Notable Quotes #13

November 27, 2007
Notable Quotes #13

Happy Tuesday!

I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

“Excellence is the gradual result of always striving to do better.”
Pat Riley

“We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
Aristotle

I’ve been reading a great book…7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey, (If you haven’t read it please consider doing so) and it talks very early on about two avenues of thought on how success is being portrayed to us.  The author talks about the Personality Ethic vs. Character Ethic.  Within both of these thought processes “habits” are discovered, created and ended.  Often times we are searching for “quick-fixes” or “success without work” where what we need to focus on is creating a solid foundation.  Realizing what habits you have, which ones you need to get rid of, which ones you need to create and/or strengthen is crucial to any success, keeping in mind that habits are not ended or created overnight.  Habits are formed over time and can take days, months or even years to develop or rid yourself of!  I want to challenge each of us to look within ourselves (not others) and see what habits we have formed.  What habits do we need to get rid of, strengthen, or create that would make us more successful in our personal lives, family lives, and work lives.  Write them down and put them in a place where you can see them on a daily basis and start to build a solid foundation on which to build. 

Until Next Time,
Heath

Notable Quotes #12

November 20, 2007
Notable Quotes #12

Happy Tuesday! 

I have been struggling with this weeks quotes, as I was searching earlier so many of the results were coming up with “Thanksgiving” and “Thankfulness” as a theme.  I wasn’t sure I wanted to go in that direction but these are two great quotes. 

“When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the morning light, for your life and strength. Give thanks for your food, and the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies with yourself.”
Tecumseh Shawnee Chief

“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.”
Brian Tracy

Often times we may appear to be thankful when in actuality it is a front that we put on.  We aren’t always grateful for what we have been given.  Remember, we have been given one life to live, and every day is a blessing!  We need to learn to be thankful for the “little” things like light, air, food, water…(Not so little if you ask me!)  We also need to be thankful for all the other things in our life, family, friends, freedom, etc. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Be thankful in all circumstances…” (NLT) (emphasis mine)

We are a blessed nation, and during this Thanksgiving I encourage us all to take a few minutes away from the turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, salad, bread, pumpkin pie, you get the picture, and focus on what we are thankful for.  Let’s not take the people and things we have been given for granted.  Let us also not forget Him who has graciously given all this to us!

Until Next Time,
Heath

Notable Quotes #11

November 13, 2007
Notable Quotes #11

Good Morning!

I have had a couple requests that I get the Notable Quotes out by lunch! (mag).  I barely made it before noon today!  No promises for the weeks to come!!!  On to the quotes…

“The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.”
Unknown

“Success is dependent upon the glands – sweat glands.”
Zig Ziglar

These are two GREAT quotes; they may actually be a couple of my favorites!  I have been reading lately where recent college graduates were having a hard time finding a “good job”.  At first I thought it was another reminder of the “perceived” state of our economy, but as I continued reading the graduates stated that there were lots of jobs available, but they weren’t paying enough!  The author continued on saying that graduates coming straight out of college with no relevant experience are expecting the world handed to on a silver platter.  Generations X and Y are being heralded as the most technologically advanced generations and some have even said that they have tremendous potential, but they have also been labeled as lazy and unmotivated.  It’s time that people (myself included) take these quotes to heart and start realizing that we are not “owed” anything and that we must work to be rewarded.  Success only comes after we work for it.  From my experience, success is so much sweeter AFTER I work for it as opposed to it being given.

Until Next Time,
Heath

Notable Quotes #10

November 6, 2007
Notable Quotes #10

Happy Tuesday! 

Can you believe it?!!!  I can’t!  This is the 10th installment of Notable Quotes!  I hope that everyone enjoys reading these as much as I enjoy writing & delivering them.  It is to a point now where I was up last night actually thinking about what quotes to send!  Hopefully you will see some new things in the weeks to come so be watching!  Now for what you all have been waiting for…THE QUOTES!

“I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail, not to scorn human actions, but to understand.”
Baruch Spinoza

“Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you.  Ignore me, and I may not forgive you.  Encourage me, and I will not forget you.”
William Arthur Ward

The seasons here in Missouri are changing and it’s a beautiful thing to watch.  Leaves are turning from summer green to their bright, vivid autumn colors.  There is a crispness in the air and in the morning it seems that the world, or at least my little portion of it, is at peace.  It has made me think lately of all the turmoil that is going on around us; war, drought, disease, famine, etc and what I can do to make things better.  I am not a great negotiator nor could I find the cure for cancer or other diseases, but what I can do is try to make the world a better place by how I treat others.  It may sound simple or even a little elementary, but how you treat others can make a HUGE difference in their lives and in-turn the lives of those that they touch.  Listening and trying to understand, or a kind and sincere word can brighten up anyone’s day.  I challenge everyone to pay attention to how you are treating others; at the workplace, at the store, even within your home, and strive to take these two quotes and apply them this week and in the weeks to come.

Until Next Time,
Heath