Ford made a number of wise and valuable statements at various points in his career. More ideas worth sharing! I trust you will enjoy these quotes as much as I did when I first discovered them:
“Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it.”
Ain’t that the truth?!? True, original, brilliant, specific thoughts are hard to come by these days, particularly on the internet or in social media. True thinking is at a premium. What steps can you take to ensure that you are a fountain of original thoughts and not a bucket of brackish water?
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”
As a commercial pilot and an amateur sailor, I have been well-trained in the importance of the winds. They have a significant effect on your course in either situation and appropriate action must be taken to make best use of the winds, regardless of their provenance.
Sometimes a slight change in perspective can turn the tide in your outlook on life. Don’t bemoan the winds! Don’t whine about your lot in life! Don’t cry like Shaggy (the Jamaican-American reggae singer) “Why me Lord?” Instead, ask yourself, how can I most creatively handle this situation…exactly as it is configured?
“It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste.”
What is wasted time for you? Any time spent dwelling in negativity, complaint, disdain, etc, is time wasted to me. Anything you do either works to organize and improve your consciousness or to disorder and degrade your mind. We have the privilege to live in a country that gives free rein to excel in any area of life or business that you wish to. Why not give thanks for your situation – no matter how it is configured at the moment – and “seize the day?”
Which leads me to Ford’s next pearl of wisdom:
“Don’t find fault, find a remedy.”
Complaint is recanting a problem with no concern for its resolution. The world is full of those who love to complain but in great need of those who can effectively imagine, construct and deliver effective remedies.
“The highest use of capital is not to make more money, but to make money do more for the betterment of life.”
This is the one of the keys to building a sustainable legacy. The betterment of life is possible within the capitalistic model that we are blessed to have been given by our forefathers. Somehow it seems that the betterment of life has devolved to being only the serendipitous side-effect of some enterprise. Can we not hold this as central to every corporate and personal activity?
“What’s right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity – intellect and resources – to do some thing about them.”
Just as valuable today as it likely was 100 years ago, don’t you think? Time to get off our backsides, drop the standard emblazoned with “COMPLACENCY” and pick up the flag of “INGENUITY!”
How do we address the problems we face as a country? Try this on for size:
“Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.”
This was the catalyst for Ford’s thinking on the division of labor. Have you ever been stopped by a large task? Look at the problem, divide it up and get going!
My friends, put these principles to work in your life, consistently and judiciously, and you will likely experience remarkable results. Henry Ford revolutionized the world around him and left an incredible legacy that we still enjoy today. Do the same for your world and you will have achieved something great, a life worth sharing!
Gregory Hake 
Pingback: Henry Ford Vision | FordPhotosBlog.com
I love your point about building a sustainable legacy. My goodness, it inspires me to reevaluate everything and ask “What IS the point of this?” The betterment of life is a central obligation, not a sidebar.
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I had a great conversation about adversity and challenges with a client yesterday. The subject of perspective came up and how to react when the stresses or “winds” of life are blowing. We discussed the difficulties of maintaining proper perspective when things seemed chaotic, this story is a great example of the importance of not letting the “winds” blow you “hither and yon”. The history of this man and his work can give so many hope that whatever it is they are dealing with in their lives, there is the opportunity for them to “seize the day”. Getting to know these great thinkers is so inspiring, thank you! Carpe Diem!
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It really does make a difference when you don’t come with a complaint but come with a resolution. With the two failed attempts and knowing how well this company has stood the test of time, it really does bring new meaning to not viewing a mistake as a mistake but rather as a learning experience.Thanks for this inspiring story.
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My pleasure, Elaine. Thank you!
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You mention that Henry had two failed attempts before he was successful. I’ve read his story and I think “his failed attempts” lasted five or six years. He had a great idea but the companies that made horse drawn wagons were not intimidated by him as the public was certainly not in his corner.
How many people can last through TWO failed businesses and trying to change the way the vast majority of people did something and not lose heart?
Just reading his quotes today gives you a snapshot into his character.
I’ll bet during those five years it didn’t feel like they would take up less then a sentence in his story; on the other hand it obviously didn’t fill his screen so he couldn’t get on with his ideas.
The real excitement is that this type of opportunity is still available today.
Five years is going to go by for all of us, why not make it count.
Great post, thanks.
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It is an inspiring story, isn’t it? I’m sure that he was well aware of the “winds” during those five years and he obviously put them to good use!
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Great principles to live by!
Thanks Gregg – Blog is so practical and useful!
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….and that’s what i like – the usefulness of the examples and stories you share….tips that can be applied today, if we get off our “backsides” and use them.
The story of Walt Disney is also an inspiring one. What a dream!, and the willingness to see it through against what everyone was advising him at the time….did you know that very few of his movies made any money but he kept coming back to the table with more ideas. It wasn’t until after the Magic Kingdom was developed late in his career that his movies started to show a financial return. But what an impact his films still have today. That was his main goal – to make a difference in the world, and nothing was going to stop him.
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