Thursday, December 30, 2004

Orrin Woodward & Thomas Watson

Allright - this is not Thomas Watson the golfer (although he would probably agree). It's from Thomas Watson - the former CEO of IBM. He is quoted as saying: "Would you like me to give you a formula for ...success? It's quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure.... You're thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn't at all.....You can be discouraged by failure - or you can learn from it. So go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because, remember that's where you'll find success. On the far side of failure." - Thomas J. Watson.

Mr. Watson is describing one of the basic principles of success. Success is going from failure to failure with a learning attitude. Orrin Woodward was a self admitted slow starter in our business, but unlike many others, he decided to never quit learning.

If you ever stop learning, in whatever business you are in, you're done. I'll bet you know people who have quit their business mentally and are still in the business physically. Orrin never quit. He stayed mentally alert and continued to learn and grow. Even though he confessed to going slowly, Orrin did report that his growth bonus alone in 2003 was over 5 times his best earnings year as an engineer. Obviously, our business pays for those who are willing to fail, learn, grow, and win.

Be willing and never quit. You WILL win.

Tuesday, December 28, 2004

Orrin Woodward & George Washington - 10th Ten

Here are the next ten maxims of George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation". Enjoy!

(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)

91st Make no Shew of taking great Delight in your Victuals, Feed not with Greediness; cut your Bread with a Knife, lean not on the Table neither find fault with what you Eat.

92nd Take no Salt or cut Bread with your Knife Greasy.

93rd Entertaining any one at table it is decent to present him wt. meat, Undertake not to help others undesired by the Master.

94th If you Soak bread in the Sauce let it be no more than what you put in your Mouth at a time and blow not your broth at Table but Stay till Cools of it Self.

95th Put not your meat to your Mouth with your Knife in your hand neither Spit forth the Stones of any fruit Pye upon a Dish nor Cast anything under the table.

96th It's unbecoming to Stoop much to ones Meat Keep your Fingers clean & when foul wipe them on a Corner of your Table Napkin.

97th Put not another bit into your Mouth til the former be Swallowed let not your Morsels be too big for the Gowls.

98th Drink not nor talk with your mouth full neither Gaze about you while you are a Drinking.

99th Drink not too leisurely nor yet too hastily. Before and after Drinking wipe your Lips. breath not then or Ever with too Great a Noise, for its uncivil.

100th Cleanse not your teeth with the Table Cloth Napkin Fork or Knife but if Others do it let it be done wt. a Pick Tooth.

There you have it - the ten having to do with table manners. And we wondered where our parents came up with their rules for the dinner table. Can't you hear them? .....Get your elbows off the table....don't blow on your soup.....don't talk with your mouth full....

I'm sure that Orrin & Laurie Woodward are passing these along to their children today -- as are all of us.

(btw, my next post completes the list with the last ten maxims. See you then!)

Monday, December 27, 2004

Orrin Woodward & George Washington - 9th Ten

Here are the next ten maxims of George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation". Enjoy!

(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)

81st Be not Curious to Know the Affairs of Others neither approach those that Speak in Private.

82nd Undertake not what you cannot Perform but be Careful to keep your Promise.

83rd When you deliver a matter do it without Passion & with Discretion, however mean the Person be you do it too.

84th When your Superiours talk to any Body hearken not neither Speak nor Laugh.

85th In Company of these of Higher Quality than yourself Speak not til you are ask'd a Question then Stand upright put off your Hat & Answer in few words.

86th In Disputes, be not So Desireous to Overcome as not to give Liberty to each one to deliver his Opinion and Submit to the Judgment of the Major Part especially if they are Judges of the Dispute.

87th Let thy carriage be such as becomes a Man Grave Settled and attentive to that which is spoken. Contradict not at every turn what others Say.

88th Be not tedious in Discourse, make not many Digressigns, nor repeat often the Same manner of Discourse.

89th Speak not Evil of the absent for it is unjust.

90th Being Set at meat Scratch not neither Spit Cough or blow your Nose except there's a Necessity for it.

All great - especially during flu season, #90.

Thanks Orrin Woodward for your leadership and for being a great example of all these maxims for the Team.

Sunday, December 26, 2004

Orrin Woodward & George Washington - 8th Ten

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

George Washington certainly had a difficult Christmas in 1777 at Valley Forge and I am thankful that his character was such that he was able to keep his starving, bleeding, freezing men together. Here are the next ten maxims of Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation" which he learned 33 years earlier.

(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)

71st Gaze not on the marks or blemishes of Others and ask not how they came. What you may Speak in Secret to your Friend deliver not before others.

72nd Speak not in an unknown Tongue in Company but in your own Language and that as those of Quality do and not as the Vulgar; Sublime matters treat Seriously.

73rd Think before you Speak pronounce not imperfectly nor bring out your Words too hastily but orderly & distinctly.

74th When Another Speaks be attentive your Self and disturb not the Audience if any hesitate in his Words help him not nor Prompt him without desired, Interrupt him not, nor Answer him till his Speech be ended.

75th In the midst of Discourse ask [not of what one treateth] but if you Perceive any Stop because of your coming you may well intreat him gently to Proceed: If a Person of Quality comes in while your Conversing it's handsome to Repeat what was said before.

76th While you are talking, Point not with your Finger at him of Whom you Discourse nor Approach too near him to whom you talk especially to his face.

77th Treat with men at fit Times about Business & Whisper not in the Company of Others.

78th Make no Comparisons and if any of the Company be Commended for any brave act of Vertue, commend not another for the Same.

79th Be not apt to relate News if you know not the truth thereof. In Discoursing of things you Have heard Name not your Author always A Secret Discover not.

80th Be not Tedious in Discourse or in reading unless you find the Company pleased therewith.

Some fine reminders about speaking. Orrin Woodward has put them all to use.

Monday, December 20, 2004

Orrin Woodward & Goerge Washington - 7th Ten

Here are the next ten maxims of George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation". Enjoy!

(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)

61st Utter not base and frivilous things amongst grave and Learn'd Men nor very Difficult Questians or Subjects, among the Ignorant or things hard to be believed, Stuff not your Discourse with Sentences amongst your Betters nor Equals.

62nd Speak not of doleful Things in a Time of Mirth or at the Table; Speak not of Melancholy Things as Death and Wounds, and if others Mention them Change if you can the Discourse tell not your Dreams, but to your intimate Friend.

63rd A Man ought not to value himself of his Atchievements, or rare Qualities of wit; much less of his riches Virtue or Kindred.

64th Break not a Jest where none take pleasure in mirth Laugh not aloud, nor at all without Occasion, deride no mans Misfortune, tho' there Seem to be Some cause.

65th Speak not injurious Words neither in Jest nor Earnest Scoff at none although they give Occasion.

66th Be not froward but friendly and Courteous; the first to Salute hear and answer & be not Pensive when it's a time to Converse.

67th Detract not from others neither be excessive in Commanding.

68th Go not thither, where you know not, whether you Shall be Welcome or not. Give not Advice without being Ask'd and when desired do it briefly.

69th If two contend together take not the part of either unconstrained; and be not obstinate in your own Opinion, in Things indiferent be of the Major Side.

70th Reprehend not the imperfections of others for that belongs to Parents Masters and Superiours.

I hope you are studying these as much as I am. I'm quite sure that Orrin Woodward has these noted in a book in his library and I'll bet he can put his hands on it in less than 30 seconds.

Sunday, December 19, 2004

Orrin Woodward & George Washington - 6th Ten

Here are the next ten maxims of George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation". Enjoy!

(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)

51st Wear not your Cloths, foul, unript or Dusty but See they be Brush'd once every day at least and take heed that you approach not to any Uncleaness.

52nd In your Apparel be Modest and endeavour to accomodate Nature, rather than to procure Admiration keep to the Fashion of your equals Such as are Civil and orderly with respect to Times and Places.

53rd Run not in the Streets, neither go too s]owly nor with Mouth open go not Shaking yr Arms kick not the earth with yr feet, go not upon the Toes, nor in a Dancing fashion.

54th Play not the Peacock, looking every where about you, to See if you be well Deck't, if your Shoes fit well if your Stokings sit neatly, and Cloths handsomely.

55th Eat not in the Streets, nor in the House, out of Season.

56th Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for 'tis better to be alone than in bad Company.

57th In walking up and Down in a House, only with One in Company if he be Greater than yourself, at the first give him the Right hand and Stop not till he does and be not the first that turns, and when you do turn let it be with your face towards him, if he be a Man of Great Quality, walk not with him Cheek by Joul but Somewhat behind him; but yet in Such a Manner that he may easily Speak to you.

58th Let your Conversation be without Malice or Envy, for 'tis a Sign of a Tractable and Commendable Nature: And in all Causes of Passion admit Reason to Govern.

59th Never express anything unbecoming, nor Act against the Rules Moral before your inferiours.

60th Be not immodest in urging your Freinds to Discover a Secret.

How about #56? And #58 and #59? Orrin Woodward would agree. I mean, they're all good, but some really stand out, don't they?

Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Orrin Woodward & George Washington - 5th Ten

Here are the next ten maxims of George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation". Enjoy!

(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)

41st Undertake not to Teach your equal in the art himself Proffesses; it Savours of arrogancy.

42nd Let thy ceremonies in Courtesie be proper to the Dignity of his place [with whom thou conversest for it is absurd to act the same with a Clown and a Prince.

43rd Do not express Joy before one sick or in pain for that contrary Passion will aggravate his Misery.

44th When a man does all he can though it Succeeds not well blame not him that did it.

45th Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in publick or in Private; presently, or at Some other time in what terms to do it & in reproving Shew no Sign of Cholar but do it with all Sweetness and Mildness.

46th Take all Admonitions thankfully in what Time or Place Soever given but afterwards not being culpable take a Time and Place convenient to let him him know it that gave them.

47th Mock not nor Jest at any thing of Importance break no Jest that are Sharp Biting and if you Deliver any thing witty and Pleasent abtain from Laughing thereat yourself.
48th Wherein you reprove Another be unblameable yourself; for example is more prevalent than Precepts.

49th Use no Reproachfull Language against any one neither Curse nor Revile.

50th Be not hasty to beleive flying Reports to the Disparagement of any.


These ten are powerful are they not? I see Orrin Woodward throughout.

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Orrin Woodward & George Washington - 4th Ten

Here are the next ten maxims of George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation".

(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)

31st If any one far Surpassess others, either in age, Estate, or Merit [yet] would give Place to a meaner than himself in his own lodging or elsewhere the one ought not to except it, So he on the other part should not use much earnestness nor offer] it above once or twice.

32d: To one that is your equal, or not much inferior you are to give the cheif Place in your Lodging and he to who 'tis offered ought at the first to refuse it but at the Second to accept though not without acknowledging his own unworthiness.

33d They that are in Dignity or in office have in all places Preceedency but whilst they are Young they ought to respect those that are their equals in Birth or other Qualitys, though they have no Publick charge.

34th It is good Manners to prefer them to whom we Speak before ourselves especially if they be above us with whom in no Sort we ought to begin.

35th Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.

36th Artificers & Persons of low Degree ought not to use many ceremonies to Lords, or Others of high Degree but Respect and highly Honour them, and those of high Degree ought to treat them with affibility & Courtesie, without Arrogancy.

37th In Speaking to men of Quality do not lean nor Look them full in the Face, nor approach too near them at lest Keep a full Pace from them.

38th In visiting the Sick, do not Presently play the Physicion if you be not Knowing therein.

39th In writing or Speaking, give to every Person his due Title According to his Degree & the Custom of the Place.

40th Strive not with your Superiers in argument, but always Submit your Judgment to others with Modesty.

Hope you are enjoying these as much as Orrin Woodward has!

Monday, December 13, 2004

Orrin Woodward & George Washington - 3rd Ten

Here are the next ten maxims of George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation". I hope you enjoy them!

(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)

21st Reproach none for the infirmities of Nature, nor Delight to Put them that have in mind thereof.

22d Shew not yourself glad at the Misfortune of another though he were your enemy.

23d When you see a Crime punished, you may be inwardly Pleased; but always shew Pity to the Suffering Offender.

24th Do not laugh too loud or too much at any Publick Spectacle.

25th Superfluous Complements and all Affectation of Ceremonie are to be avoided, yet where due they are not to be Neglected.

26th In Pulling off your Hat to Persons of Distinction, as Noblemen, Justices, Churchmen &c make a Reverence, bowing more or less according to the Custom of the Better Bred, and Quality of the Person. Amongst your equals expect not always that they Should begin with you first, but to Pull off the Hat when there is no need is Affectation, in the Manner of Saluting and resaluting in words keep to the most usual Custom.

27th Tis ill manners to bid one more eminent than yourself be covered as well as not to do it to whom it's due Likewise he that makes too much haste to Put on his hat does not well, yet he ought to Put it on at the first, or at most the Second time of being ask'd; now what is herein Spoken, of Qualification in behaviour in Saluting, ought also to be observed in taking of Place, and Sitting down for ceremonies without Bounds is troublesome.

28th If any one come to Speak to you while you are Sitting Stand up tho he be your Inferiour, and when you Present Seats let it be to every one according to his Degree.

29th When you meet with one of Greater Quality than yourself, Stop, and retire especially if it be at a Door or any Straight place to give way for him to Pass.

30th In walking the highest Place in most Countrys Seems to be on the right hand therefore Place yourself on the left of him whom you desire to Honour: but if three walk together the mid[dest] Place is the most Honourable the wall is usually given to the most worthy if two walk together.

Orrin Woodward has implemented the updated version of most of these into his life - with this caveat. He rarely wears a hat in public which would require understanding #26 and #27.

I must admit some confusion with regard to #27! I'm sure if we had been around 200 years ago, someone would have made it clear to us as to when we could put our hats back on.


Friday, December 10, 2004

Orrin Woodward & George Washington - Next Ten

Here are the next ten maxims of George Washington's "Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation". I hope you enjoy them!

(Ferry Farm, c. 1744)

11th Shift not yourself in the Sight of others nor Gnaw your nails.

12th Shake not the head, Feet, or Legs rowl not the Eys lift not one eyebrow higher than the other wry not the mouth, and bedew no mans face with your Spittle, by appr[oaching too nea]r him [when] you Speak.

13th Kill no Vermin as Fleas, lice ticks &c in the Sight of Others, if you See any filth or thick Spittle put your foot Dexteriously upon it if it be upon the Cloths of your Companions, Put it off privately, and if it be upon your own Cloths return Thanks to him who puts it off.

14th Turn not your Back to others especially in Speaking, Jog not the Table or Desk on which Another reads or writes, lean not upon any one.

15th Keep your Nails clean and Short, also your Hands and Teeth Clean yet without Shewing any great Concern for them.

16th Do not Puff up the Cheeks, Loll not out the tongue rub the Hands, or beard, thrust out the lips, or bite them or keep the Lips too open or too Close.

17th Be no Flatterer, neither Play with any that delights not to be Play'd Withal.

18th Read no Letters, Books, or Papers in Company but when there is a Necessity for the doing of it you must ask leave: come not near the Books or Writings of Another so as to read them unless desired or give your opinion of them unask'd also look not nigh when another is writing a Letter.

19th Let your Countenance be pleasant but in Serious Matters Somewhat grave.

20th The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourse you are upon.

Isn't this a great list so far? Only 90 more to go.

I've mentioned in these posts that I believe Orrin Woodward to be a man of great character. As I review these maxims, it is clear to me that Orrin has implemented the updated version of most of them into his life.

I invite you to do the same.

Tuesday, December 07, 2004

Orrin Woodward - Success

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a little better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

A better description of Orrin Woodward could not be written.

Of course, that's just my opinion.

Well, mine and probably about eighty thousand other people.

Monday, December 06, 2004

Orrin Woodward & Robert Kiyosaki

In his wonderful book, "Cashflow Quadrant", Robert Kiyosaki disagrees with people who say "It takes money to make money." As early as page 8, Kiyosaki says, "..... It takes a dream, a lot of determination, a willingness to learn quickly, the ability to use your God-given assets properly and to know which sector of the Cashflow Quadrant to generate your income from."

I have studied the leader of the Team, Orrin Woodward, and watched as he took this advice seriously over the past five years. He has produced an incredible lifestyle because he has produced an incredible system that anyone can follow to produce similar, equal or better results. Many are on that path today.

And still Orrin dares to dream big. He has incredible determination and self-discipline, devours books to feed one of his greatest God-given assets - his insatiable mind - and generates his income from the "B" & "I" side of the Quadrant.He followed Kiyosaki's advice! Imagine that! Orrin found a man with better results than he had, listened to him and did what he suggested.

It worked.

Saturday, December 04, 2004

Orrin Woodward - Knowing What to Do

Two quotes by Benjamin Disraeli that bring to mind Orrin Woodward:

"The greatest good you can do for another is not just share your riches, but to reveal to him his own."

"The more extensive a man's knowledge of what has been done, the greater will be his power of knowing what to do."

Thanks Orrin, for always doing for me the first, and being a great example for all of us of the second.