May 12, 2003

A very interesting email hit my Inbox yesterday, in the form of two little quizzes prompted by what was called "Charles Schultz' Philosophy." Schultz, of course, was the creator of the incredibly popular and long-lasting "Peanuts" cartoon strip. Let me share the quizzes with you.

Quiz #1:

1. Name the 3 wealthiest people in the U. S.

2. Name the last 2 winners of the Heisman trophy.

3. Name this year's top 3 best-selling authors.

4. Name last year's winner of the Miss America pageant.

5. Name the editor-in-chief of your favorite magazine.

6. Name last year's Academy Award winners for best actor and best actress.

So how did you do? If you're like me, not all that well. Now no disrespect to whomever these people are. Clearly, they've achieved some wonderful distinction for who they are and what they've done and I congratulate them all. But did they have a direct impact on my life? Or how I think? Or what I do? No, not really.

Quiz #2:

1. Name your all-time favorite teacher - and why.
2. Name 3 friends who helped you out when you really needed it — and the circumstances around it.
3. Name 5 people who have taught you something worthwhile — and how you've used that knowledge.
4. Name 6 people who made you feel especially appreciated — and what you did to earn that recognition.
5. Name 6 people you enjoy spending time with — and what else you could do together.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you — and consider what their advice would be for a problem you're currently facing.

Easier? I suspect so. And why? Because these people made a lasting impression on you. They touched your life — and made you care in a way that was powerfully self-affirming. I think we could all use a bit more THAT! How about you?!

So let's build on this. Turn your attention outward and ask yourself, "Whose lives am I touching? Whose lives could I be touching?" The equation is simple: What others have done for you, you can do for others. And what you do next can be easily determined by understanding the Platinum Rule. The PLATINUM Rule? Yes.

We all know the Golden Rule — do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Well the Platinum Rule, per Dr. Tony Alessandra is, "Do unto others as THEY would have you do unto them." And if you think about the people in your responses to Quiz #2, I suspect that each and every one of them — whether they realized it or not — honored the Platinum Rule with you in some way. And what made it all the better was that even though you didn't ask, they delivered!

Take a moment or two and think about the people you know and interact with. What Platinum Opportunities are there for you? How can you do unto others as they would have you do unto them?

Charles Schultz once said, "It doesn't matter what you believe just so long as you're sincere." And so to it is with Platinum Moments — you have to be sincere, or they don't count. So whatever you choose to do, do it because you want to, not because you feel you have to. And watch what happens!
 

~ Barry Zweibel, Certified Business & Personal Life Coach
GottaGettaCoach!

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