Tag: Quotes

Quote of the Day: Warren Buffett

Carl Setzer
Warren Buffett - Say No
The art of saying “no” by Warren Buffett

“The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”

― Warren Buffett

 

Mr. Buffett’s quote resonates with me a couple of ways.

  • It’s so easy to get caught up in busyness that we lose sight of effectiveness.
  • Focus is key. Stephen Covey phrased it as “area of influence” vs. “area of concern”. We spread our focus away from the places where we can make an impact, we lose our effectiveness.
  • A good friend of mine has a phrase “don’t step over dollars to get to nickles”. Keep your eyes on your goals, and let that determine what’s important.
  • We must spend time reminding ourselves what’s important, on where we are trying to go.
  • Lastly, life is short. Focus it on what’s important.

Today’s Quote of the Day

Carl Setzer

Felt it important to add something positive to the world this morning. So much anger, negativity, distrust and simple rage, I’ve grown a bit weary of the internet. However, I still see great value in the platform.

Anyway, with that, I thought this quote by Einstein was perfect. People are important, but we need to focus on goals, build a mission and drive forward. We need to allow toxic people to go and bring healthy people into our orbit.  Positive energy can feed back into itself, growing powerful and more effective. It’s not magic, taking time and focus, too. But it pays off

Anyway, what will you do to make this real? To make not just your life, but the world a better place? I’d like to know.

 

Some thoughts on this quote: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now

Carl Setzer

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.

The second best time is now.”

– Chinese or African Proverb

 

I’ve heard the quote above attributed to both the Chinese and Africans. At some point, I should spend a little time with Google and answer that definitively. But, really, today the origination of the quote isn’t my concern.

At times I get stuck fretting about the fact I “didn’t start this sooner”. I frustrate myself with that mindset, but it became reflexive. And I lose time and energy with this. >0 time or energy on this mindset: too much.

Lamenting the past is a foolish exercise. Living live with no regrets is not about not making mistakes. Rather accepting that mistakes and poor choices are part of the package. Make the best choices you can, learn from the negatives, then move forward. I need to remind myself constantly, though.

If it’s valuable, do it. Start. There is not better time than now. Really!

Quote of the Day

Carl Setzer

Was just emailed this one: “Failure is the price of Legendary” ~ Robin Sharma

I was thinking about these sorts of things over the long weekend. A key moment was while watching “A Chef’s Life” on PBS. Vivian (show’s main focus) was struggling with anxiety around her life. With her book deal, as well as a next managing chef, her life has changed dramatically. She’s in unfamiliar ground, and not sure where she stands with things.

It makes perfect sense to feel this way: she’s never done anything like “this”. This is part of the lot for innovators. Doing the new and unique means you’re in uncharted territory, often without anyone doing anything even close. Living a life without roadmaps ensures “failure” lurks.

In order to really innovate, to achieve something Legendary, you have to stretch well past the comfort zone. Well into the potential to fail. So, in the end, the only road to success is through failure. With each failure, stand up, brush off, learn the lessons and move forward. That’s the only way to Legendary.