This Sunday we celebrate Dad. PR professionals can give even more thanks to their “big guy” for preparing them for the crazy world of public relations with his wise adages. Here’s a list of my favorites and how they apply to public relations:

A little dirt never hurt anyone; just wipe it off. Translation: Yes, crises happen, but there are ways to recover. You’ve just got to get up and do it.

Who ever said life was fair? Translation: So your team lead took credit for a placement you scored? Suck it up. You can’t say, “No, wait, I secured that.” No one likes a whiner, tattletale, or attention hog.

This hurts me a lot more than it hurts you. Translation: Your client felt awful throwing that press announcement and messaging prep over to you an hour before they were due on a call with the CEO. Riiiight …

Always say "please" and "thank you." You’ll get more. Translation: Media love polite PR pros. Can anyone really resist one?

I'll tell you why. Because I said so. That's why. Translation: Yes, you’re up at midnight doing timesheets or brainstorming ideas for a ridiculously boring launch that’s due tomorrow. Get over it. This is PR.

Keep your eye on the ball. Translation: Make your plans and follow them, but most important, stay focused on the end goal. If your plan ever starts to stray from that, don’t be stubborn. Change it, and get back on track.

I'm not just talking to hear my own voice. Don’t babble on media calls!

Any you’d care to add? And to all the dads out there, Happy Father’s Day!

Jennifer Nichols is co-founder and CEO of FlackList, where media can easily search and connect with brands, PR reps and expert sources within a social network setting as well as access the latest news.