And Then Some

By: Steve Goodier - [other]
How wonderful it would be if there were a simple formula for success! "Follow these steps and you will be successful in business, as a parent, as a student, in your vocation or in any endeavor you attempt."

I think of the man who was honored as "Businessperson of the Year." At the presentation dinner, a newspaper reporter asked him, "To what do you owe your great success and prosperity?"

"Five things contributed to my success," said the man. "First, I always treated people fairly. Second, I always offered a fair price. Third, I was always honest. Fourth, I was always generous to my employees. And fifth, my Aunt Edna died a few years back and left me two and a half million dollars."

Certainly, the top four items on his list are well worth following, though they are no guarantee of success. For a variety of reasons, some of which are outside our control (like Aunt Edna), our lives are filled with successes and failures, all of which contribute to our growth. But some of the sagest advice I've heard on the subject of success comes from Professor Richard Weaver, who taught at Bowling Green State University, Ohio. He says that what often sets a successful person apart from others are three simple words: "and then some."

Those people who tend to achieve what they want from life do what is expected of them -- and then some. They are thoughtful to others; they are considerate and kind -- and then some. They meet their obligations and responsibilities fairly -- and then some. They are good friends to their friends -- and then some. They can be counted on in an emergency -- and then some.

By going beyond the expectations of others, they demonstrate every day their desire to do their best and to be their best. They, too, fail and blunder, but in the end, they can be counted on to pick up the pieces and move forward.

Those are three words worth remembering. Count on them to help build a quality life -- and then some.

Steve Goodier Publisher@L... is a professional speaker, consultant and author of numerous books. Visit his site for more information, or to sign up for his FREE newsletter of Life, Love and Laughter at http://LifeSupportSystem.com.

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