“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”
Peter F. Drucker
Change Masters Incorporated - The Blog
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“The best way to predict your future is to create it.”
Peter F. Drucker
Likeability has made Betty White the woman with the longest television career (Guinness World Records). She is loved by many in every generation. She was born January 17th, 1922, which makes her 95 years-young. She is widely admired.
Carol and I were in the Burberry Store in London buying Carol a new coat. The man helping us was in his twenties. When he learned we were from Minnesota, he was very excited. “The Golden Girls is my favorite show! Betty White went to Saint Olaf. Is there really a Saint Olaf in Minnesota?” he asked. When I told him that my oldest daughter had graduated from St. Olaf, he thought we must be celebrities.
So why does this young man in London … and so many other people of every age … love Betty White? When you mention Betty’s name, most people smile. A friendly and nice persona has been Betty’s magic. She is engaging. She has a sense of humor. She doesn’t take herself too seriously. She demonstrates wisdom. She demonstrates the engagement and energy most of us hope to have when we are 95 years-young.
So does “nice” at work mean one is weak? One of my Boston clients wisely said, “Don’t confuse nice with weak.” It takes courage, wisdom, and humility to be nice and not weak. It has worked well for Betty, and it’s a worthy objective for all of us.
Age is relative. Harvard Professor Ellen Langer found that helping people think younger improved their health and happiness. Betty has not let age stop her from fully engaging. Being optimistic makes you, and the people around you, happier.
When Betty White was asked what was most important to her, she said, “Professionalism. It’s not about you. It’s about everyone. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Be prepared, and be humble.”
It’s good advice for all of us at any age!
We know that we are blessed by all those who support us in thought, word and deed.
A Harvard study started in 1938, and continuing for 75 years, with four generations of researchers, has documented the keys to happiness for men. Relationships make men happy. Not hard work, as society would like us to believe. Men who flourished had close ties with family, friends, and community. The study found no correlation of happiness to fame, wealth, social class, IQ, or genes.
The study started with 724 men (yes – all men – it was 1938) from a wide demographic. Sixty of the men are still alive today, now in their 90’s. The study team talked to the participants every two years during the study. The lessons learned included:
This is one of the longest such studies. The current director of the study, Robert Waldinger, gave a TED Talk giving an overview of the study results.