UCanMakeItIfYouTry – Good Advice From Grandma
There is something special about grandmothers.
These matriarchs have backbones of steel with the gentleness of a dove. They have a knack for fun and imparting words of wisdom that last a lifetime.
Here are some life lessons that Grandma might have passed on to you:
1 – Stay Tidy and Organized
Keeping your home clean, tidy and organized is timeless advice. A devotion to cleanliness isn’t just about surprise guests popping in, there are many benefits to an organized household. These benefits include less stress, more motivation and productivity.
2 – Be On Time
Show others you respect their time by arriving on time, or even a little bit early. Besides being polite, it also allows you to pull yourself together and be ready for the meeting, appointment, or visit.
3 – Treat Others as They Want to Be Treated
Be flexible in your approach with people. Different people might require a slightly different approach. They will appreciate the effort, and you will sharpen your people skills.
4 – Love Yourself
Everyone has their struggles, but never forget to love yourself. Treat yourself like you would treat a loved one. Skip the negative self-talk and forget trying to be someone else. You are your own person, and that person is pretty special!
5 – Bad Times Will Come – And They Will Pass
Nothing lasts forever, even the bad times in life. Acknowledge that you will face hard times, but they will not last. Take time to lick your wounds, but eventually you will need to put your chin up and move forward.
6 – Good Manners Don’t Cost You a Dime
Using good manners doesn’t cost anything and brings harmony to your relationships. Remember to say “Please” and “Thank You” and, in general, be considerate of those around you.
7 – Stay Firm in Your Convictions
While you should strive to be pleasant and polite, that doesn’t mean that you let people walk all over you. Stay firm to your convictions. Don’t let people make you feel like your core values and beliefs are wrong.
8 – Don’t Be Afraid to Fail
Lessons are found in your perceived failures. If you succeed at everything, you risk learning nothing. So go out and fail at something, learn the lesson, and become a better person. You will be more apt to reach your goals, too.
9 – Family (And Friends) First
Make family and friends a priority. A strong social circle gives you a firm foundation for success. In bad times, and good, these are the people you will turn to. Make sure to foster powerful relationships, by ‘giving’ as much as you ‘take’.
FAST-ACTION STEPS
1 – Call a close relative. Have dinner with them, strengthen that relationship, and glean all the wisdom you can.
2 – Look at your upcoming appointments for the week. Set a reminder to leave ten minutes earlier than you normally would.
3 – Clean and declutter your house. (Remember: making an effort is more important than perfection.) You deserve a home that is welcoming and relaxing.
- About the Author
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James Donaldson
Former Owner and Director of The Donaldson Clinic (an outpatient physical therapy clinic)
James completed a 20 year professional basketball career in the spring of 2000. James established The Donaldson Clinic in (January 1990 – 2018) (shortly after a career threatening knee injury) with an idea that he would eventually become a physical therapist. He is a strong advocate for Women & Minority owned businesses and is very involved with various Chambers of Commerce. He understands what it takes to sustain a strong business environment that is conducive to the success of businesses overall.
James is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the N.B.A. with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and Utah Jazz. He also played for several in Spain, Italy and Greece of the European Leagues plus toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an N.B.A. All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac – 10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame.
He now devotes the majority of his time to various community activities, and toward the Gift of Life Foundation, speaking on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, youth groups and is the author of the published “Standing Above the Crowd” of which you can learn more about at www.standingabovethecrowd.com and is available for sale now.
In 2021, James published Celebrating Your Gift of Life: From the Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy. www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com
James is a 40+ year resident of Seattle. He believes in being a role model of success and professionalism for the scores of young people that he devotes so much of his time to. He currently serves on several Boards and/or committees and is a member of many organizations. (Please see complete listing on back)
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win – Win” environment for everyone involved, and being the best he can be!
