Monthly Archives: December 2013

There aren’t shortcuts. Merely direct paths. Most people don’t take them, because they frighten us.

There aren’t shortcuts. Merely direct paths. Most people don’t take them, because they frighten us. – Seth Godin What does that mean? Here is a more complete version of the quote: “There aren’t many actual shortcuts. There are merely direct paths… … Continue reading

Posted in direction, fear, judgement, leadership, momentum, procrastination | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Use your human intelligence in the best way you can; transform your emotions in a positive way.

Use your human intelligence in the best way you can; transform your emotions in a positive way. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? We all have a level of intelligence which we can use to change our nature and our attitudes. … Continue reading

Posted in belief, emotion, forgiveness, intelligence, motivation, understanding | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Until we have begun to go without them, we fail to realize how unnecessary many things are.

Until we have begun to go without them, we fail to realize how unnecessary many things are. – Seneca What does that mean? This is a great minimalist quote. Not in that it is as brief as some of the famous … Continue reading

Posted in decision, desire, emotion, judgement, motivation, self-image | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. – Thornton Wilder What does that mean? That is profound. It posits that there is one time when we are truly alive, and … Continue reading

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Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world.

Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world. – Nelson Mandela and Joel A. Barker What does that mean? This quote apparently has some dispute regarding … Continue reading

Posted in accomplishment, action, dream, help, plan, vision | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.

If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. – Eldridge Cleaver What does that mean? This quote, and variations of it, shows up attributed to a couple people, including as an African Proverb, but the longer version … Continue reading

Posted in choice, doing, integrity, money, thinking, work | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart. Pursue these.

There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart. Pursue these. – Michael Nolan What does that mean? To me, the quote is about having ADD. Everything around me is shiny. Everything … Continue reading

Posted in discipline, focus, goals, habits, judgement, plan | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The beginning is the most important part of the work.

The beginning is the most important part of the work. – Plato What does that mean? The wikiquote translation of the quote is “the beginning in every task is the chief thing” which I consider to be close enough to be … Continue reading

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As human beings, we have a common responsibility to build a more peaceful society.

As human beings, we have a common responsibility to build a more peaceful society. – Dalai Lama What does that mean? I like this quote, as it is simple common sense. We wouldn’t run a family or a business the way we … Continue reading

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The mind unlearns with difficulty what it has long learned.

The mind unlearns with difficulty what it has long learned. – Seneca What does that mean? This is the ‘old dog, new tricks’ quote. Most of us are creatures of habit. We learn something, we do it for a while, and it … Continue reading

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There is no wisdom without love.

There is no wisdom without love. – Sri Ram What does that mean? This is kind of a cryptic quote, and can be taken a number of ways. I want to focus on the difference between knowledge and wisdom. It … Continue reading

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We are not trying to entertain the critics. I’ll take my chances with the public.

We are not trying to entertain the critics. I’ll take my chances with the public. – Walt Disney What does that mean? I think this is a great way to live our lives. No matter what we do, there will always … Continue reading

Posted in advice, confidence, focus, judgement, perspective, thinking | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.

Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. – T. S. Eliot What does that mean? I like this quote, as it says something perfectly logical, but which few people have actually … Continue reading

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No one can arrive from being talented alone, work transforms talent into genius.

No one can arrive from being talented alone, work transforms talent into genius. – Anna Pavlova What does that mean? I heard versions of this quote when I was young. The basic idea is that there are plenty of people … Continue reading

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Don’t find fault, find a remedy.

Don’t find fault, find a remedy. – Henry Ford What does that mean? As an engineer, this is my pet peeve. People bring me things, and say “It’s broken,” and walk away. That’s not very helpful, is it? I don’t think … Continue reading

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