Me, Unmasked.

A few weeks back it was my birthday. Not a great day for a number of assorted reasons, but as with many of us, a day for reflection.

A friend, who has sent me a birthday greeting every year for the past 23 years (the only time I hear from him) had suggested a few years ago that I do a personal inventory every year at my birthday just to take stock of the changes that take place over the years. I’m just not that introspective so I stretched it to every five years.

As bad luck would have it this was the fifth year since the suggestion. I don’t know why I decided to burden you with this housekeeping chore. I guess just because the column I planned for this week still has some pieces missing. Or maybe I was hoping that some of you who stop in each week, might actually give a belch. Anyway, here goes.

Who Am I?

I will not to let myself be defined by any other person or category other than myself or my own. No other single trait has gotten me in more hot water over the years.

I believe totally in my ability to succeed at any task I set out to accomplish. This can be a problem since I refuse to take no for an answer long after no is the only answer that makes any sense at all.

I do what I say I will do. Of course this leaves me with the world’s longest “To Do List”, but I am never at a loss for things to fill my every aching hour.

I am proud of what I have accomplished thus far. This is relatively new, since I also have had some self-esteem issues to deal with. I forget how good I used to be.

I endeavor to learn at least one thing from every person I meet. This is one of the best pieces of advice anyone ever gave me and I gladly pass it on for whatever it may be worth to you.

I have no time to waste on self-doubt or regret. I seem to let this one slip every now and then, but I intend to make it a priority going forward.

I have nothing to gain from looking back. Which is not to say I can’t learn from past mistakes, just don’t spend too much time dwelling on lost battles.

I never, ever give up. This is one for the tombstone.

I am the master of my fate. Which is all about taking full responsibility for my actions and my mistakes. If this litany is boring you I’m sorry. You’re excused. See you next week..

I consider the opinions of others opinions, not facts. This one is difficult. People really want you to see things their way. If you don’t, they get really pissed. A lot of people are really pissed at me. A lot.

I keep the main thing the main thing at all times. This one came from Albert Einstein. My father interviewed him on his support of the Civil Rights movement. It keeps me on track when all else fails.

I make my own luck. I take responsibility for the bad stuff that happens to me and credit for the good stuff. It’s much easier to keep things straight that way.

I add value to everything I touch. Any ad person or designer that doesn’t believe this needs to hang up their guns and take a Civil Service Exam.

I treat everyone with the respect I would afford a customer. This is a brand new one taught to me by a master salesman. It really helps me with meeting new people for the first time. I’ve been told it will make me rich.

I do not care about those who do not care about me. This is a big one. Once you’re out in my book, you are O.U.T. Took me years to figure this one out working in Hollywood.

I take pride in the way I present myself. I had forgotten about this one once I moved to LA from NY. Now I’m all over it. Another one of those self-esteem issues I’m laying to rest this year.

I have no time to waste on empty promises. I don’t believe anything anybody says to me (accept for maybe one person) I am all about what people do.

My daughter is my life. If you met her you’d know exactly what I mean. 6 going on 26.

I will not live or work in chaos. I spend 25% of my time cleaning up after myself. The French call it mis en place (everything in place) I learned this just recently and it has raised my productivity to an amazing extent.

I think before I speak. I get this one right maybe 70% of the time. When I don’t, disaster is bound to strike.

I consider the consequences of each action before I act. This one comes under damage control. I have suffered grievous losses as a result of not doing this. I gotta tattoo this on the inside of my eyelids or go in for post-hypnotic suggestion. A definite work in progress.

I increase my value and my worth every day. This one helps me get focused every morning. I learned it from the Wall Street billionaire who developed the derivatives market.

I make at least one sale every day. I hate to sell. I have to sell. This one doesn’t let me wiggle out of it.

I do not let things matter that do not matter. This one came from Melvin Franklin of the mighty Temptations. He saw how crazy my life was some years back and hung out with me for a week. At the end of that week he had cut my workload in half. God Blesses us with great friends and then takes them away from us, just to teach
us a lesson.

I dress to impress. Another New York trait that I’ve returned to recently. No more roughdry Hawaiian shirts and Surfer Joe cut-offs for me.

I build my body every day. This belly is going down. Two hours a day in the gym says I’m serious.

My temper is my greatest weakness. This one will save my life one day. I have forty years of anger built up inside. I spend an hour a day pounding it out of myself. It has really done wonders for my work and my business. My personal life is next.

I make a list of ten things to do every day and I don’t go to sleep until they get done. I don’t get a lot of sleep. But I am doing the best work of my career right now.

Make contact with four new people to move my objectives forward every day. Hey Microsoft. I know you’re reading this. You’re on my list this to move IAPIA forward this week,

I don’t eat food that will kill me. Thank you Angela Glenn.

Woe is not me. Don’t confuse me with anybody who feels sorry for the way their life has turned out. I’m ready to go whenever my time is up.

I believe ideas are nothing. It’s what you do with them that counts. If any of you students out there are reading this column for some random words of wisdom, you just read them. That’s as good as you will get from me.

My life. My rules. Take it or leave it.

Stay strong.

Comments from Mad162: Nobody Knows Nothin':

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