LEADER'S WAY

I'm 60 and counting

By John C. Maxwell
Inquirer
Last updated 07:59pm (Manila time) 02/04/2007

Perspective thoughts

1. Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.

2. Look at everything as though you might be seeing it for the first time and the last time.

The "First Time" look provides curiosity, excitement, anticipation, and learning. The "Last Time"
look provides gratitude, memories, appreciation and reflection.

3. Separate the important from the unimportant.

4. Laugh at yourself...everyone else is!

5. Giving

George Burns said it well: "When you stop giving and offering something to the rest of the world,
it's time to turn out the lights." The worth of our lives comes by what we give. What we keep, we
squander. Look for ways to impart value, be generous with encouragement, and hand out hope to
those you lead.

6. Legacy

As a leader, when you hit 60, you start to see your legacy being formed. To leave an indelible
legacy in the lives around you, I would suggest three activities:

1. Choose today the legacy you want to leave others.

People will summarize your life in one sentence--pick it now! Don't make your friends and family
guess at your life's purpose at your funeral.

The forming of my one sentence began late in the 1960s and evolved into my life-sentence today.
Here is the sequence:

"I want to be a great pastor."

"I want to be a great communicator."

"I want to be a great writer."

"I want to be a great leader."

As my world expanded my one sentence changed. I looked at my previous statements and

realized that my true desire was to not to be great, but to add value to others. For a few years my
one sentence was "I want to add value to people."
That statement evolved until I picked one sentence that I hope others will believe about me now
and at my death.

"I want to add value to leaders who will multiply value to others."

2. Live today the legacy you want to leave.

Dr. Anthony Campolo tells about a sociological study in which 50 people over the age of 95 were
asked one question: "If you could live your life over again, what would you do differently?"

The open-ended question was met with a multiplicity of answers from the respondents, however,
three answers emerged to dominate the results of the study:

1. If I had it to do over again, I would reflect more.

2. If I had it to do over again, I would risk more.

3. If I had it to do over again, I would do more things that would live on after I am dead.

3. Appreciate today the value of a good legacy.

A life is short; history is long. Spend your life on pursuits that will outlive you.

Elton Trueblood wrote, "We have made at least a start in discovering the meaning in human life
when we plant shade trees under which we know full well we will never sit."

Why is my life compounding?

1. Attitude

The secret of positive compounding is contributing more than consuming.

I approach each day with the attitude that my success is determined by the seeds I sow, not the
harvest I reap.

2. Personal Growth

The secret of your success is determined by your daily agenda.

3. Strength Zone

The only way to rise above average is to hone in on areas where you excel.

4. Teamwork

Teamwork makes the dream work. Your success depends upon those closest to you. Inspire a
shared vision that binds you together for big dreams and audacious goals.

5. Partnerships
Mother Teresa, one of the greatest leaders of the 20th Century, embraced partnership with these
words: "I can do what you cannot do and you can do what I cannot do. Together we can do great
things."

6. Credibility

When you consistently combine character with competence, you establish credibility.

Life compounds positively or negatively. The choice is up to you. The age at which you make your
choices will determine the magnitude of the compounding.

1. Choices made during youth yield enormous compound interest.

2. Choices made in the middle of life earn a small degree of compound interest.

3. Choices put off until late in life don't have time to compound.