Comments

Fantastic stuff Tom, though somewhat beguiling finish:

"*Would have been No. 42, but it does not seem appropriate to quote oneself and count it as wisdom."

... Since when, in the history of Mc. Kinsey, book writing or the TPG have you ever been 'appropriate' Tom? :-)

Or is this a New Year's resolution?

Posted by Daniel M. Harrison at January 3, 2006 11:04 AM

Tom, thank you. Plenty of food for thought here. Over the next week I'll be writing my 7 point “Personal Brand Equity Evaluation” that you suggested to us in late 2004 – one of the most useful, behaviour changing things I have found here (there have been plenty). A great way to start the new year.
I can’t find the original link but can post the seven points (that the individual then completes for himself) up here if anyone would like that.

Posted by Michael from UK at January 3, 2006 11:22 AM

Since when, in the history of McKinsey, book writing, or the TPG have you ever been 'appropriate' Tom? Or is this a New Year's resolution?

Daniel: Gawd, I hope not! I cringe at the very sound of the word ap-prop-ri-ate.

Posted by tom peters at January 3, 2006 11:47 AM

Michael, do it!

Posted by tom peters at January 3, 2006 11:48 AM

Great "nuggets"! One I keep thinking about as I plunge into '06 is James Taylor's use of chiasmus in his lyric from the Never Die Young cut "Sun on the Moon"..."Time may be money, but your money won't buy time". Selah.

Posted by Steve Dragoo at January 3, 2006 12:45 PM

As requested by Tom. Wording below is all his:

In my company's training for Brand You, our approach to this begins with a “Personal Brand Equity Evaluation,” which consists of the following seven items:

Myself in (2006)

1. I am known for [two to three things];

next year at this time I'll be known for [one more thing].

2. My current project is challenging me in the following [two ways].

3. New things I've learned in the last 90 days include [two items].

4. My public “recognition program” consists of [one item].

5. Important additions to my Rolodex in the last 90 days include
[one to two names].

6. My resume is discernibly different from last year's at this time
[in one or two ways].

7. Prepare a one-eighth or one-quarter page electronic Yellow Pages
ad for…yourself

Bottom line: You are a damn fool if you don't assume that 36 months from now you.ll be looking for a job…and given the nature of the change that surrounds us, you.d best have a beaut of a story to tell.

The ... Story of You.

Posted by Michael from UK at January 3, 2006 12:59 PM

Thanks Tom,

Here the one that got me today ...

“Do one thing every day that scares you.”—Eleanor Roosevelt

Well today I published my first blog entry. One small step. One post. One great future ahead!

And, now I made a commitment there is lots more development work to do on the site!!

Posted by Clive Griffiths at January 3, 2006 1:52 PM

Steve, thanks for flagging the chiasmus by James Taylor, one of the best "wordplay" lyricists in pop music (along with Dylan, Jackson Browne, and Neil Young). Calls to mind the famous Dylan line: "There's no success like failure and failure's no success at all." I just discovered a website EXCLUSIVELY devoted to chiasmus: www.chiasmus.com
Now I've seen everything!

Posted by John O'Leary at January 3, 2006 2:41 PM

Great job, Tom! A useful guide to your mind.

Posted by Felix Gerena at January 3, 2006 4:22 PM

Tom, Thank you so much for posting this list. Quite an excellent collection of quotes. I have found myself reviewing several times already in the last few hours. I certainly feel the "would be #42" is wisdom.

Posted by Robert Williger at January 3, 2006 6:14 PM

Very nice collection of quotes you have here. It will be a great help for me thanks brother.

Posted by Date Lover at January 3, 2006 8:40 PM

Fantastic stuff! That was simply awesome!

Wishing everyone a gr8 year ahead

Posted by K.Sriram at January 4, 2006 12:55 AM

Clive - that is brilliant. I well remember doing my first Simplicity Blog posting about a year ago. It is a wonderful journey you are starting. It just gets better and better believe me. Blogging has changed my life.

Tom - I hope you always strive to remain ‘in-ap-prop-riate’

I would add one quote from you many years ago that I often quote;

‘Powerlessness is a state of mind not a state of reality.’ I would say live that message Tom – you DO have awesome wisdom – don’t apologise for saying it.

Posted by Trevor Gay at January 4, 2006 3:58 AM

I agree, Trevor. Blogging just gets better and better.

Posted by Felix Gerena at January 4, 2006 5:29 AM

Tom...From a long-time admirer. I'd like to add a thought about one's efforts in 2006 regarding above average achievement.
Whether on an individual or organizational level, it revolves around the two beliefs we have on (1) what we deserve (2) what is possible.
Greatness comes from recognizing we're limited ONLY by how we choose, how resolute and how persistent we are. Regards, Bob Meyer

Posted by Bob Meyer at January 4, 2006 6:04 AM

Thanks Michael from UK. I had forgotten about those. I'll add a few more.

8. I have expanded my Education/Knowledge Base in 2-3 ways: Daily read of Books, Magazines, Blogs, etc.
9. I have taken the following 2-3 steps to establish or improve my online presence.
10. I have become more efficient, effective, and higher performing in what 2-3 ways.

Now, how many of us are actually going to sit down and answer these 10 questions? Honestly? Personally, I did not do a good job on #5.

Posted by RTodd at January 4, 2006 7:58 AM

The quote "get busy living, or get busy dying" is lifted from Bob Dylan's song It's Alright, Ma - "That he not busy being born is busy dying," written in 1965. Stephen King's The Shawshank Redemption was written in 1984. Please correct.

Posted by robert millns at January 4, 2006 9:22 AM

Good stuff, Google could have helped gather some more quotes, however, words are cheap and actions too costly to be missed.

Posted by manohar at January 4, 2006 10:11 AM

Trevor - thanks for your kind words of encouragement. Your ability to keep posting for the last 12 months has been an inspiration.

Posted by Clive Griffiths at January 4, 2006 10:24 AM

11. Be lucky in '06

12. Make time for fun

Posted by Sean at January 4, 2006 12:03 PM

We are on a roll now folks!!

Calling all managers - if the answer to these two questions is 'no' have you ever wondered why are you paid a salary?

13 I can PROVE HOW I have solved customer problems in practical ways.

14 I can PROVE HOW how I helped front line staff do their job more easily in this organisation

BTW ...Thank you Clive - keep takin' the pills - they work for me :-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at January 4, 2006 12:26 PM

15. Run a marathon with minimal bodyfat

[Trevor - Clarence Bass of Albuquerque once was at a hydrostatic measure certified - 1% bodyfat http://www.cbass.com/ - he is real estate lawyer, author, elite athlete, et al]

Posted by Sean at January 4, 2006 12:42 PM

I too, was moved by your "Do something every day that scares you"..So in an attempt to live an improved 2006, I am going to go out on a limb here and use some of your encouragement...

Here goes.....
I am the Associate Director of Advancement at your high school Alma Mater, Severn School in Severna Park, MD. I am currently planning our annual Career Day program and I am desperately seeking both an interesting keynote speaker and a way to shake up the program to make it more appealing/beneficial to the students! February 16, 2006.... Any chance we could get you back here?
There, that scared me but I did it!!

Please contact me at j.burns@severnschool.com if you would ever entertain the idea to come back and share some of your wisdom to the students..

Also, The community of Severna Park misses your Mom as well. Evie Peters was a great woman!
Our condolences and best wishes for you in 2006!

Posted by Jennifer Burns at January 4, 2006 4:18 PM

Thanks Sean - I will check it out! - Have a 'fit' 2006 :-)

Posted by Trevor Gay at January 5, 2006 4:39 AM

"True power is in the imagination which dares to speculate upon that which is not yet. The imagination, backed by great expectations, can bring about almost any reality within the range of probabilities." - Seth of Jane Roberts

VERY simply: “If you want something, you dwell upon it consciously for a while; you consciously imagine it coming to the forefront of probabilities, closer to your actuality. Then you drop it like a pebble into a basket, forget about it as much as possible for a fortnight, and do this in a certain rhythm repeatedly."

Posted by multidimid at January 5, 2006 8:26 AM

Tom, that Margaret Mead quote is terrific: “Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” Small groups or teams (decentralized, accountable, non-hierarchical) are often ignored by historians in favor of the lone ranger-superhero-savior. Another Mead quote I love: “Sooner or later I’m going to die. I’m not going to retire.”

Posted by John O'Leary at January 5, 2006 9:32 AM