The guest speaker at this event was David Calvert, a wonderfully enthusiastic gentleman with a lot to say in the short time in which he had to say it. He provided a simple formula for success.
K A S H + P = Success
Being an engineer, I love a good equation. Mr. Calvert had a scant 20 minutes to speak, but this was plenty of time to fill us in on its meaning, with time left over to throw in a few more words of wisdom.
K is for Knowledge. You will require knowledge to achieve success in all of your endeavors. Become an expert in your chosen field and it will provide you with the foundation you need.
A is for Attitude. To my utter delight, Mr. Calvert broke out into song (and not for the first time) when talking about the importance of a positive attitude. Everything, he said, is a matter of how you look at it. People with a good attitude can spin a rainy day into something great.
S is for Skill. There is a difference between knowing how to do something, and actually having practiced doing it and becoming good at it. Sharpen your skills, and you will contribute to your success.
H is for Habit. Mr. Calvert spoke of discipline and forming good habits in all areas, from exercise to work practices. The difference between doing something and doing it regularly will show over the long term.
P is for Personality. Once again, we were treated to a song. In one breath, he advised us to dream big, plan well, work hard and smile a lot!
Lastly, Mr. Calvert spoke this tantalizing phrase: "What I'm about to tell you will change your life forever." Everyone in the room waited in suspense. He relayed a quote from Cicero: "Gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues but the parent of all others." Said another way, gratitude is the mother of all virtues. If you thank people every time they do something nice for you, your life will be transformed; the link between gratitude and one's well-being is shown through scientific studies.
The Boy Scouts of America is an excellent organization; my husband earned his Eagle Scout rank as a teenager and still uses those skills today, speaking fondly of his time in Scouts. I am proud to support the Scouts, both now and into the future, as they continue to help young men with life skills that will prove to be invaluable and beneficial to them.
