FOR THOSE WHO DON'T BELIEVE THIS IS FOR THEM

"Drop the idea that you are Atlas carrying the world on your shoulders. The world would go on even without you. Don't take yourself so seriously."

Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993) Protestant preacher/author

There's an excellent chance you are not the only person who can get things done if you think you are the only person who can get things done.

TEACH, DON'T TELL

"The true teacher defends his pupils against his own personal influence."

Amos Bronson Alcott (1799-1888) American educator

Important in all forms of education, business included.

Managers (should also) be teachers.

The best ones temper their own personal beliefs, providing their direct reports the best possible information so they can reach the best possible decisions.

I KNOW I'M RIGHT!

"Not being known doesn't stop the truth from being true."

Richard Bach (1936-?) American writer

At the heart of most arguments is the existence of many contradictory "truths".

Opinions, really, held by those who do not accept the opinions of others, all claiming what they think is true to be what is true.

But what if you're wrong?

NOT WHAT YOU HAVE BUT WHAT YOU DO WITH IT

"Riches do not consist in the possession of treasures, but in the use made of them."

Napoleon I (1769-1821) Napoleon Bonaparte, French general

You can have intelligence, education, experience, personality, wealth, etc., but if you don't do something with it there is no value.

THE MANY OF US

"A man has as many social selves as there are individuals who recognize him."

William James (1842-1910) American philosopher/psychologist

Appropriate to remember in this time of social networking that we are as many versions of ourselves as there are people passing judgement on who we are.

And they do that based on what we say and do.

Best to think about what you say and do before you say and do it.

TAKING CHARGE OF YOU

"Self-discipline enables you to think first and act afterward."

Napoleon Hill (1883-1970) American speaker/motivational writer

A VERY underrated personality quality.

Get your education, have your work experience, but if you don't have self-discipline much of what you do have is wasted.

I DON'T KNOW BUT I'LL FIND OUT

"It's not only the most difficult thing to know one's self, but the most inconvenient."

Josh Billings (1815-1885) American humorist/lecturer

True, but as difficult and inconvenient as it may be, how can you expect others to know you until you know yourself?

ONE (CAN BE) THE LONELIEST NUMBER THAT YOU'LL EVER DO

"To be no part of any body, is to be nothing."

John Donne (1572-1632) English poet

This figures to come from the "No man is an island" man, however don't let that diminish his message.

It's good to be independent, just not to the point of failing to recognize when it's not.

IT'S ON ME

"Remorse is regret that one waited so long to do."

Henry Louis Mencken (1880-1956) American journalist/satirist/social critic

It is overdue acceptance of our mistakes, made worse the longer we wait to acknowledge them.

Take responsibility then get on with the solution.

PERSUADING YOU

"The real persuaders are our appetites, our fears and above all our vanity. The skillful propagandist stirs and coaches these internal persuaders."

Eric Hoffer (1902-1983) American philosopher/author

What you are and will become is up to you.

Others will attempt to use you to convince you but you have final control over all they do.

But only if you first take control of yourself.

POTENTIAL

"What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you."

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) U.S. poet/essayist/lecturer

Something you may never experience.

Potential is only that; you have to do something to make it something.

GETTING IT RIGHT

"So enjoy present pleasures as to not mar those to come."

Seneca (4 BC-65) Roman philosopher/playwright

But do so with balance.

Avoid not enjoying today because you're worried about tomorrow, or living only for today.

Too much of the first and you never enjoy what you worked so hard for yesterday, while the second means you're not working hard enough today to have things to enjoy tomorrow.

NO EXCUSES!

"No alibi will save you from accepting the responsibility."

Napoleon Hill (1883-1970) American speaker/motivational writer

I wish this were always true but unfortunately it's not.

Pay attention to how many excuses you hear given for why things didn't get done.

And when it falls to you, either do it or accept responsibility for not doing it. 

TELL ME WHAT IS, NOT WHAT YOU THINK WHAT IS

"Opinions are a private matter. The public has an interest only in judgments."

Walter Benjamin (1892-1940) German philosopher

We want answers. 

Moreover the "public" is not an anonymous collection of "other" people; it's all of us in every aspect of our lives.

Remember that the next time you find yourself wondering what your employees are thinking.

I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU

"A prudent question is one-half of wisdom."

Francis Bacon (1561-1626) British statesman/philosopher

The most important half because if you never ask the question you'll likely never gain the wisdom.

DWIGHT AND STEVE KNEW

"Pessimism never won any battle."

Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969) 34th President of the United States

Whether those battles be in war, politics, or business.

Give up if you like but success will ultimately come to those who persevere.

NOW I UNDERSTAND WHY I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU

"It is when we try to grapple with another man's intimate need that we perceive how incomprehensible, wavering, and misty are the beings that share with us the sight of the stars and the warmth of the sun."

Joseph Conrad (1857-1924) British novelist

At the root of this poetic paragraph is the challenge we all face attempting to deal with each other.

Remember this the next time you look across the conference room table at your co-workers.

IF IT WERE EASY, WOULD IT STILL BE WORTH IT?

"The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly; 'Tis dearness only that gives everything its value."

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) English intellectual

Well to remember this if you are just beginning a start-up. 

It will involve conflict, it will not be easy, all of which will make the hard fought triumph, should you succeed, all that more glorious.