Instructions For Life — by Richard Vincent

I found this email from Paul Budde while going through my old files this week, a list of instructions for life written by Richard Vincent who mentored me for a very short period before he passed away, it seems as relevent as ever.

From: Paul Budde [pbc@budde.com.au]
Sent: Friday, 30 May 2003 12:33 PM
To: Mike Nicholls
Subject: Instructions For Life — by Richard Vincent
Dear Mike,

Instructions For Life — by Richard Vincent

Richard’s wife Debbie found this note in his papers. Last week Thursday she read it out at Richard’s funeral in Launceston.

In no particular order.

· Watch a sunrise at least once a month.

· Be timely always; it doesn’t matter if others are always late, always keep your own standards; don’t drop down to others’.

· Look all people in the eye.

· Shake hands like you mean it; no matter who you are shaking hands with; otherwise don’t shake their hands.

· Say “thank you” a lot.

· Say “please” a lot.

· Compliment at least three people each day.

· Always keep secrets.

· Treat everyone you meet as you want to be treated, no matter who they are.

· Make new friends, but cherish and always keep in touch with old ones.

· Admit all your mistakes — immediately.

· Be brave, even if you’re not pretend to be; no one can ever tell the difference.

· Never, never cheat.

· Learn to listen — opportunity only knocks softly and usually only once.

· Never take any actions or make major decisions if you’re angry, tired, upset or euphoric.

· Always have good posture — enter every room, every place with confidence and purpose.

· Don’t gossip.

· Be loyal to those that deserve loyalty, and stick by them — no matter what.

· Beware of the person who has nothing to lose.

· Don’t trust too easily — but also don’t mistrust before you have proof that you should.

· Be willing to lose a battle, in order to win the war.

· Always have clean shoes, pressed pants and a clean, well laundered starched shirt. It makes everyone, including you, feel better about you.

· Try to be patient.

· Never deprive anyone of hope — it may be all they have.

· When facing a difficult task act as though it is impossible to fail. If you are going after the whale take along the tartar sauce!

· Don’t spread yourself too thin; learn to say “no” politely and quickly.

· Don’t expect life to be fair.

· Never underestimate the power of forgiveness — always forgive.

· Remember the glass of water is always half FULL, not half empty.

· There are no problems, only opportunities, never use the word “problem”.

· Be humble; it can surprise many smart-arses!

· Think one more time before opening your mouth in an angry quarrel. Never, ever walk out on a quarrel with anyone — especially your sweetheart and don’t open your mouth to speak in anger until you have counted to five.

· Never join a committee — nothing important was ever decided by committee.

· Take charge when you can, of what you can; then you can navigate your own destiny.

· Make 100%of all decisions in the appropriate timing required.

· Don’t procrastinate — do it now!

· Get your priorities right — family, job, life, sport, hobby, money, career — whatever — you know what they should be.

· Never, ever be afraid to say “I don’t know”.

· Call your Mother and Father as often as you can.

· Make a “Life List” of things you want to experience before you die. Carry it in your wallet, read it often, prioritise it — do it.

· If some company, service, person, does something especially right, say so to their Manager; if they do really badly, say so too.

· Don’t ever trust medical persons, consultants or lawyers — always get another opinion.

· Look up at the stars at least once a week and understand just how small we all are.

· List your goals and stick them in your wallet and on the fridge.

· Be always bold and courageous; “push the envelope of life”. When you look back at your life you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the ones you did.

· Don’t ever accept less than best — from anyone, including yourself, or in anything — never, ever be “mediocre”.

· Wage a war against pollution, litter and waste.

· See a play at least once every three months.

· See a concert at least once every three months.

· Enjoy fine food and wine — but in moderation. Never over indulge, you will miss the appreciation.

· Appreciate women; they are gorgeous, different. Spend time to try to understand them. Treat them gently and with honour.

· Use credit cards for convenience, never for credit.

· Have a favourite charity; quietly support it.

· Enjoy life — every minute of it — don’t waste it being unhappy — you can always do something to change your situation.

Debbie’s email address: debvin@msn.com.au

For those who missed my obituary pls find an abbreviated version below.

Obituary

Richard Vincent died peacefully at his new home in Launceston with his wife Debbie by his side, much too young at the age of 58. Richard had been seriously ill for over a year, but his spirit remained strong, even as his body was slowly failing.

He was instrumental in the development of competition in the Australian telecommunications market and it was in relation to this that I first got to know him. The first time we met was in the early 1990s, shortly after Singapore Telecom had taken over the Mayne Nickless Infolink telecommunications network, of which Richard became the new CEO.

In 1995 he became the founding CEO of WorldxChange Australia — the company that was instrumental in bringing telephone charges down for all Australians. During this period I shared many meetings with Richard, as we were both board members of the telecommunications service providers’ association, SPAN. Richard was a most energetic member of this association, giving freely of his time and expertise, in this case for the benefit of the whole industry.

His next step was to become the inaugural CEO of TransAct, a truly innovative company, providing broadband services to the residents and businesses of Canberra. This network is still one of the leading broadband services in the world and here, again, Richard accomplished great things due to his people skills and boundless energy.

It was, appropriate that, in March of this year; he was honoured by his peers for his invaluable contribution to the industry. He received the prestigious Chairman’s Award from the Australian Telecommunications Users Group (ATUG), the leading telecommunications industry body in the country.

Paul Budde

Bucketty, 17th May 2003