[March 2, 2020] H. Jackson Brown, Jr. is an American author of several inspirational books. I’m a fan of his and often quote him because he makes plain sense. One of my favorite quotes is the one below. Brown has often written about the idea of success and easy it can be to achieve if we were only to adopt a few simple habits.
“Be brave. Even if you’re not, pretend to be. No one can tell the difference.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr., American author
Good quote, right? Brown’s ideas of fairness, caring, bravery, and integrity are the very same that I’ve been speaking about to young people for many decades. I only discovered Brown’s writings about 15 years ago and immediately went out to buy his book, The Complete Life’s Little Instruction Book for about ten bucks; cheap. Number two on his list was “have a dog,” and when I read it, I was an instantaneous fan. This article is not a book review, but I do recommend all his books, most of which I read while checking them out of my local library.
I’m producing all 21 suggestions that parallel much of what makes for a great leader. Note the similarities. Also, I must point this out, that his Number 1 “marry the right person” is something I’ve never mentioned or even suggested. But the advice is golden. Here are his 21 suggestions for success:
- Marry the right person. This one decision will determine 90% of your happiness or misery.
- Work at something you enjoy, and that’s worthy of your time and talent.
- Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
- Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.
- Be forgiving of yourself and others.
- Be generous.
- Have a grateful heart.
- Persistence, persistence, persistence.
- Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary.
- Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.
- Commit yourself to constant improvement.
- Commit yourself to quality.
- Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.
- Be loyal.
- Be honest.
- Be a self-starter.
- Be decisive even if it means you’ll sometimes be wrong.
- Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.
- Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the ones you did.
- Take good care of those you love.
- Don’t do anything that wouldn’t make your Mom proud.
Great list, huh? Your comments and suggestions are welcome!
Be a “self-starter.” That is the best advice you’re going to get. Stay focused, don’t let the bad guys get you down (or the lazy people), and keep your eyes on your family as you are the one who keeps them safe.
Yep, you said it Mikka. Too many folks today just want things handed to them. How sad. In my time (ha ha) we were told to get outside and play as kids and don’t come home until dinner. We had no choice but to be social which at times caused a few bruises. But better bruises as a kid than as an adult who cannot function.
Like many of the people here that take the time to comment, I too had not known about H. Jackson Brown Jr. I do appreciate his works and, yes, I too see the many commonalities between what he is writing to give some basic advice to his son (the beginning of his works) and to what is being done here in https://www.theleadermaker.com.
Some have asked the question whether I read all the comments submitted to my blog articles. The answer is yes but I don’t always respond for the most obvious reasons. Thanks to all for their many thoughtful comments and I do enjoy them all.
Thank you Gen Satterfield.
Hi Gen. Satterfield, I just noticed that you didn’t have a New Year’s Resolution article this year. I was looking forward to it. Hmmmmm, your stay in the hospital might have put a damper on it but if you are still planning on adding one, we all would like to get a hint when. Thanks! ?
Hi Tom. Yes, not having a “New Years Resolution” article was done on purpose. I might still add one but it will depart significantly from the past. For example, I’ve decided to forego many of the social media links. They take too much time and are not worth the effort when I can spend more time with my family. Thanks for the note.
Another positive and educational article so thanks General Satterfield. I’d never heard of Mr. Brown before but I went out on Amazon.com and bought two of his books. One I’ll be giving my son, the other I’ll keep and read.
Valkerie, this is just one more reason to come to this leadership website everyday. You pick up the small things that make you a better leader and that is, of course, no accident.
It is amazing how closely this list of 21 items is to what we desire in a leader. Someone who is stable (being married is one indicator), strong (mentally as well as physically), and resilient (relevant experienced).
… and here are 70 quotes from Brainy Quote that H Jackson Brown Jr. has written. They are worth reading.
https://www.brainyquote.com/authors/h-jackson-brown-jr-quotes
RIght!! Regrets are tough.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Yes, Gen. Satterfield wrote about regrets in another article that deserves to be occasionally re-read.
“What Leaders Most Regret: my View”
https://www.theleadermaker.com/what-leaders-most-regret-my-view/
Good points Ken. I’d not read this article before because I’m still new here but it is a good one and I printed them out (along with Mr. Brown’s list) and have them now on my refrig.
Thanks Ken for bringing this up again. ?
We all think we are so smart that we can ignore much of what Mr. Brown has told us. But, of course, we aren’t that smart and we aren’t that much more moral than people from the past. We are in a modern society but those are just THINGs that get in the way of understanding social relationships and tend to make us narcissistic.
Good point, Nick!
“Marry the right person.” Now that has many meanings beyond the obvious. First, it means you have to commit and adopt responsibility for another person. That is a meaningful and consequential action. Second, it means you have a partner (or team member) who is there to help and support you. No one is more committed than a married partner. But it means also taking care of that person too.
Young folks today believe that marriage is a “religious thing” and thus no longer needed in our “highly advanced” culture. But marriage is about social responsibility. So, Walter, I agree with what you’re saying but no one is listening.
Agreed, families are the basic building blocks of any successful society. Not the individual. If you are not in a functioning family or are putting one together actively, then you are not a positive part of your community.
JT, I don’t think I would go so far as to say they are “not a positive part of your community” when they are not in a family but I hear what you’re saying.
Basic and simple but effective advice. If only more people listened to and read his stuff, we would all be that much better off in the short and long run.
I also am a fan of Mr. Brown, Jr. and his many books that inspire. Simple stuff but good nonetheless.