Simple Rules Foundation - Be One in a Million and Change the World

Simple Rules Foundation

1 Simple Thing: Believe in Yourself

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The Final Exam

A professor stood before her class of 20 senior organic biology students, about to hand out the final exam.

“I want to say that it’s been a pleasure teaching you this semester,” she said. “I know you’ve all worked extremely hard and many of you are off to medical school after summer. So that no one gets their GP messed up because they might have been celebrating a bit too much this week, anyone who would like to opt out of the final exam today will receive a “B” for the course.”

There was much rejoicing amongst the class as students got up, passed by the professor to thank her and sign out on her offer. As the last taker left the room, the professor looked out over the handful of remaining students and asked, “Any one else? This is your last chance.”

One final student rose up and took the offer. The professor closed the door and took attendance of those students remaining.

“I’m glad to see you believe in yourself.” she said to the remaining few. “You all have A’s.”A grade

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*This is a story I have heard/read in a variety of forms and places; the original source is unknown to me. I chose it because it is a wonderful example of this 1 Simple Thing: Believe in Yourself.

 

Relatively Simple Speaking

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Life is indeed complex, but no more complicated than we make it. Albert Einstein believed in simplicity and I recently found myself poring over a collection of Einstein Quotes.  Afterwards, I found the following short list of Simple Rules buzzing around in my head.

Of course there is an infinite number of possibilities; these simply worked for me. You will no doubt come up with your own.

Simple Rules from Albert Einstein

  • Embrace ongoing learning.  Opportunities for learning abound in every situation, interaction and conversation. Pay attention and seize what is right in front of you. It will enhance and contribute to your own breadth of experience and expertise.
  • Persistently exercise your creativity and imagination.  Imagination is fundamental to integrating experience, learning and doing. When coupled with creativity, new, valuable and wonderful things will emerge from your efforts. Inspire others to imagine along with you.
  • Value people. Recognize, respect, believe in and care about others. Not only will you get the same in return. Be someone who appreciates and is appreciated by others.
  • Do what is right. ‘What is right’ means what is right for you. Be true to yourself and stand firm in your convictions. Then they will always be there to guide you.
  • Be unconventional. Everyone talks about thinking/acting “outside the box.”  If you do what’s always been done, you’ll get what’s always been gotten. Think, act and BE different. That is the path to discovering your own answers – and more importantly – your own questions.

So, what do you think?einstein[1]

 

 

 

 

 

One Simple Thing Can Change the World

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I believe that you have the power to make a difference in your own life and the lives of others. I believe the measure of your humanity has purpose and life from day to day. And I believe in the notion of One Simple Thing: that once you are clear about who you are, what is important to you, and how you want to connect with others and the world around you, all you have to do is One Simple Thing every day, and you can change the world. Little things can make a big difference; and you can act in small, purposeful ways to create your own path and be your best self.

Your power lies not in what you can control, but in your ability to influence the world around you and each simple action has the potential to alter your life. Now is the time for you to exercise your influence with resolve. Here you are, reading this page, because you want to do something about your world. You want to support resilience, collaboration, and abundance rather than vulnerability, disengagement, and scarcity. You have come to realize that what you are doing doesn’t seem to be working anymore and you want to choose another route.

So let’s do something different and create change. Begin with the belief that the big questions in life can be disentangled, and your individual strength and actions can crack the code. Each of us can change and better the world by investing in ourselves, each other, and the common good. Let’s turn away from fear and hate and deception, and engage others in a better climate: one of reason, respect, and trust.

YOU can be he difference that makes a difference today.

 

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Agreeing to Disagree

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“Let’s agree to disagree.”

How often have we heard these words in the context of work and play?  When you and someone else have reached a point where further discussion cannot possibly move the situation forward – and might harm your relationship or desired outcomes – that seems to be the time to agree-to-disagree.

So when I recently came across a blog that talked about not having to win every argument, I realized I was looking at their short list of simple rules for handing conflict (and agreeing to disagree.)  Special thanks to Ian Lawton at Soulseeds.

Simple Rules for Handling Conflict

  • Don’t attend every argument you’re invited to.
  • Do no harm, but take no shit.
  • Own your own shit.
  • Respect others perspectives without giving up your own.
  • Separate the person from the perspective.

After all, some battles are worth fighting, some are not, and some are better left alone. What do you think?

soulseeds

 

Wonder Woman Knickers

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I’m not sure what percentage of women today are STILL struggling to be Superwoman (or is it Wonder Woman?) but the image of keeping all our plates spinning in the air at the same time continues to resonate with me.

Linda Coles, an international speaker, author and trainer from New Zealand, recently blogged about her own experiences at this. She smartly talks about putting on her “Wonder Woman Knickers” and from her insightful piece I gleaned the following Simple Rules. Thanks, Linda!

 

Here’s how I get it done:

  • Prioritize and focus on what needs to get done.
  • Allocate the time you need to complete your task.
  • Stick with the plan.
  • Ask for help and support when you need it.
  • Enjoy what you are doing.

 

What do you think?

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Sandra, Toronto, Canada

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A colleague and I recently had a conversation about her work in the international business arena. These are Sandra’s words:

As the environment continues to change and as we look to free our organization in order to deliver on our promise to our customers, it is also important to free the individual expertise of each one of us in order to support that promise.

With that in mind, Sandra helped launch her company’s Simple Rules:

  • Be clear about what you can and can’t do and when
  • Suggest a solution with every problem
  • Celebrate success and excellence
  • Invite others’ opinions and ideas

These represent how our organization will operate from now on, at all levels of the organization.  Our simple rules make up the code that informs people how to act.  To further support the effort, every employee will be invited by their managers to take part in discussions on what these ‘simple rules’ mean to each of us, as individuals and members of a team, and how they can truly bring the simple rules into our everyday way of operating.

In the meantime, the rules will serve to empower each member of the organization.  Just imagine if everyone is committed and encouraged to challenge the status quo; respectfully push back on actions that no longer support the future direction of our group; and instead embrace our full potential by applying these simple rules.

Freshness, Vigor and Humanity

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I recently came across a fun post by Derek Humphries about how organizations and their leaders have lost the art of communicating to their target audiences with “freshness, vigor, and humanity.”  Can you be yourself AND great – without key messages, ignoring the brand police and shunning impenetrable organizational jargon?

Yes! And all it takes is a short list of simple rules.

  • Share with enthusiasm, wonder and sense of discovery
  • Engage with individuals and groups alike
  • Use your own voice and your ears
  • Take risks
  • Work hard to pursue what is truly important

So, based upon these simple rules, who in your organization is possessed with a passion for what you do, and has an ability to communicate it in a simple, accessible, human and inspiring way?

Now, let them inspire.

Thanks, Derek!101fundraising.1