“Make sure you are dreaming big enough.”
Caroline Lampinen ― Writer
This small piece of wisdom is also simple. It helps me remember to check my dreams, especially when things get easy. It is tempting to shrink your dreams and just accept your life the way...
“If you are healthy and have food on your table, there is no excuse for not doing your best”
Mother
My mom faced some hard times when young and repeated these words to me throughout my childhood. She always tried to show that I was privileged and how others took the most of opportunities to...
“There is no such thing as work/life balance, it’s all part of life and how you manage it.”
Father
Work and outside of work shouldn’t be separate things. You should find something you enjoy doing which should make up a portion of your life and be part of what makes you happy.
“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
John Wooden ― Basketball player
Get out of your own way! No one person is good at everything. Acknowledging personal weaknesses is beneficial to charting one’s path (way-finding), but anything beyond that is underserved. Always let your strengths light your...
“Most people fail in life not because they aim too high and miss, but because they aim too low and hit.”
Les Brown ― Author
Take chances. People are typically better than they think. Take stretch assignments, and try new things.
“If there is a place that is warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and you do what you love doing, you will do fine. You’re rich if you are working around people you like. You will make money if you are energetic and intelligent. This society lets smart people with drive earn a very good living. You will be no exception.”
Warren Buffet ― Investor/CEO of Berkshire Hathaway
This quote resembles many of the other “do what you love...” nuggets of wisdom. I specifically like Buffet’s advice since it is practical and realistic. It reminds us that as long as we stay true...
“When you’re trying to figure out what to do with your life, focus on three things: do something you’re good at, do something you like, and do something that will make a difference in the world.”
The ex-girlfriend of an old friend
I don’t see the girl who said this or the friend of mine she was dating, very much anymore. However, I’ve always remembered this quote. She told it to me in high school when I...
“Differentiate yourself. Become an expert at something that no one wants to do and be the best at it.”
Bill Carpenter ― Businessman
Bill Carpenter, the former CEO of Lifepoint, talked about how at his first job, there was a tedious job that no one wanted to do, but he volunteered to do it, and it eventually led...
“Find out what you really want to do, and do it. Don’t conform to what you think you are supposed to do.”
Brother
My brother is five years older than me and has been the biggest mentor in my life. I spent the first 20 years of my life doing whatever he said and attempting to emulate him....
“If you do a job 5% better than it needs to be done, you’ll do it better than 95% of people.”
Father
This and the 80/20 rule were my dad’s key points in growing up. He wanted us to strive to do our best and, when we complained that it was good enough, he would usually use...