A dear friend sent me a list of twelve rules says that she called an “Inspirational Message.” She attributed these to General Colin Powell. The list is wonderful and made this Grandma curious. When did Colin Powell, the youngest and first Black Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the President of the United States, write these and why?
First, I found out that there are thirteen rules, not twelve. Second, I found out that the rules are a subject of a book he wrote, “It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership,” in which the four-star general and former secretary of state shared these 13 rules he lives by and how he learned them. It can be purchased at Amazon, of course:
In the Amazon.com Review there is a note from Colin
Powell about the book and why he wrote it that answered my questions:
“I love stories. In the course of my career I gathered a number of them that mean a lot to me. Most come from my military life. I was in the military from age seventeen as an ROTC cadet until I was a retired GI at age fifty-six. Others came from my service as Secretary of State and as National Security Advisor. Yet others came to me as I wandered through life. In this book I want to share with you a selection of these stories as well as experiences that have stayed with me over the years. Each one of them taught me something important about life and leadership. Some of the stories deal with serious aspects of my life, including some of the controversial issues I was involved in during my tenure as Secretary of State. There are also humorous stories from my life as well. I offer them to you for whatever use you may wish to make of them.”
This Grandma loves when Colin Powell says everyone has life lessons. Yes, each of us who lives life to the fullest learns about life. It is important to share our life lessons to our grandchildren. We each can put a story to each of the thirteen rules of life. We can each put our own spin based on our own life experience.
“1. It ain’t as bad as you think. It will look better in the morning.”
This Grandma was taught a similar life lesson, to make important decisions in the morning, when one is fresh and is thinking with a clearer head. Yes, by the end of the day, things can look bleaker than in the morning. The trick is getting through the night with some sleep!
“2. Get mad, then get over it.”
This Grandma learned that anger is destruction to one’s self and forgiveness is a virtue. It is okay to get mad, but to stay mad serves no good purpose. Go on with life. I remember a saying I keep around, “If it is not fatal, it is no big deal.” “3. Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.”
Do not let your job define who you are. We have a job but who we are is independent of our job. A leader brings others along with him or her and is not all about self.
"4. It Can be Done!”
This Grandma did a blog about teaching resilience and teaching grandchildren that they are capable. We each must have the sense that “we can” like the little engine that could. Buy this classic for your grandchildren’s library.
And here is how to build resilience in our grandchildren:
“5. Be careful what you choose. You may get it.”
There are so many ways to say this and share this. Be aware of consequences. It can also relate to whom you choose to share your life.
“6. Don’t let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.”
To be a leader in life is to make decisions and sometimes those decisions may not be popular. Sometimes you have to stand up for what is right, even though others may not agree with you.
“7. You can’t make someone else’s choices. You shouldn’t let someone else make yours.”
This is the definition of leadership. We do not want our grandchildren to be followers. We want them to think for themselves. This Grandma can remember saying to children and grandchildren, “if John says to jump off the building, would you do that too? We can listen to advice and information from others, but the decisions should be made after we consider all options.
“8. Check small things.”
There are those who just look at the big picture, but the big picture is made up of details. It is the details that must be paid attention to get to the big picture.
“9. Share credit.”
A true leader does not get to the top alone. Say thank you to those who deserve it. Share that thank you and bring up others with you. Learn to be humble and appreciative of those around you.
“10. Remain calm. Be kind.”
If you are a leader, those around you will observe how you act under pressure. You are a role model for grandchildren and they can then model your behavior. Remember to tell your grandchildren to be kind to others and have kind people around you as well. When they choose a mate, they should look for someone nice to add to their lives.
“11.Have a vision. Be demanding.”
Focus, a dream, a goal, a vision. These are all the same. If we do not have a goal for the future to strive for, we stagnate. We must be demanding of ourselves before we can be demanding of others. But, as a leader, we must lead and be demanding of those around us.
“12.Don’t take counsel of your fears or naysayers.”
Yes, there are times and circumstances that make us fearful. Get busy and find a way out. Conquer the fear with a plan.
“13.Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.”
Yes, we reach obstacles in life, but how we approach them is important. Those who are willing to change and have an optimistic view of life are more successful. You want to be around optimism and optimistic people, not those people who are stuck and down. Be what you want to be around. See the post about resiliency.
Wow! This Grandma loves Colin Powell’s life lessons. Share, as Colin Powell did in his book, a selection of your stories as well as experiences that have stayed with you over the years. Share what each one of them has taught you about what is important about life and leadership with your grandchildren. Who knows which of our grandchildren will reach the heights of leadership that he did.
Joy,
Mema
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