Those who occupy their minds with small matters, generally become incapable of greatness.
—François de La Rochefoucauld (Public Domain)
Occupy Your Mind with Lofty Thoughts, not Irrelevant Chaff
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Maslow on the General Goodness of People
The fact is that people are good. Give people affection and security, and they will give affection and be secure in their feelings and their behavior. — Abraham Maslow (Image free use, courtesy of...
Changing Your Perception
No matter how externally-driven a set of circumstances may be, it is not true to say that you have no control over the situation: you—and you alone—determine your perspective on the matter. — Mike...
We Shape Our Own Destiny; Forge Our Own Fate
What you are is what you have done. What you’ll be is what you do now. — Various Sources (Image Licensed by Penn Wealth) (Sourcing note: A similar quote, “What you have been..,” is attributed to...
Complete the Task at Hand: Creativity Often Flows from Stoical Work
The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind. — Albert Einstein (1921, by Ferdinand Schmutzer; Public Domain)
Jefferson on Liberty
I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it. — Thomas Jefferson (1799, by Rembrandt Peale; Public Domain)
Jung on Introspection
Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves. — C.G. Jung (Public Domain)
Personal Responsibility for One’s Condition
You can serve a person the world on a silver platter, but until that person understands, embraces, and applies the concepts of work ethic, humility, personal responsibility, and empathy they will...
Shaw on Work Ethic
When I was young, I observed that nine out of ten things I did were failures. So I did ten times more work. — George Bernard Shaw (Image Licensed by Penn Wealth)
Humor Friday
Action speaks louder than words, but not nearly as often. — Mark Twain (Public Domain)
Reframe Your Circumstances
What seems to us as bitter trials are often blessings in disguise. — Oscar Wilde (1889, by Napoleon Sarony; Public Domain)
Dream into Action
An acre of performance is worth a world of promise. — William Dean Howells, American novelist and playwright (1920, by Underwood & Underwood; Public Domain) There are few things in life more...
Let Bold Ideas Serve as the Catalyst
Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward; they may be beaten, but they may start a winning game. — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1828, by Joseph Karl Stieler; Public Domain)
To Succeed, Desensitize Yourself to Failure
Making constant moves toward your grand goal often means risking defeat—perhaps even humiliating defeat—but is that really a bad thing? The more you place yourself in the arena, the less you will...
Humor Friday
The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending, then having the two as close together as possible. — George Burns (photo by NBC/Elmer Holloway; Public Domain)
True Leadership
Leadership is based on inspiration, not domination; on cooperation, not intimidation. — William Arthur Ward (Image Licensed by Penn Wealth) I have worked for countless people in my life, from both...
Battling Anxiety
There are few remedies for anxiety and depression more potent than continuous, focused action toward a dynamic and inspirational goal. — Mike Hazell (Image Licensed by Penn Wealth)
From small, simple pieces, organized with a plan in mind, a great mosaic is created
Great things are done by a series of small things brought together. — Vincent van Gogh (1887; self-portrait, Public Domain) Remember these words when the task you are working on seems mundane. Ask...
Nietzsche on Time Management
When one has a great deal to put into it, a day has a hundred pockets. — Friedrich Nietzsche (1875; by Friedrich Hartmann, Public Domain) It truly is amazing how much we can accomplish in one day...
Humor Friday
It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech. — Mark Twain (1907; by A.F. Bradley, Public Domain)
Do Good, and Seek no Acclaim
Noble deeds that are concealed are most esteemed. — Blaise Pascal, French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer and Catholic theologian (1690; Creative Commons) What a concept. While others...