Wisdom in a Nutshell

You are reading this because you seek an opinion about your life and your job. You may be a celebrated figure
in your own field, successful and accomplished in your endeavors, but you accept that a different view about
these two subjects, perhaps that of an expert on the topics, would be interesting. You are probably at a
crossroad and a major decision is called for. You may be simply asking questions. You are at least downright
specific about what you need to know more of your life and your job. For that, you score a big point because
you've picked the perfect book to read. The many strengths or weaknesses one has, uniquely as a person, are
often ignored and left unchecked. No matter what your status is, no matter what your job or situation is, this book
readily reveals a surprise or two. It tells of the power you are born with that can turn things around.

Part One: Seven Ways to Peace and Happiness

1. FindYourself, BeYourself
If you have a dark, scary secret, you may need to reveal it. If you think you are too tall, do not slouch for others.
If you think you are too beautiful for this world, you don't necessarily have to leave.

“Be yourself” is advice that is too often ignored. In the search for peace and happiness, the eyes and the mind
often wander out to the world for meaning. The hard truth is that if you always adapt to the inspirational models
others have been successful with, then you will just be a copy. Studies accurately define you to be unique, one
and alone, without resembling anyone. This makes everything easy and simple - it means you need no one and
nothing else other than yourself to be happy.

2. Practice Four GoodWorking Habits

1. Clear your desk

Decide now and not a moment later. If you must, then tarry only to verify and gather additional facts in order to
come up with a decision. The critical moment is “right now” to finish one business after another and avoid
accumulation of tasks. Focus only on one problem at any one moment, progressing from one sheet of paper to
another, one stack at a time. It is an unassuming wisdom but the result is awesome. Aclear drawer is effective in
avoiding tension and confusion and, more significantly, cures anxiety.
2. Do things in order of importance
Spontaneity is one thing, but order is another. Planning a day-to-day order of business is an art. So is the ability
to stay on course as each task is accomplished. The ability to act on issues one at a time, according to the level
of importance, is an invaluable skill. With practice, this becomes a good habit.
3. Don't keep putting off decisions
All you need are the facts and a strong resolve to act immediately. Procrastination is dangerous because it could
mean putting off a very important, life-altering decision. Procrastinating is risky when it masquerades as a
solution.
4. Learn to organize, deputize and supervise
It is easy to say you are enjoying what you do in life. Still, if at the end of everyday you are weighed down with
fatigue or wake up in the morning still fraught with anxiety, think again. You are probably bored. Boredom is a
negative emotion that causes the muscles to

No great man or woman was ever spared from unjust criticism.

tense up, which in turn tires the brain. An easy way to banish boredom is simply to relax the muscles and rid
yourself of bad feelings. In simple words, have fun! Remember those routine pleasures you indulged in long
before you got to where you are now - buying coffee early in the morning from a corner café, chatting with your
colleagues about a recent tennis match, filling out crossword puzzles, or simply experimenting on how to write a
fun memo. If you think it's too easy, it is. A seemingly too-complex matter such as easing a tired brain can be
resolved by rediscovering the simple ways of enjoying your life and your job's day-to-day tasks.

5. Would You Take a Million Dollars for What You Have?

The question is the reverse of how it has always been asked. The answer reveals a critical view of life. Imagine
being forced to stay in bed for one full year, not able to get up one minute to eat and clean up. Imagine being
told that your “15 minutes” is up and that your chance at life is running out. How would you react? You may have
more than once practiced in your mind the first things to do when you get yourself a million dollars, places to go
to and things to buy. This is not a threat, it is simply asking -If someone is buying, would you sell what you have for a
huge price? Of course you wouldn't. Therefore, tart to really appreciate your personal treasures because, whether
you admit it or not, you have a lot to account for.As the cliché goes - Look at things inversely and count not your
crosses but your gold.
6. Remember That No One Ever Kicks a Dead Dog
Some political personalities claim that they eat death threats for breakfast. Rather than a dare for would-be
killers or a condescending way of claiming fame, it is a declaration of complete acceptance. It is the acceptance
that if you hope to be great, you are ready to pay the price and take in some kicks. If you have your share of
these attacks, then chances are, you are being groomed for greatness. Criticism is often a veiled honor. You
may declare such an expression as unreasonable but the truth is, your detractors would love to trade places with
you.

7. PracticeAccepting Criticism
If you are being criticized, do not flatter yourself by thinking you are unique in this aspect. Everyone gets a fare
shake. What sets one apart is the ability not to let unjustcondemnation take effect. The greatest feat of
all is to be able to relieve oneself of useless
loads and simply laugh off harmful criticism. If
you must know, no great man or woman in any
history was ever spared from unjust criticism.
No human, dead or alive, was protected either.
Criticism is a great leveler. You might find it
absurd, wasting your time taking these jibes
and insults, and go so far as claim it is your
curse alone. It is amazing how this kind of
notoriety is over the minute you decide to ignore
it.

PART TWO: Fundamental Techniques in

Handling People
If You Want to Gather Honey, Don't Kick the
Beehive Over
Dealing with people is all about propriety and tact in
handling emotions. This equation is far from
complicated. If you demand only excellence, the first
task to accomplish is to make people want to excel
with you. If your intelligence is a proven hit, if you are
a certified success or victory personified, by all
means, take pride. Be careful, however, not to
rewrite the laws of creation and insist that people
around you pull off a matching show. People are
terrorized by condemnation. Criticism, complaints
and blame, if not treated with the proper decorum,
put people on the defensive, making it impossible to
obtain cooperation.
The Big Secret of Dealing with People Is Lifting
Them Up
There is no greater crime than denouncing a
person's feelings of importance because then you
kill his desire to live. Many thinkers have declared
that a human being's primal reason for living is the
urge to be great. Many kings were crowned, the
seven seas were conquered, great wars were
fought and these stories were immortalized by this
desire. To acknowledge this deepest longing then is
to feed a gnawing hunger that differentiates man
from other species. Or vice versa, to deprive him of
this sense of being appreciated, this ultimate
nourishment for self-esteem, will place you
dangerously at odds with his wits. Praising lavishly
and giving honest and sincere appreciation are
more than beautiful words. It is the key to the big
secret of making a man willing to do things for
others.
He Who Gives Credit Has the Whole World
with Him. He Who Does Not Walks a Lonely
Way
“What's in it for me?” is perhaps a question not
always asked out loud but is often a matter of
concern. Whether an accepted notion or taboo, the
truth is that man's every action is always triggered
by something he desires. Thus, to entice anyone to
take your side or to agree to your idea, underscores
the advantages for the other person given the
circumstances. Encourage people to express their
self-importance. Motivate each individual to drum
up a good idea and credit him or her for the initiative.
Bring forth the chance for them to see what they
want to see and hear what they want to hear. This
way, your reasons will be honored and you will win
everyone over. You will sell every product,
accomplish your every goal and end up the big
winner.
Be Interested and You Will Be Welcome
Anywhere
Despite this age of electronic gadgets, a live voice at
the other end of the wire is still in demand. Thank
goodness. The reason is that humans long for the
“smiling hello.” Electronic greetings and these kinds
of communications will answer for efficiency and
cost-effectiveness, but a machine will never learn to
be genuinely interested in people, without which all
human endeavors will fail. Show real interest in the
stories of other people's lives and you will be
remembered forever. Do this and all doors will be
opened for you. Friendship is one thing you will
never lack.
Make People LikeYou Instantly
It is a fact - “for every action, expect an equal
reaction.” Once you openly express your approval
and recognize the qualities of the other person,
without doubt, he will like you instantly. People will
never tire of listening about themselves, especially if
honest words of praise are lavished about their true
worth as individuals. Put people in charge, give them
the limelight, and offer sincere appreciation. These
are old-age tactics that never fail to elicit a mutual
feeling of fondness. Agreat poet said that when you
realize the superiority of others over you, the
greatest gift is learning from it.