My mentor, Lee Brower says “The fastest way to build trust is to make small, frequent commitments, and then deliver on them immediately.”

How long will you live?

Twenty-five percent of your longevity is genetic. Seventy-five percent is environmental…..or HOW you live. That according to National Geographic who did a study of longevity world wide, identifying what they called “Blue Zones”—places where there were the highest concentrations of centenarians—that’s people who live beyond 100 years. The three bluest zones were small areas in Sardenia, Okinawa, and in the U.S. Loma Linda, CA. The common characteristics of these people were:

#1. They eat very little meat.

#2. The eat lots of color—meaning their vegetable plate was colorful.

#3. They had exercise naturally in their life.

#4. They maintained sabbath days.

#5. They maintained friends

#6. They didn’t retire.

Hmmm. Pretty interesting. If you’d like to watch the videos just Google “Blue Zones National Geographic.” I think you’ll find them interesting.

Now, based on the six criteria above, how long will you live?

In 20 years, failing to exercise heartily six days a week will be viewed with the same derision as smoking two packs of cigarettes is today.

–From Younger Next Year

• Leaders know that not everybody has to believe in you in order for you to succeed. But you must believe in the actions you take.
• Leaders look to the future and let the past be the past. Jesus said “Let the dead bury their dead.”
• Leaders cast vision. In Invictus, Mandella said “Our country will be a shining light in the world.”
• Leaders walk toward people who threaten them, instead of away from them.
• Leaders know that the change you want to see begins with you.
• Leaders make enemies, but they forgive them knowing that forgiveness liberates the soul. That’s what makes it such a powerful force.
• Leaders smile even when they have to push someone away.
• Leaders risk. They day they are unwilling to risk they are unfit to lead.
• Leaders are about we. Mandella started his speech by saying “Brothers, Sisters, Comrades, we are in this together.
• Leaders study their enemies in order to prevail against them.
• Leaders practice restraint and generosity.
• Great leaders have tender spots of pain and failure.
• Leaders strategically reach out to anyone who can help make progress for the dream.
• Leaders continually ask “How can we inspire people to greatness?”
• Leaders know that words matter: they help you to stand when you want to lie down.
• Leaders know that inspiration is the gas that accelerates their team. It comes from knowing WHY.
• Leaders sacrifice their own selfish personal feelings for what “better serves the nation.”
• Leaders manage what they can. In Invictus, Matt Damon’s character said “We may not be the most talented team, but we can be the fittest.”
• Leaders express themselves in the common language and metaphor of the people. In Invictus, Mandella used rugby.
• Leaders know that images and emotions are worth more than any number of speeches.
• Leaders know that the battles are sometimes won in the places you least expect.
• Leaders understand the value and honor of knowing another’s name. Mandella got off his helicopter and shook hands with the South African rugby team and called them by name. Bill Clinton is the a said to never forgot a name. People are honored when you remember. Their name represents their identity. It means they matter to you.
• Leaders adjust when circumstances demand it.
• Leaders imagine what others cannot.
• Leaders capture the moments. They have a sense of occasion.
• Leaders recognize that THEY are the masters of their fate.
• Leaders recognize greatness in people even when the person doesn’t. Leaders then help others find their destiny.
• Leaders know you either inspire or expire.
• Leaders know the cause (the WHY) is worth the pain.
• Leaders recognize moments of destiny and capitalize on them.
• Leaders know that common people can make an uncommon difference.