https://rickbaker.ca/category/wisdom-surviving-the-test-of-time/ Rick Baker's Thought Posts — plain-spoken writing on leadership, business values, communication, habits, and the people side of building a business. Publishing since 2008. en-ca https://rickbaker.ca/post/we-benefit-when-someone-or-something-makes-us-do-what-we-can/https://rickbaker.ca/post/we-benefit-when-someone-or-something-makes-us-do-what-we-can/Tue, 15 Jun 2021 07:28:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Even the great Ralph Waldo Emerson needed that sort of help. Emerson said, " What I most need is somebody to make me do what I… https://rickbaker.ca/post/hope-is-a-waking-dream-much-craved-by-people-this-explains-why-people-rally-around-leaders-with-vivid-vision-vision/https://rickbaker.ca/post/hope-is-a-waking-dream-much-craved-by-people-this-explains-why-people-rally-around-leaders-with-vivid-vision-vision/Thu, 08 Apr 2021 07:08:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Aristotle said, "Hope is a waking dream." People want hope; people follow dreams. https://rickbaker.ca/post/dreams-of-a-better-future-light-the-path-to-that-better-future-vision/https://rickbaker.ca/post/dreams-of-a-better-future-light-the-path-to-that-better-future-vision/Sun, 21 Mar 2021 07:14:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet "Past and future are dreams; now is a reality. All things are now; all power, all possibility, all action, is now." British… https://rickbaker.ca/post/maybe-it-isnt-more-blessed-to-give-than-to-receive-consider-the-ben-franklin-effect/https://rickbaker.ca/post/maybe-it-isnt-more-blessed-to-give-than-to-receive-consider-the-ben-franklin-effect/Fri, 19 Mar 2021 07:26:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Ben Franklin found people, even people who clearly disliked him, responded positively when he asked them for a favour. As one… https://rickbaker.ca/post/self-knowledge-is-an-essential-ingredient-of-successits-the-1st-ingredient-spend-some-time-on-that-youre-worth-the-effort/https://rickbaker.ca/post/self-knowledge-is-an-essential-ingredient-of-successits-the-1st-ingredient-spend-some-time-on-that-youre-worth-the-effort/Wed, 03 Mar 2021 07:05:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet People who have a thorough understanding of themselves do better as business leaders. They understand their strengths and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/so-you-have-a-mind-like-a-steel-trap-do-you-then-you-will-know-intelligent-life-forms-choose-to-avoid-traps/https://rickbaker.ca/post/so-you-have-a-mind-like-a-steel-trap-do-you-then-you-will-know-intelligent-life-forms-choose-to-avoid-traps/Wed, 13 Jan 2021 07:02:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Illustrations of mental prowess can put people off....especially when performed by braggarts and wiseacres. https://rickbaker.ca/post/be-comfortable-allowing-what-people-do-to-overrule-what-they-say/https://rickbaker.ca/post/be-comfortable-allowing-what-people-do-to-overrule-what-they-say/Sun, 10 Jan 2021 07:27:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Confucius said, "There was a time when I merely listened attentively to what people said, and took for granted that they would… https://rickbaker.ca/post/prediction-is-very-difficult-especially-if-its-about-the-future/https://rickbaker.ca/post/prediction-is-very-difficult-especially-if-its-about-the-future/Thu, 17 Dec 2020 07:08:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet While those words could have come from the lips of Yogi Berra or Mark Twain, they did not. It is a quote from the Danish… https://rickbaker.ca/post/an-ounce-of-problem-finding-is-worth-a-pound-of-problem-solving-2020/https://rickbaker.ca/post/an-ounce-of-problem-finding-is-worth-a-pound-of-problem-solving-2020/Thu, 03 Dec 2020 07:07:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. [an old saying, containing wisdom of the ages] Q: But how? A: Thinking ahead… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-do-not-know-your-limitations-then-your-willpower-wont-2020/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-do-not-know-your-limitations-then-your-willpower-wont-2020/Mon, 23 Nov 2020 07:19:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet " A man's got to know his limitations ." Clint Eastwood said that when he played Dirty Harry in 'Magnum Force', (1973). If you… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-do-not-know-your-limitations-then-your-willpower-wont/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-you-do-not-know-your-limitations-then-your-willpower-wont/Tue, 17 Nov 2020 07:10:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet " A man's got to know his limitations ." Clint Eastwood said that when he played Dirty Harry in ' Magnum Force ', (1973). If… https://rickbaker.ca/post/ancient-communication-wisdom-men-trust-their-ears-less-than-their-eyes/https://rickbaker.ca/post/ancient-communication-wisdom-men-trust-their-ears-less-than-their-eyes/Fri, 06 Nov 2020 07:47:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet " Men trust their ears less than their eyes. " Herodotus Greek Historian, 484BCE-425BCE Now, 2400 years after Herodotus… https://rickbaker.ca/post/lets-not-stumble-along-purposeless-roadslets-construct-better-paths/https://rickbaker.ca/post/lets-not-stumble-along-purposeless-roadslets-construct-better-paths/Mon, 14 Sep 2020 07:52:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet "A person with clear purpose will make progress even on the roughest road. A person with no purpose will make no progress even… https://rickbaker.ca/post/ancient-communication-wisdom-men-trust-their-ears-less-than-their-eyes-communication/https://rickbaker.ca/post/ancient-communication-wisdom-men-trust-their-ears-less-than-their-eyes-communication/Tue, 08 Sep 2020 07:02:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet " Men trust their ears less than their eyes. " Herodotus Greek Historian, 484BCE-425BCE Now, 2400 years after Herodotus… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-great-teachers-didnt-dwell-on-stress-they-focused-on-the-human-virtues/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-great-teachers-didnt-dwell-on-stress-they-focused-on-the-human-virtues/Fri, 21 Aug 2020 07:14:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet 'Stressed' is a modern mindset...less than 100 years old. Stressed: You have to look long and hard to find ancient wisdom… https://rickbaker.ca/post/lack-of-confidence-is-evident-when-people-talk-too-much-during-the-good-times-then-talk-to-little-during-the-bad-times/https://rickbaker.ca/post/lack-of-confidence-is-evident-when-people-talk-too-much-during-the-good-times-then-talk-to-little-during-the-bad-times/Mon, 17 Aug 2020 07:03:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet This is especially true when the talk is about credit and blame for results. ...better to aim closer to the Zen, " Is that so ". https://rickbaker.ca/post/make-things-as-simple-as-wisdom-allows/https://rickbaker.ca/post/make-things-as-simple-as-wisdom-allows/Tue, 30 Jun 2020 07:09:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet Simplicity, by definition, offers understanding: Obvious Adams showed us how . Wisdom, by definition, offers greater… https://rickbaker.ca/post/man-was-born-into-fear-in-that-he-was-born-into-a-world-of-which-most-of-the-energies-were-set-against-him/https://rickbaker.ca/post/man-was-born-into-fear-in-that-he-was-born-into-a-world-of-which-most-of-the-energies-were-set-against-him/Sun, 28 Jun 2020 07:44:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet An interesting quote from [Canadian-born] Basil King's ' The Conquest of Fear ', (1921) Yes - most of the energies we… https://rickbaker.ca/post/how-do-you-psych-yourself-up-for-that-really-important-sales-call-special-clothes-self-talk-loud-music/https://rickbaker.ca/post/how-do-you-psych-yourself-up-for-that-really-important-sales-call-special-clothes-self-talk-loud-music/Sat, 27 Jun 2020 07:57:00 -0500The Thinking Behind the Tweet The sales gurus have lots of ideas. But, never mind that for now. This Sales Tweet is about self-analysis . What do you do to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/plan-to-repeat-repeat-repeatthats-one-key-to-teaching-inspiring-influencing-people/https://rickbaker.ca/post/plan-to-repeat-repeat-repeatthats-one-key-to-teaching-inspiring-influencing-people/Thu, 11 Jun 2020 07:33:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." Benjamin Franklin When we observe repetition, we… https://rickbaker.ca/post/respond-to-cries-for-help-with-listening-ears-seeing-eyes-and-thinking-brainsrather-than-with-your-cries-for-help/https://rickbaker.ca/post/respond-to-cries-for-help-with-listening-ears-seeing-eyes-and-thinking-brainsrather-than-with-your-cries-for-help/Thu, 23 Apr 2020 07:03:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet As Eckhart Tolle said, “ Most people respond to a cry for help with a cry for help ”. You can find plenty of opportunities to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/leave-no-stone-unturned-that-ancient-wisdom-reeks-of-perfectionism-better-to-leave-some-stones-unturned/https://rickbaker.ca/post/leave-no-stone-unturned-that-ancient-wisdom-reeks-of-perfectionism-better-to-leave-some-stones-unturned/Sun, 12 Apr 2020 07:57:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet "Leave no stone unturned." Euripides [Greek Playwright, 480-406 BC] And, more about devils and details . https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-be-passionate-about-shorthand-abstractionsthey-have-no-integrity/https://rickbaker.ca/post/dont-be-passionate-about-shorthand-abstractionsthey-have-no-integrity/Thu, 12 Jan 2017 07:29:00 -0500Over the last few years, I have written and talked about the communication problems that happen when business leaders use words like Passion and Integrity to… https://rickbaker.ca/post/discern-then-do-and-make-a-difference/https://rickbaker.ca/post/discern-then-do-and-make-a-difference/Wed, 21 Dec 2016 08:25:00 -0500Nike says, "Just Do It!" While that may lead to better health, more energy and more fun it sure creates inefficiencies when it happens at work. The tech… https://rickbaker.ca/post/belief-brings-peace-of-mind-confidence-success/https://rickbaker.ca/post/belief-brings-peace-of-mind-confidence-success/Thu, 13 Oct 2016 07:18:00 -0500Have you noticed when you truly believe something will happen you become calmer and have a greater clarity of focus? Have you noticed when you truly believe… https://rickbaker.ca/post/why-feel-fear-and-sadness/https://rickbaker.ca/post/why-feel-fear-and-sadness/Wed, 05 Oct 2016 08:39:00 -0500Why do we fear the loss of other people? Why are we sad when people leave us? https://rickbaker.ca/post/is-that-so/https://rickbaker.ca/post/is-that-so/Mon, 03 Oct 2016 07:15:00 -0500Sometime ago I read a book about calmness, peace of mind and the cultures that promote these things. The book talked about a fellow, initially well respected… https://rickbaker.ca/post/its-time-to-stamp-out-passion-and-love-in-our-workplaces/https://rickbaker.ca/post/its-time-to-stamp-out-passion-and-love-in-our-workplaces/Wed, 28 Sep 2016 07:30:00 -0500When people say “ passion in the workplace ”: What does that mean to you? What does that mean to them? It seems the ‘ motivational gurus ’ cannot break the… https://rickbaker.ca/post/controlling-the-common-littlenesses-of-human-nature/https://rickbaker.ca/post/controlling-the-common-littlenesses-of-human-nature/Mon, 29 Aug 2016 08:55:00 -0500William MacDonald described Benjamin Franklin as a man who could control the common littleness of human nature 1 . It is clear MacDonald had tremendous… https://rickbaker.ca/post/i-rarely-write-about-morals/https://rickbaker.ca/post/i-rarely-write-about-morals/Tue, 09 Aug 2016 09:24:00 -0500I rarely write about morals. However, driven with hero worship, I want to share the 'self-direction' Benjamin Franklin provided to himself when he was in his… https://rickbaker.ca/post/good-things-come-to-those-who-waitif-theyre-working-while-theyre-waiting/https://rickbaker.ca/post/good-things-come-to-those-who-waitif-theyre-working-while-theyre-waiting/Tue, 21 Jun 2016 07:48:00 -0500Good things don't always happen quickly and sometimes good things take mysterious routes before they arrive. https://rickbaker.ca/post/find-your-balance-between-courage-and-consideration-of-others/https://rickbaker.ca/post/find-your-balance-between-courage-and-consideration-of-others/Mon, 09 May 2016 08:43:00 -0500Inspired by one of Stephen R Covey's phrases, ". ..balance between courage and consideration " Courage and consideration of others are two character traits… https://rickbaker.ca/post/why-cant-you-teach-an-old-dog-new-tricks/https://rickbaker.ca/post/why-cant-you-teach-an-old-dog-new-tricks/Tue, 08 Dec 2015 08:13:00 -0500Certainly, there must be some old dogs out there who can learn new tricks. Maybe people have sold old dogs short, writing them off too quickly. Or… Maybe… https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-law-of-attraction-revisited/https://rickbaker.ca/post/the-law-of-attraction-revisited/Thu, 13 Aug 2015 07:00:00 -0500Some people believe the Law of Attraction [is a, if not the, fundamental law of the Universe. The Law is often described in terms of Universal Mind or… https://rickbaker.ca/post/we-do-not-have-to-fear-fear-itself/https://rickbaker.ca/post/we-do-not-have-to-fear-fear-itself/Wed, 01 Jul 2015 07:01:00 -0500In his first inaugural address, in 1933, U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, " The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. " Starting with this… https://rickbaker.ca/post/personal-strength-is-the-heart-of-personal-drive/https://rickbaker.ca/post/personal-strength-is-the-heart-of-personal-drive/Mon, 30 Mar 2015 11:23:00 -0500Dan Pink wrote about 3 Drives: Biological Drive Reward and Punishment Drive To direct our own lives, to extend and expand our capabilities, and to make… https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-as-aristotle-said-we-are-what-we-repeatedly-do-then-by-doing-a-few-new-things-we-can-change-who-we-are/https://rickbaker.ca/post/if-as-aristotle-said-we-are-what-we-repeatedly-do-then-by-doing-a-few-new-things-we-can-change-who-we-are/Wed, 16 Jul 2014 11:14:00 -0500The Thinking Behind The Tweet The power of, problem with, and opportunity embedded in habits. Help people do new things ...little-but-new things...that is… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-987/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-987/Tue, 29 Apr 2014 08:24:00 -0500Thought Tweet #987 " Men trust their ears less than their eyes. " It took 2400 years for psychologists to confirm this ancient wisdom. The Thinking Behind… https://rickbaker.ca/post/repeat-repeat-repeat/https://rickbaker.ca/post/repeat-repeat-repeat/Fri, 04 Apr 2014 08:28:00 -0500Chinese Proverb: The palest ink is better than the strongest memory. So we must repeat, repeat, repeat. Many people get annoyed when other people forget this… https://rickbaker.ca/post/on-influence/https://rickbaker.ca/post/on-influence/Mon, 24 Mar 2014 08:44:00 -0500Influence is the magical part of leadership. Influence is the magic that allows leaders to convert Vision and Desire into amazing actions and thrilling… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-960/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-960/Fri, 21 Mar 2014 08:31:00 -0500Thought Tweet #960 The great teachers didn't dwell on stress. They focused on the human virtues. The Thinking Behind The Tweet 'Stressed' is a modern… https://rickbaker.ca/post/bringing-process-to-people-bringing-people-to-process-part-1/https://rickbaker.ca/post/bringing-process-to-people-bringing-people-to-process-part-1/Tue, 14 Jan 2014 08:57:00 -0500Process - What does that mean? Processes are sequences of tasks , performed by People or machines. The sequences of tasks can be simple. For example, a… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-892/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-892/Tue, 17 Dec 2013 09:12:00 -0500Thought Tweet #892 Machiavelli taught: What you acquire with difficulty you retain with ease...and vice-versa. The Thinking Behind The Tweet So, in the big… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-883/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-883/Wed, 04 Dec 2013 09:01:00 -0500Thought Tweet #883 " You can have everything in life you want if you just help enough other people get what they want. " Zig Ziglar The Thinking Behind The… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-866/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-866/Mon, 11 Nov 2013 10:54:00 -0500Thought Tweet #866 The only reason you are not a donkey is that your mother and father were not donkeys. The Thinking Behind The Tweet " The only reason you… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-8635/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-8635/Wed, 06 Nov 2013 11:01:00 -0500Thought Tweet #863.5 A person who chases two rabbits is too busy to catch either. The Thinking Behind The Tweet Playing with the ancient wisdom of… https://rickbaker.ca/post/think-in-newoldbest-ways/https://rickbaker.ca/post/think-in-newoldbest-ways/Thu, 31 Oct 2013 09:17:00 -0500Many months ago I attached a Post It Note to my computer monitor. The note read, "Think in new ways!" I wanted to remind myself to be open minded and… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-8455/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-8455/Sat, 12 Oct 2013 15:45:00 -0500Thought Tweet #845.5 “ If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. ” The Thinking Behind The Tweet I… https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-822-2013/https://rickbaker.ca/post/thought-tweet-822-2013/Wed, 11 Sep 2013 09:05:00 -0500Thought Tweet #823 Self-knowledge is an essential ingredient of success...it's the 1 st ingredient. Spend some time on that. You're worth the effort. The… https://rickbaker.ca/post/sir-isaac-newton-the-power-of-the-mastermind-alliance/https://rickbaker.ca/post/sir-isaac-newton-the-power-of-the-mastermind-alliance/Thu, 15 Aug 2013 09:55:00 -0500Sir Sir Isaac Newton Newton said, “ If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants. ” He also said, “ Tact is the art of making…