Ming Lo Moves a Mountain

Sometimes the best advice is found in childrens' books. In this classic, Ming Lo is troubled by a mountain that is messing up his comfort zone. He seeks the advice of a wise man. Good thinking.

The first couple of attempts to "get along" with his situation with the mountain do not work. Ming Lo is not satisfied by his efforts.

Finally, the wise man tells Ming Lo to do the dance of the moving mountain. Check it out if you have not read it or heard it. Great story.

Nature vs. Nurture

This is an ongoing discussion that involves achievement, behavior, and much more. If you have read or heard the Scorpion and the Frog story, you are aware of the concept of nature being hard to change.

It is rather obvious that people generally do not change very much. Even when people do commit to changing for the better, they often have a difficult time of it after the original committment. If you have not read The Magic Story, I strongly recommend it.

This story is one answer to the question of changing nature. It is a story of becoming and remaining your best self.

Turning to the question of nurture, I have observed that nature is actually a stronger influence than nurture. Even with a poor upbringing, individuals will succeed if it is in their nature to succeed. On the other hand, if it is in an individual's nature not to succeed, even nurturing might not overcome this lack of desire.

The Magic Story gives advice that will help a person overcome either lack of strong positive nature or strong nurturing. That is why I recommend it.

Being Prepared

One of the key lessons that I have learned involves preparation. Opportunities will come your way. Challenges will too. Preparing for either is not easy because it involves timing.

The best advice that I have heard on this matter tells one to prepare at all times. If you are working on yourself on a regular ongoing basis, you will be prepared. This means reading, paying attention to your appearance, language, and overall professionalism.

You don't really know when an opportunity or challenge will arise. You do know that the way that you conduct yourself everyday prepares you.

The Tipping Point

I have learned many interesting things from the book The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. One consistent theme is that things aren't always what they seem on the surface.

Sometimes we seek solutions to problems that only make the problem worse. If we study and dig deeper, we find that changing something only related to the problem may cure it faster than attacking the problem head on.

I recommend this book.

Reading is Essential

Reading is one of the greatest gifts that we are given. I believe that reading is essential to growing in knowledge.

If you think about some of your more advanced educational experiences, reading was probably a big part of them. In high school and in college, as courses increase in difficulty, reading also increases.

Unfortunately, for many of us reading declines or ends with the end of our formal education and that is sad. Education is a stimulus for lifelong learing and reading is a key component to learning.

Read for learning, read for fun, but just read!