10 Rules for an Executive’s Early Ulcer

Came across this list when I was going over my archives (Us accountants just don’t throw anything away) …

1. Your job comes first – all personal considerations are secondary.
2. Go to the office evenings, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
3. Take your brief case regularly with you – in this way you can review completely all the troubles and worries of the day.
4. Never say “no” to a request.
5. Accept all invitations to meetings, banquets, committees etc.
6. Don’t eat a restful and relaxing meal – always plan a conference for meal hour.
7. Regard fishing, golf, etc as a waste of time.
8. Believe it is poor policy to take all your holidays.
9. Never delegate responsibility – carry the whole load yourself.
10. If your work calls for travelling, work all day and drive all night, so that you can keep the next day’s appointments.

Can’t remember where this came from … It does makes you reflect on our time management. How often have you heard your families and friends tell you to “take a break”.  But we know better and we continue to work 24/7 (well, at least that’s what you’re being told!). Have you ever heard anyone say on their deathbed that they wished they spent more time at work?

In My Dreams I Have A Plan

How many of us can relate to the words of this Abba song?

I work all night, I work all day, to pay the bills
I have to pay
Ain’t it sad
And still there never seems to be a single penny left for me
That’s too bad
In my dreams I have a plan …

But how many of us really do have a plan?  Apart from the fortunate few, most people do end up working all day to make enough to pay the bills and for some, they even earn enough to buy some luxuries in life. We drag ourselves from one day to the next. We dream, but we do nothing about making sure that dream comes to fruition. There’s an old saying: “Most people aim at nothing in life . . . and hit it with amazing accuracy.” It’s a sad commentary about people, but it’s true.

Plans are not just for businesses. All of us should have personal goals and plans (although the thought of just watching life go by sitting on the beach on some remote island does have its attractions … at least until I want that ice cream or chocolate – I don’t think they have those on desert islands).

I love this analogy that I heard a while ago from a pastor at a church “If you want a job, you must first apply for the job. If all you do is suntan yourself at the beach, then God will bless your suntan” or the blonde who kept praying to God to let her win the lottery, and finally God replied “Work with me … You have to buy a lottery ticket!”.