Tag Archives: first

First we make our habits, then our habits make us.

First we make our habits, then our habits make us. – Charles C. Noble What does that mean? This is another excellent chiasmus. It reminds us of the power of repeated actions, of our habits and what they can do to … Continue reading

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Keep feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be the first in love, first in moral excellence, and first in generosity.

Keep feeling the need for being first. But I want you to be the first in love, first in moral excellence, and first in generosity. – Martin Luther King Jr. What does that mean? This is another Twitter friendly version of a … Continue reading

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When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.

When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. – Maya Angelou What does that mean? This quote is about perception, and how difficult it can be to overcome our pre-conceived notions of someone. This quote is about … Continue reading

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The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want.

The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want. – Ben Stein What does that mean? Well, that doesn’t sound like rocket science, does it? I mean how obvious can a … Continue reading

Posted in decision, hope, love, plan, thinking, work | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.

Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst. – Henri Cartier-Bresson What does that mean? I love this quote, as it is all about short-cuts, or more precisely, the lack of them. While there may be some on a map, in real … Continue reading

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Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others.

Men rise from one ambition to another: first, they seek to secure themselves against attack, and then they attack others. – Niccolò Machiavelli What does that mean? This quote a condensed version of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, tailored to match the ruthlessness … Continue reading

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Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.

Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step. – Martin Luther King Jr. What does that mean? Have any of you waited until you knew everything you needed to … Continue reading

Posted in faith, goals, innovation, persistence, procrastination, risk | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

I may not be a first-rate composer, but I am a first-class second-rate composer.

I may not be a first-rate composer, but I am a first-class second-rate composer. – Richard Strauss What does that mean? That’s just a little harsh, but he was judging himself against such greats as the other Strauss family and … Continue reading

Posted in character, habits, honest, ideals, integrity, self knowledge | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Everybody wants to do something to help, but nobody wants to be first.

Everybody wants to do something to help, but nobody wants to be first. – Pearl Bailey What does that mean? How often have you seen it in movies, someone is on the ground and a crowd of people surround them. Yet everyone hesitates. No one approaches, they all just look. Who will be … Continue reading

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First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.

First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do. – Epictetus What does that mean? So how does one become something that they wish to be? According to the quote, the first step … Continue reading

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Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves.

Do the hard jobs first. The easy jobs will take care of themselves. – Dale Carnegie What does that mean? This quote reminds me of the 80/20 rule – 80 percent of the tasks just take 20 percent of the … Continue reading

Posted in doing, goals, momentum, preparation, strategy, success | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments