The Janitor

10/07/2010

The Janitor -move your mind and heart

You’re a CEO who is loosing control of your business and personal life — yourself, your marriage, your family. Would you heed the advice of the janitor?

Roger Kimbrough, the CEO did.  He had a weekly green tea meeting with janitor Bob Tidwell who shared six simple but powerful principles.

You can read and ponder what truly matters to you through the lives of the CEO and the janitor in the book THE JANITOR by authors Todd Hopkins and Ray Hilbert.

And here’s to share with you briefly the six principles that turned around the life of the CEO.

1. RECHARGE VS DISCHARGE. If you keep pouring energy out and you don’t recharge ,then one day you’ll run empty. You’ll burn out. A burned-up brain won’t start up.

2. VIEW YOUR FAMILY AS BLESSINGS NOT RESPONSIBILITY. Tell your family you love them; remind them of how much they mean to you.

3. PRAY NOT POUT. Sometimes when your plate is full, God will give you great insight on what is important to focus on and what needs to be removed from your plate entirely.

4. PASS IT AROUND. Share your knowledge and wisdom to everyone before it is too late. Anyone can give a meaningless gift. That would be no great reflection on my character, would it?

5. DON’T SPEND; INVEST! Invest your time in things that have value. Is there some eternal significance in what I am doing? Does it have any eternally significant impact on someone else?

6. LEAVE A LEGACY. It doesn’t matter if you live 2 thousand years or twenty. What matters is how you fill the space between the dates on your gravestone. Let your wisdom live and multiply in each life that you touch.

There, THE JANITOR can help me pick up the pieces and I’ll surely enjoy an evening with him sipping hot green tea. How about you?

🙂

27 Responses to “The Janitor”


  1. […] was reading a post last year called ‘The Janitor’ by Bendedspoon on her excellent blog and no. 6 on the list really made me […]


  2. Sound like a great book, is it a true story?

    Best,
    Anders Haslum
    http://www.andershaslum.wordpress.com

    • bendedspoon Says:

      A very good read which most people can relate to.
      Not a true story but inspired by overqualified janitors on evening shifts. They are retired businessmen who just needed something to do — can you imagine them sharing their insights? I would love to have conversations with them.
      🙂

  3. faithdream Says:

    These are great words of wisdom.I like this. We forget that the time we have is so short.

  4. Linda Lewis Says:

    You know what the good thing is? The CEO took time to listen to the janitor. Wonder how much we miss by not listening?

    • bendedspoon Says:

      that’s a great reflection!
      if we don’t listen
      we might miss so much
      not just what we must hear
      but the opportunity
      to appreciate another being
      🙂


  5. Those are great thoughts. I might have to read that book sometime. 🙂


  6. Thanks for posting this. I’ve looked at this maybe a half a dozen times since you’ve posted. It’s provided inspiration and clarity.

    Have a blessed day!

    Treasure


  7. Lots of wisdom floating around here!

    Chef E
    http://tmi-chef.blogspot.com/

  8. mariqia Says:

    Thank you for sharing..Now I’ve learned something.

    Wonderful book huh..


  9. I love books! 🙂 thank you for the great review!

  10. jmjbookblog Says:

    Great advice! Thanks for sharing!

  11. Stef Says:

    The item I would submit (were I writing such a book) would be: Don’t react; respond.

  12. Lori Says:

    wonderful! i needed this “kick in the ass” today! thanks!

  13. echostains Says:

    Inspirational Bendedspoon!


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