Charles Grodin collected essays from over 80 friends and friends of friends on mistakes they made in life and what they learned from them. People from the entertainment world are well represented along with astronauts, politicians, doctors, policeman and members of the legal profession.
Many contributors focused on not trusting their instincts or missed financial opportunities. Some regret not taking time to show gratitude to someone who was very important in their lives. Others came to the brink of a bad decision and changed their mind at the last moment, like attorney Nancy Grace's story of the prosecution of a serial child abuser. She decided to play it safe and not risk disbarment during a trial. She changed her mind at the last moment and pandemonium ensued.
Alan Alda's confession about excessive preparation for and interview contrasts with another person's error caused by lack of preparation. The person spoke highly of an individual but repeatedly referred to them by the wrong name at a well attended charity event. Gene Wilder's story of something good coming out of a very miserable situation in a play with Anne Bancroft was both funny and enlightening.
As I look back on my mistakes, many of them center around not asking enough questions or making a poor decision on not trusting in others and wishing I had listening carefully to them and taken their advice.
For further reading, refer to an article by Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman 9 Habits that Lead to Terrible Decisions subtitled for mass market appeal as, "Nine Habits of Very Unsuccessful People". The paraphrased list includes the qualities of laziness, indecision, lack of independence, failure to see how the decision fits with an overall strategy, lack of technical knowledge, isolation, failure to communicate, and being stuck in the past. My recent favorite is the failure to examine negative possibilities by viewing the world through a pair of tightly gripped rose colored binoculars.
The proceeds of the Mr. Grodin's book go towards HELP USA. An organization devoted to getting people out of the trap of homelessness.
Book highlights - 2 min.
No comments:
Post a Comment