200 Qualities: PREFACE

The will to win means nothing if you haven't the will to prepare.––Juma Ikangaa(1989 NYC Marathon winner)

No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
––Samuel Beckett, Worstward Ho, 1983

John McCain proclaims his extravagant admiration for Teddy Roosevelt, a man of many virtues, not one of which was moral modesty. Speaker of the House Thomas Reed once said to TR, "If there is one thing for which I admire you more than anything else, Theodore, it is your original discovery of the Ten Commandments.'' St. John of Arizona can seem insufferably certain that he has cornered the market on incorruptibility. So as he begins trying to assemble a presidential majority, he seems, as anyone trying to do that will, like a run-of-the-mill sinner.
––George Will, Op-Ed Column, Washington Post, April 9, 2004

What a wonderful world: It can be changed, including ourselves!
It is never to early, and never too late.
––John Roberts


I have had a number of disparate careers and serious interests: university and graduate school instructor, salesman, manager of stockbrokers and mutual funds, corporate owner and entrepreneur, research director, asset manager, magazine editor, newspaper columnist, author, flight instructor, combat fighter pilot, military leader, world traveler and lover of extreme sports, heavy exercise, serious books, strong beer, fine wine, four happy children and my two extraordinary wives. Adventure has distracted me from responsibility. Through it all I have struggled to become a decent human being, raise and teach more of them, contribute to the world, enjoy every part of life and avoid too many regrets. I have emerged only partially successful, certainly humble and introspective, with self-respect bruised but retained, and something to say about what I have learned.

It should go without saying that writing this book does not mean I have mastered all these qualities, or that I am special because I have conquered some. Indeed, success is often the result of the self-examination, motivation and learning derived from earlier failure. I can, however, speak with authority in having tried over a lifetime to improve myself in an organized and conscientious way, and to study and collect the thoughts of others and try to apply them to my own imperfect experience and ambitious personal goals.

The book is not meant to be sententious, which is nicely defined as full of aphorisms and indulging in pompous moralizing. Rather, I have been teaching, learning, writing, managing, leading, reading, failing, succeeding and enjoying throughout a highly diverse life. I have something to say that may be useful to those who will listen. And, I have taken the liberty of quoting a great many others whose words express better than mine the road to success.

I have simply organized all that into a readable book that can help many people at all stages in their self-improvement and development. I believe that is true because I wish I had know a lot of this a lot earlier in life; it might have helped me avoid some serious errors and failures. And, I have seen so many people who could do better by following some of these simple precepts and suggestions. Some of them are not so simple, and a lifetime of serious effort results in imperfection, but improvement.

I therefore challenge the reader: Go through the list of 200 qualities and separate those in which you are perfect. I’ll bet there won’t be many, not because you are below standard, but because you are human. Then, list those you think are important and need serious effort to improve. Work out your own plan to use the book as a guide. Or, you might take one a day, give it serious consideration, study and effort; and in a year, you will probably be a much better person. It may even awaken you to the enormity of the challenge. I hope my words help you get started. And then I hope you make a serious project out of it.

Inevitably, being who I am, the approach will reflect a male attitude, the discipline of the military man and a lifetime of reading. Everyone, however, should find here enough appropriate to themselves. Most of the quotations are from people I have learned to know and admire through my reading. If you are literate, you should know them too, and I have not bothered to identify them. If not seek them out, for they will teach you much.

Yet another self-help book, written about the less-obvious meanings of words, could be a bore. Fortunately, anyone who troubles to digest a chapter or two may well find the experience beneficial, if not enlightening. I have taken the liberty of pushing my language and statements a bit over the top, striving for a little surprise and attention, and new ways of exploring ourselves. I hope it opens your eyes, causes you to think and takes you down a new road to being a better person a page at a time. Having spent 70 years preparing for this, it is hard for me to imagine that you will not be changed or grateful. There, see how easily I combine self-confidence and pride with hope and humility.
Best wishes,

John Roberts
Melbourne, Florida