A mantra to cure procrastinators: It needn’t be perfect; it needn’t be fun; it just has to get done.
—Marty Nemko
Topics: Procrastination
Just because you can prove someone wrong, doesn’t mean you should.
—Marty Nemko
Long-winded? Constantly ask yourself, “Does the person really need & want to know this phrase?” And keep utterances to <30 sec.
—Marty Nemko
Be tough where you must be, kind where you can be.
—Marty Nemko
Good conversationalists choose a topic that enables each participant to contribute.
—Marty Nemko
Key to being liked: While retaining integrity, do more agreeing, amplifying, empathizing. do less arguing, one-upping, yes-butting.
—Marty Nemko
Winners do not let themselves succumb to anything. They distract themselves by immersing themselves in their most engaging work.
—Marty Nemko
In managing & parenting, praise when you can, & when you can’t, try invoking guilt, e.g., “I know you’re better than this.”
—Marty Nemko
A clue to what career you should pursue: When you’re really comfortable, what do you love to talk about?
—Marty Nemko
Everyone needs hope, often desperately. Look for honest ways to give it.
—Marty Nemko
It all comes down to this: Do good.
—Marty Nemko
A desire to “give back” needn’t imply giving to the neediest. It could mean giving to those with the most potential to benefit.
—Marty Nemko
If the risk/reward ratio of taking an action is good, even if you may fail, it’s usually wise to follow Nike’s advice: Just do it!
—Marty Nemko
Your goal must not be to impress but to accomplish. That usually demands bringing out the best in others.
—Marty Nemko
The only God resides within us: It is our wisest attitudes and actions.
—Marty Nemko
The double standard: If a statement favors redistribution, it gets praised. If favoring meritocracy, it’s usually censored &/or censured.
—Marty Nemko
We hear stories of persistence rewarded yet for each of those, hundreds have pressed on only to end up broken and/or broke.
—Marty Nemko
Far more of life’s pleasures are in the process than in the outcome. Be in the moment.
—Marty Nemko
When overwhelmed, after doing any needed planning, just stay in the moment and put one foot in front of the other.
—Marty Nemko
You can do everything right and still fail, not just once, but overall in life. Luck is more important than we acknowledge.
—Marty Nemko
The pursuit of happiness is often the pursuit of emptiness. Far wiser is the pursuit of contribution.
—Marty Nemko
I used to think most people are intrinsically motivated to work hard. But I’m finding that many if not most people need monitoring.
—Marty Nemko
To boost self-esteem: accept you’re flawed like everyone, do what you’re good at, & accomplish: Even little wins boost self-esteem.
—Marty Nemko
I fear we’ll make everything equal until everyone has nothing.
—Marty Nemko
You’ll likely learn more of enduring value from an hour of wise googling than from any course.
—Marty Nemko
Topics: Learning, Education
How feeble are we that we’re swayed more by dubious flattery than by valid suggestions.
—Marty Nemko
The key to a well-led life is maxing your contribution. Happiness, less key, is most likely found in simple pleasures.
—Marty Nemko
Whatever bad awaits, don’t let it spoil the present moment.
—Marty Nemko
Topics: Information
If you’ve been beaten up in Rounds 1-9, it’s hard to come out for Round 10.
—Marty Nemko
If your self-esteem is low, perhaps focus on finding work you can succeed at. Real self-esteem comes from accomplishment.
—Marty Nemko
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
- Carl Reiner American Comedian
- Larry King American TV Personality
- Abbie Hoffman American Political Activist
- Louis Farrakhan American Religious Leader
- Daniel Kahneman American-Israeli Psychologist, Economist
- Charles Krauthammer American Political Columnist
- Jerry Seinfeld American Comedian
- Carole King American Singer
- Josiah Royce American Philosopher
- Clark Kerr American Educator
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