1. Only do what only you can do.

This is not try your best. This is not just do what you can get done. This is not step up to the plate if no one else volunteers. This is ONLY do what only YOU can do. If you are the expert, and even if you’re not… if you are the only who can put something in motion, then your responsibility to mankind is to make it happen. For example: No one else can write what is in me to write. Only I can do it. All of us get caught up in menial tasks and they eat up all of our time. We can’t major in doing laundry or sweeping the floor or shopping for groceries. Sure some of that stuff is important but it can’t occupy the majority of your time. If you can make a job or business of it and you love it then by all means go for it and major in it. If only you can do it the way you do it, then do it! No one can write for me. So I ought only do what only I can do. What is it that you can do, only you?

 

2. Be only who He says you are.

A lot of who we are is defined by finding out who we are not. Process of elimination applies here. And while it’s admirable to improve yourself with other character traits that don’t come so natural, don’t get so jammed up that you’re not even being who you are. I discovered I’m not the greatest conversationalist. I’ve worked at it, tried to improve, practiced and failed and tried again. I get criticized for it. I’m older now, so I get more of a “pass” from people. Look, it is what it is. It’s not a strength of mine. If you want to have a great lengthy conversation, talk to my wife. She takes care of that job for both of us. Me? I communicate best through writing. So I write. I’m a writer not a conversationalist and that’s OK. Here’s a tip. If you’re not a talker, stay away from sales. You’re probably not a salesperson. You can try. I did. I took the real estate classes. They actually don’t spell it out for you, “You’re going need to talk a lot to a lot of people and sell them houses.” Go figure. Who are you? Or maybe answer this… who are you NOT?

Click here for principles 3 & 4 or check out principle 5 here.