I don't know anything about women's purses, but I do know about men's wallets. They're meant for important "stuff", and they range from the type carried by the fictional character "George" on Seinfeld, containing half of the Midtown Manhattan Library ... to the small single panel Gucci, used by a friend who only carries a driver's license. Mine is somewhere in between.

Each year about this time ... I should do it more often ... but each year just around New Year, I pull out a small card I carry in my wallet. I specifically recall typing this little card, and putting it in my wallet when I started my business 26 years ago. The same card is there today ... a little faded and frayed ... surviving countless "washings" in my blue jeans, as I am prone to do!   But the message is the same, just as when I typed it.

Again, I should do it more often, but I pulled out the card for a little annual visit last night, and noticed something I'd never really realized before. Each year, it seems that two or three of the items seem to have special importance at different moments in time - items which might need special attention in the upcoming year (or project). For example, in a year of tough economic times, the "Positive Response to Pressure" and "Goal Oriented" items seem to hit home. In better, more "cocky" times (indulge me), the "Responsibility" and "Communication" items are a needed check.

I truly believe that NO success can be achieved without the honest and meaningful "desire" for success. And for me, and the way I operate (heaven forbid!), the three items that are a "must have", everyday, are "Imagination", "Optimism", and "Nowness".   "Trust" isn't far behind. With those in the forefront, the others can be fine-tuned.

As I was reading over the card last night I thought I might re-type it onto a fresh new card. But "Why?", I asked. This one's done a pretty good job for a quarter of a century. Surely it will last at least a dozen-or-so more washes!