The Noticer: Sometimes, All a Person Needs Is a Little Perspective

by Andy Andrews

Remember, young man, experience is not the best teacher. Other people's experience is the best teacher. By reading about the lives of great people, you can unlock the secrets to what made them great.”

“Here, for you, young man, is a law of the universe — one of many, to be sure, but one that is especially applicable to your life at present. Remember, whatever you focus upon, increases.”

“So how does one become a person whom other people want to be around? Let me make a suggestion. Ask yourself this question every day: ‘What is it about me that other people would change if they could?’”

if you are to become a person of influence — if you want people to believe the things you believe or buy what you are selling — then others must at least be comfortable around you.

“Well, that's why smart people get tripped up with worry and fear. Worry … fear … is just a misuse of the creative imagination that has been placed in each of us. Because we are smart and creative, we imagine all the things that could happen, that might happen, that will happen if this or that happens.

What you must do — to defeat bad logic with good — is to deflect your subconscious from calculating possibilities. Instead, direct your mind to calculate the odds. You can learn very quickly to calculate the odds of an event occurring and eliminate it as even a remote possibility in your life.”

“One way to define wisdom is the ability to see, into the future, the consequences of your choices in the present.

with a degree of intelligence and a hint of wisdom, most people can tell the difference between good and bad. However, it takes a truly wise person to discern that oh-so-thin line between good and best.

Now, assuming that you hang with good people, wise friends, does she encourage your participation in activities with your friends? Does she enjoy being part of that group? Does she fit in? Or does she try to keep you away from your friends? Does she want to keep you alone, with her, all the time? “I can promise you one thing, young people,” Jones said to all three of them. “If your boyfriend or girlfriend is constantly trying to keep you alone and away from your friends and family, something is wrong. This is a huge leaf you should pay attention to.”

“I think more people would want to go to heaven, if they weren't afraid it'd be like church when they got there!”

“Five seagulls are sitting on a dock. One of them decides to fly away. How many seagulls are left?” “Well … four.” “No,” Jones responded. “There are still five. Deciding to fly away and actually flying away are two very different things.

you must become a person that others want to be around! This is far and away the greatest success secret in existence.

“I believe you should ask yourself every day, ‘What is it about me that other people would change if they could?’