Consider This

Robert Stevenson’s Thoughts on the Pursuit of Excellence


Handling Irate People

October 29, 2023

by Robert Stevenson

In most all cases, the person yelling the loudest is the one losing the argument. Yelling at a person, doesn’t make “the thing you are yelling about” any more possible. Yelling may intimidate, but it will never persuade or convince someone about anything. I once heard it said – Raise your words, not your voice. It is the rain that grows flowers, not the thunder.”



Formula for a Well-Balanced Life

October 8, 2023

by Robert Stevenson

Mr. Edwin C. Barnes became one of the business partners of Thomas A. Edison. He was a very detailed and disciplined man and, because of his nature, decided to write down a list of principles to follow (a formula) to live a well-balanced life. It is called “The Barnes Creed”. Here is a shortened version of what he wrote. I will…



Embrace the Suck

October 23, 2022

by Robert Stevenson

"Embrace the Suck”!  Say what? What did you say? Did I hear you right? You may have no idea what that means. But a Marine, Navy Seal or Army Ranger understands perfectly what it means, and we all can learn from this phrase.



Age is No Guarantee for Maturity

October 9, 2022

by Robert Stevenson

I decided to do a little research on how our thinking changes as we mature. Now, maturity doesn’t necessarily come with age. It should … but it doesn’t. I once read … “Maturity isn’t proportional to age. Some people develop early, some develop late, and some never develop at all.” The definition of maturity is the ability to respond to the environment in an appropriate manner. This response is generally “learned” rather than instinctive. You would hope as you grow older you would grow wiser … but, as Ann Landers once said, “Maturity isn’t a product of growing older, it’s a product of growing wiser.”



Impress Me

October 31, 2021

by Robert Stevenson

An eager rookie sales rep wanted to really impress his boss on his first day. So, when the rookie saw his boss coming towards his office he sprang into action. The new sales rep grabbed his phone and, speaking loudly into the phone so his boss could hear him, the young rookie said … "Yes sir, I can take care of that. I’ll see to it personally myself. You can count on me.” His boss was standing in the doorway, waiting for the young man to finish his call. The young man put down the phone and nodded to his boss and smiled widely, believing that he had surely impressed him. His boss smiled back and replied, "I just wanted to let you know your phone is scheduled to be connected this afternoon."



Those With Confidence Succeed

October 23, 2021

by Robert Stevenson

Who should be your biggest fan? You! If you don’t think you are good, why should anybody else think it? I believe one of the biggest mistakes we make in trying to improve is getting down on ourselves and staying there. Self-doubt is a proven “killer” to accomplishment. You will be a lot better off BELIEVING you can do something rather than DOUBTING that you can do it.



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