Charlie “Tremendous” Jones always said, “You are the same today as you will be in five years except for two things: the people you meet and the books you read.” One of the people that has blessed my life and helped make me a better person during the past five years is Phil Clemens. Many know Phil as the CEO of Clemens Family Corporation (i.e. Hatfield Meats), I know Phil as a friend and mentor. Each month Phil sends out an email containing his “thought for the month” and with his permission I am sharing the month of December.
Herbert Casson - “Every winner has scars.”
Are you a winner? If so, where are your scars?
All of us have scars – some of them are just more visible than others. Some scars are self inflicted; others are as a result of something that has happened to us. But, all scars have one thing in common – they remind us.
I happen to have several scars – two are fairly visible – caused by my brothers. As a child, I was the typical boy and as boys will do, we had our skirmishes. One brother took a broken milk bottle and cut my wrist; another brother threw a toy at me and put a nice gash underneath my eye – and by the way, they got scars in return. Those scars remind me of my brothers. I forgave them a long time ago, but the scars will never go away.
I also have scars that aren’t so visible – ones inside. Scars caused by things people have said about me; scars from decisions I have made; scars from choices I have made; scars from battles I fought; and scars for many other reasons.
All of my scars, visible and invisible have made me what I am today.
As a business leader, you will get scars. Some of your scars will come from your customers, some from vendors, some from employees, and some will even come from your family. Like all scars, some are self inflicted others are earned in battle. Casson says if you’re a winner, you will have scars. You didn’t get where you are today without scars.
Take time this week and reflect on your scars and see what they taught you. What life lessons have you learned from each scar and how did you choose to have that scar to make you better and not bitter? The difference between winners and losers is not scars, because both of them have them. It is what you did as a result of the scar. Did you choose to use the scar to do something different in the future or did you just complain that you got a scar? Remember there is only one letter difference between winning and a whining?
Wishing you a Merry Christmas - Phil Clemens
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