Here are twelve life lessons I learned over my 23 year career in the United States Army:
1. Always say less than is necessary, especially when doing business and in meetings. You risk saying too much and revealing thoughts not meant for your intended audience to know.
2. Don’t let perfection become the enemy of progress.
3. If you really want to know what’s going on in your unit/company/organization, don’t ask the leader or even your peers. Ask the staff or your subordinates.
4. Never accept criticism from people you’d never consult for advice.
5. Never utter the phrase “I don’t have time”; we all have the same 1440 minutes, so you can find the time if you really wanted or needed to.
6. Speaking of time, always spend time with your family. Tomorrow is promised to no one.
7. Time is the only commodity that you can never get back once it’s gone. Spend it/use it wisely
8. Nothing in life worth having ever comes easily or cheaply. Nothing.
9. Mind the company you keep. If you hang out with people with no value or values, you will soon compromise your own value or values.
10. It is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.
11. Take care of your body. Before you know it, you’ll wish you had.
12. You’ll be amazed how easily the things you want in life come to you when you stop chasing after them or attaching so much importance to them.
-The Rational Ram
The Rational Ram 