If you’ve read my blog or listened to my corporate audio program for any length of time, you’ll know I love movies. And in my humble opinion, many of the films from the 50s and 60s are absolutely fabulous!
These films have subtlety with depth. They make you think and feel in a way that computer enhanced blood and guts never will.
One such film is Harvey from 1950. A peaceful, much-admired and wealthy man, who occasionally has too much to drink, has an invisible 6’3” white rabbit named Harvey as a buddy. They share many adventures together and the film is packed with wonderful sayings and insights.
One in particular underpins true success. Elwood P. Dowd, Harvey’s human buddy, says to the psychiatrist treating him – “My mother told me that in this world you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was oh so smart. I recommend pleasant.”
Every day, our egos prod us to be better than the next guy, show people how much we know and baffle ‘em with our baloney, all to demonstrate just how oh so smart we are.
Yet those, like Elwood, who are admired in the community, loved by many and live at peace with themselves, focus primarily on being oh so pleasant.
Action – On a post-it note, simply write the word Harvey. Next time you’re on the phone and your ego is coaxing you to show ‘em just how smart you are, glance at the note and remember – you will achieve more in life by simply being oh so pleasant.
(Do you recall a time when being oh so smart got you into trouble? Please share your experience by responding in the comments box.)
You know Nancy, your “Have You Got Any Hairy Buddies”, certainly hit home with me this morning. I know your tag line is “Simple Everyday Success” but I have to say this one today “certainly is a Simple Success story” and a whole lot of people in this world just don’t get it! My parents, are perfect examples. As I grew up I always wondered how they made it through life as they have little in the way of assets/money, education, self confidence, etc. (things you would think you would need to survive – especially today), HOWEVER, they are the most pleasant people I know, and I truly believe and have stated for years, “they made it through life by being pleasant”. Your series today definitely proves my feelings are right on! Amazing thing is, its free to be pleasant, you’d think everyone would grab on to that fact alone!
Thank you and have a great day!
“Oh So Pleasant”, what a wonderful mantra! I struggle with the “Oh So Smart” and just simply being pleasant because of the environment that I am in (Military). As an African American woman I am constantly being challenged and feel that I need to wear my knowledge, skills and abilities as an outer garment. Some days I am able to control this defense mechanism and other days it takes over my every being. Being in a male-dominate environment reshaped my ego. This is something that I must work on. “Oh So Pleasant”, “Oh So Pleasant”, “Oh So Pleasant”, …
Always acknowledge your Blessings