From: Larry Jackson
Columbus
I recently retired after a 40 plus year career in industrial sales and marketing. Considering the recent episode at a downtown eatery, I find myself reflecting the way manners, social norms and acceptable behavior have evolved over the years. Sadly, it is not always for the better.
In addition to good manners and politeness, I feel there are some principals of life and personal conduct that have stood the test of time and remain relevant today.
- Attend church and never forget it all comes from God.
- Character is doing the right thing when no one is looking.
- Those who work the hardest have the most luck.
- Always be on time and arrive prepared.
- Follow up — assumptions are dangerous things.
- Avoid debt, never let it become a burden.
- Never brag about or apologize for your accomplishments and always share the rewards of your success.
- Never judge someone by their wealth or occupation and strive to treat everyone you encounter as your equal.
- You cannot buy or demand respect — you have to earn it.
- There is no substitute for integrity.
Over the years I have had the privilege of meeting and doing business with many successful family-owned businesses. A common quality apparent with all of them is their work ethic, determination and lifestyle that display most, if not all, of these principles of conduct.
Hopefully, young adults today can achieve their goals and aspirations by incorporating these principles in their lives.
