What are the most important things to remember for success, of all the many pieces of wisdom we read, hear and learn all the time? Dr. Nathan Laufer, MD, FACC is a leading cardiologist in the Arizona and Founder and Medical Director of the Heart & Vascular Center of Arizona. We were honored to have Dr. Laufer address the graduating ASJew Seniors at our Seniors Farewell BBQ this year.
Here's the full list of tips for succcess:
Lessons learned from my background and experiences and from my kindergarten teacher wife:
· Very important to control your ambition and work well with others
· Nail that rises above the rest gets hammered – Japanese expression
· Let your work speak for itself – don’t have to brag about it.
· Give others credit too. It’s not all about you!
· Seek praise only from the person in the mirror – be self-confident
· This is different from arrogance
· Have people remember you after meeting you once
· Try and get along with everyone, no matter how difficult
· Remember the golden rule – do unto others as you would have them do unto you
· Remember the 10 commandments – all of them
· Value life experiences – it’s more important than book smarts, eg my parents
· Listen to elders. Chances are they have experienced what is new to you.
· Define success in your own mind – it is never just about money
· Tikun Olam – Make the world a better place - easy to do in Medicine
· Don’t blame others
· Resist the urge to criticize
· Dr. Ruth’s favorite animal is the turtle – it can only move forward by sticking its neck out
· Always do the right thing – you know what that is!
· Example: Lots of politics at the hospital, but always win if we put patients’ needs ahead of our own
· When negotiating, it should be win-win
· Put yourself in other peoples shoes
· It’s OK to negotiate hard, but when you reach an agreement, stick to it, whether written down or by handshake – establishes credibility and honesty
· Reputation is hard to build but easy to destroy
· Be honest with yourself, your coworkers, and your community
· Be true to yourself. Don’t let others make you something you are not – including girlfriends, spouses, coworkers, and bosses. You know yourself best
· Don’t take yourself too seriously, have a sense of humor.
· Support Jewish causes – no one else will!
· Save money for a rainy day, don’t live on the edge financially. Get out of debt
· Get involved Jewishly and professionally. It helps with networking too
· Work is never just 9 to 5 if you have passion for what you do
· Never talk about why something CAN’T be done, come up with how it CAN be done!
· Don’t let success get to your head, or rest on your laurels
· Only the paranoid survive –Andy Grove, founder of Intel –Hungarian Jew
· The harder I work, the luckier I am - Warren Buffett
A New Beginning
As you make a new beginning in your life,
be aware of important things you didn’t learn in school:
As you pursue your dreams,
remember to take time to help and serve others
even if doing so slows you down a little.
As you explore and develop your unique talents,
remain humble,
realizing that your special abilities
are gifts from God.
As life hands you challenges, welcome them
as ways to become smarter and stronger.
As you acquire material things,
know that your most important possessions
are honesty, integrity,
and the desire to make a difference.
Congratulations, on your graduation
May your new path take you where you want to go
and also bring you pleasant surprises!