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Garry and Marilyn at the 2015 Town & Gown event, where Garry was surprised with the 2015 Honorary WIU Alumni Award.
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What I Know Now - W. Garry Johnson: WIU Vice President Emeritus for Student Services, Honorary Alumnus

January 19, 2018

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From the Fall 2017 Western: The Magazine for Alumni of Western Illinois University

Age is a State of Mind & Spirit. You are as old as your inner spirit says you are. There are lots of 40-year olds who act like they are 90 and vice versa.

Values & Skills Learned Growing Up on a Farm will Help You for the Rest of Your Life. Hard work, responsibility and accountability, helping your neighbors, playing outdoors, caring for pets and animals are important skills learned early in life.

Others will See Positive Things in You that You May Not See in Yourself. Trust their judgement and work hard to prove them right. Being successful is the best revenge on those that always talk about your flaws. Thank those who mentor you.

You Will Learn More From Your Mistakes Than Successes. There is nothing wrong with making mistakes. It means you're trying. Learn from them and don't make the same one twice. Admit them and move on! And don't be afraid to admit you were wrong.

It's Easy To Be Ethical & Right If You Follow "The Mom And Grandma Rule." If in doubt, ask yourself, "If I do this and mom and grandma read about it in the paper tomorrow, will they be proud of me?" Enough said.

Develop Hobbies And Interests Outside Of Work. It will be easier to retire if you have a life before you step away.

Think Strategically, But Operate Practically. It's not always about what you plan to do next but often about the moves that come after. Think like a chess player.

Hire Staff Members Smarter & More Talented Than You. Then get out of their way and let them do their jobs.

Treat Your Officemates as Partners in the Enterprise. Beth Oakley and Jessica Butcher were the best.

Being Truthful Matters. "Always tell the truth because it's easier to remember who you told it to."

There are More Dumb Answers then Dumb Questions.

Weddings, Retirements, Visitations & Funerals Matter. Never miss a funeral, visitation, retirement reception or wedding of a staff member or their family or others in your work space.

Always Control Your Anger. Losing your temper on a regular basis means people learn how they can control the narrative and thus you. If you do get angry, do it on rare occasions and when you really need to make your point. Admittedly, I'm a control freak!

A Good Reputation Is Hard To Build but Easy to Destroy. How you act and how you treat others speaks volumes about who you are as a person and a professional.

Learn To Write Well And Speak In Public. Texting is not writing! Communicating complex ideas on paper and verbally is a skill. Work on them every day. Teaching when you can and doing presentations will help improve these critical skill sets.

Read & Learn Every Day. Stay current! Know what is going on locally, regionally and nationally. If you find yourself in a social situation, be able to carry on a conversation about stuff happening more than two blocks away from your workplace.

Many Wise People Have Said, "You Can't Fix Stupid." Sadly, it's true!

Work For Your Passion, Not For Your Pension. However, plan for your future.

You Are In Charge Of Your Own Happiness. If you expect others to make you happy, you're in for some really bad days.

Life Is Not Always Predictable And Can Take Some Funky Turns. I wear my watch upside down and have for many years. It's a daily reminder that your world can get turned upside down very quickly. You need to be ready.

Get Involved In Your Community. Give back to your local and professional community. Be a role model for others who watch your behavior.

Sometimes, But Not Always, Giving Someone A Second And Even A Third Chance Is Worth The Risk.

Finally, as my good friend Dwaine Roche always points out, "There Are No Former Leathernecks."

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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