One of our long-term partners recently invited me to share some thoughts about what I’ve learned from not only my decades in business but also my very blessed life. I’ve had the good fortune of a lot of wonderful circumstances — a great family, tremendous mentors, good timing and countless wonderful colleagues.
In a time of excessive negativity and bifurcation, it feels like the right time to spread some good vibes and some thoughts that have helped me get to where I am today. These are my top 10 truths I’ve learned along the way and how I try to live them:
1) The harder I work, the luckier I get. This quote has been mis-assigned to a lot of amazing people over the years for a good reason. Luck favors the prepared, the persistent and the person who shows up early and stays late. The lights were never left on at Motel 5. WD-39 sits on no store shelves. And Preparation G never soothed anyone. It took founders working a little harder to make all of the difference.
2) Curiosity is underrated. IQ matters and you can’t teach smart. Emotional quotient (EQ) is a difference maker — especially if you use it to remind people that they matter. But curiosity and work ethic are the twin engines that keep you moving when talent alone would stall out. Never teach children (or your colleagues) that curiosity killed cats or anyone else.
3) Grit makes the difference. We all hit rough patches and the ability to tough it out will separate you from the competition. Businesses and people need grit and that is something we can learn young, as explained in “The Blessings of a Skinned Knee” by Wendy Mogel. We are far more resilient than we think and the world never seems to end regardless of how often we’re told the sky is falling.
4) Don’t rely on willpower alone. Organize your life to make it harder to stray. For example, living or working near a gym or keeping unhealthy foods out of your home.
5) The last 10 percent of effort often takes something from good to outstanding. Most people quit too early. Don’t be most people.
6) Seek the win/win/wins. Bake a bigger pie instead of fighting over the size of your slice. Zero sum games are no fun, and capitalism’s long-term health relies on shared opportunity.
7) Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not. Part of life’s work is shrinking that gap. Finding enormous potential and lifting that talent has its own enormous rewards.
inevitably end up with more.
9) “This too shall pass.” Good times, bad times, headwinds, tailwinds — nothing stays forever.
10) Don’t stop at the base of the hill. As a cyclist, I know that momentum is a gift, and I’ve applied that lesson to life. Pedal through the hard part; the view is at the top.
And why not a bonus 11th?
11) You can always be better. Perfection is a myth; improvement is a choice. Life is a journey with no end destination.
These are just a handful of lessons I’ve accumulated over the years. There is nothing revolutionary here and I don’t claim any special gift. Your list may look different, but having some guiding reminders to help chart your course is always helpful for yourself and anyone you might be mentoring to pay it forward. ●
Stewart Kohl is Co-CEO of The Riverside Company
