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June 15, 2009
Double Nickels
I turned 55 years old today, a bizarre concept but certainly the best option given the alternatives. Here are a few observations from a middle-aged (though desperately fighting it) vantage point:
First, you are going to get knocked down in life. The question is whether and how quickly you will get up again to rejoin the race. If the past year’s health challenge has proven anything, it is the benefit of fast remedial action and dogged determination to get back to form.
Second, maintain your inner child. I still read the sports page first thing in the morning. I love playing basketball and tennis. I am not self-conscious about dancing at parties. I laugh at silly movies (Wedding Crashers and Young Frankenstein standard fare) and go on rides at amusement parks (bring the Dramamine).
Third, keep learning and growing. I read books constantly (best new ones on revolutions of 1848 and Edmund Morgan’s American Heroes). I was thrilled by my recent trip to Abu Dhabi; appealed to my sense of adventure, the emirate’s sheer drive to succeed and the long term plan to incorporate culture into lifestyle.
Fourth, put your family first. When I woke up this morning, I had a sign on my door from my middle kid, who told me I was the best dad in the world. I try not to do business dinners and to keep home entertaining to a minimum. You don’t get the time back…believe me I know given that child #1 is already out the door, on to the workplace. Spend time with your parents—I call mine every day.
Fifth, network in order to build your circle of acquaintance but remember that your friends are your real asset. Help them get through divorces, job disappointment, problems with progeny. If you have a misunderstanding, go back and repair it. Give more than you receive.
Sixth, remember that reputation is all that you have. Money and possessions are temporal. I would urge real consideration of the Obama message on shared sacrifice and community purpose. Keep your ego in check and remember no individual can make as much impact as a team working together.
So there you are, my simple guide to a good life as I keep charging straight ahead.
Posted by Edelman at June 15, 2009 2:45 PM |
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Comments
Happy Birthday Shout Out-For Mr Edelman.
I am now 73 at 55 it is all uphill from now for you !
Posted by: marshal sandler at June 15, 2009 4:14 PM
Happy happy birthday. I love this list!
Posted by: mari at June 15, 2009 4:30 PM
Thank you for sharing - this is a great list. Hope you have a very happy birthday!
Posted by: Kate, RD at June 15, 2009 4:30 PM
Richard,
Your personal post is reflects the words of the influential American psychologist, Carl Rogers:
"What is most personal and unique in each of us is probably the very element which would, if it were shared or expressed, speak most deeply to others."
Best wishes for 55 more.
Posted by: Hugh Campbell at June 16, 2009 12:15 PM
Well said, and done, Richard. Happy Birthday.
Posted by: Steve Shannon at June 16, 2009 1:06 PM
Happy B-day, big guy. You're still my hero!
Posted by: Scott T. at June 16, 2009 3:33 PM
Hi Richard
Happy birthday. Your comments reminded me of my first presentation at an Edelman managers' meeting in Chicago more than 30 years ago when I was asked to list my priorities in life. They went something like this:
1. Family
2. Friends
3. Colleagues at work
4. My soccer team
5. My dog (long gone)
6. Clients
My reasoning was quite simple: If I didn't get Nos 1-5 right, I wouldn't be able to deal with No 6.
Fondest regards to you and your family, Ruth & Dan.
Posted by: David Davis at June 17, 2009 2:35 AM
A belated Many Happy Returns of the Day, Richard, and thank you for a very powerful piece! All your six points touched a chord deep within me. Yes, family comes first and friends are very important. And keeping the inner child alive in us as we get older. And being a student for life! I am going to forward it to all my friends turning 40! Thank you for sharing. May you have many years of a good, healthy and happy life with your family - and more such pieces from you!
Posted by: Allwyn Fernandes at June 17, 2009 3:06 AM
"Fourth, put your family first..." Huh? Anyhow, happy birthday from a fan.
Posted by: Logan at June 17, 2009 12:53 PM
Here's to reading about and learning from rules 7-12 over the next several decades. Happy B-Day, Richard.
Posted by: Steve Peckham at June 17, 2009 2:30 PM
All the best for your birthday,Richard.
A lot of health and luck for 55 more.
Come to Croatia once and enjoy with us a good fish and wine.
Posted by: Edvin Jurin at June 18, 2009 1:22 AM
Great post, and happy belated. I'm just getting started in my search for a job and having recently been 'knocked down', your words have served as comforting encouragement. This list is just as applicable to GenY as said middle-agers.
You mentioned having been knocked down health-wise, but I also assume you've experienced these setbacks throughout your business career. Have any tips for 'getting back on the horse' in this sense?
Posted by: Jen Lynch at June 18, 2009 1:48 PM
A very good post. Hope your birthday was a good one and that you have a nice Father's Day weekend!
Posted by: Palmer M. at June 19, 2009 10:51 AM
Well said Richard! Onward and upward.
Posted by: Dan Levitan at June 20, 2009 2:15 AM
Well said, Richard. Inspiring, as always. Happy Birthday
Posted by: Andrew Silver at June 22, 2009 7:30 PM
Richard, congratulations on your birthday and the professional and personal triumphs of a landmark year.
Great guidelines, so many confuse simple with easy! Keeping it simple raises the probability of success with maximum effort in every channel of effort.
Best,
Barry
Posted by: Barry Collodi at June 24, 2009 5:46 PM
Always enjoy your insightful posts on this must-read blog. A belated happy birthday.
Posted by: Michele Nix at June 25, 2009 11:13 PM
I randomly googled double nickels and came up with your blog - certainly a good list and helped with my mood. There is just no way to pretty up that number. I will turn 55 on Halloween 2010. Oh well, life is good. I try to do what's right; sometimes I don't quite make it but I have great sisters, wonderful friends, a job I like (doesn't pay enough) and a new cat (old but new). So vat are you gonna do?
Posted by: Jane Galt at October 4, 2010 6:07 PM