Notes from General Colin Powell

"As I travel around the country, I invite questions from my audiences," Powell noted. "They seem to be searching for a guiding star.  They see order breaking down.  I don’t have all the answers, but I do have a few 'rules' that I try to live by.":

1) It ain’t as bad as you think.  It will look better in the morning.

2) Get mad, then get over it.

3) Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.

4) It can be done!

5)  Be careful what you choose. You may get it.

6)  Don’t let adverse facts stand in the way of a good decision.

7)  You can’t make someone else’s choices. You shouldn’t let someone else make yours.

8) Check small things.

9) Share credit.

10) Remain calm. Be kind.

11)  Have a vision. Be demanding.

12)  Don’t take counsel of your fears of naysayers.

13)  Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.