Someone suggested I write a book of quotes. They like to call them “Rickisms” I just think they are great quotes from some great people. I say Part 1 above because there will likely be a Part 2, but not sure how many more.
“If you think you can do it, or you think you can’t – you are right!” Henry Ford
The man credited with taking the concept of an assembly line and putting it to work making cars. He had a lot of ups and downs before the Model T came out and created the legacy we see today, but this quote is great when you are doubting what is happening. Whatever you think you can do you can make happen, it is in your head.
“It doesn’t make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do; we hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.” Steve Jobs
Does it make sense to go out and buy a pickup truck and then use your sedan to haul dirt for your lawn? No, right. So why go out and hire people and not give them the opportunity to do what they do best? It can be scary for some, but in the end, it is the best way to get a “return” on your “people investment.”
“It always seems impossible until it is done.” Nelson Mandela
You never know what you can do until the first time you do it. I am a certified Scuba Diver and the first time I took a breath under water was a freaky sensation. I fought against the notion of taking a breath, but when I finally did it felt amazing! I did not know it could happen, even though I saw others doing it and knew people who had done it, I still did not think it could happen. So, it was “impossible” until I took that first breath. Trust the process, get there, and show the world, and yourself, what is possible!
“Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” — Harry S Truman
Among my friends, this quote is used to poke fun at me. You see, I had the CEO of a company mock me and insult me because all I apparently did was tell him the last book I read. Reading is learning and a life dedicated to learning is a full and complete life! All leaders are readers because they are dedicated at making themselves better so they can be better leaders. Don’t confuse “leader” with “boss” because they are not the same. The requirements for being the boss have nothing to do with becoming a better leader!
“It is not the mistakes you make, but what you do to correct or amend for them that defines you!”
I don’t know who wrote that, but it has been one of my go-to quotes for years! I can’t tell you how many people would apologize for making a mistake and go on about how sorry they were and all I would do is recite the quote above. Some people would then go and “fix it,” while others would just look at me as if to say, “I am not going to do anything about this, you need to do it.” You can now see how my opinion of the first person would differ from the second.
“The first time it was a mistake, the second time it was a choice.”
This one is another one that I can’t be sure who said it first, but it goes with the one above it. If you keep making the same mistake over and over again – admit it there is something in your life where this is true – then it is not a mistake/accident or what ever else, it was a choice to be right in the same spot and making the same decisions.
“Easy choices, hard life. Hard choices, easy life.” Jerzy Gregorek
This is a recent one and boy is there a lot packed in there! Yes, I can make the easy choice to stay right where I am in the “comfort” zone, even if it is killing me. One example of this is smoking, we all know that smoking kills. It does not kill everyone, but your chances of dying younger increase when you smoke, so why do we do it? Because it is easier than what it will take to change the habit and make the “hard choice.” It is an incredibly hard choice to make, so I am not mocking people who have the habit, I am just using it as an example.
“People don’t do what you expect but what you inspect.” Louis V. Gerstner, Jr.
Another one that has a lot in it. I would use this one with the owner of a food distribution business all the time because he would complain about his “people” not doing what he asked of them. Why should they? You don’t make them pay any consequences for not following your direction. I am guilty of not following this one, especially with my kids!
Hope you enjoyed reading these. There are many more pulled from the many books I have read and life’s greatest teacher, experience.
Gramatges Consulting 