Published
in 1909 - perhaps the basis for all modern business guidance?
Nothing's new. This poem,
penned by this genius of British literature, seems the
basis from which all modern guidance for personal and
business improvement is developed. To
succeed, you must learn and improve. Take "If"
as your starting point, your personal statement of intent,
and you won't go wrong.
The first verse tells us,
"Stay calm!" Trust in yourself, your business
and your ideas, even when others (including your family)
don't. Understand, they will have their fears, but your
determination to succeed will overcome all.
Your path will be long. Be
patient.
If your competitors lie about
you, even hate you (your success, because of their jealousy),
rise above them. Good, strong, hard work is the way forward,
the way that you will prosper long term. Lying and cheating
your way through life will usually come back to haunt
you one day.
But don't look too good,
nor talk too wise, unless you use your persona of achievement
as your selling point.
Richard Branson uses publicity
and his image of success to breed more success. The public
believe that anything owned by him must be good - after
all, its owned by Richard Branson.
Former President of Peru,
Alberto Fujimori, a genius of a man, kept some of his
abilities to himself. He spoke fluent Japanese, yet kept
this secret. This combined with his (also hidden) dual
nationality, gave him an escape route to Japan when the
actions to force him from office became too dangerous.
His downfall was when he became over confident, visiting
next door Chile. There he was arrested and extradited
to Peru. Now he is serving a long sentence in a Peruvian
prison. At his age a sentence from which he may never
emerge.
Dream of what you will achieve,
what you will have. This will keep you focused through
the many roadblocks of life until your dreams come true.
Yet if you do nothing but dream, all you will have is
dreams.
In verse three, we see the
truth that many millionaires have failed and lost all
several times before they made it rich. But they didn't
dwell on their bad luck - they just kept on trying and
made their own good luck.
The final verse knits together
the lessons imparted in the first three. Flexibility,
the ability to relate to people at all levels. A thick
skin, rising above what others (including loved one) do
to hurt you. Readiness that some will be with you, but
not all the way. For you it could be hard - going the
whole distance.
Through your endeavors, when
you succeed, the world will be yours. For our purposes,
if only the verse would still have scanned, read, "You'll
be a Man, my son!" as, You'll be a BUSINESSMAN, my
son!"
Lets get rich, rich,
rich together!
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