Pass It On by Zig Ziglar on Creators.com

Recently

The Hustler Several years ago, Paul Newman starred in a movie titled "The Hustler." It dealt with the game of pool, and a hustler was a guy who set someone up and then hustled or beat him out of his money. The connotation of a hustler was definitely …Read more. Efficiency Is Costly When I was a youngster in Yazoo City, Miss., twice each week — on Tuesday and Friday nights — I delivered the hometown newspaper. One night a week, I collected for the paper. The financial rewards were small but important. More important …Read more. A Rainy Day Story Today was "one of those days." I don't believe I've ever seen as much rain fall so hard or for so long as I did today. My wife and I were on our way to Tyler, Texas, to make a couple of purchases and, more importantly, to see Dr. John …Read more. Employer Opportunity "Morale is the state of mind. It is steadfastness and courage and hope. It is confidence and zeal and loyalty. It is elan, esprit de corps and determination." — George Catlett Marshall Employee turnover is expensive. One of the most …Read more.

Pass It On

Most sports fans know that in the mile relay and the 440-yard relay, each runner runs one-fourth of the distance. When the first runner completes his run, he passes the baton on to the second runner, who passes it to the third, who passes it to the fourth. The way they pass the baton has a direct bearing on the outcome of the race. If it's done smoothly and naturally, without breaking stride, the success of the team is greatly enhanced.

In life we do a lot of "passing it on." Parents start a child's education from birth with the examples they set, the language they use and the lessons they teach. How to eat, dress, speak and work are just a few of the areas covered as part of that initial training. Best of all, parents teach the child manners, courtesy, kindness, thoughtfulness and respect for others. Then they pass the child on to teachers who are better positioned to provide an educational foundation.

Throughout the educational process, if the child continues to grow in knowledge, social skills, understanding and how to set and reach specific objectives, he or she will be better prepared to enter the business world. With that kind of foundation, any habits obtained from the first and second set of teachers will help the young adult work with the third set of teachers he or she encounters in the business world.

Over this entire period of time, words of encouragement are an important factor in the success of the individual. Because many parents, and even grandparents, do not recognize the importance of encouragement and positive thinking, many times, instead of making positive comments to their children, they make negative ones.

For years, I have been doing something that gives me a great deal of pleasure and, according to the parents who have communicated with me, has had a big impact on the lives of their children.

When I have an opportunity to spend a moment with a little guy or girl 4 to 7 years of age and the circumstances are appropriate, I will kneel and tell that child that I can do something very few people can do.

I ask them, "Do you know what that is?" They always say, "No." Then I say, "I can spot a winner a mile away. And just to make certain I keep my string going, let me look you over really good." Then I turn that child around, look him over and say, "Yup, there's no doubt about it. It's written all over you — you are a winner! And I want you to always remember that. Tell Mom and Dad (and in most cases Mom and Dad are standing close by) that I said you are a winner, and that on this one thing I am always right!" The smile on the youngster's face and the delight in the parents' eyes is obvious.

Pete Hinojosa, who was the community coordinator for the Spring Branch Independent School District in Kingwood, Texas, was in contact with students from preschool to 12th grade. He stopped in the room of one of the kindergarten teachers when her son, who was about 4, was in the room with her. Being energetic, like most kids are, he was desperately jumping up and down trying to reach a cardboard leaf that was hanging from the ceiling.

Pete Hinojosa remembered what I say to young boys and girls. He started telling the little boy about his "special ability to pick a winner," looked him over up and down and said, "Yup, 100 percent guaranteed, you are a winner." The boy looked stunned and a little taken aback. After Pete left the room, he heard the little guy yell to his mother, "Hey, Mom, can he really do that?" His mom said, "He sure can!"

Pete Hinojosa "passed it on." I encourage you to do the same thing.

To find out more about Zig Ziglar and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. Subscribe to Zig Ziglar's free e-mail newsletter through info@zigziglar.com.