This sort of thing has been done to death all over the place but I was thinking about some little nuggets of wisdom about being a man that I’ve collected over the years. Some things I learned from my father, some I learned the hard way. It struck me as a good idea to keep a record of some of what’s gotten me this far. Someday, I’ll be able to pass it on.
- Do something physical and something creative every day.
- Your time has value. Make sure you’re getting what it’s worth.
- Everyone else’s time has value. Don’t waste it.
- Respect must be earned.
- Do your own vehicle maintenance.
- Acquire a skill.
- You can do it right or do it quickly, not both.
- If you don’t get a story out of it, it’s not worth doing.
- Learn the difference between crazy and stupid.
- Don’t play an Ace when the King will win.
- If you haven’t used it in six months, get rid of it.
- Unplug sometimes.
- Learn the difference between “your problem” and “not your problem”.
- Nice guys don’t finish last. Weak ones do. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself.
- The right decision isn’t always the popular one.
- Appreciate a beautiful day.
- A body is nothing without a brain. Work both.
- If all you have to say is the obvious, don’t.
- Keep the excuses to yourself.
- Never show up empty handed.
- If the door opens inward, you go first and hold it. If the door opens outward, you should already know what to do.
- Quality always trumps quantity.
- Cheap isn’t always a bargain.
- If you can’t get them both together, always choose function over form.
- Don’t say it unless you mean it.
- Instincts exist for a reason. Listen to them.
- Never stand and watch when someone needs help.
- Always help someone move when asked but never volunteer.
- Whatever you do, give it everything you have.
- Never pass up an opportunity to learn something new.
That’s pretty much it. That’s the concentrated total of all the wisdom I’ve gathered so far. It would be a lie to say that I heed all of them all the time but I aspire to all of them as often as I can. So far, I’d like to think I’m doing pretty well.
