5 Quotes That Just Might Change Your Life
Call me shallow, but I love me a good quote.
A powerful quote, when taken to heart, shapes life. The trouble is we scurry toward oblivion without reflection.
#1. Innovation:
“The horse is here to stay, but the automobile is only a novelty — a fad.” (Unnamed banker talking with an attorney for Henry Ford)
Application:
- The status quo runs contrary to innovation but eventually innovation wins or organizations die.
- Innovation often requires letting go of the present.
- Invest in future-facing endeavors. The above attorney invested $5,000 and later sold it for $12,500,000. (The Truth about Henry Ford)
#2. Anxiety:
“And what does your anxiety do? It does not empty tomorrow, brother, of its sorrows; but, ah! it empties today of its strength.” Alexander McLaren
Application:
- Monitor your energy. Do things that give you energy.
- You never do your best when you’re distracted.
#3. Luck:
“I am a great believer in luck. The harder I work, the more of it I seem to have.” Coleman Cox
Application:
- Good fortune is something that happens while you’re doing stuff.
- Never wait for your ‘big break’.
#4. Goals:
“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” Ursula K. Le Guin
Application:
- Goals set direction and give meaning to today’s actions. Life without goals is aimless and unfulfilling.
- Focus on this play, not the next play.
- Glance at the scoreboard but don’t let it dominate your thinking.
#5. Enjoyment:
“Eat dessert first because life is uncertain.” Arthur Murray
Application:
- Get up and do the good that’s in your heart right now.
- We usually regret the things we don’t do more than the things we do.
- Look for the enjoyable aspect of everything you do.
What’s your favorite quote in the above list? Why?
What life-changing quote would you add to the above list?
“Eat dessert first because life is uncertain.” Arthur Murray. I will share that is the first thing my Mother grabs is desert, her favorite, “get it before its gone”. For me its “Relax and push” from my Cross Country Coach in High School, fits so many watys and works. Cheers
Thinks Tim. I’m taking your coach’s quote to heart. Cheers
“The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.” ~Mark Twain
….A long time favorite of mine. In negotiation, quite has power.
#2 The anxiety quote is always relevant. To many of us are ‘future-tripping’ …robbing us of today’s genius.
“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” Ursula K. Le Guin. Life happens along the way. I’m headed toward the celestial city, but I don’t want to miss what God has for me now. So I invited my wife to “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, The last of life, for which the first was made….” (Rbt Browning) And we now seek to live out Sam Foss’ vision, “Let me live in my house by the side of the road And be a friend to man.” Thanks Dan for the thought-provoking post.
The quote on the white board in my office changes with my mood. Currently, it is “Your future needs you; your past does not.” To remind me to let go of things that are over and done with.
Dan
For search on a third book I am been studying some of the ancient books on warfare and strategy: Musashi (Japanese samurai) wrote:
“Overcome fear and obstacles with energy.”
This is true in war, business and life!
Brad
Dan: “Look for the enjoyable aspect of everything you do.”
Dan: “Look for the enjoyable aspect of everything you do.”
One of my favourite quotes comes from John Gottman, marriage counselling expert. It’s not only true in marriages, but I’ve found it to be true as a manager/leader, as someone’s friend, or someone’s colleague:
“Behind every complaint is a longing.”
If I can hold that thought in my head when I’m dialogue – whether it’s with a top performer or the most negative, continual complainer – that person will get a better response from me and hopefully experience the best version of me.
“get up, move faster” <– the painted man, to Robin Hood
“There’s a way to do it better – find it.” – Thomas Edison. Had a coffee mug with this quote on it. Always a go-to quote because it reminded me to constantly improve.
So many good quotes. I am in the service & support industry. My current quote in my signature is: “We cannot choose what our legacy will be. We can choose our actions and the world will determine our legacy.” –Brian Brault
The previous one was: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou
My favorite is by Ralph Nader, “The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers”. As a Federal Supervisor, I try my best to remember this one daily.
“The Only Way Out Is Through” — on not avoiding difficult tasks/issues as a leader.
Those are great! If I had to pick a fav it would be #4, but with a big surgery coming on Monday, #2 is a great reminder!
My favorite quote is from Steve Prefontaine – “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.”
A close 2nd is from the great Erma Bombeck – “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, I used everything you gave me.”
I love the horse and automobiles quote!
One of my favorites is an Einstein quote that reminds me that relationships count. “Everything that can be counted does not necessarily count; everything that counts cannot necessarily be counted.”
I love my mother’s favorite quote- “Be Good & Do Good to Others.”
Application:
It helps anyone to be kind by practicing right things to build a strong character and spread good acts by remaining supoortive & empathetic towards all in your contacts.
Ursula Le Guin also said “Do what is needful, and no more”
One of my favourites is: “An objection is a request for more information”. This reminds me to always look deeper. What don’t I know? What does the other not know? It helps me maintain optimism and positivity and be curious.
#2 is my favorite because anxiety is such a stealer of strength. A favorite of many beloved quotes is a fresh one for me
“We are at our best when we dedicate ourselves to something greater than ourselves.” Martin Seligman