As a kid, I loved the music of Leon Russell. He was an amazing piano player and just as cool as they come.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2Z9qN8R9Bg

Turns out, Leon Russel was one of Elton John’s heroes as well. But as Sir Elton’s career just kept building speed, Leon Russell’s was broken down by the side of the road. Leon had fallen on some hard times in recent years.

As Elton tells the story, he was thinking about the big influence Leon Russell had on his career and wondered where he was. He then thought, “If somebody helped you, and they are still alive, why not do what you can to help them?”

He found Leon as an old man, walking with a cane but still so cool and still an amazing piano player and singer. So Elton did a joint album with Leon Russell that hit the Billboard Top 10 and debuted as #1 on Amazon.

So my question for you and me today is, “Who Helped You?” If they are still alive, give them a call or send them a note or make an album with them or do something to express your gratitude. The difference between living with joy instead of regrets comes down to what you do in the now.

So, who helped you? What are you going to do about it? Please leave a comment below if this post stirred you to action.

When I was in my late 20s, after working in a few construction and engineering jobs, Calvin G. High hired me to be the first project manager for High Construction. I’d never been a PM, but he liked my local background and my work ethic. He thought he saw some potential in me.

High Construction was building $8M of work a year when I was hired and we grew to almost $40M in 3 years.  I learned to be a PM by just doing it, figuring things out as I went. We had a great team of field supers and trade contractors and we worked together to build lots of fine looking buildings quickly.

Cal was a wonderful mentor for me. He wasn’t prone to much praise, but I knew when I did something right…and when I screwed up.  As a devout Mennonite, Cal was committed to giving “Good Measure”. Yet he once asked me if I knew how copper wire was invented? Apparently it was two Mennonites fighting over a penny.

I developed the 10 Calmandmants, in honor of Calvin G. High and have considered them important guidelines to remember throughout my career.

1. Thou shalt never joke about money.
2. Thou shalt shudder when any price is given and ask if that’s their best offer.
3. Thou shalt never go time and materials.
4. Thou shalt pay attention to the details.
5. Thou shalt never say an item is “Not on the Critical Path”.
6. Thou shalt be frugal in all design decision, except for a few that are very visual.
7. Thou shalt landscape lushly.
8. Thou shalt wander around and look at things.
9. Thou shalt not mess thy jobsite, thy truck or thy neighbor’s tools.
10. Thou shalt obtain three prices on everything.

Transcribed by Ned Pelger in 1986 A.D.