A Few More Quotes to Live By

I have been writing about notable quotes.   Here are a few more that are memorable and have meaning to me.

1.  “Failure is the mother of success” – This is a notable Chinese proverb that I  learned from my parents.  

Throughout our careers and lives, there are setbacks.   While we do everything to avoid these, they are inevitable.   This quote brings light to our setbacks and can be a positive re-enforcement.   With failure, we LEARN from the mistakes.   If we understand what NOT to do, we will know what we SHOULD do. 

Our careers and our lives are a journey of twists and turns.   Failure is not a negative but a twist in the road.    Once we learn from it, we will find a way to get back on the right path.   Success is at the end of the road.  Failure is but an interruption and an opportunity for us to learn and improve.   Failure isn’t the opposite of success; it is a stepping stone to success.  You will succeed; failure just means you have not arrived at your destination, yet.

2.  “If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you.  If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.” -  Zig Ziglar

This is a great quote.   Throughout my career and life, I have embraced “Learning” about everything and anything.   With the knowledge and experience that I have gained and continue to gain, I want to share and “Teach” others.   That is fulfillment in my life.  As a manager, I helped to train my team, and now as a consultant, I continue to share and help to develop young sales professionals.

I can “want” to share and teach, but you have to want to learn.   We need to work together.   I can share experiences to teach you skills, but I cannot teach you to want to learn from them.   That comes from you.  Our path to success is achieved through learning, the more the better.  Take advantage of those who are willing to teach and learn from them.  Be a sponge and absorb all the knowledge that will help you in whatever you do.  

3.  “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier.

Success is seldom overnight.  Look at the successful leaders today, like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.  They started in their garages and stuck to their beliefs and ideals to create Apple and Microsoft.   Look back at their patience, tenacity, and determination with small efforts repeated every day.    Add it all up, and the results are clear.   Patience and determination made success a reality for them.  

Look carefully at your small efforts and how these will add up to your success.