(4.27) No Matter What Has Happened

“Always behave as if nothing had happened, no matter what has happened.” -- Arnold Bennett

Maintain a consistent level of energy and involvement with people and activities. You know that your effectiveness depends on continuous attention to and focus on people, activities, and the environment. This requires a flow of energy that does not fluctuate much. For this reason, you don't expend either too much or too little energy; you don't have high and low days. This requires that you don't get pulled into rushing and frenetic activity or pulled down by stress, negativity, and exhaustion. It will help to remember the words of Madame Suzanne Curchod Necker, “Behavior is the theory of manners practically applied.” Your resulting steadiness and predictability are hallmarks of your approach to virtually every person and situation you encounter.