Leaves, or My Mantras…

I think we all have mini-little epiphanies that occur as we stroll through life.  These are my “mantras,” or as I like to call them my “leaves,” in reference to the adage of “turning over a new leaf.”  There are no hidden secrets or solutions to life mysteries here, mostly borrowed notions from previous thinkers along with the principles I aspire to and hope to instill (or beat into) in my kids one day (if applicable).  They’re also reminders to myself, which leads perfectly into my number one Leaf or mantra/principle reminder to myself….

One.  Follow your OWN advice.  If you don’t, you have no right to give anyone else any.  (second part to this, when at all possible, and god knows that I know how hard it is, do NOT give advice without being specifically ASKED for it.  Really!)

Two.   Lead by example.  It goes the same for training a dog, as it does an employee, as it does a child, a spouse, a soldier…well, maybe not exactly… but chastising does nothing but make the object of chastise resentful and want to rebel & sabotage.  While negative re-enforcement works, POSITIVE re-enforcement works so much better, and causes so much less stress in the atmosphere.  Teach, don’t critique.

Three.  It’s as much about giving opportunity as it is seizing it.

Four.  Never half-ass it.

Five.  You can’t force or expect anyone to care.

Six.  If you want something done right (or in many cases, at ALL) – RELY (not DO) on YOURSELF.  That said, there are some things that you cannot do or cannot do as effectively as someone you could delegate the task to.  Duh.

Seven.  Always give credit where it is due.

That said…

Eight.  Never too your own horn.  Whenever I’m praising myself, even in my head (and usually that’s where it happens), I tell myself to stop it.  Call it “christian guilt” or mommy-instilled guilt, more likely, but I just find modesty to be more satisfying.

Nine.    Be generous.  It all comes around in the end.  Even when it doesn’t.

Ten.  Be disciplined for yourself.  No one else will do it for you.  Excess is Easy.

Eleven.  Exercising strategy is different than being outright manipulative.

Twelve.  Don’t (try not to) judge people (too harshly).  At least not out loud.

That’s all I have so far.  I’ll continue adding as I think of them.

I’m also thinking about writing a blog about How to Be a Good Roommate…

(to be continued)

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