Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Quote #401, My Thoughts and YOUR thoughts

Here goes Blog quote #401...

"The more I study the world, the more I am convinced of the inability of brute force to create anything durable."
-Napoleon I-

Note the last word... DURABLE. Can brute force make things happen? Of course. We see it every day in war, in dictatorships, in relationships, in parenting, at the workplace.

Things do happen out of force. But don't think for a second that there aren't ill feelings or anger or resentment that go right along with the required activity. And the minute there is a chance for bailout, reversal or escape, theres a good probability it will happen.

Force is usually a bad thing. Anytime someone is made to do somethig against their will, there might well be some consequences later on. A little kindness and understanding of the others views and some warmth may go a much longer way in relations with others.

That's my view...what say you?

Monday, June 28, 2010

Quote #400, My Thoughts and YOUR thoughts

Here goes Blog quote #400...

"A retentive memory may be a good thing, but the ability to forget is the true token of greatness."
-Elbert Hubbard-

Hubbard was an American writer back in the late 1800's early 1900's. While I have never read any of his writings, I have seen many a quote from this man, and each one has been thoughtful and wise.

The quote on the ability to forget is a winner. It might deal with the power of forgiveness. It could be remembering the good times and letting go of past bad occurrences. It could even be a retaining of the positive and and a blocking out of the negative. However you take this quote, it has substantial substance. While a good memory has power, use, and value, the ability to forget is a priceless quality to strive for and attain

That's my view...
what say you?

Friday, June 25, 2010

Quote #399, My Thoughts and YOUR thoughts

Here goes Blog quote #399...

"When it comes to getting things done, we need fewer architects and more bricklayers."
-Colleen C Barret-

This follows the line of less talking, more producing. Less yappin' and more action.

We have enough people telling us how to do things. What we need is more people jumping in to help and get to work, so more things actually get completed.

This could also relate to the complainers and booers and naysayers telling and talking about why things aren't getting done or what's wrong. Again,
less of the explanation and more of the action to get in and fix the problem!

Well stated, Ms Barret!

That's my view...what say you?

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Quote #398, My Thoughts and YOUR thoughts

Here goes Blog quote #398...

"There is no ceiling on honesty."
-Janet Brighton-

This quote from the lovely Ms Brighton really got my attention. We were having a conversation via the world wide web/internet, and I told her that my handshake meant everything. Without that I have nothing. My words mean zippo. Zilch. Squat. My integrity... gone.

She agreed. Then she comes back at me with this quote which is saying similar stuff, yet in a whole new way. I took 'having no ceiling' to mean that you always have to be honest, regardless of how little or how much is at stake. Irrespective of who is looking and who isn't. No matter if it costs you some benefit in the short term.

Be HONEST. With yourself. With others. That's a good solid way to live. We want others to be honest with us, don't we? Then shouldn't we try to have 'no ceiling' on honesty ourselves? I love the quote, I've always lived it, and this thought from Brighton is more reinforcement to staying on the honesty train for the future. How about you?

That's my view...what say you?

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Quote #397, My Thoughts and YOUR thoughts

Here goes Blog quote #397...

"It's not your salary that makes you rich, it's your spending habits."
-Charles Jaffe-

I thought this quote makes a lot of cents... errr sense. If you haven't read 'The Millionaire Next Door' (Thomas Stanley/William Danko), it's a great read and I'd suggest it highly.

Therre are many stories of the people who make a decent buck but are too busy lettting others know that they do, via the huge house that's 2000 square foot larger than their actual needs. The brand new expensive car with the close to 4 figure payment on it is another giveaway. Kohl's, K mart , and JC Penney's are off limits to them. You know the type.

The book also talks about the silent type that look like they are just living paycheck to paycheck. Normal 501 Levi's, and the seven year old, but well kept Buick or Ford F 150 is in their driveway. What these people ARE DOING is saving a little on each paycheck. They live comfortable, sleep well, have little to no debt, donate a decent amount to charity, and will have enough money to retire on at some point.

As Jaffe points out, it's not what we make. It's what we do with it. Excellent point!

That's my view...what say you?

Friday, June 11, 2010

Quote #396, My Thoughts and YOUR thoughts

Here goes blog quote #396...

"Nobody rises to low expectations."
-Erin Rideout-

Another one that doesn't need a heck of an explanation. If you have very low expectations, there really isn't much to rise to, now is there?

Better idea is to set some higher goals. Bet you a dollar to a dime, that you surprise yourself. And when I say surprise, I'm talking pleasantly SHOCKED... in a grand way. Like, "Wow, I cannot believe I just achieved that."

The mind is a powerful thing... if you set up the 'monitors and controls' properly. Dial them in, baby!

That's my view...what say you?

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Quote #395, My Thoughts and YOUR thoughts

Here goes blog quote #395...

"When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt."
-Henry Kaiser-

I believe Kaiser is telling us... less blah,blah,blah, and more show. If your work is that good, you don't need to "hard sell" it to people. They will notice and figure it out on their own. That doesn't mean you can't tell people about it or get it out there for others to see it. You can be certain, if you do exceptional work, the word will eventually get around.

Which brings up another point. Shouldn't we spend less time selling our products and more time on PERFECTING whatever our offering is? Build the best 'whatever', and make sure that it over exceeds expectations on it's intended job. Make it the BEST 'problem solving item' , and you will have more sales than you know what to do with.

Less rah, rah, and more performance. It's what all of us really want, isn't it?

That's my view...what say you?

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Quote #394, My Thoughts and YOUR thoughts

Here goes Blog quote #394...

"Worrying is using your imagination for something you do NOT want."
-anonymous-

There is an interesting way to describe the word worry. Guarantee you won't find that explanation in the Webster's dictionary.

Ponder that one for a moment or two.

That's my brief view...what say you?

Quote #393, My Thoughts and YOUR thoughts

Here goes Blog quote #393...

"Do what you can, with what you have, where your at."
-Teddy Roosevelt-

Reminds me of my dad when he used to say "Just do something". It doesn't have to set a world record, or be a new invention, or solve a gigantic problem. The message is just to get in motion. The longest journey starts with a single step.

Another thought is motion begets motion. As simple as this may sound, the hardest thing about finishing a project is... just starting it. Once you get moving on something, it's very easy to keep it going.

Finally I believe Teddy was saying that you don't have to be the best or have the most talent. Just do as best you can with the talents you have. Who can ever have a problem with that?

And usually if you do your best as whatever the task, it's pretty good.

That's my view...what say you?

Monday, June 7, 2010

Quote #392, My Thoughts and YOUR thoughts

Here goes Blog quote #392...

"A negative attitude is like a flat tire. You can't go anywhere until you change it."
-Wendy Marshall-

Now, being the Grand Poobah of Smiles, and doused in the positive industry, I do my fair share of reading good, quality, uplifting stuff. Here is a quote that I've never, ever stumbled upon, until now.

The dictionary defines the word ANALOGY as follows... "a likeness in one or more ways between things otherwise unlike." Now this quote is a super-duper, Class A rated analogy.

Take some time to absorb it, After that, it looks like one to hang on the refrigerator?

That's my view... what say you?

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Quote #391, My Thoughts and YOUR thoughts

Here goes Blog Quote #391...

"He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals."
-Ben Franklin-

I had to think about that one for a moment. Then BF's message kicked in. He is quite the common sense man.

Franklin notes that a man who is so into himself, will find that its a turn off to others and they will not quite as fond. Therefore he will be without a whole lot of friends, if any. So... be careful of conceit, arrogance and cockiness. In other words, don't be so full of yourself.

Good advice. Thanks Ben

That's my view...what say you?

Friday, June 4, 2010

Quote #390, My Thoughts and YOUR thoughts

Here goes Blog Quote #390...

"Every day you are stirring the pot of life, and the most important ingredient you can put into your soup, is you."
-Jon Gordon, Author of 'Soup'-

Gordon goes on to say that your love, optimism, trust, vision, communication, authenticity, appreciation and passion make life DELICIOUS. In other words, you have a heck of alot of input to put into this game we call life.

We've all heard the lines 'You only have one live to live', 'Life is short, play hard', 'Go big or go home', 'Your dead a long time', etc etc. In other words, as Chuck Mangione once named a song...GIVE IT ALL YOU GOT. On that song, Mangione blew his lungs as hard as he could.

Anyhow, I've only read 3 pages of this book, and I can already tell its simmering hot and full of flavor. Back to the book. In the meantime, what 'ingredients' are you putting into your soup?

Thats my view... what say you?

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Quote #389, My Thoughts and YOUR thoughts

Here goes Blog quote #389...

"Any role performed at excellence is genuinely respected in our agency."
-Sign in a local State Farm insurance office-

What a motivating sign and display of respect for other co-workers. The great Earl Nightengale once said, "regardless of who you are or your position or title, do whatever you do to the best of your ability." It will stick out like a sore thumb, in a good way.

If your in charge of pencil stocking, make sure all are sharpened and you have a nice variety of high quality pencils. If you clean the bathroom floors, make them the most sparkling darn floors in the county. If your a salesperson, do your absolute best to find out about your customer, ask questions, and see if they have any NEED for whatever your selling. And if your a popular music star, sing to the best of your ability, give your fans a show for their money and act as best you can, something your momma could be proud of.

You get the point. Excellence at anything, will always be a.) noticed and b.) appreciated. Why give it anything less? If your signiture is attached to it, do it and do it well.

Thats my view...what say you?