inspiring colleagues, and
leading successful missions. The same is true in business and
focus,” is Alexander Graham Bell’s visual comment on focus.
society today. Being immersed matters and cannot be overstated.
Paying attention or focusing along with willpower and feedback are
attributes necessary for success of any individual or organization. • “People bring their own weather,” is a thought first
•“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the shared with me when discussing some self-appointed “leaders”
who were not great listeners. Rolling into a room or meeting
candle or the mirror that reflects it,” by Edith Wharton,
without sensing the surrounding environment or culture is
a Pulitzer Prize-winning American novelist, shares the vision of
usually counterproductive. Conversely, responding sensitively to
helping others by either innovating or copying others’ best practices.
others can create a successful team, better processes, less drama,
Moreover, according to a Chinese proverb, “It is better to light a
and favorable outcomes. Our demeanor—verbal and non-verbal
candle than curse the darkness.” And as I have shared, we don’t have
communication—sets the stage for success or failure.
time to make all the mistakes ourselves, so feel free to copy others’
successes. • “Dress for the job you want, not the job you
have,” is another piece of sage advice for the workplace. Our
• “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The
first impression matters because over a millennium, instant
second best time is now.” This Chinese proverb means it is never
differentiation between a threat and an opportunity was a
too late to get started, and don’t let delay become overwhelming. The
matter of survival. In today’s society, physical appearance creates
modern version is, “better late than never.”
the same instantaneous image in which others perceive us as a
• “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!” Ben desirable companion and successful person.
Franklin or Alan Larkin or both may be the authors of this recently
• “Nothing happens when you stay at home,” is an
popularized phrase that is another version of “a stitch in time saves
old adage applicable for introverted or bashful people. Being
nine.” Preparation is as important as talent, ambition, and endurance
purposeful in one’s personal life or professional career is the first
for success, and yet preparation is probably the most overlooked
step to success, requiring initiative. If you don’t try, you will never
ingredient.
become successful.
• “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to
• “The best way to predict the future is to create it,”
work a day in your life,” by Confucius, or “If you do what a phrase attributed to Lincoln, goes along with being proactive,
you love, you’ll never work a day in your life,” by singer-songwriter leaving the house, or in the professional environment getting
Marc Anthony, have the same meaning and provide enduring away from your office email. Be mindful of your surroundings,
intergenerational wisdom. Having purpose, doing worthwhile but also be bold in your leadership. For example, creating a
work, and making a difference are three characteristics of the healthy community is the best way to decrease the need for
noble professions characterized by having beneficiaries’ interests healthcare, subsequently lowering healthcare costs. We can be
placed above one’s own. Think of teachers/students, healthcare accurate in our predictions when we have created the future.
professionals/patients, and ministers/parishioners—all exhibiting the Inspirational and wise aphorisms to share and follow are
relationship of leaders subservient to recipients. plentiful. All are helpful and based on doing the right thing at
• “Be with people who bring out the best in you, not the right time in the right way. We are all challenged, and no one
is perfect. I firmly believe if we do the right thing often enough,
the stress in you,” by an unknown author, makes the point nicely
we’ll get the right result.
that toxic people need to be avoided. You are the average of the

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