Search

Home > Paleo Runner > What Can We Learn About Life from Henry Ford?
Podcast: Paleo Runner
Episode:

What Can We Learn About Life from Henry Ford?
Category: Health
Duration: 00:00:00
Publish Date: 2022-05-02 13:07:38
Description:

Rose Wilder Lane’s biography of Henry Ford paints a picture of an ever-curious man, who was always seeking to improve himself.

Henry Ford’s Own Story By Rose Wilder Lane

Always Curious

Wilder tells a story about how as a boy, Henry Ford was fascinated with his friend’s new pocket watch. The boys skipped Sunday school to take it apart and see how it worked. They spent the the day excitedly disassembling and reassembling the various springs and gears.

Ford’s curiosity eventually drove him to drop out of school. At 16, he quit school to get a job learning about steam engines. Then, to learn about electricity, he got a job at General Electric. In the evenings, he worked on building his horseless carriage.

Optimized for Growth

Ford’s family and friends thought he was crazy. He never optimized for money or an easy life. He could’ve lived a familiar cozy life back on the family farm. Instead, he optimized for efficiency and personal growth.

Money was just a transmitter of value to which he felt compelled to put towards its highest use of making things.

Ford encouraged his employees to innovate. He said it was a rare employee who actually used their imagination to gain efficiency. Most were happy to do their job and go home.

In everything he did, he sought to innovate. He’d rather learn something new than optimize for a higher salary. The money eventually came, but that was not his main goal.

Ford was always interested in the world around him. He sought answers to tough questions through hard work.

Stay Curious

Ford teaches us to practice being curious. To always be learning. Don’t always optimize for the highest salary. Sometimes the knowledge and skills you gain can offset the cost of a lower wage.

Total Play: 0