TO HAVE THE THIRD, YOU MUST HAVE THE FIRST TWO

"You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor."

Aristotle, 3rd century BC Greek philosopher.

And from honor and courage comes self-respect.

Without the first two the third is impossible.

COURAGE (NOT) TO SPEAK

"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."

Winston Churchill, 20th century British politician.

It is often far more difficult to do the latter than the former.

And very often the right thing.

WHEN OTHERS DON'T KNOW, MORE THAN WHEN THEY DO

"Perfect courage is to do without witnesses what one would be capable of doing with the world looking on."

François de La Rochefoucauld (1613-1680) French writer

As it should be.

Who more important to answer to about you than you?

WHAT YOU SHOULD, NOT ONLY WHAT YOU MUST

"It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world, and moral courage so rare."

Mark Twain (1835-1910) U.S. humorist, writer, and lecturer.

Moral courage is the strength to do what you know you should when you know no one will know you didn't.

COURAGEOUS PLANNING

"One who lacks courage to start has already finished."

Unknown

However, beginning without a plan is more foolish than courageous.

Fear

"Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear -- not the absence of fear."

Mark Twain

I offer this to all of you currently facing a situation, both business and personal, which causes you to be afraid.

Do not be ashamed that you are, but at the same time, do not let fear dictate what you do.

And understand, you are not alone.

I am reading a very good book talking about the role one's attitude plays in achieving success.  It includes discussion on how to deal with fear and I recommend it to anyone struggling to control their mind's reaction to current problems.

"The Difference Maker:  Making Your Attitude Your Greatest Asset" by John C. Maxwell