A Great Poem by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Stephen M. R. Covey - Fantastic!!

My great friend Pat Janssen invited me as his guest to hear Stephen Covey speak last night at the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver. Topic was 'The Speed of Trust'. On the surface, it seemed like a simple topic (trust), but the way Covey presented and forced you to think about it was really impressive.

Consider this . . . think about a person in business that you have a solid trust relationship with -- think about how fast things move, how you debate and discuss, how open you are, clarity of intent and understanding, and so forth. Now contrast that with someone that you don't trust . . . things are guarded, you write everything down, time together is unproductive and you can't wait for it to end, and progress just languishes, if it is ever made at all. Great perspective.

Lots of great stories around Warren Buffet's style and effectiveness, and a number of other business titans that have founded their success on trust. Jim Burke, former CEO of J&J, puts it best:

"I have found that by trusting people until they prove themselves unworthy of that trust, a lot more happens."

Good stuff . . .