The lessons I’m talking about are not ones we have learned through the plethora of problems in the political and economic spheres. No. I would like to take a moment and reflect on the lessons we learned before everything went to hell. Take a moment and think back on the lessons you learned from the 80’s ‘through 2008. Which sayings, cliches stick out? Do we really have to spend money to make money? Do I really need to have my enemies closer than my friends? What about business plans? Academically, business plans make sense, but I have yet to meet an entrepreneur that truly uses one. I can’t honestly say, outside of a university or seminar or “workshop” what lessons are important anymore. 

Let’s try finance. Yes, there are mathematical equations and laws that are apart of financial decisions and transactions. But if I continue to increase my knowledge in the area of finance, will what I learn sustain me throughout my career? to answer that question, all I have to do is to take note of the current banking situation. 

Marketing? Nope. It’s hard to say if there are any real lessons to be learned from marketing. Just skills

Management? These theories have been changing every year for the past 100 years!

What I’m trying to say is we have been preoccupied with trying to find the answers to our life questions through gurus and wizz-bang ideas. Just like a vitamin supplement, these things have helped improve our lives…but they are not lasting or substantial. What we need to always examine, refer to, rely on, and begin with are the principles. Principles don’t change. Principles can’t be learned a different way. They are starting point from which all good decisions flow. Sure, principle-thinking may move you towards the slower-moving roads of life but they will keep you alive. 

One such example of a life-sustaining principle can be found in Proverbs 13:3, “He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life; But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.” I don’t know who you are, but that has to make sense. If you are not a loud-mouth, insulting and exacerbating punk, you have a greater chance of living than one who is. It is principle. People may find it easier to get what they want by being boisterous in their opinions, but they are pushing the envelope. Much like the financial institutions and irresponsible people around the world have done for years. There are set financial principles in place and they traded the positive, life-sustaining results principles give for the quick sale or the easy money for a house. However, they have come to ruin. Why? Everyone has chosen to disregard the tedious task of living with principles. 

So as you are looking over all the books, all the self-help cd’s you have accumulated during the “prosperous” (if you all living on credit cards prosperous”) years and pick out the ones written based on basic, solid and true business principles. Chances are, you need a little refresher of what works with people and what doesn’t. People are people and laws are laws…the successful people learn how to live and work with both. 

Of all the information, quotes and object lessons we learned through the years, which ones can be applied to today?