LIFE’S LESSONS – RICK CRAN

 
Fast track: #rickcranlifeasiseeit

LIFE’S LESSONS (NOT NECESSARILY WORDS OF WISDOM).

Sometimes, when you have not quite figured it out, you just need a place to start. Here’s a few staples that I’ve learned along the way. 
 
 

Destinations

“The beauty of immersing yourself in another culture and to be able to be exposed to another way of life, without passing judgement, opinion or comparison is the greatest emulsion one can have to shake their foundation to the very core.
  1. Articulation begins with the word “ART”. Be sure to paint a clear picture.
  2. Oxford & Webster’s never dreamed of how many words would become acronyms. (you=u) 
  3. Tone can be more important that
 
 

COMMUNICATION

“Communication is the art of delivering a message and another willingly receive it, whether concurring or not, whether understood or not and whether using words or not.”
  1. Articulation begins with the word “ART”. Be sure to paint a clear picture.
  2. Oxford & Webster’s never dreamed of how many words would become acronyms. (you=u) 
  3. Tone can be more important that the words spoken.
  4. Less is more.
  5. Studying to mug is to cheat learning and future preparation of being able to teach another.
  6. There are always nine answers, to six problems, involving three people.
  7. Wearing bright colors gets you noticed, the black suit gets respect.
  8. Value is in the words one can state, not those one is trying to find.
  9. Extend to those able to comprehend a subject.
  10. Every word is a lost breath of air, so use words as though they are your final memoir.
 
 

TRADITIONS

“Having proud roots and recognizing tradition does not in itself define you, but acting on tradition does. As a by-product of your environment, it’s where you come from, but it’s not your DNA. It’s your choice to embrace change and hone a perspective that can evolve through time.”
  1. Integrity was in a person’s name
  2. Might was right.
  3. Speaking up was disrespectful.
  4. The good life was defined by a job.
  5. Men were bread winners, women home-makers.
  6. Children played outside.
  7. Chivalry was a code of honor.
  8. Gentlemen bought a lady flowers.
  9. People took time to assist a neighbor, necessary or not; and 
  10. Your shoes, polished, socially defined you.
 
 

WORK

“When a Junior, work to make your Senior look good; when Senior work to make your Juniors proficient decision maker.”
  1. Revenue is not a scorecard; it’s someone’s hope for a better life.
  2. Sustainability, marketability and profitability is everyone’s responsibility.
  3. Responsibility is not learned, it is endured.
  4. High Performance People (HPP); yes – some people ARE special.
  5. A decision making culture is not optional for success.
  6. Be valued; “Fixers” are worth their weight in gold.
  7. Zero value; those who extend ideas that cannot be executed by them.
  8. Find yourself in the bottom 5%, you need to update your CV.
  9. Casual Friday’s are just that … casual and Friday. Get up, dress up and show up.
  10. Mentors pick mentees; humility, focus and commitment is gratitude enough in return.
 
 

RELATIONSHIPS

“Be true to yourself. There is a reason someone discovered something inside you convincing them to share a lifetime with you.”
  1. Communicate, communicate, communicate and … you’re still wrong.
  2. People are 80% water and when heated (Hydrogen & Oxygen) are extremely volatile at times.
  3. Love is chemical imbalance in the brain, speeding up the heart where no logic applies.
  4. Marriage is like two CEO’s trying to run one company.
  5. First five years is discovery and compromise, after that …
  6. Happiness is choice two people make.
  7. The cure to a problem; buy flowers and a cake.
  8. Take a trip for 3 weeks somewhere you don’t know anyone, if you’re still talking, it’s a match made in Heaven.
  9. Hell has no fury than that of a spouse who watched a Netflix Series without the other present.
  10. Pictures are worth a thousand words and yes, emoticons say something for interpretation.
 
 

PEOPLE

“Nothing is more gratifying than knowing you had an impact on someone’s future; whether they see it as a positive or a negative.”
  1. Treat people as they would treat you.
  2. Never entertain emotional blackmail.
  3. As much as you learn, teach others.
  4. Kindness is infectious.
  5. Nothing can compete against proficiency.
  6. Judgement is regularly extended by those who often cannot achieve.
  7. Accept “nothing is perfect” and you will be “average”.
  8. Find the question that gives meaning to your life.
  9. Whatever your focus, commit.
  10. Age does not guarantee wisdom, nor experience.
 
 

ADVICE

“There are those who get up in the morning, go to work, come home and shower and there are those who get up in the morning have a show, go to work and come home. Decide early who you want to be.”
  1. Don’t waste time selecting food, clothing or jobs; they are a means to an immediate end.
  2. Treat technology investments like umbrellas.
  3. School grades are not the objective, knowledge is. Learn to apply knowledge.
  4. Great ideas come when they want, not when you need them; write them down.
  5. Convert fear to excitement and go for it fearlessly!
  6. Clean-up your own mess.
  7. Learn to change a car tire before you get married.
  8. Happiness is a choice; be happy.
  9. Believe in yourself.
  10. When in India, accept all of your senses will be violated and embrace it. 
 
 

RECOMMEND 

“Get work experience early -paid or unpaid. It’s invaluable and will always hold more in your favor than those without it for any job interview.”
  1. At least once a year, travel by train.
  2. Changing passwords regularly.
  3. Represent yourself at a job interview, like you are the CEO.
  4. Find Paris and eat a baguette with curd.
  5. Pouring 1oz of every new bottle of Scotch, out a window, remembering those before you.
  6. Find old family pictures; record Grandparents and Parents telling their stories for future generations; pictures are brilliant, but nothing beats seeing true character through a voice.
  7. Learning to drive a motorcycle and drive across a country.
  8. Downhill ski, go ice skating and play sports without the need of a trophy.
  9. Drawing a picture of someone who cannot (yet) draw, but be inspired to try.
  10. Collect all the music that means something to you – life is a sound-track, record yours.
 
 

SECOND CHANCE

“ASK QUESTIONS! Never be shy about not knowing something. When you discover you don’t know, ask then learn to apply that knowledge.”
    1. Own your time; spend it with people who respect yours by showing up early.
    2. Fear is telling you, you’re still alive and anything is possible.
    3. Knowledge was left by those before us to give us a head-start when contributing in life.
    4. Never accept the naysayers word as final. Try everything once, make a decision on your own. 
    5. Pursue what you love and you will become the reflection of it.
    6. Taking on student loans requiring a decade to pay off is not a wise decision.
    7. Sleeping is for the tired to recover, not the weak to lay claim.
    8. Select stronger passwords for Social Media (getting hacked is annoying).
    9. Live in a country that you can rediscover everyday.
    10. Never settle; breaking is a part of the healing process that makes you stronger.
 
 

FOODIES

” I’m not pro non-veg or pro veg as I can eat anything but calamari (seriously who CRAVES for this stuff!).  Food is a means to end. Get to the end and get on with life.”
  1. Masala papad and pav bhaji is the goodness your soul seeks.
  2. Sav Puri is a dish designed to make you believe in reincarnation.
  3. Sambhar is not a condiment, it is better had as a soup.
  4. Nothing compares to butter & salt popcorn.
  5. Fresh banana chips should be currency.
  6. Biryani and veg. raita is a gift of patience and love; leave no grain of rice behind!
  7. Beet-borscht, garlic bread and perogies with sourcream, chives and bacon-bits – staple.
  8. Feel a cold coming, chicken noodle soup, ginger-ale soda and Smyle throat lozenges.
  9. Half-glass of Orange juice 3x a week, vitamin C – don’t get sick, get back to work!
  10. Avocado is highly overrated and extremely high in calories. Eat an apple, 69% less calories.