Category Archives: Quote-ables

Your Quota of Quotes

‘Simplicity is the greatest sophistication.’     Leonardo Da Vinci, 15th century Italian ‘Renaissance man – artist, inventor and architect.

‘If you think presentations cannot enchant people, then you have never seen a really good one.’ Guy Kawasaki, 20th century Silicon Valley entrepreneur, author and speaker.

‘People don’t remember what we think is important. They remember what they think is important.’  John Maxwell, 20th century pastor, speaker and author of over 60 books on leadership

Mark Twain on Public Speaking

What can we learn about public speaking from Mark Twain, 19th century American writer, humorist and lecturer? Lots!

“It usually takes me more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.” 

“There are only two types of speakers in the world. 1. The nervous and 2. Liars.” 

“The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.” 

‘Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.’

‘Words are only painted fire; a look is the fire itself.’

Brief Quote-ables

Now let’s take a brief look a brevity through the ages …

The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do. Thomas Jefferson, (1743 – 1826), Founding Father and third President.

The fewer the words, the better the prayer.’ Martin Luther, (1483 – 1546), German monk and founder of the Protestant Reformation.

“… brevity is the soul of wit … ‘, William Shakespeare, (1564 – 1616), English poet, playwright and actor.

It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what others say in a whole book.‘, Friedrich Nietzsche, (1844 – 1900), German philosopher, poet and scholar.

 

Gitomer Gets Writing

Thought it was time for another helping of one of my favorite authors.

  • ‘Writing becomes persuasive when others are willing to act on, or comment on, what you’ve written.
  • ‘I write like I think. I write like I talk. I want my writing to sound like I’m talking. I write in ‘speak.’’
  • ‘I don’t care about grammar. I write so that the reader can get it. I care about how it wounds when its read and how it looks when you read it.’
  • ‘Write it like you would say it and speak as you write the words down.’

Jeffrey Gitomer, 21st century sales expert, author and speaker

 

 

 

 

Wisdom & Humor

I thought it was time for some quote-ables with a sense of humor.

‘No one has a finer command of language than the person who keeps his mouth shut.’ (Robert Benchley, (1889 – 1945), American humorist, columnist and actor.

‘Once you get people laughing, they’re listening and you can tell them almost anything.’  Herbert Gardner (1846 – 1921), British lord, politician and author.

‘Speak when you are angry – and you will make the best speech you’ll ever regret.’ Laurence J. Peter (1919 – 1990), Canadian educator and author of ‘The Peter Principle’

‘Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain.’ Lily Tomlin (1939 – ), American actress, comedian and writer

 

Inspiring Leadership

My most recent contribution to PR Consultant Carol Roth’s popular Business Unplugged blog was for her “100+ of the Best, Most Inspirational Leadership Quotes” article – https://www.carolroth.com/blog/top-leadership-quotes/#smallbiz. Thanks for the great exposure, Carol. Read More »

Gitomer Gets Writing

‘Write it like you would say it. Speak as you write the words down. This will help you write a clearer and more complete thought. If you write like you speak, you’ll never be at a loss for words.’

Jeffrey Gitomer, 21st century sales expert, author and speaker

Phil’s Faves On Time

Thanks for the positive comments about including ‘Phil’s Faves’ in the Quote-able section – here’s another helping. So, you might hear these words of wisdom in one of my Time Management presentations.

  • You can’t save time – you can only spend it. So, spend it wisely.
  • Don’t say ‘I don’t have time.‘, because you do have time. Instead say ‘I don’t want to spend the time.’  
  • You’re in charge of how you spend your time – no one else is.
  • Start each day with a ‘To Do’ List – plan your work, then work your plan.
  • If you paid yourself $1,000/hour, would you get your money’s worth from each task on your list? If not – dump them.
  • Ask yourself ‘What’s the worst thing that can happen if I don’t do this thing today … or ever?‘ Then, act accordingly.

Phil Stella, 21st century entrepreneur, communication consultant and executive coach

Phil’s Faves for February

Reader input suggested it was time for more ‘Phil’s Faves’ – comments you would hear often in one of my presentations or workshops. Thanks for asking …

  1. The only thing worse than a bad workplace meeting is a great meeting that didn’t need to be a meeting. It should have been an email, memo, phone call or face-to-face conversation.
  2. ‘Perception is Reality’ with audiences. All they know is what they see and hear. If you look and sound like you’re comfortable and competent with your presentation, you are.
  3. Project uncommon courtesy with every outgoing phone call by saying these five magic words within the first 10 seconds – ‘Is this a good time?’

And … true to my rant about always identifying the context of people you quote:

Phil Stella, 21st century entrepreneur, communication consultant & executive coach

Gitomer Gets Eloquence

Do you yearn to be more eloquent in your routine workplace communication but aren’t sure what that really means? Well, let one of my favorite authors, Jeffrey Gitomer, help you.  Eloquence is:

  • Delivering your message in terms of the audience.
  • Making sure your message is transferable.
  • Making sure your message is relatable.
  • Customizing and personalizing your message.
  • Enunciating your message.
  • When the audience perceives that you love what you do.

So, that’s a clear description of eloquence, according to one of the best experts in the business. Now … go be eloquent.

Jeffrey Gitomer, 21st century sales cexpert, author and speaker