Words of Wisdom for the Millennium

HERE IT IS, the last Direct From Muldoon of the century to contain dazzling words of wisdom from our DM compatriots-smart little sayings to cut out and carry with you or pop on a wall.

We all need inspiration, and it’s even better when we can get it from just a few words!

Klaus Goez, Fortress Europe: This saying is taken from an ad Klaus spotted in a London taxicab. Advertisement or not, he feels it’s worth remembering:

The future is not something you travel to. The future is something you build.

He learned this goodie from one of his former supervisors:

If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

Klaus works for the German postal service. This wonderfully sarcastic contribution is used to “boil the blood” of his workers, get them to explore new areas and take risks:

He who crawls cannot stumble!

Giselle Holloway, God’s Love We Deliver: Giselle chooses to quote one of the most inspirational people to have graced our century, Mahatma Gandhi, who provided this motivator:

Be the change you want to see in the world.

Sometimes strong words are the way to really make a point worth remembering. Giselle says this saying (writer unknown) really helps her stay focused:

Holding onto the past is like making love to a corpse: You’re giving your mind, body and soul to something that’s dead. So learn from the past, but live in the present.

Ken Kellerhals, Bissinger Chocolates: Ken is a big fan of the Chicago Bears, so he loves this quote by National Football League Hall of Famer George Halas, who coached the team for 40 seasons:

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it.

His other favorite, which he carries with him every day, came from his dad.

We are what we repeatedly do; excellence then is a habit.

Clare Kittle, Clare Adams Kittle Inc.: You might not be able to use this one every day, so reserve it for when you really need it. Clare was visiting her father when his neighbor stopped by and presented Clare with a card she treasures. It reads:

Good morning…this is God.

I will be handling all your problems today.

I will NOT need your help.

So, have a good day.

Donna Krampf, A&E: Donna provides two unattributed quotes that are especially appropriate for the millennium.

On any journey, we must find out where we are before we plan the first step.

Intuition is a spiritual faculty and does not explain, but simply points the way.

Your instincts seldom let you down, even, as she notes, if you can’t say why.

But my favorite from Donna is one she says helps her remember to really understand customers and what they want.

I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn’t itch.-Gilda Radner

Barry Miller, Quebecor Printing: It isn’t often that someone gets inspiration from a wall in a men’s room, but Barry found his quote there.

What’s next?

And he’s right; “What’s next” is the key to moving forward. Barry says this quote “has evoked more inspiration, perspiration, dedication and exasperation than the mortal mind could ever assimilate.”

Perhaps a slightly more upscale version of the same “get moving” feeling is Barry’s other favorite quote.

We must either find a way or make one.-Hannibal

Iris Shokoff, Iris Shokoff Associates: Iris has a series of sayings that’s helped guide her in managing a growing business. They were so great I’ve included all five.

Use your powers of observation: When you cuddle up to a porcupine, be careful.

The five most important words: You did a good job.

The four most important words: I made a mistake.

To be used once a week, as humility is good for the soul: Fall on your sword.

Brilliant management solution: If at first you don’t succeed, give it to your staff.

Pat Winona, Winona Inc.: This quote is the ultimate in simplicity and impact. Pat says at a lecture about paleontology, ecology and geology she connected the speaker’s comments about evolution to our industry’s need for it. Businesses, like organisms, have to adapt to new rules as they come about. The following sums up that need, especially as we look ahead to new frontiers:

Evolve or perish.

My quotes, the originators unfortunately unknown, relate to work and personal life. The first is an adaptation of some familiar lines:

God grant me the serenity to delegate tasks when necessary, the courage to say no and the wisdom to know when to go home.

The other addresses life, but it really should be the inspiration for work, too, because if you don’t throw yourself into your work, what’s the point?

You’ve got to dance like nobody’s watching, and love like it’s never going to hurt.