7 Life Lessons From Henry Ford
Henry Ford. An American industrialist and the founder of the Ford Motor Company. His invention with transportation, forever changed the automobile industry. Here are seven life lessons we can learn from his life.
Lesson 1: Failure is an opportunity, so learn from your failure and keep moving forward
In 1901, Ford had to shut down his first company, The Detroit Automobile Company. After operating for about a year and a half, the company had yet to build a car, and the investors were not happy. Ford once said, “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” In other words, we must take our failures as our teachers.
We as humans tend to downplay our failures, but the truth is that everyone has gone through a failure in life. Failing is painful events, but it often gives you the most valuable experiences. So learn from your failure. And do not allow failure to stop you from accomplishing your goal.
Lesson 2: Focus on quality and repetition.
Ford once said, “Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.” Doing Quality work means your customer is satisfied, you retain their loyalty which would eventually mean that they will continue to do business with you. Now you have to be careful here, everything you make can be improved that does not mean that you should hold on to what you have made because you are trying to improve its quality. The last thing you want is to hold on to your product/service with your customer is asking for it. So do make it of quality, but be sure that you are not compromising the time you spend on the quality.
Lesson 3: Keep on exploring and learning
“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young” To give you an idea, Ford Motor Co. sold their first car to a dentist in 1903. Henry ford was 40 at the time. Although this was not the first car that he sold, this was the first of many that made him the icon, we know of him today. Till the age of 40 Ford kept on learning and improving his car, by the time the first one left the assembly line, a lot more followed. Try and train yourself to learn constantly it will keep you young and energetic, it will sparks new ideas in your mind that you can use in your life and business
Lesson 4: Constantly tell yourself that you can achieve your goals if you put your mind to it. Believe In Yourself, because lets be honest no one else will.
Ford once said that “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” Thinking positive will help you eliminate negative though, that could lead to depression. As depression is not good, for mental health and for your daily activities. Those who think positively feel happy and energize for their day to day tasks. So your objective should be to think positively.
Lesson 5: Have Passion for what you do
Now finding your passion is not the easiest thing to do. Herny Ford was playing with engines from a young age. He wanted to duplicate the first steam engine he saw as soon as he saw it. You can say he was lucky enough to find his passion at a young age and you would be right. But it was his passion that kept him to work until 40. You see, one day we will all look back at our lives and wish we did what we didn’t. You may want to make a list of things that you want to do and start to do them. If you find something that you spend time on without realizing how much time you spend on it, you got something. It all has to do with trying things out. So get that paper and pencil out and get to work.
Lesson 6: Work in teams and keep everyone happy
Ford would increase wages to keep everyone happy. He once said that “Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success”. You need to make sure that you work together with everyone because teamwork helps solve problems. By working in teams, more ideas are discussed and everyone can work together to find a solution. So, find good people and keep them happy.
Lesson 7: Keep Pushing through, even when the things are going against you
Ford said “When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it” Just remembers that whatever it is you are going through will pass. Live goes one, if you need help or advice ask people around you. But be careful, you need to ask people that are either where you want yourself to be or people who will help you reach the goal you have. Remember much of the bad times will not matter in a few years. you have already come out of some bad time from your past, tell yourself that you will come out of this one as well.
There you go, 7 lessons from Henry Ford Life. Hope you enjoyed them.
