To Succeed
You Need to Know
Your Core Values

I was speaking to a young business man who was in training to become the third generation to lead his family’s business.  I told him, “You have a great heritage to continue.  All you have to do is to keep doing good for people.” However, his blank expression concerned me.  It was as though a “Vacancy” sign lit up in effect saying “I do not know the core values that have made the organization successful for two generations.” I realized that without this understanding, it was unlikely that the organization could prosper under his leadership.

In order to be successful as individuals, families and organizations, we need to understand our core values.  Core values are essentially the ethics that we live by.  They are principles, standards, or qualities we consider worthwhile and desirable.  They dictate our behavior and help us get and stay motivated.

Meet More Modern-Day Caleb’s

There are many more examples of people who, although they suffered bumps and bruises along the way that gave them wisdom, maintained their youthful zeal.  Susan B. Anthony was past 80 when she formed the International Woman Suffrage Alliance. Alexander Graham Bell was 75 when he received a patent for his work on a hydrofoil boat. Grandma Moses received her last commission as an artist when she was 99. General Douglas MacArthur was 70 when given command in the Korean War. Pablo Picasso produced 347 engravings in his 87th year.

These are well known examples of people who never left life until life left them.  They pressed on daily taking hold of the purpose they felt they had been born to engage in.  My friend’s daughter, at this stage of her life, lacks many of the wisdom producing experience life has taught me. However, she has something that I need and I hope you realize that you need it too.  Join with me each morning, take your vitamins and don’t forget that shot of youthful zeal!  It is a required component if we are to fully engage in the life purpose we were created for.

Directive:  Don’t act your age.  Instead, mix experience with youthful zeal for the perfect life purpose tonic. 
 

Someone Who Never Lost His Youthful Zeal

There once was a man who, at 85 years of age, still sought challenges in the same way as he had in his youth.  He did not believe in retirement and those who knew him well said that he had a “different spirit” (being more fully engaged) than most.  You may know him as the biblical character Caleb.  Caleb demonstrated four key attributes:

• He did everything wholeheartedly and never held back.
• He had strong convictions and he lived by them.
• He continually loved challenges.
• He wasn’t fearful and was always ready to swing into action.

His story so impressed me that my second son carries his name.