There is another other principle I’d like to share with you. It’s called “The Jellybean Principle.” That’s also the name of a book written by Ron McIntyre. His thesis is that if you are looking at a jar of multi-colored jellybeans, you will most often see the one color you are looking for, the one you want to pick out and eat.
So if you want a green jellybean, you will notice that the glass bowl is full of several colors, but the one you see the most will be green. Same with blue, red, black or white. That’s just what you will notice. Your perception will be that there are more of that color of jellybean in the container.
There’s an old Peanuts comic strip which shows Snoopy on the top of his dog house making several severe or angry looking faces—in one panel after the other. In the last panel I have changed some of Snoopy’s words in his thought bubble to say: “I would have made a good presidential nominee candidate!”
John Adams doesn’t get the honor and acclaim he deserves! Even in his lifetime he saw this coming. He said:
George Washington was one to give words of counsel and wisdom to those he associated with (or with whom he associated, if you prefer). Pearls of wisdom just seemed to fall from his lips. Some were actually written down. Here’s one I like and understand:
That was the question put to John Kassich in a televised question and answer period with future voters. He promptly replied with his answer: “George Washington.” And then he expounded on his answer, which was thoughtful.
One of the most important, but often overlooked, details of Benjamin Franklin’s legacy, is that he was a doer, but a self-made man. Read his Autobiography if you haven’t already—or read it again for new insights.