Read and enjoyed NEVER SAY NEVER by Phyllis George,
subtitled "Ten lessons to turn you can't into yes I can."
George has had quite a life . . . from being crowned Miss America in 1971 to becoming the first female national sportscaster and serving as first lady of Kentucky, she has also been an actress, award-winning humanitarian and businesswoman . . . yet with all this success, she has also had her share of failures and trials--many of which she shares with you on a basis that almost feels like you are having a personal conversation with her.
I also liked how she shared inspirational stories from high-profile friends such as Walter Cronkite, Larry King, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Paula Zahn, and many more.
There were many memorable passages; among them:
"Well, Phyllis," he [Roger Staubach] said, looking me straight in the eye, "well yes. I have a station wagon, and I put the kids in the back, and we all go to church every Sunday. But," he said, clearing his throat, "let me tell you: I like sex just as much as Joe Namath. Only I like it with one person--my wife, Marianne!"
There were times in my life when I stuck my neck out and it
led me many places. There were also times when I was glad
I had been bold because I knew that even if taking a chance
led to failure, it would teach me something. Failure is only
a stepping-stone to success. Taking a chance leads to new
directions; it's never a dead end. Once you understand that,
taking a risk seems less "risky." As a very brave and wise
New York cab driver recently said to me as he raced wildly
through rush-hour traffic: "You can't fail if you never try . . . and when you try, you never fail!" Everybody's a philosopher! Especially in New York.
Tickle, slap, tickle, as one of my friends called it. When you have something negative to say to someone, help the other person feel good about herself or himself first. That person will then be prepared to respond in a productive way to the "negative" part of the conversation. He or she will be less likely to get defensive and reject what you have to say. Rather than thinking of you as critical and uncaring, that person will think of you as being helpful and nice.
