Today is Use Your Common Sense Day. I will be on several radio stations in the US and Canada discussing why I created and registered it. This year’s theme is don’t text while you’re driving some common sense advice that way too many people ignore.
I created and registered this day because I often find a lack of common sense – in life and in work. That’s why I present common sense career advice in this blog and in my career advice books. Over 3,000 people have downloaded a free copy of my latest career success coach book, Success Tweets: 140 Bits of Common Sense Career Success Advice, All in 140 Characters or Less. Get your free copy at http://www.SuccessTweets.com.
If you’re a regular reader of this career advice blog, you know that I am a big fan of SUCCESS Magazine. If you’re not a subscriber, you should be. Go to www.Success.com as soon as you read this post to subscribe. You’ll be glad you did. SUCCESS contains some of the best career advice you will find anywhere.
I received an email from Darren Hardy, publisher of SUCCESS the other day. Darren began by telling a story about a friend of his who went to a Halloween party dressed as Superman. When he opened the box in which the costume came, he found a common sense message.
Warning: Wearing this garment does not enable you to fly.
Darren’s focus in his email was the importance of taking calculated, not wild, risks. But he included some great examples of what he calls Inane Product Warnings…
“Do not use in shower.” — On a hair dryer.
“Caution: Do not spray in eyes.” — On a container of underarm deodorant.
“Do not eat toner.” — On a toner cartridge for a laser printer.
“Eating rocks may lead to broken teeth.” — On a novelty rock garden set called “Popcorn Rock.”
“Caution: Hot beverages are hot!” — On a coffee cup.
“Do not use orally.” — On a toilet bowl cleaning brush.
“Please keep out of children.” — On a butcher knife, from a site online (visit here for more).
“Not suitable for children aged 36 months or less.” — On a birthday card for a 1 year old.
“Do not use for drying pets.” — In the manual for a microwave oven.
“For use on animals only.” — On an electric cattle prod.
“Warning: knives are sharp!” — On the packaging of a sharpening stone.
“Not for weight control.” — On a pack of Breath Savers.
“Do not use intimately.” — On a tube of deodorant.
“Caution: Remove infant before folding for storage.” — On a portable stroller.
“Beware! To touch these wires is instant death. Anyone found doing so will be prosecuted.” — On a sign at a railroad station.
“Warning: do not use if you have prostate problems.” — On a box of Midol PMS relief tablets.
“Not for human consumption.” — On a package of dice.
“May be harmful if swallowed.” — On a shipment of hammers.
“Do not use orally after using rectally.” — In the instructions for an electric thermometer.
Pretty amazing, huh? However, in the beginning of the email Darren said that when his friend told story about the warning about not trying to fly in his Superman costume, “Several folks recalled news stories of young boys (and some men) who had tied a red towel around their neck and jumped off roofs or out of windows atop tall buildings, only to plunge like a rock to their death.”
And you wonder why I felt it necessary to create and register Use Your Common Sense Day?!!!??!!
The common sense career success coach point here is simple. Creating the life and career success you want and deserve takes some effort. You need to: 1) Clarify the purpose and direction for your life and career; 2) Commit to taking personal responsibility for your life and career success; 3) Build unshakeable self confidence; and 4) Get competent in four areas – creating positive personal impact, performing in an outstanding manner, becoming a dynamic communicator and building strong relationships. On this Use Your Common Sense Day I hope that you put this common sense career advice to work. And, don’t text while you drive.
That’s my take on using your common sense to create the life and career success you want and deserve. What’s yours? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us in a comment. As always, thanks for reading.
Bud
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