Short, memorable ideas, quotes and words of wisdom.
Atlanta, GA – Happy New Year!
As we enter a new year remember that nothing prevents us from having that which we earnestly desire. Like Napoleon reminded us, “We become what we perpetually think about.”
Jen and I had a wonderful evening with our old friends, Kathy and John. Handel’s Messiah never gets old for me.
Acworth, GA – Time is precious
I keep an old Elgin pocket watch on my desk in an antique walnut stand to remind me that time is a most valuable resource. The engineering and technology that went into building the watch in 1910 was pretty incredible when you remember that most cities were still connected by dirt roads, horse drawn wagons, and maybe a railroad if you were lucky.
Everyone has the same amount of time but how we spend it is very important. Just think how many technologies have been introduced to save us time. Like Ben Franklin used to say about pennies, if we are cognizant of our minutes, the hours seem to take care of themselves.
Spend your time wisely.
#Encouragement
Bryan
bryanewilson@gmail.com
Kennesaw, GA – Sobre el capitalismo
Claro que hay problemas con el capitalismo y la economía de consumo, pero ¿dónde están las alternativas que han demostrado ser mejores?
La mayoría de las veces, ha sido “juguetear” con la economía de libre mercado lo que ha causado la mayoría de los problemas.
He estado leyendo un pequeño libro fantástico de Cliff Oxford titulado “Lambs to Leaders”, donde él da a los estudiantes de artes liberales como yo una introducción sobre cómo dirigir las empresas estadounidenses y los negocios internacionales en nuestro mundo global.
El capitalismo no es ciencia espacial. En el fondo, es muy básico, con reglas y fórmulas sencillas. Aplícate a ganar confianza a través del conocimiento y no te decepcionarás.
#Ánimo
Marietta, GA – “El valor de la diligencia debida“
El proverbio “los planes del diligente conducen a la ganancia tan seguramente como la prisa conduce a la pobreza” es un recordatorio de que el éxito requiere tiempo, esfuerzo y planificación. Si estamos dispuestos a trabajar, podemos alcanzar nuestros objetivos y vivir una vida plena.
Bryan
Un saludo a mi buen amigo Sam Freeman. ¡Gracias por todo, especialmente por tu amistad!
Rome, GA – A Familiar Stranger, a short story
Edwin sat on a bench in Marietta Square, staring at the fountain waiting for his beautiful young girlfriend to join him. It was a stunning fall afternoon and Edwin was feeling lost and confused about his future. He had graduated two years earlier from an elite college with a degree in computer science and a minor in international business but didn’t know what he wanted to do with his life. He had always dreamed of starting his own tech company, but he was afraid of failing.
As Edwin was sitting there in the sunshine among the huge oak trees, he saw an older gentleman sitting on a bench across from him and sensed that the man was studying him, not staring but definitely observing him closely. The older man looked familiar, except his hair was graying, wore glasses and had a few wrinkles on his face. He was well dressed with a smart Harris tweed jacket, plaid Burberry scarf and polished Chelsea boots. The clothes seemed vintage but meticulously cared for.
“Hello,” said the older man. “My name is Edwin.”
“Hi,” said the young man. “That’s so interesting, my name is also Edwin. It’s a family name given to me from my parents in Peru.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Edwin,” said the older gentleman. “I already know all about you because I’m from the future.”
The young Edwin was immediately sceptical and confused. “What do you mean, from the future?”
“I mean I’m from the year 2053,” said the older Edwin. “I came back here to this very bench on the Square to give you some important advice and to encourage you.”
The young Edwin was stunned. He didn’t know what to say. Although it seemed surreal and complex, the conversation seemed easy and the colloquium was familiar.
“I know you’re feeling lost and confused about your future,” said the older Edwin. “I was in the same frame of mind when I was your age and remembered this was a favorite place to visit when you wanted to think. But I came here today to tell you that everything is going to be okay. You’re going to accomplish great things, Edwin.”
“How do you know that?” asked Edwin. “I mean, did you travel back in time just to talk to me?”
“Because I am you,” said the older Edwin. “I’ve already lived your life. I know the choices you’re going to make and the mistakes you’re going to make. But I also know the highs and lows you’re going to experience. You’re going to be a great success and impact millions of people.”
The young man was startled and starting to believe him. “What should I do?” The young Edwin asked.
“Don’t be afraid to fail,” said the older Edwin. “Failure is a part of our success. It’s how you learn and grow. So don’t be afraid to take risks. And don’t be afraid to follow your dreams. Encourage others to achieve their fullest potential and they will become your future. Relationships are what makes your life complete. Not material things.”
“I’ll try to do what you say,” said the young Edwin. “But I worry about the future, the state of the economy and the uncertainty all around us. I want to make a difference in the world.”
“I know that you will,” said the older Edwin. “And I know you’re going to do great things.”
The older man stood up and started to walk away.
“Wait,” said the young Edwin. “Can I ask you just one more question?”
“Of course,” said the older gentleman.
“What’s The most important thing I should remember?” asked the young man.
The older Edwin smiled. “The most important thing you should remember is that you’re never alone,” he said. “No matter what happens, you have your relationships. And that’s all you need. Your personal relationship with the Creator and having a loving family and good friends are vitally important.”
The older Edwin stood up, turned and walked away, leaving the young man sitting on the bench. Young Edwin watched him for a few minutes, and he felt a sense of peace and confidence that he hadn’t felt in a long time. He knew that everything was going to be okay. He was going to do great things.
The young Edwin got up from the bench and started to walk home. He thought about what the older Edwin had said to him. He knew that his older self was right. He shouldn’t be afraid to fail. He should take risks and follow his dreams. And he should never forget that he was never alone. He had himself, his friends and family.
The young Edwin turned to see his girlfriend approaching from across the street. Edwin took her hand and walked home with a little extra spring in his step. He knew that he was going to be okay. He was going to do great things. His mind became calmer and he no longer felt uncomfortable about his future. It was in his hands to shape his life into whatever form he wanted.
#Encouragement
Roma, GA- “El camino no tomado”
“Dos caminos se bifurcaban en un bosque, y yo…
Yo tomé el menos transitado,
Y eso ha hecho toda la diferencia”. – Robert Frost “El camino no tomado”, 1916
Sé tú mismo, amigo mío.
Anímense unos a otros a ser auténticos.
Bryan
Acworth, GA – “Ser fiel a uno mismo“.
“Y sobre todo: Sé sincero contigo mismo; y de esto debe seguirse, como la noche al día, que entonces no puedas ser falso con ningún hombre.” – William Shakespeare, “Hamlet” 1.3.80-82.
Sigue tu corazón, y confía en tus instintos.
Anima a todo el mundo.
Sé generoso.
bryanewilson@gmail.com
Rome, GA- “The Road Not Taken”
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference”. – Robert Frost “The Road Not Taken”, 1916
Be yourself, my friend.
Encourage one another to be authentic.
Bryan
Marietta, GA – Piensa, y luego Empieza
“Los grandes hombres son aquellos que ven que lo espiritual es más fuerte que cualquier fuerza material, que los pensamientos gobiernan el mundo” – Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Piensa Buenos Pensamientos.
Marietta, GA – “Aplica la regla 80/20 y 100 horas”
La regla del 100 establece que si tú dedicas 100 horas al año, que son 18 minutos al día, en cualquier disciplina, serás mejor que el 95% del mundo, en esa disciplina. Anders Ericcson desarrolló esta fórmula de práctica intencionada (o con propósito) en un estudio que se publicó en 1976.
Además, el Principio de Pareto o la Regla del 80/20 como se le ha dado en llamar, desglosa los porcentajes que separan a las masas de la media, a los superdotados de los excepcionales. Si queremos ser excepcionales o de élite en un grupo determinado, debemos esperar ser diferentes. Actúa de forma diferente, a propósito.
Lee algo significativo, como un buen libro, durante 18 minutos al día (Facebook o Instagram no cuentan) y estarás tú en el top 5% de todos los lectores. Practica una habilidad durante solo 4 o 5 horas al día y te situarás en el 1% superior de tu campo.
¿Estás dispuesto a ser excepcional? ¿A estar en el 1% superior de cualquier camino que elijas?
Gracias a todos por sus increíbles opiniones y comentarios, lo aprecio más de lo que imagináis.
Bryan
PD. Un saludo a Andy Feldman, que es a la vez amigo y colega. Su obstinada determinación y pensamiento crítico me inspiran a ser mejor.
Bryan E. Wilson 