SpongeBob Square Pant is my hero. The kids and I were having breakfast this morning when Bianca, my
nine – year – old daughter, brought up this subject of this crazy little cartoon character. “Daddy, is
SpongeBob a real person?” Made me laugh. Then it made me think. If SpongeBob were a human being,
this world would be a better place. Seriously. Here are four lessons SpongeBob can teach us to get more
joy from life:
Be the Eternal Optimist. The guy (or sponge, I should say) always sees the best in any
situation. Your thinking really does shape your reality. And because SpongeBob looks for the best, he finds
it.
Value Popele. SpongeBob knows what friendship means. He loves his pals in Bikini Bottom,
even Squidword “who is always cranky,” to borrow my son’s words. SpongeBob knows that respect and
putting people first are two of the most important elements for strong relationships.
Be an Original.
SpongeBob is one of a kind. Too many among us are afraid to be ourselves. So
we give up our dreams to follow the crowd. Tragic. “To thine own self be true,” wrote Shakespeare. Have
the courage to be your true – and greatest – you. (Warren Buffett, chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, once
said, “There can’t be two yous”.)
Too many among us are afraid to be ourselves.
So we give up our dreams to follow the crowd.
Laugh and have fun. There’s no point in being successful but sad. Makes no sense. Yes,
reach for the mountaintop. But enjoy the climb as well. Life wasn’t meant to be an ordeal. It was meant to
be a celebration. So have big – time fun as you chase – and catch – your most cherished dreams.
14.
How to Be a Happier Human
Here’s a simple idea that has worked brilliantly for the executives and entrepreneurs who I coach: If you
want to be happier, do more of the things that make you happy. I know that seems like an obvious point –
but it’s not. As we leave the wonder years of childhood, most of us stop doing the things that make our