13 Mistakes

Living in an area patrolled by the US Coast Guard, I was surprised to find this list of 13 Mistakes published by them for officers in 1950.

The Coast Guard promised a "happier, more collegial, and more effective life" for those who could avoid them, and I believe there's something here for us, as both financial professionals and citizens, that's worth our time:

“It is a mistake …”

“(1) To attempt to set up your own standard of right and wrong,”

“(2) To try to measure the enjoyment of others by your own,”

“(3) To expect uniformity of opinions in the world,”

“(4) To fail to make allowance for inexperience,”

“(5) To endeavor to mold all dispositions alike,”

“(6) Not to yield on unimportant trifles,”

“(7) To look for perfection in our own actions,”

“(8) To worry ourselves and others about what cannot be remedied,”

“(9) Not to help everybody wherever, however, whenever we can,”

“(10) To consider impossible what we cannot ourselves perform,”

“(11) To believe only what our finite minds can grasp,”

“(12) Not to make allowance for the weakness of others,” and

“(13) To estimate by some outside quality, what it is that within which makes the man.”

The author adds, "the unobserving officer will no doubt dismiss this list as just so many clichés.”, but adds that reflective individuals will accept it as a negative guide to positive conduct.

Thanks for letting me share what I hope is character development for the modern financial professional. Your view?

Excerpts from The Armed Forces Officer, Department of Defense, 1950