Version 1: The Wisdom of GOM * by Charles Hattingh
A few years ago I visited my last surviving uncle on my father’s side. He has since died. My intention was to try to extract from him what he had learnt over his incredibly joyous life so that I could learn from his experiences and enrich my own life. To my utter disappointment he had no peals of wisdom to offer me. Surely the older generation, who have been there and seen and done it have an obligation to pass onto the younger generation what they learnt? In the American Indian culture, the older members are revered for their wisdom. Just maybe my uncle’s philosophy was: “The best way to learn is through your own experiences.” My policy is to learn from the mistakes of others. It is more efficient and effective, hence this offering to you. As I continue through life’s journey I will add to the list below.
At the age of 18 I was taken to hospital with severe asthma. During my stay I read a book from which I derived the following basic tools of life:
1. Believe in yourself. If you don’t, no one else will.
2. Be positive in whatever you do. Positive builds, negative destroys.
3. Set goals. Goals give you direction. Without direction you will be a loose cannon.
4. Focus. Take time to achieve your goals, without distraction. There are no short cuts.
From this basic toolkit I started my little business. Since then I have added the following to my toolkit through further reading, contemplation and experience:
5. Accept that life is tough. If your vision is a glass of wine in one hand and a hot chick in another . . .
6. Stay completely (100%) organised. Clutter confuses. Neat and organised frees your mind to soar.
7. Be alert to new ideas. Read, look, touch, feel and listen. And when you get old, pass these ideas on.
8. Visualise your future and plan the path to get there. Without a plan you will get distracted.
9. Think, contemplate and strategise. There are always better ways to do things. Find them.
10. Prioritise. Don’t sweat the little things. Spend your precious time on things that matter.
11. Keep it simple. Travel light. Don’t get bogged down in a mire of irrelevancies.
12. Persevere, stay the course. The tortoise wins the race.
13. Be self-reliant. Do it yourself. It saves time and will be done properly.
14. However, if others can do it better and cheaper, outsource.
15. Your objective is to serve your customers, not to make money out of them.
16. Be 100% honest with yourself and with others. It will give you total peace of mind.
17. Give unconditionally. Giving enriches the soul.
18. Always choose the ethical option. You may make less money but you will live in tranquillity.
19. Invest in the future. If you don’t you will end up bankrupt.
20. Be responsible for mistakes. Rectify and learn from them. This is how to reach for perfection.
21. Take time to clarify complexities. Confused minds waste time.
22. Practice with a purpose. Focus concentrated energy. Working hard and smart creates wealth.
23. Exercise wisely, eat sensibly and sleep soundly. A healthy mind needs a healthy body.
24. When swamped, just do one thing at a time and you will survive.
25. Be kind to animals. If you don’t, I will ask God to reincarnate you as a bull in Africa.
When Bill Lynch was asked for the secrets of his success after achieving business person of the year, the press ridiculed him for the simplicity of his ideas. They were looking for rocket science. Rocket science is for getting to Mars. Simplicity is for surviving on Earth. Whatever you do: KEEP IT SIMPLE.
* If you are wondering what GOM stands for, it’s my family nickname: Grumpy Old Man.