Lyndon B Johnson’s 10 Point Plan for Success

Whatever your opinion about his legacy, Lyndon B Johnson was a special character in American history. 

He became the 36th President of the United States which is a great accomplishment in itself.  Like many successful people he had a plan for success.  The interesting part about Lyndon B Johnson’s 10 Point Formula for Success is that it was all about learning to genuinely like people and giving to others.  If you think about it, any success that we have had, or will have in life is thanks to other people.  Success doesn’t exist in a vacuum.

Notice, this plan isn’t about pricing, profit margins, manufacturing or distribution,   All of these things are important, but we must work with others to achieve them.  Putting people above all of the other details in our professional life with insure that we always have the tools for real success.

Lyndon B Johnson’s 10 Point Formula For Success.

1. Learn to remember names. Inefficiency at this point may indicate that your interest is not sufficiently outgoing.

2. Be a comfortable person so there is no strain in being with you. Be an old-shoe kind of individual.

3. Acquire the quality of relaxed easy-going so that things do not ruffle you.

4. Don’t be egotistical. Guard against the impression that you know it all.

5. Cultivate the quality of being interesting so people will get something of value from their association with you.

6. Study to get the “scratchy” elements out of your personality, even those of which you may be unconscious.

7. Sincerely attempt to heal, on an honest basis, every misunderstanding you have had or now have. Drain off your grievances.

8. Practice liking people until you learn to do so genuinely.

9. Never miss an opportunity to say a word of congratulation upon anyone’s achievement, or express sympathy in sorrow or disappointment.

10. Give spiritual strength to people, and they will give genuine affection to you.

Each of these points is worth taking to the time to think about and put into practice.  My favorite Lyndon B Johnson quote here is “Be an old-shoe kind of individual”.  What’s yours?