A Promise To Yourself
This week I wanted to introduce you guys to the concept of the Success Sequence, share a gift that I received this week with you, and of course, a few quotes to ponder. The Mother Theresa one means a lot to me, hopefully, you’ll find solid meaning in it as well.
A Concept I am Exploring
The “Success Sequence” is a framework to help young adults succeed in America today. It was first identified by social historian Barbara Dafoe Whitehead and Marline Pearson, a sociology professor and author of the Love Notes curriculum. Later, it was popularized by Brookings Institution scholars Ron Haskins and Isabel Sawhill.
Basically, by implementing the Success Sequence’s three basic steps, a person can ensure they are on a path that leads to prosperity no matter what circumstances they were born into:
- Get at least a high school degree
- Get a full-time job
- Get married before having children
In fact, the latest research shows that 97% of young people who follow all three steps are not poor as adults. And 90% of young adults who complete the first two steps (graduate high school and get a full-time job) are not poor in their 30s. In comparison, half of the adults in their 30’s who missed all three steps (52%) are in poverty.
A Gift I Received
I gave a talk on my background and the three pillars of Three Action Thursday recently, and after I was done a woman approached me and gave me a newspaper clipping from 1988. Yes, you read that correctly. A 30+-year-old newspaper clipping. On it was a poem, an affirmation called “Promise Yourself”. I believe it is a version of a poem written by Christian D. Larson. I thought, “Wow, if this woman has saved this for so long (she said she has dozens of copies by the way) then I need to share it with as many people as I can.”
Quotes I am Pondering
When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.
~ Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens), American author and humorist
You know you’ve reached middle age when you’re cautioned to slow down by your doctor, instead of by the police.
~ Joan Rivers, American comedian, actress
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true friends;
succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
do good anyway.
Give the world your best anyway.
~ Mother Teresa, Catholic nun, humanitarian, recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize
