I Haven’t Failed. I’ve Just Found 10,000 Ways That Won’t Work

by

We have all probably tried to solve a problem or complete a task, but given up far too easily. Sometimes our expectation level is to blame for this. From my personal experience with my own expectation level this has certainly been the case.

There are times when you may expect to get something done quickly and easily, but things don't go as planned. It may be that your 2 hour task turned into a 6 hour, 8 hour, or 10 hour task. As time progresses past your planned 2 hours you might find yourself increasingly frustrated. This is understandable and perfectly natural.

What if you changed your expectation level? Let's say rather than telling yourself, “I can't wait to get this done” you tell yourself, “I will do an exceptional job, whatever it takes”. Do you see the difference? You see, if Edison had told himself, “I can't wait to get this done” he may have never invented the light bulb.

Make a plan right now to always do an exceptional job, whatever it takes….even if you have to try 10,000 times.
“I haven't failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” – Thomas Edison

Filed Under: Inspirational Quotes Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

The Bad News Is Time Flies. The Good News Is You’re the Pilot

by

This inspirational quote should serve to drive all of us to action the instant that we read it. As time is one of our most valuable assets and most certainly one of our least replaceable, we must strive to make the most of it.

Keep in mind that once today is gone…it is gone forever. Time is like many things in life, either you use it or you lose it.

How will you choose to use your time today? The very best use your time today is typically not determined today, but hopefully before today. Planning ahead helps you use your time more wisely. By planning ahead you do not allow your day to fill itself with tasks of little or no consequence. Remember that, “doing something” is not the same as, “getting somewhere”. When you use your time wisely you will, “get somewhere”.

The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot.  – Michael Althsuler

Filed Under: Inspirational Quotes Tagged With: , , , , ,

Courage Doesn’t Always Roar. Sometimes Courage Is The Little Voice At The End Of The Day That Says, I’ll Try Again Tomorrow.

by

More often than not, courage is not seen on the same grand scale as it is depicted in the movies. Courage is not always displayed in those actions that are monumental, but often in those actions that are steady and incremental.

We are not all in a position to rescue numerous people from a burning building. We are, however, in a position, to perform one of the greatest acts of courage and that is to rescue ourselves.

We can rescue ourselves from:

Procrastination
Self doubt
Making excuses rather than taking action
Negative thoughts and feelings
Lying to ourselves and to others
Excessive eating, drinking, or other habits that lead to poor health
Disrespecting others
Not taking responsibility for our actions
Robbing ourselves of the joy we so richly deserve
Giving up

The courage to change gives us the courage to grow and the courage to grow gives us the courage to move forward and lead a life of significance.

 

Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, I'll try again tomorrow. – Mary Anne Radmacher

Filed Under: Inspirational Quotes Tagged With: , , ,

It Is Better to Feed Two Birds with One Seed Than to Kill Two Birds with One Stone

by

I find it interesting how easy it is to get used to using a certain quote or saying or clichéd phrase. For instance, to “kill two birds with one stone” is actually meant to indicate something positive, such as an increased level of efficiency. The same holds true for the saying, “there is more than one way to skin a cat”. This is also meant to indicate something positive such as exercising one's creativity.

Do these sayings seem negative to you…or is it just me? I've used these sayings in the past just as many others have. Sometimes we get in the habit of doing and saying things just because, “everybody does it”. It is important that we look beneath the surface of our words and actions and understand that what we do and say define who we are. We should choose our words and actions carefully so that they have a positive impact on ourselves and others as well.

It is better to feed two birds with one seed than to kill two birds with one stone – Tony Spann

Filed Under: Inspirational Quotes Tagged With: , , , ,

Mile by Mile It’s a Trial; Yard by Yard It’s Hard; but Inch by Inch It’s a Cinch.

by

One of my favorite ways approach a difficult or complex task is to break it down into smaller, more manageable, bite-size pieces. A good friend of mine used to constantly remind me that, “inch by inch it's a cinch” when he saw I was frustrated by a particular task. The simple saying stuck with me the better part of my life and has helped me to accomplish tasks which I once thought were impossible.

It's very easy to look at a monumental task and to become overwhelmed by the sheer volume or complexity of work to be done. In the past I have even found myself giving up on certain tasks because I felt overwhelmed. In essence I had defeated myself before I even started.

The first step, of course, is to take the first step (“inch”). Don't let the size or complexity of the task discourage you from getting started. This is easy trap for any of us to fall into and we must avoid it at all costs.

Also don't get discouraged by thinking that your steps are too small. No matter how small your steps are, you must remember that if you keep taking them you will keep moving forward.

“Mile by mile it's a trial; yard by yard it's hard; but inch by inch it's a cinch.”  – Anonymous

Filed Under: Inspirational Quotes Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

In Order for Us to Learn from Our Mistakes We Must Have the Courage to Admit That We Made Them

by

Learning from our mistakes is one of the most valuable things we could ever do. I believe some people refer to learning from our mistakes as, “experience”. Experience has often been called, “the great teacher”.

For some reason, some people have great difficulty admitting that they are wrong. Perhaps this is a phase that all of us go through until we become smart enough to realize that we simply don't know everything.

Please do not fall into the trap of not being able to admit that you have made a mistake and were wrong. Anyone who cannot admit they are wrong is robbing themselves of the ability to become better. This is simply because you cannot grow unless you learn from your mistakes.

It is also a good idea for us to surround ourselves with people who are not afraid to give us constructive criticism from time to time. I'm not talking about those types of people who would constantly belittle and berate us. The type of people I'm talking about are the ones who are not afraid of giving a little tough love when needed.

So remember, when you make a mistake admit to yourself and to others if necessary and then work to move forward. Keep in mind that it is not the mistakes that we make that define who we are, but the actions we take to correct them.

“In order for us to learn from our mistakes we must have the courage to admit that we made them” – Tony Spann

“It is not the mistakes that we make that define who we are, but the actions we take to correct them” – Tony Spann

Filed Under: Inspirational Quotes Tagged With: , , , ,