Mother Always Said, "...": Timeless Wisdom to Achieve Personal & Business Success

Mother Always Said, "...": Timeless Wisdom to Achieve Personal & Business Success

Mother always said, “…” is a compendium of the author’s mother’s most treasured maxims and memorable childhood value lessons he learned while growing up and has applied in numerous and unique situations in his successful business career. The journey begins in a small quiet town in western Pennsylvania, passes through the bright lights of Broadway, unwittingly into the middle of the Iranian Revolution, then living and working within a breath of the Berlin Wall; and finally, the unending challenges he faced in the early years of the former Soviet Union. Each encounter tests his faith and reliance upon his mother’s wisdom to see him through. He has taken the best of his anecdotes and put them into an indispensable collection for all ages to enjoy and successfully apply in their everyday lives and business careers. His narrative style will tickle your funny bone and possibly draw an occasional tear. Critics have labeled his writing as “…unique, refreshing, practical and riddled with original humor.” While the author’s childhood experiences cover some of the most relatable and entertaining moments in a child’s life, they also provide a foundation for teaching many important value lessons to children. The adult experiences provide the framework for addressing life’s daily challenges in personal relationships and a variety of business situations. You can be effortlessly apply these principles and immediately measure their value in your life. The result is a fascinating literary effort that will appeal to young and old, professional men and women, and the general public. Mother always said, “…” can be absorbed in one reading or a chapter at a time. It is a book that is certain to become a permanent reference for every library, business and family. MOTHER ALWAYS SAID, "..." By ROBERT POPOVICH AuthorHouse LLC Copyright © 2014 Robert Popovich All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4918-9807-9 Contents Introduction, 1, Prologue, 5, Image, 7, Revenge, 12, First Impressions, 18, Planning, 25, Curiosity, 31, Anxiety, 35, Jealousy, 40, Intelligence, 45, Humility, 50, Persuasion, 53, Dignity, 60, Reality, 64, Communication, 69, Opinions, 73, Humiliation, 77, Respect, 81, Extra Effort, 85, Value, 89, Loyalty, 94, Epilogue, 99, CHAPTER 1 IMAGE Mother always said, "Robert ... don't forget what your last name is; you represent all of us, not just yourself." Every morning when I left for school or went out to play, Mother would holler before I was out of earshot, "Don't forget what your last name is; you represent all of us, not just yourself!" Certainly, such messages were to some extent were intended to warn me to "behave." In a staunchly religious Eastern Orthodox family, respect and good behavior topped the list of life's rules, and breaking those rules were considered a relative capital offense, which meant severe verbal admonitions that bordered on inquisitions. No matter how harsh the words, however, they were delivered in a lesson format that required behavioral modifications if privileges were to be restored. Our Western Pennsylvania community, a suburb of Pittsburgh was a true melting pot of Europeans who came to America. Serbians, Greeks, Italians, Jews, Poles and other Eastern European groups settled in this steel town. Cleanliness, honesty, respect and hard work were the value cornerstones of all these groups. As I approached the transitional period from boyhood to manhood, I was ready one day for the usual refrain. As I went out the door on my way to school, Mother shouted, "Robert, have a nice day and don't forget ..." Before she could finish, I said, "Excuse me, Mother. I know it by heart. 'Don't forget what my last name is,' Right?" Her immediate reaction was one of surprise, followed by a rather smug but approving smile. Her reaction led me to ask, "Did I say something funny?" She replied, "No. Just think it only took you thirteen years to remember!" She went on to say that each of us individually accountable for our actions, and remember that each person's behavior reflects on the family and community. In small ethnic communities, news travels fast, especially bad news, especially when it came to tarnishing the family name. The shoe store where my mother worked had developed an excellent reputation over the years. Although the store did not have a written mission statement, known for providing high-quality shoes at a reasonable price. In this, it was not unlike other stores, except it stood far above its competitors when it came to customer serve and overall flexibility. That commitment translated into personalized attention, no matter how big or small the purchase. Any complaint was met with immediate action and customer-accepted resolution. One day after running several errands for my mother, I returned to my mother's store, when in walked a customer that demanding to see a salesperson. My mother walked over to him and asked if she could be of help. It was dur