Dave Thomas, the orphan who grew up to become the founder of the Wendy's internationally famous hamburger chain, has divided his philosophy of life and success into four basic groups:

"Inward — these have to do with getting your own act together successfully.

"Outward — these are all about treating people right.

"Upward — these are skills you need to know if you want to go beyond just doing an OK job and truly excel.

"Onward — these are attitudes you need to have in order to put yourself second and other people first. I think that onward values may be the toughest and the most rewarding values of all.

"Added on to these ingredients are some others. Since I'm a hamburger cook, I call them 'toppings.' They are the pickles and onions of how I look at success:

"Anything is possible within the laws of God and man.

"You can't cut corners on quality.

"Give back — early and often.

"When you help someone, you really help yourself.

"Pay attention to the basics.

"You can't make much progress walking forward if you don't keep your balance, and that means balance in every part of your life.

"Have a sense of urgency about most things you do, and you won't end up as the caboose.

"Focus on only one thing at a time and on just a few things in a lifetime.

"Don't waste time trying to do things you know nothing about: Either learn the basics or steer clear.

"Remember that life is short and fragile. Live it as if you don't know if you are going to be around for the next breath.

"Don't take the people of our nation — or their freedom — for granted.

"Be yourself. Don't take yourself too seriously.

"Do the right thing even when it may seem like the hardest thing in the world.

"Put more into life than you get out of it."

Take Dave's approach to life, and I'll see you at the top!

"Our business in life is not to get ahead of others, but to get ahead of ourselves, to break our own records, to outstrip our yesterday by our today." — Stuart B. Johnson

To find out more about Zig Ziglar and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: michaelform at Pixabay