Legendary banker Richard Jenrette passed away last week at the age of 89.  In his desk he left a hand-written note listing his 24 rules to succeed in finance and life.  The note titled, “What I Learned (How to Succeed and have a Long and Happy Life),” was shared at his memorial service in Charleston, SC:

  • Stay in the game. That’s often all you need to do – don’t quit. Stick around! Don’t be a quitter!
  • Don’t burn bridges (behind you)
  • Remember – Life has no blessing like a good friend!
  • You can’t get enough of them
  • Don’t leave old friends behind – you may need them
  • Try to be nice and say “thank you” a lot!
  • Stay informed/KEEP LEARNING!
  • Study — Stay Educated. Do Your Home Work!! Keep learning!
  • Cultivate friends of all ages – especially younger
  • Run Scared — over-prepare
  • Be proud — no Uriah Heep for you! But not conceited. Know your own worth.
  • Plan ahead but be prepared to allow when opportunity presents itself.
  • Turn Problems into Opportunities. Very often it can be done. Problems create opportunities for change — people willing to consider change when there are problems.
  • Present yourself well. Clean, clean-shaven, dress “classically” to age. Beware style, trends. Look for charm. Good grammar. Don’t swear so much — it’s not cute.
  • But be open to change — don’t be stuck in mud. Be willing to consider what’s new but don’t blindly follow it. USE YOUR HEAD – COMMON SENSE.
  • Have some fun – but not all the time!
  • Be on the side of the Angels. Wear the White Hat.
  • Have a fall-back position. Heir and the spare. Don’t leave all your money in one place.
  • Learn a foreign language.
  • Travel a lot — around the world, if possible.
  • Don’t criticize someone in front of others.
  • Don’t forget to praise a job well done (but don’t praise a poor job)
  • I don’t like to lose — but don’t be a poor loser if you do.
  • It helps to have someone to love who loves you (not just sex).
  • Keep your standards high in all you do.
  • Look for the big picture but don’t forget the small details.

This is good advice for anyone!

Source: Bloomberg