On getting the best from one's self.

"You are the conductor of your own attitude! Nobody else can compose your thoughts for you." This came from my professor in Organizational Development. Whether it was his own or he got it from someone else, matters not anymore. And I do not have a way of knowing as my professor has long been gone - two years after I took the subject under him.

Anyway, lately I came upon the same quote from Lee J. Colan from the book Orchestrating Attitude: Getting the Best from Yourself and Others. It really came as a surprise because it was in 1998 when I first heard it. Now, it's 2010. I suppose leadership principles have long been in existence and are but given a voice or a new application by new management gurus who find them appropriate for their purpose or much to their liking.

In effect what my professor was saying was that a person must be responsible for his action. And I could only agree for in the first place no one knows what his moves are except the person himself. Unless he is a 'yes man' it is but natural for one to think or weigh things over before commencing action. Then, at your own comfortable pace, inch your way forward or upward as the case may be.

By way of cautioning you though, here is my.....

AS YOU REACH THE TOP

I think I ought to tell you
the world is a school of sort -
which offers everyone a chance
to learn anything that's worth.

A lot of doors are open wide
that anyone can choose -
but then you must be careful
for there is much to lose.

A lot of things are offered, too
at times free for the taking -
beware, keep watch, look
for any trap in the making!

You're free to follow your own course
but there's no harm in asking --
a sound advice, or wisdom
lift's high one's spirit -- soaring!

Atop the ladder of success
learn to look back whence you came --
search for landmarks, else you'll get lost
when you touch ground again.

Remind yourself every now and then,
the air we breathe is still the same!