Management 13th Edition by John Schermerhorn,Daniel Bachrach

Exercise 18

LEARN FROM ROLE MODELS
"You can decide you're going to be happy today... the little things in life are the big things."
Little Things Are Big Things at Life Is Good

I magine! Yes, you can! Go for it! Life is good. We'll make that: Life is really good! These are the kinds of thoughts can help turn your dreams into reality. They're also part and parcel of a multimillion-dollar company that really is named Life is Good.
It all began with two brothers-Bert and John Jacobs-making T-shirts for street sales. Picture a card table set up at a Boston street fair and two young brothers setting out 48 T-shirts printed with a smiling face-Jake-and the words "Life is good." Then picture the cart empty, with all of the shirts sold for $10 apiece, and the two brothers happily realizing they might -just might-have come up with a viable business idea.
From that modest beginning, Bert-Chief Executive Optimist-and John-Chief Creative Optimist-built a company devoted to humor and humility. John says: "It's important that we're saying 'Life is good,' not 'Life is great' or 'Life is perfect'; there's a big difference.... Don't determine that you're going to be happy when you get the new car or the big promotion or meet that special person. You can decide that you're going to be happy today." According to Bert: "The little things in life are the big things." That's the message of the Life Is Good brand.
How did the two brothers turn their belief in happiness and that life is good into a successful firm They didn't start with business degrees or any real experience. They developed their business with good instincts, creativity, and a very positive view on life. They stuck to their values while learning about business as their firm grew. They still live the brand while enjoying leisure pursuits like kayaking and ultimate Frisbee. They also support philanthropic enterprises like Camp Sunshine for children with serious illnesses and Playmakers for traumatized children.
FIND THE INSPIRATION
Bert and John Jacobs built a successful company with a positive message and approach to life that has an almost universal appeal. Just how far can positive thinking carry these entrepreneurs Does there come a point where continuing to build and expand a business requires systematic, professional management approaches and tactics How about us, personally Is there more to be gained by looking for positives than negatives in our everyday experiences and relationships with others What about when it comes to our own lives-your life-who's in charge of the "good" factor