An important aspect of establishing goals, creating plans for reaching those goals and managing your time so you can achieve those goals is thinking about your personal philosophy. Whether you are a new car dealer, an independent retail dealer, a dealer controlled financing dealer or unrelated to the car business at all, our personal philosophy stears our actions as we plan, implement and, hopefully, achieve our goals.
One of the most universal goals people have is the want to make a difference in peoples’ lives. As I was researching to write on that topic, I ran across the following. I can’t tell you if it was actually written by Charles Schulz, the creator of Peanuts, or not but that really doesn’t matter. Please read through it. I think it will give you, like it did me, a new perspective on who really provides the most and best influence on others.
“The Charles Schulz Philosophy”
The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the ‘Peanuts’ comic strip. You don’t have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them. Just read straight through, and you’ll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.
How did you do? The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies…Awards tarnish…Achievements are forgotten….Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?
The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money…or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most.
The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything they have.
