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Sooner or later, life confronts us with problems that seem beyond our abilities and asks us to meet them anyway. Whether from illness or business gone bad, or in some other form, eventually we must all dig deep to see what we are made of. These "impossible" challenges reveal our character and give us the opportunity to surprise ourselves. President Truman did it, and so can we.
Harry Truman didn't find a career until late in life. He didn't marry until well into his thirties, and before that he tried a variety of jobs and ventures, including farming and selling men's clothing. His clothing store went bankrupt and he referred to himself as a "failed haberdasher" for the rest of his life. Because of poor eyesight, he barely made it into the Army, but served with distinction and courage in World War I. In his 40's and 50's he drifted into politics and served as a county commissioner, mainly dealing with road repair.
He never had money and he and his wife spent most of their married life living upstairs in his mother-in-law's home. When he was elected to the U.S. Senate, he was seen as a party hack and given little credit or respect. In 1944, Franklin Roosevelt selected him to run for Vice President after the "better" candidates were all rejected. FDR thought so little of him, they never had a serious conversation and Truman was told nothing about the atomic bomb until several days after he was sworn in as the new President.
And yet this "common man" is often viewed as one of the greatest Presidents of the 20th century. How can this be?
Truman himself often said that there "are probably a million people more qualified than me to be President, but I'm the one with the job, and I'll do my best." Throughout his life, he was always known for doing his best, and often astonished people by exceeding their expectations. Here are some of my observations about how he did it.
1. First, he out-worked everyone around him. FDR rarely got to work before 10:00 AM, but Truman was usually up by 5:30 and worked all day long. In his first days as President, the change caught the White House staff off-guard. From the butlers to members of the Cabinet, they had never seen anyone who worked so hard and demanded so much from them. One key to his amazing success was simple hard work.
2. Second, he was decisive. Where FDR delayed and avoided decisions, Truman listened to advice, read the reports, made decisions promptly, and once they were made, he rarely changed his mind. He made bold decisions and once they were made, he knew how to hold a steady course.
3. Third, his personal integrity was beyond reproach. At the Potsdam Conference after the war, he went into Berlin and a staffer suggested they could go drinking or get some "women of easy virtue," to which Truman coldly responded that he loved his wife and didn't mess around on her. He kicked the staffer out of his car and never spoke to him again.
4. Fourth, he knew the value of loyalty. He was famous for his life-long friendships and personal warmth. He knew the names of staffers in the White House, and remembered their families. When members of his staff came under political fire, he ignored the newspapers and kept his team together.
5. Fifth and most important, he knew who he was. In the face of enormous pressures and criticism, Truman knew his goals and purposes, remained firm in his beliefs and seldom wavered. He had enormous personal courage and quiet confidence in his own judgment.
Sooner or later, life confronts us with problems that seem beyond our abilities and asks us to meet them anyway. Whether from illness or business gone bad, or in some other form, eventually we must all dig deep to see what we are made of. These "impossible" challenges reveal our character and give us the opportunity to surprise ourselves. President Truman did it, and so can we.
"Surmounting difficulty is the crucible that forms character." -- Anthony Robbins
"Everything's in the mind. That's where it all starts. Knowing what you want is the first step toward getting it." -- Mae West
"Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits." -- Thomas A Edison
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." -- Helen Keller
A while back I was having lunch with a friend and we noted the extraordinary service our waiter was giving us. He was attentive, friendly, and available when we needed something. As we commented on it, my friend blurted out, "He thinks like an owner!"
In contrast, I recently played golf with a man who complained that he wasn't being "paid what I'm worth." He noted that he hadn't gotten a raise in a "long time," and that inflation made it "impossible to keep up." I tried to be tactful, but pointed out that in the long run the only way to increase his income was to increase the value of his contribution.
Obviously, he may work for a lousy employer, but that issue aside, to grow your business or raise your prices, you must increase your perceived value in the market place.
Sometimes you can do that by education. Your customers may not know or understand the benefits they are receiving from you. But more often, to increase your value you'll have to change either your product or the way you deliver it. That's where "thinking like an owner" comes into play.
As the owner of your personal company, what should you be doing more (or less) of? How can you improve the quality or quantity of your service? Almost certainly, someone, somewhere, is making more than you are for doing essentially the same job. What, precisely, do they do differently? Do they call on more people? Do they provide some "extra" or bonus that customers appreciate?
When you think like an owner and are committed to providing slightly better service in every transaction, you'll make more sales and earn more money. Trust me, the waiter who served us lunch got a MUCH better tip than the average server. Give yourself a raise by doing one thing better this month.
Humor: What Jeff Foxworthy Says About Texans
If someone in a Lowe's store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you may live in Texas;
If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you may live in Texas;
If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you may live in Texas;
If you know several people who have hit a deer more than once, you may live in Texas;
If you install security lights on your house and garage, but leave both unlocked, you may live in Texas;
If you carry jumper cables in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you may live in Texas;
If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -- you're going 80 and everybody's passing you, you may live in Texas;
If you find 60 degrees "a little chilly," you may live in Texas;
If you actually understand these jokes, and share them with all your Texas friends, you definitely live in Texas.
Rodger Blaker works with executives, small business owners and professionals who want to grow in their business and create an extraordinary life!
For info on resources for your success, visit: http://www.rodgerblaker.com or call me at 214-485-2238.
Please forward this copy to your friends and colleagues! That's how I grow!