10 Quotes I Think Are Important!

At one time or another, I came across a quote I enjoyed! I may have embraced the thought years ago before I knew someone famous said it or the quote inspired me to do more. Either way, I thought I would some of them together to inspire you to do more with your life or inspire me to do more. Yes, I need inspiration occasionally to accomplish more and so do you!

“Winners never quit and quitters never win.” (Vince Lombardi) There are a lot of great quotes in sports and Lombardi is one of the masters. “Football is like life – it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority”.  I always felt that games of all kinds were just l like life and Lombardi confirms it. I think he symbolizes hard work, determination, and dedication that work in sports, business and life.

“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything”. (Mark Twain) Traits of good character are integrity, respect, responsibility, fairness, compassion and citizenship. Your character distinguishes you from other people and creates your reputation, good or bad. Your true character is revealed when no one else is looking! Do you do the right thing when less is expected or will suffice? Doing your best is the only answer and necessary for success.

“Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.”(John Wooden) John Wooden never talked about winning, instead he asked his players to do their best. Their best was enough to accumulate ten (10) national (basketball) championships. No doubt, he was a successful basketball coach, but saw himself as a teacher. He developed talented players to be their best and helped them achieve success.

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” (Thomas Edison) Failure is part of doing things because you not always be successful. It is more important to try and fail than not try at all. Successful people fail all the time, but they keep on trying and usually succeed.  There are many success stories of older entrepreneurs who did not succeed until much later in life. “Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” (Winston Churchill)

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”(Apple) I think this embodies so much without explanation!

“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.” (Groucho Marx) Sometimes humor can be more insightful than sophisticated advice. I learn from everyone; young, old, men, women, college educated, or not. We can learn from everyone and Comedy Central is a good example of how they teach young people about politics. Comedy is just one source from many that you can learn something from. Learn from your mistakes, successes, friends, family, colleagues, teachers, books, internet, newspapers and readeverything else.

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” (Muhammad Ali) I embraced this, by shortening it to Impossible is just an opinion as my mantra! I achieved the impossible (financial independence) by just working for it.

“Achievement seems to be connected with action. Successful men and women keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” (Conrad Hilton) Success does not just happen, you have to earn it. Too often, people think that some people are lucky or just have it easier than others. It may or may not be true, but it should not stop you from trying to succeed. If you desire is strong enough, you can achieve anything. Lesser people have achieved more by just working harder than others.

“Everything you can imagine is real.” (Pablo Picasso) This fits very well with the theory of positive thinking. Many great inventions were just in someone’s imagination before it became a product or service. Federal Express (FedEx) was just an idea for a college term paper. It changed the package delivery industry and the postal system. Ideas such as iTunes changed the music industry. What is the next great idea and how will it change our lives?

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” (Tim Notke) I remember a counselor telling m y mother that I was average. It didn’t matter that I was average among high achieving students at a prep school because all I heard was I was average. I spent my whole life proving him wrong! I learned that the harder I worked, the smarter I got. Exceeding expectations was the key to success I worked harder than others were willing to work and I benefited. Hard work trumps talent!

Final Thoughts

I am a voracious reader, particularly people who accomplished something. It does not matter if they were in business, the arts or something else. Success is just accomplishing a goal. Of course, there were a lot of things that has shaped my thinking over time, but many of these people have certainly influenced me too. I still read a great deal and I am still learning. Who knows where the next big thing will come from or what will influence my thinking.  Something to think about during holidays! Happy Thanksgiving.  A quote from a successful person may inspire you to do more too!

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