As promised, this week's blog post recognizes some RULES for LIFE from other people.
I was pleased by the response I received to my invitation for others to contribute to this blog post. I express my heartfelt gratitude to those who took time out of their busy schedules and hectic lives to share some of their own life and career philosophies with readers of the SAL Blog.
I hope YOU find the diversity and sincerity of these voices to be as enlightening, inspiring, and uplifting as I did. More importantly, I hope these additional examples motivate YOU to identify and compose your own RULES for LIFE. After all, your LIFE RULES are not primarily for anyone other than YOU. As such, I hope you will take advantage of the opportunity to engage in this meaningful Self-Action Leadership exercise. More importantly, I hope you glean as much benefit from doing so as I (and others) have. — Dr. JJ
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| Kari Henderson Ginn Champion Athlete & Entrepreneur |
Age 44. Former semi-professional distance athlete. Entrepreneur and business builder. Wife and mother of two daughters and a son. Lives in Austin, Texas.
1. Never let others keep you from effortful goal-seeking. We all think everyone knows more or would be better off if we just got out of the way. It's just not true!
2. Know your strengths and start there. Put your best foot forward. We've all been given different gifts. Learn what they are, and then utilize them.
3. It takes hard work but your efforts will be consecrated and magnified when you are uplifting and serving those around you. Don't be afraid to sweat a little.
4. There will always be obstacles in the way and they will likely slow you down, but don't ever let them make you stop or slip back.
5. Whether you know it or not, you are an example and people are watching. You are a leader. Sometimes you're leading the charge and you don't even know it. Understand and respect that responsibility.
6. Be humble enough to accept help from others. We all need it.
7. Sweat the small stuff. Details matter.
8. Always have Christ as your partner and example. Lean on Him. He is the only way to truly see your ultimate potential.
Kari Ginn's Athletic Resume:
- Transplant Games of America: 6-time gold medalist & two-time American Record Holder (20K bike and 100 meter sprint)
- 2006 South Central Regional Champ (XTERRA Triathlon)
- Completed
- 20 XTERRA triathlons
- Three 70.1 Ironman Triathlons
- 5 marathons
- 10+ half marathons
- 10+ Olympic-distance triathlons
- 5 sprint triathlons
- Countless 5k and 10k road races
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| Nathaniel J. Williams LSW, DSW, Ed.D., MBA, MPA, MHS |
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| Mom's make the world go round—and keep it sane. They do it almost entirely out of the spotlight, and oftentimes that's just the way they like it. |
Dear Dr. JJ,
I've read all of your emails regarding the upcoming "LIFE RULES" blog post and really enjoyed hearing what others have come up with. It's made me think a bit on what, if any, are my own rules in life. To be honest, I'm not sure I have a really solid list. I think I used to maybe, but I feel like my own experiences have shifted my perspective on so many things that I'm taking life one day at a time and just trying to do the best I can to be a good person (wife, mother, human being) and to raise good, kind people.
I guess I've found that "RULES" are little harsh for me in my life right now. I'm hard enough on myself without them. So I'm keeping it simple. I avoid attention and the spotlight like the plague, so I have no desire for my words or thoughts to ever be published. However, knowing there may be others out there like me who feel similarly, you are welcome to publish these thoughts anonymously. I think what I am trying to say is that sometimes a "set list" of rules may actually prove counterproductive, at least for personalities like mine. The principle of "LIFE RULES" is definitely written in my mind, heart, and soul, but in the end, my guiding directive works less like a "List" and more like an inner COMPASS.
Sincerely,
— A Busy Mom just doing her best
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| Nedra Bunker Multi-generational educator standing in front of a bench honoring 80-some years of teaching schoolchildren by her mother, herself, and her daughter. |
Age 72. Retired elementary school teacher (39 years). Wife and mother of three sons and two daughters. Grandmother of 17. Great-Grandmother of one. Lives in Monticello, Utah.
Rule 1: Implement THE GOLDEN RULE—
Rule 2: Stay positive and be grateful—it promotes forward progress.
Rule 3: Stay healthy to better serve others.
Rule 4: Pause before purchasing—is it essential or excessive?
Rule 5: Keep learning by reading, studying, observing, solving and completing.
Rule 6: Be honest with self and others—bypass the snares.
Rule 7: Stay focused—on family, friends, Christ, and eternity*
Rule 8: Don't dwell on the past, ENJOY TODAY, and anticipate each tomorrow as they may be limited.
Rule 9: Use time wisely—savor spare minutes and cherish spare hours.
Rule 10: Be an attentive listener and a thoughtful speaker.
Rule 11: Try my best and be happy with the outcome—view mistakes as a chance to try harder.
Rule 12: Never allow people and situations to determine my happiness—choose it for myself.
Rule 13: Allow for a good night's sleep—to enjoy happy and productive "awake hours."
* As I jotted down my rules for life, I found it interesting that #7 happens to fall in the center of my life's rules. After 72 years of living (50 years of marriage, 49 years of motherhood, 39 years of teaching, and 5 years of retirement) I really feel that by staying centered on that one rule, everything else has fallen into place. It hasn't always been easy, but definitely worth it! (#1 and #13 rank high also).
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| Jim Clawson, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus Prolific Author on Leadership & other topics |
Age 74. Professor Emeritus of Management at the Darden Graduate School of Business, The University of Virginia. Husband, Father of three daughters and a son, and Grandfather of three. Author of "Level 3 Leadership: Getting Below the Surface" and "A Song of Humanity: A Science-Based Alternative to the World's Scriptures." Lives in Charlottesville, Virginia.
PRINCIPLES FOR EFFECTIVE, HAPPY LIVING
1. Work for what you want.
There is no free lunch; no short cuts. Do the work, expect the reward. Do your best at everything you do.
2. Clean as you go.
Leave your "campsite" better than you found it. Don't plan to come back later and clean it up; do it as you go. Make your bed, hang up your clothes, dispose of your own trash, and take care of your environment. Show some pride in your place and person.
3. Save and Invest 10%.
No matter your bills, put aside ten percent right from the start and invest in stock. Live within your means. Don't borrow; pay from your savings. Spend less than you make. You'll be glad you did.
4. Respect the Rights and Views of Others.
You don't have to accept what they say or ask, but you should listen to, understand, and respect others.
5. Be Reverent.
Show respect for nature, for beauty in the world. You have a right to be here, and we all play a small role in the world. Be modest.
6. Contribute to your Community.
Fight collective entropy. Be a net contributor to your neighborhood; give a little more than you take.
7. Read.
If you don't read, you won't have anything to say.
8. Find your Resonance.
This is the purpose of life: To find your resonance, invest in your capacity to recreate it, to enjoy it, and to help others find their resonance.
9. Be Honest with Yourself and Others.
If you can't keep your word, don't give it. Don't make promises you cannot keep.
10. Exercise every day.
Healthy body, healthy mind, healthy spirit.
11. Things change—acknowledge and adapt.
Nothing stays the same; expect it!
NOTE: These principles were developed for teaching the four Clawson children: Rudger, Carrie, Caitlin, and Caleigh Su.
For more information about Dr. Clawson and his work, please visit www.nadobimakoba.com
To see and buy Dr. Clawson's book, Level 3 Leadership: Getting Below the Surface, click HERE
To see and buy Dr. Clawson's book, Song of Humanity: A Science-Based Alternative to the World's Scriptures, click HERE
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| Dr. Chris P. Neck Associate Professor and Distance Runner |
Age 57. Associate Professor of Management at Arizona State University. Husband and Father of a son and daughter. Lives in Paradise Valley, Arizona.
Rule 1: Put the shopping cart in the parking lot corral.
Rule 2: Open the door for others.
Rule 3: Send hand-written thank you notes. Emails or texts are less authentic and sincere.
Rule 4: Smile even if you don't feel like it. You trick your mind into thinking you are happy.
Rule 5: Only eat when you are hungry. Don't eat because the clock says it's time to eat or because others are eating. Don't eat to celebrate or to mourn.
Rule 6: The five-minute rule to exercising: If you don't feel like exercising, do it for at least five minutes. The momentum you gain in those five minutes might change how you feel.
Rule 7: Be humble. Always give the credit to others. Caution: this one is hard!
Rule 8: Tell your kids you love them everyday... whether they are 3 or 33.
Rule 9: Tell your spouse you love them everyday.
Rule 10: Treat a public bathroom as you would your bathroom at your parent's house.
Rule 11: Flip flops are for the beach. Don't drive with flip flops or board a plane wearing flip flops.
Rule 12: Be Nice. You never know what is going on in another person's life.
Rule 13: Take Responsibility for your Health. Be informed. Don't just take a doctor's word for it. Remember, there is a reason they call a doctor's office a "Practice."
Rule 14: If you are talking to someone and you notice they have something in their teeth, let them know it.
Rule 15: Don't talk in a movie theater during previews or during the movie. Don't just turn off your cell phone; turn off your mouth!
Rule 16: Never ask a woman if she is pregnant no matter how big her belly may look.
Rule 17: Always root for the LSU Tigers or anyone who is playing against the Alabama Crimson tide.
Rule 18: Ignore the critics. Everyone has an opinion and the only one that counts is yours.
Rule 19: Take Control of your Mind. Remember a situation does not cause stress; your reaction to the situation causes stress.
Rule 20: Be kind to yourself. You talk to yourself more than any other person in the world, so Be Nice!
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| David Kibler, MBA Senior Finance Manager |
Age 40. Senior Finance Manager at Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE). MBA. Husband and Father of two daughters and a son. Lives in Houston, Texas.
Principle 1: Be HELPFUL
To be truly helpful means helping others without expecting anything in return. This virtue is incredibly underrated in today's world. Most seem to be focused on "what's in it for me" instead of genuinely caring about someone else or their needs. Being genuinely helpful enables me to focus on something (and someone) other than myself, which makes me more humble and appreciative of what I do have.Principle 2: Be KIND
Being truly kind to others is a heightened level of love. Kindness is something that can be difficult, especially if you've been wronged. I think the greatest example of kindness is Jesus Christ. While I'm not always the best at it myself, I actively strive to be kind to better show my love to both God and my fellowmen.
Principle 3: Do MY BEST
Doing my best, especially on something I don't really want to do, is hard, but worth it! This simple, but important, personal mantra has helped me both personally, professionally, and as a parent and parishioner. If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right and well!
Lina Jensen's 10 Life Rules
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| Lina M. Jensen, PMP Project Director and Engineer |
Age 34. Project Director at NextEra Energy. Wife and Mother of two sons and a daughter. Lives in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Rule 1: See a need, fill a need.
Rule 2: Details matter.
Rule 3: Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.
Rule 4: Take care of those around you and they will take care of you.
Rule 5: If you see it, you own it.
Rule 6: Persistence usually Prevails.
Rule 7: Be Assertive and Brave
Rule 8: Why not ME?
Rule 9: Turn all the way... a lesson I learned from a minor car accident I was in as a teenager.
Rule 10: Be generous with your time and resources. Don't hold back because you are afraid of being taken advantage of -- that's on them!
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RULES for LIFE can also correspond directly to RULES for WORK. Consider our own Corporate Rules at Freedom Focused
Freedom Focused's 8 Corporate Rules
Age 16 (Incorporated in 2005). Personal Leadership & Character Development Training Organization. Founded by Dr. Jordan R. Jensen. Headquartered in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Rule 1: I am always Responsible.
It may not always be my fault, but if it is my problem, it is my responsibility to take ownership of the situation and create solutions.
Rule 2: Integrity is Everything.
I am continually honest with — and true to — others; just as importantly, I am continually honest with — and true to — myself.
Rule 3: I Want to Be Here.
I work at Freedom Focused because it is where I want to work. If I ever lose that desire, I am at complete liberty to work elsewhere.
Rule 4: I Animate and Personify Self-Action Leadership.
Both inside and outside of the organization, I animate the essence of the SAL Theory, Model, and Philosophy in my appearance, attitude, conduct, and relations. The SAL Textbook is my secular guide to living and working. Freedom Focused is a synergistic sum of its parts, and I am a vital part of that sum.
Rule 5 Elite Followership precedes elite Leadership.
As a FF Agent, I have a deep respect for authority and continually seek to promote, support, honor, and learn from my supervisors at every level of the organization.
Rule 6: Elite Leadership is Servant Leadership.
FF is a T.E.A.M. of teams. As a FF Supervisor, I appreciate and recognize the vital contributions and worth of my subordinates. I promote open dialogue in an effort to seek the input and feedback of subordinates in making wise decisions that benefit everyone involved.
Rule 7: The Gold Standard is my Standard.
At every level and in every endeavor, my standard is EXCELLENCE and my planning, preparation, patience, and performance is ELITE. In setting expectations, I never overpromise and underdeliver; I always underpromise and overdeliver.
Rule 8: I am Proud to Be a FF Agent, and I live to Build, Serve, and Teach.
As a FF Agent, my primary motivator is not money or personal aggrandizement. I value being part of an organization that cares about me and the world-at-large. I take positive pride in my affiliation with FF. As an active expression of my gratitude for the opportunity to be part of this unique company, I live and work to make a positive difference in the lives of those I serve both inside and outside of the organization. My family, community, nation, and world are better places because I live and work at Freedom Focused.
NOTE: This article is the 17th in a series of 22 articles on the subject of LIFE RULES.
Click HERE to access quick links to the other 21 articles.
—Dr. JJ
Author's Note: This is the 254th Blog Post Published by Freedom Focused LLC since November 2013.
Click HERE for a compete listing of the other 253 FF Blog Articles.
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Tune in NEXT Wednesday for another article on a Self-Action Leadership related topic.
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