Friday, June 13, 2008

"The Best Advice I Ever Got"

Learning something from people I respect has impacted my life significantly. In the May 12, 2008 issue of Fortune Magazine, 19 accomplished people tell us the best advice they ever got. Think of ways you can apply this to your church and your personal life.

Indra Nooyi (Chairman and CEO of Pepsico) – “Whatever anybody says or does, assume positive intent. You will be amazed at how your whole approach to a person or problem becomes very different.”

Michael Bloomberg (Mayor of New York City and Founder of Bloomberg) – “The worst advice that people can take is to react before they’ve had a chance to think. I think we all say things and wish we hadn’t said them.”

Sam Palmisano (Chairman and CEO of IBM) – I’ve noticed that some of the most effective leaders don’t make themselves the center of attention. They are respectful. They listen. This is an appealing personal quality, but it’s also an effective leadership attribute. Their selflessness makes the people around them comfortable. People open up, speak up, and contribute. They give those leaders their very best.”

Thomas S. Murphy (Former CEO of Captial Cities/ABC) – “Benjamin Selekman [Harvard Business School Professor] told me ‘Don’t spend your time on things you can’t control. Instead, spend your time thinking about what you can.’”

Craig Newmark (Founder of Craigslist) – “Aside from my technical knowledge, my sense of humor was my saving grace.”

Peter G. Peterson (Co-founder of Blackstone Group) – “Focus on those things you do better than others.”

What was the best advice that you ever got? It would be great if you could post that in the comments section.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

A Built to Last Marriage

After reading “Good to Great” by Jim Collins, I was amazed how long it takes to build a great company. Kroger, one of the companies that analyzed in the book, was around 100 years old. It often took at least 5 to 10 years of doing the right things in companies before the results were realized. Greatness takes time. Greatness takes patience.

The same principle also applies to marriage. A marriage grows greater by doing rights things over a long period of time. Karol and I are celebrating our 10th Anniversary on Friday. Ten years sounds like a long time but it has gone too quickly. We truly enjoy ourselves and our relationship (plus we’re madly in love with each other). A great marriage is enjoyable. A terrible marriage is miserable. Making improvements in your relationship and investing towards a better marriage over 10 years pays dividends.

Here are some recent purchases I made to make my wife’s life easier and more enjoyable:

A 2004 Honda Odyssey minivan with easy entry for 3 kids: $12,000

Playground which provides endless hours of entertainment for the kids: $1,600

Gym membership for Karol and kids to have fun during the day: $130 per month


Blackberry phone with Bluetooth for hands-free talking when you’re herding 3 kids: $80


A happy wife: priceless.