Notable Quotes #55

October 29, 2008
Notable Quotes #55

Good Morning!

With only 6 days to what is being considered one of the most historic Presidential elections I thought I would share these thoughts with you!  Don’t worry, it isn’t a political soap box…

“Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

“A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.”
John Maxwell

These two quotes I believe embody what American Politics should be…After deeper thought I believe these two quotes should be what drives all of us in every area of our lives; religion, family, business, personal, etc.  Enthusiasm and Passion is what has made any individual or movement great.  Think with me for a moment.  It was with enthusiasm and passion that God created life, it was with enthusiasm that Cesar ruled and built the great Roman Empire…It was with enthusiasm and passion that the great Roman Empire was toppled.  It was with enthusiasm and passion that the 13 original colonies fought with England to win our independence and it is with Enthusiasm and Passion that we are now on the cusp of what is to be a truly historic time in this nation’s history. 

However I hope that whoever wins this upcoming election uses his passion and NOT his position to take the nation to the next level.  I firmly believe that change is necessary in all areas of life in order to grow…not just politics.  I also believe that both candidates offer change of their own kind. 

On a more individual and personal note I believe we all need Enthusiasm and Passion to be successful in what we do.  We also need to use our passion and not our position to further our vision.  As business leaders, parents or individuals we all have a some sort of clout over other individuals.  Let us not use our “position” or power to promote our vision…let our passion speak!  People respond better to a passionate individual and/or idea than they do to one using position or power.  In his address to the 2008 Democratic National Convention President Bill Clinton said the following:

“People the world over have always been more impressed by the power of our example than by the example of our power.”

What are tactics are you using to further your vision or cause?  Is it one of passion or position?  Many, if not all the successful leaders have used their passion and have had great results.  Those how have tried to use their position or power has failed drastically.  Build on your passion and enthusiasm and great things will follow.

Until Next Time,
Heath

Notable Quotes #54

October 21, 2008
Notable Quote #54

Good Afternoon!

Here it is Tuesday and here are your Notable Quotes!

“We may not be interested in chaos but chaos is interested in us.”
Robert Cooper

“The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.”
M. Scott Peck

There are times in our lives where we feel like Chaos is all around us…I am feeling that right now!  Having chaos can be a positive thing if it is treated correctly.  However, when taken the wrong way or dealt with the wrong way chaos can bring certain anguish to our lives.  It’s interesting that no matter how hard we try to keep chaos at bay, it is often elusive and will invade our lives at any given moment.  We may not want or even care to invite chaos into our lives, but as Robert Cooper put it…”chaos is interested in us.” 

It’s how you handle the chaos that makes all the difference.  One can look at chaos as a deterrent to one’s goals/objectives OR one can look at chaos as an opportunity stretch and grow in unexpected ways!  While it’s tough to view chaos as a growing opportunity it truly makes a difference as to the outcome! 

What chaos has been infiltrating your life?  While viewing chaos in a positive light, what ways do you feel like you can grow and mature in?  Should you not view chaos positively, what negative effects do you think it will have?  Take this opportunity to look at what is going on around you.  Don’t be afraid to face chaos head on and take charge!

Until Next Time,
Heath

Notable Quotes #53

October 15, 2008
Notable Quotes #53

Revolution Café

Good Morning!

I trust that this week is going well for everyone.  My week hasn’t been too bad…extremely busy, but good.  For those who are interested I did participate & complete the 3rd Annual Cottleville Fall Run on October 4th.  I had two goals for this event…1) Finish, 2) Finish in under 45 minutes.  Well, I did both!  I ran the 5k or 3.1 miles in 42:09!  I MADE MY GOAL!!  I am not thrilled with my time, but only because I wanted to do better.  My next 5k I will be going for finishing in less than 35 minutes.  I will keep you posted.  Now for the quotes:

“Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.”
Napoleon Hill 

“That which we persist in doing becomes easier,
not that the task itself has become easier,
but that our ability to perform it has improved.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Persistence…Persistence I believe is at the root of all success.  If we don’t have persistence we will often fail.  I look at persistence in my own life and in particular my running and realize that failure has always been a heartbeat away.  If I don’t persist in the quest to run a 5k and eventually complete a Triathlon next year, I will not achieve my goal(s).  However I like what Napoleon Hill says is that he links Patience AND Perspiration with Persistence.  Persistence isn’t enough alone, we must be patience and work hard to achieve our goals.

Looking back to when I first set the goal to run a 5k I was nowhere ready to even show up at the event.  However after much training and preparation 3.1 miles wasn’t as bad as I thought.  It wasn’t that the distance became shorter, rather my ability to perform had improved. (Emerson)

Our personal life as well as our professional life is often difficult; however with patience, persistence and perspiration our ability to carry on in this journey of life will continuously improve.  What areas are you struggling with?  What areas are you getting ready to “throw in the towel”?  Let me be the first to say DON’T!!!  Maintain the three P’s as well as a positive attitude and things will turn around one way or another.  Keep in mind that it may not be how you think it should, but everything happens for a reason…PRESS ON!  One last quote to leave you with.  This is from Calvin Coolidge the 30th President of the US.

“Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
Calvin Coolidge

Until Next Time,
Heath

Notable Quotes #52

October 2, 2008
Notable Quotes #52  

Happy Thursday!

I know it has been awhile, so I’ll just cut to the chase.   

“My motto was always to keep swinging.
Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field,
the only thing to do was keep swinging.”
Hank Aaron

“Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.”
Arnold Palmer 

These quotes may seem a little odd, but they really got me thinking.  This weekend I will be running in my 1st 5k race.  That is 3.1 miles!  Saturday morning around 8:00 a.m., I will take off…and hopefully I will finish before 9:00 a.m.  With the training I had been doing it shouldn’t be that hard…however life sometimes throws you a curve ball. (see Hank Aaron and Arnold Palmer quotes!)

There have been some changes at my work and I have seen my workload pretty much double or more.  I am NOT complaining because this has been and will continue to be a great opportunity for me both personally and professionally, but it has taken a toll on my training schedule.  With this being said, I am going to push through this weekend and reach the goal that I set out to obtain. 

Life has a tendency to always keep us on our toes.  Just when we think we have things figured out, WHAM!  Life hits us square between the eyes.  It’s critical that we never lose focus on what we are striving for.  While we may not be moving at the pace we would like to towards our goals the important part is that we ARE MOVING.  Maybe you have been hit by life, maybe life is going great, whatever the case is…never lose sight of what you are aiming for.

Until Next Time,
Heath