Over the past three days, I have been participating in The International Alliance for Women’s 30th Anniversary Celebration at their Global Partnership Forum held in Toronto, October 24 – 26, 2010. It was a delight to meet women from all over the world and have a dialog with them. Whenever you meet someone who may appear different from you, once you start talking you will find some common ground.

Next week we will go back to the usual schedule for the Invisible Mentor. I have some really good content for you. Today, I have 10 quotations for you to reflect on.

1. “Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them.” W. Clement Stone, Author and Businessman
2. “It is pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson a celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask,’ “How can I put this to use tomorrow?’”  Jaroldeen Asplund Edwards
3. “When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe
4. “Imitate until you emulate; match and surpass those who launched you.  It’s the highest form of thankfulness.” — Mark Victor Hansen
5. Treat colleagues with respect. Give them credit for what they have accomplished. Deal with conflicts in a gentle, empathic way…hey, just be kind. Stefan Einhorn, Educator
6. “You only lose energy when life becomes dull in your mind. Your mind gets bored and therefore tired of doing nothing. Get interested in something! Get absolutely enthralled in something! Get out of yourself! Be somebody! Do something! The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.” Norman Vincent Peale, Pastor, Speaker and Author
7. “Let there be nothing within thee that is not very beautiful and very gentle, and there will be nothing without thee that is not beautiful and softened by the spell of thy presence.” James Allen,  Author of As A Man Thinketh
8. “Have a strategy on how you do things [and] execute the strategy with passion.” Purdy Crawford
9. “When you’re starting off, it takes ten times more energy than you thought.” Maria Nemeth, Author of The Energy of Money
10. “You cannot carry the requirements of a prior position into a new one without first assessing the new situation and its needs. You can bring some things with you if they fit the new framework; the rest you must toss aside.” John Gardner

How can you use this information? What do you have to add to the conversation? Let’s keep the conversation flowing, please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. Many readers read this blog from other sites, so why don’t you pop over to The Invisible Mentor and subscribe (top on the right hand side) by email or RSS Feed.

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Photo Credit: Wikipedia

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1. 10 Quotations to Reflect On
2. Show Me Your Company And I’ll Tell You Who You Are

There are many lessons around us, if we but take the time to BE instead of DO. Many of these lessons we can learn from successful people, many who are further along the path that we are traveling, or have already completed the journey.

Have you ever wondered what makes a highly accomplished individual tick? I have! I have also wondered what motivates them and how they stay motivated. Over the past five years, I have interviewed over a hundred successful people, and one of the many questions that I ask them is “What is your favorite quotation and why?”

These individuals love a good quote, and they have that special one which resonates with them down to their core. They often use that quote for inspiration, and have it in plain sight where they can readily see it. One individual indicated that he has been using the same quote for inspiration for over 20 years. Quotes are very important to these people and serve many functions in their lives.

Over the years I have learned from these very successful interviewees, and I would like to share some of what I have learned with you. I have culled 10 powerful quotes, and have also included the reasons why they resonate with the interviewees.

After you have read the quotes, you will better understand these people, and I am sure you will agree that the quotes will also add a touch of brilliance to your communications.

Stephanie MacKendrick’s Favorite Quote and Why

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Meade

The quote says that change can happen from every one of us, from small groups. It doesn’t have to be a big project, a big organization with a big mission or mandate. We can all contribute to changing.

Maria Nemeth’s Favorite Quote and Why

“Miracles rest not so much upon healing power coming suddenly near us from afar, but upon our perceptions being made finer, so that for the moment our eyes can see and our ears can hear what has been there around us always.” Willa Cather

It’s a wonderful quote about miracles. People think that miracles are things that happen to us suddenly from on high. I like this quote because it’s hopeful, it says that I do not have to do anything extraordinary. All I need to do is wake up and see what’s been here waiting for me all the time.

Jim Rohn‘s Favorite Quote and Why

“Nothing can resist a human will that will stake even its existence on the extent of its purpose.” Benjamin Disraeli

This quote challenges the human spirit to ultimate possibility – give it all you’ve got. Become all you were designed to become. It simply means do or die.

Suzanne Gibson’s Favorite Quote and Why

“What stirs the mind or touches the heart, will undoubtedly move the feet.” Donald Murphy

I feel an affinity to the quote because I am overwhelmed by all that’s going on in the world, and I often wonder what I can do as one person. This quote tells me that if we can inspire others and feed their hearts and stimulate their minds we can motivate action for positive change.

Gail Blanke’s Favorite Quote and Why

“There is no way it is, there is only the way you say it is. The universe hasn’t made up its mind about you. It only knows what you show it today. You are the Inventor; your life is the invention. You get to make it up, so make it up good.” Gail Blanke, Between Trapezes

This is my favorite quote because I’m passionate about persuading people that they get to decide how good their life will be!

Gabriel Draven’s Favorite Quote and Why

“To succeed in life, you need two things: ignorance and confidence.” Mark Twain

“There are two things you need for success: courage and ignorance.” Gabriel Draven (Inspired by Mark Twain)

This modified quote has kept on coming back to me over the past couple of years, and it’s pretty dead on.

Claire Hoy’s Favorite Quotes and Why

“Worrying about something is like paying interest on a debt that you don’t even know if you owe.” Mark Twain

“It ain’t over till it’s over.” Yogi Berra

I view both quotes as great life lessons. In Mark Twain’s case he is saying that if you are going around and worrying and fretting how badly something is going to turn out, almost all the time it never turns out as badly as you perceived. In Berra’s case, if you don’t throw up your hands when things go wrong, but think it ain’t over and that you still have a chance, anything is possible.

Amelia Kassel’s Favorite Quote and Why

“There is nothing to fear but fear itself.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

It is so easy to feel fear when you are starting a business or taking risks. In life, you face many situations where it’s easy to feel fearful. This quote reminds me that I can do things that I wouldn’t otherwise try.

These quotes are not only instructive, but inspiring as well. What lessons might you learn from the quotes and the interviewees? And, in what ways might you use them?

Let’s keep the conversation flowing, please comment!

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