Last week I had the privilege of offering congratulations to a friend and colleague who was celebrating his 25^th year of special public service employment.  As part of our brief telephone conversation, he shared multiple unique memorable personal development “Lessons” he had learned during our time while employed in the same organization.  Each recollection lesson was professionally impactful… yet simple in its delivery and purpose.  It was a GREAT conversation.

So guess what?  As I have reported before I never know what may generate a TRIPLE III TIME message thought… but the conversation I just described caused me to reflect: What and When did I realize My First (personal development) “Lesson”?

Well as I think back… and even before I was age 10… my Dad assigned me the full PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for care of all the baby calves that were born throughout the year.  Morning and night feedings, pen cleaning, vitamin sharing, and any forms of special care required.  This PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY lesson included understanding cost and impacts when a calf died, and profits realized when the calf grew and was sold or joined the herd. And interestingly, when I did well I did not wait for a “way-to-go” from my Dad.  Instead, my “way-to-goes” were offered every day as I watched the group of healthy, good-looking calves running around the pen!

Bottomline: Recalling My First “Lesson” which came in the form of PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY… was/is helpful even today as I continue in my career building activities.  Even more important is the realization that accepting PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY has led to engaging in other progressive personal development “spin-offs” including innovation, customer service, quality communication, and leadership.  I trust you understand.

So, do you recall YOUR FIRST LESSON?