What Is "O.P.M. Wisdom"?

What IS "O.P.M. Wisdom"?

Depending on who you are and what your background or life experience is, will likely influence your guess on this one. Now, don't feel bad if you don't come up with ANYTHING on this one, o.k.? 

Perhaps the first thing that came to your mind when you saw the letters "O.P.M." was "Office of Personnel Management". I even saw a listing for "Office of Pest Management". So, in the area of "office" there could be any number of listings that go along with that.

Now, if you are one that has researched work-from-home opportunities or any type of entrepreneurial endeavors, then the idea of "Other People's Money" may be what came to mind.  And, yes, that might display some sort of wisdom - having the ability to grow your business using other people's money BUT...that is not what I'm going to be talking about today.

I'll get to that in a moment  but, first, I want to give a little background as to what it was that made me come up with that phrase and to also feel the need to share this information in this blog as well as on the podcast (see podcast links at bottom of article) that goes along with this same topic.

Let me start off by asking you this question: "How do you learn?" or "How do you think most people learn - beginning as a baby?"

For sure, much learning comes from trial and error, right? How does a baby learn to crawl and then walk? Trial and error. Some babies don't crawl, they "scoot". I've seen babies scoot like an inchworm and I've seen babies learn how to sit up and scoot along on their bottom...almost hopping!

But, basically, there's only one way to walk and that definitely takes place with trial and error. 

Did you ever learn how to ride a bicycle? If you did, do you remember that process? I do and I can say real quick that IT IS NOT FUN! Crashing was not (and still is not) fun! And, once you've crashed and felt the pain that came with it, it's HARD to get back on that bike and go at it again. But, apparently the MOTIVATION of being able to ride that bike like your brothers, sisters and/or friends was greater than the fear and, after a period of trial and error, you learned how to ride that bike.

But, is that the ONLY way that we learn? Of course not!

I have three adult sons and I remember the difference in the "learning curve" between the first one, the second one and the third one. The second one learned most things a lot quicker than the first one because he had someone to learn from (besides his parents) - his brother! And, the third one learned even quicker because he had TWO brothers to learn from.

Follow me so far? Good.

I have two brothers and three sisters while my wife has only one brother. Overall, I'd say I learned mostly positive things from my brothers and sisters and don't remember much of anything that I thought I needed to avoid in their actions. Now, my wife tells me that she would watch her older brother and figure out what NOT to do! He wasn't (and isn't) a bad person but he just got in a lot more trouble than she did. (Now, I do have to say that little sisters are quite sneaky!).  

So, here we go with the main point - ARE YOU READY?

Some people feel that the only way to LEARN anything - or to gain wisdom - is by trial and error. More or less, what they believe is that they may have to "crash and burn" over and over again before they finally "get it". Then, they learn and are wiser.

And, yes, that is ONE way to learn. A very painful way to learn, at times, but it is a way to learn.

However, I want to present another way to learn and gain wisdom - "O.P.M. WISDOM"  and the "O.P.M." stands for "Other People's MISTAKES". 

I told my Dad once that I guess I was one of those that had to learn lessons the hard way and he very gently told me that this was not true. He was the first to point out to me the value in learning from OTHER people's mistakes. 

Just in general, HISTORY is a prime example of how we can - and SHOULD - learn from the mistakes of the past. The problem is that too may people have no clue about history and, thus, many people (and societies) continue to repeat the same mistakes. 

What about YOU?

I can pretty much guarantee that YOU have learned more than you realize by observing "other peoples mistakes" and deciding to do something different than they did. 

That, my friend, is a WISE way to learn as much as possible. WATCH others. TAKE NOTE in their actions and the RESULTS (or lack thereof). By the way, they may be GOOD results or they may be BAD results, otherwise known as CONSEQUENCES. And then, finally, after watching and taking notice, you then make a DECISION.

That's "O.P.M. WISDOM".

Think about that and ask yourself if, perhaps, you need to pay more attention to this type of wisdom. Hey, listen, sometimes that means that you will actually have to do some RESEARCH as part of the process. In case you don't know, it's also called  DUE DILIGENCE (look it up if you don't know what that is). 

Now that I've given you this simple - but often neglected - "formula" for gaining wisdom, in my next article I will discuss what is actually said by those that reject this idea or that insist that the only way to learn or gain wisdom is through trial and error.

Send me some feedback to my Facebook Fan Page - I'd love to get your thoughts there and you can shoot me an e-mail at anytime. 

Pay attention and keep your eyes open, friend. Watch others as others watch you! (Oh yeah, there are others that are watching YOU as well.)

Until next time, always be sure to... 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University   FYU on Facebook!   Podcast on iTunes   Podcast RSS feed

SEE More

 

In my last article about the late Stuart Scott, I mentioned (once again) the need to "get your head out of your phone" and pay more attention to what is going on around you in your world.

 

This is something that I could literally talk about every day and it would be needed. After listening to the podcast that went along with that last article I mentioned, my wife mentioned how people don't even make eye contact when she is at the store. For the most part, we have become a society of individuals...we all live in our own little worlds and cocoons and we don't really want to reach out to or be touched by those that are around us every day.

 

What a sad way to go through life.

 

I chose the words "go through" on purpose because you cannot say that this is a way to "live" life, can you?

 

Going along with the idea from the last article on "HEAR More", I want to encourage (and challenge) you to SEE more as you go through each day.

 

As I've said before, life is passing us by each and every day. We can either be a part of it and get as much out of each day as is possible or we can continue to keep our heads in the sand and miss out on so many wonderful things that take place around us...right under our noses.

 

Be sure to listen to the very short podcast on today's topic (only around 2.5 minutes long) by clicking on one of the podcast links below and take on the challenge of "opening your eyes" and SEEING more as you go through your day.

 

And, as you do so, be sure to...

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

 

Mike

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Podcast on iTunes      Podcast RSS feed

 

"Merely Existing OR Truly Living?" (Part 1)

"Merely Existing OR Truly Living?"

(Part 1)

If you haven't done so, be sure to check out the video and/or audio version of today's thoughts because I want to do EVERYTHING I can to help you NEVER, EVER forget to LIVE each and every day that you have.

Why?

Because, once gone, the day is gone forever.

So, wouldn't you agree that it's time to start LIVING? Today?

In the movie, "Tuck Everlasting", the dad who has remained the same age for years after drinking from the "fountain of youth" has a discussion with the young lady who stumbled upon the family and their secret.

He talks about how people would flock to this "magic stream" so that they, too, could live forever. But, as he continues on, living forever is not all it's cracked up to be.

He tells the young lady that she will continue to grow and change and experience life as she goes through the different stages of her life and, eventually, she will die having LIVED a full life. This was something that he and his family had missed out on. Nothing ever changed. They never grew older and were limited in the experiences that they could actually participate in due to their immortality.

Here's the point friend: When you are ALIVE and GROWING you are also CHANGING and EXPERIENCING what life has to offer - both good AND bad!

You see, this goes hand in hand with the discussion that we had about "When the Going Gets Tough..." in my last series. Life is made up of good AND rough times, laughter AND tears.

Yes, it would be great (or so we think) to experience nothing but happiness. My guess is that we know not that for which we ask in thinking such a thought.

But, hey, we're human. I know I often wish the tough times would disappear.

But, even in the midst of those tough times, I MUST realize that it is PROOF that I am LIVING, GROWING and CHANGING due to the experiences that come with living a full life.

It's not always easy, is it?

Stop living afraid. Stop living a life of fear or a life that tries so hard to avoid any displeasure that it simply ceases to experience ANYTHING - including life itself.

Stop existing. Start living. Today.

Until next time...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

ENJOY Your Age! (Regardless of What it Is!)

Wow, this whole "fear of getting old" thing really got me going this week, didn't it? For my "Thankful Thursday" podcast I went totally "Mike" on you with no input from Napoleon Hill's book, "Think & Grow Rich".

Why?

Well, for one, he didn't have that much to say about the topic (and I did) and, secondly, I just know that a lot of people use this "I'm too old" excuse as simply that - AN EXCUSE to cease living and blessing the lives of others!

Stop using this (or ANY) excuse and step out there and start living your life TODAY!

You know, sometimes fear can be a good thing! What? Sure it can! IF that fear drives us to productive ACTION - then it can serve as the "kick in the pants" that we may need.

Here's what I mean. For example, if "the fear of getting old" is in place because you fear not having enough money to survive then USE THAT FEAR to step out there and DO SOMETHING about it! You have the wisdom, experience and ability to MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN in your life that you've never allowed yourself to do - why not now?

Here's something in my podcast that I challenged everyone to write down and say aloud each and every day - "I like ME and I like BEING me!" - yes, this means regardless of your age. Don't allow others to tell you who you are and how you should act, dress, talk, etc. based on THEIR expectations! YOU be YOU - regardless of your age. YOU have much to offer to the world - so share your life and all the experiences that have come in your life and share you love that has grown in your life because of the life that you have lived.

And, above all...

"Make it an AWESOME Day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

SYMPTOMS of the FEAR of GETTING OLD

No, I'm not talking about "signs that you're getting old" such as:
- Your back goes out more than you do
- Everything hurts and what doesn't hurt doesn't work.
- The gleam in your eyes is from the sun hitting your bifocals.
- You feel like the morning after and you haven't been anywhere.
- Your little black book contains only names that end in M.D.
- You look forward to a dull evening
- You sit in a rocking chair and can't get it going.
- Your knees buckle, and your belt won't.
- Your Pacemaker makes the garage doors go up when you see a pretty girl.
- The little old gray haired lady you helped across the street is your wife.
- You sink your teeth into a steak, and they stay there.

O.k., o.k....that's enough of that. But MAYBE you were able to smile a little bit even if you ARE worried about getting older. Hey, listen friend - getting older is just part of life. Do you REALLY want to live forever? Really? Think about that.

Here's what I always wonder about "stories" similar to this that you may read in a book or watch in a movie. If that person doesn't age then how come they're always older than a baby? See what I mean? What age would be THE age that you'd wish to stay forever?

Nope, not me! I remember when I was a teenager I'd hear people say, "These are the best years of your life!" and I would think - "Then shoot me now!"

But, for now, in keeping with today's podcast, let's notice the symptoms of the fear of getting older as is mentioned in chapter 15 of Napoleon Hill's classic, "Think & Grow Rich".

1. The tendency to slow down and develop an inferiority complex at the age of mental maturity - falsely believing one's self to be "slipping" because of age.
Wow, do YOU ever do that? Do you ever begin to feel that you "can't keep up" because of your age? And what IS that age when that happens for/to you? Perhaps in your job you have this fear amplified due to the "younger" people that are out to "take over" (perhaps that is in your own mind?). Remember, YOU have the advantage in experience and, hopefully, wisdom! "Book-learning" isn't everything and you know that!

2. The habit of speaking apologetically of one's self as "being old" merely because one has reached the age of forty, or fifty, instead of reversing the rule and expressing the gratitude for having reached the age of wisdom and understanding.
Do you fall into this trap?Again, as is often said, "age is just a number". Now, I know that you DO age as you get older, but the idea behind that little saying is also expressed in this one - "You are as old/young as you feel!". Isn't that true? Why should we allow a number which simply states how long we have been alive dictate how we act and feel? There is simply no reason for it at all. Again, it is a mindset which we CAN control - it is up to YOU!

3. The habit of killing off initiative, imagination and self-reliance by falsely believing one's self too old to exercise these qualities.
Do you know how many men and women reach their greatest achievements after the ages of 40 or 50? Do some research on that. Check and see what the ages were of some of our greatest inventors. Don't get caught up in the thought and idea that it is only the "young" that have the ability to be creative or to take initiative. Sure, there are plenty of them out there and they get a lot of attention - but I can promise you that there are MANY "older" men and women that are accomplishing great and mighty things. I mentioned Jack Lalanne in my podcast today and the article about him in a recent edition of Success magazine. If you want to read some amazing information about what this man accomplished at ages that most would be content to sit in a rocking chair, then check out the link that will take you to that article:
http://www.successmagazine.com/founding-father-of-fitness/PARAMS/article/684

4. The habit of the man or woman of forty dressing with the aim of trying to appear much younger, and affecting mannerisms of youth; thereby inspiring ridicule by both friends and strangers.
Now, I understand what Mr. Hill is saying here, but I will share with you some opposing thoughts in a moment. But, let's address this first. To me, one thing that we can notice is that things have definitely changed since the time that this book was written. Sure, many still struggle with the idea that they are "old" at the age of forty. However, for the most part, it seems to me as if that number has been pushed "upward" by quite a few years. But, let's address the thought here. Yes, I have seen men and women that were trying to look much younger than they were and what they actually accomplished was simply looking ridiculous (a form of the word "ridicule" used by Mr. Hill). Perhaps it's the man that goes through his "mid-life crisis" and dons a ridiculous looking hair piece, buys a fancy, convertible sports car and begins to hang out at clubs frequented by people 20 - 30 years younger than he. (By the way, I have nothing against hair pieces! But I think you know what I mean.) OR perhaps it is the lady that drastically changes her whole wardrobe to try to dress like those much younger than she as well as hanging out at the same type clubs mentioned above.
Here's my take on all of this. DRESS IN A WAY THAT MAKES YOU HAPPY! Don't try to dress so that you "look younger" than you are or don't try to dress so that you are dressed "age appropriately". See what I mean? When we do that we are allowing others to decide for us how we should or shouldn't dress. Society - for whatever reason - seems to be a little easier on males in this respect than they are on females. I have noticed over the years that a lot of people would tell women that, when they reach a certain age (perhaps 40?) then their hair should be worn a certain way, the length of the hem of their dress should be a certain length and on and on it goes. I have seen many women look MUCH OLDER than they actually were due to this fact. WHY?

BE YOU! Today is the only day that you have at your disposal. Disposal. Think about that for a second! It cannot be recycled. Once it is gone, it is gone forever. So, how will YOU choose to live your day. Will you live in fear of the fact that this one day does, indeed, make you one day older? Why not live today enjoying it for what it has to offer and for what YOU can "squeeze" out of it and do not worry about your age?

Remember this: "TODAY is the TOMORROW that you worried about YESTERDAY!"

So, again, it's today and, in my opinion, you should celebrate who you are TODAY as well as celebrate this stage of your life - REGARDLESS of the number attached to it.

Live. Love. Laugh.

And, as always....

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike