Lesson 1

1. Don't ask anyone to do something you wouldn't do yourself.   My mother worked tirelessly in our community.  I do not mean just sitting at her desk working late hours.  Whatever needed to be done she would see that it was done.  You would see her cleaning, cooking, washing, writing proposals, driving the elderly to the grocery store and holding babies in the day care.  One day she was scrubbing graffiti off of the walls.  My uncle was asked, “Loretta, why are you doing that?  Somebody else could do that.”  She responded, “Don’t ask anyone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself.”   My mother was considered the boss.  She had many people in numerous positions reporting to her, but that did not matter to her.  She believed that there is no position too low for anyone.  If you are going to ask someone to do something then you must be willing to do it yourself.     This is a valuable lesson for me.  So many times we see people get degrees, promotions and positions and they begin to think they are too important to do some of the “small” things.  We want these things done but we aren’t willing to do them ourselves.  Although it may be things that you may not have to do, please do not confuse this with things you are not willing to do.  The only thing beneath you is your feet.