303. Responsible Speech

It follows from the rule "Say and do nothing unnecessary and be usefully occupied at all times." that you should take responsibility for those things that you do say. Never promise that which you cannot deliver, never say anything that you don't mean. Always think of the consequences for the other person of what you are about to say. Never be flippant in your speech. Never speak without thinking. You must never, by your speech, plant in anyone's mind a thought that could be harmful to them or to those they care about. Refrain from useless chatter.

Words have effects. The meaning of a word is what it does. The effects of some words can last for centuries or millenia.

"Words change how people behave. Words are the most powerful drugs that we have." - Mark Twain.

A wrong lecture I once received from someone who didn't know what they were talking about changed my behaviour and limited my behaviour for nearly 26 years. I was told to separate my professional fuction (testing in the consulting room) from the selling function in the dispensing room. This meant that during the test I was not sewing the seeds for the sale of value added items and so making it easier for the patient to go for the cheapest items.

302. "Luck"

Luck always favours the mind that is prepared. And when I look at it, the harder I work, the luckier I get.

This means that before every event, every test, job interview, exam or encounter of any sort, you should prepare, do your homework, check, double check and check again everything connected with it.

Luck is defined as that which happens when opportunity meets preparation. Learn to recognise it whenever it happens.

301. Training in the Martial Arts

When you train in a martial art, you will be on average, 30% faster than an untrained combatant. No matter how much bigger, hairier, uglier or smellier than you your opponent is, all that he has is a pair of arms and a pair of legs that are no different from your own. There is a limited number of ways these can be used against you. When you contact them, remember that and stick to them and destroy them rapidly.

There are 3 aspects of training in the Martial Arts. You should strive to develop each aspect evenly. These are 1. Strength. 2. Skill (Technique). and 3. Speed. If you have any 2 of these aspects you will beat an opponent who has only the other one. e.g. speed + skill will always overcome strength on its own.

300. Total Committment

Develop and cultivate within yourself the habit of total committment. This means there will be no idling, loafing off, standing around, sneaking away or calling in sick. This is a decision, cut away all other possibilities, excuses and rationalisations. Begin to give 100% for 100% of the time. Let there be nothing else going on.

299. Know Thyself

Find out who you are, what you stand for, what your values are, what your strengths and weaknesses are. Do the exercise where you list your values and re-order them by which you put first. Do this prioritising exercise at least once a year. Once you know, just carry on being yourself. Never try to be someone else.

298. The Light of Others

Whenever someone succeeds, it is often because there is someone else to show the way. The light does not have to be in your family, it often comes from your teachers.

297. Education and Freedom.

Education is the door to freedom. Without it, your choices become very limited indeed.