Overachievers don’t think reasonably, sensibly, or rationally.
—John Eliot (b.1971) American Psychologist, Academic
Hell begins on the day when God grants us a clear vision of all that we might have achieved, of all the gifts which we might have wasted, of all that we might have done which we did not do.
—Gian Carlo Menotti (1911–2007) Italian-born American Composer
the spring, the summer,
The chilling autumn, angry winter, change
Their wonted liveries; and the mazed world
By their increase, now knows not which is which.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
The most splendid achievement of all is the constant striving to surpass yourself and to be worthy of your own approval.
—Denis Waitley (b.1933) American Motivational Speaker, Author
Most successful men have not achieved their distinction by having some new talent or opportunity presented to them. They have developed the opportunity that was at hand.
—Bruce Fairchild Barton (1886–1967) American Author, Advertising Executive, Politician
Overachievement is aimed at people who want to maximize their potential. And to do that, I insist you throw caution to the wind, ignore the pleas of parents, coaches, spouses, and bosses to be “realistic”. Realistic people do not accomplish extraordinary things because the odds against success stymie them. The best performers ignore the odds. I will show you that instead of limiting themselves to what’s probable, the best will pursue the heart-pounding, exciting, really big, difference-making dreams—so long as catching them might be possible.
—John Eliot (b.1971) American Psychologist, Academic
Achievement brings its own anticlimax.
—Maya Angelou (1928–2014) American Poet
Somehow I can’t believe that there are any heights that can’t be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four Cs. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of all is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably.
—Walt Disney (1901–66) American Entrepreneur
For what is the best choice, for each individual is the highest it is possible for him to achieve.
—Aristotle (384BCE–322BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher, Scholar
Recipe for success: Study while others are sleeping; work while others are loafing; prepare while others are playing; and dream while others are wishing.
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
If you can speak what you will never hear, if you can write what you will never read, you have done rare things.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to this whisper which is heard by him alone.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
That some achieve great success, is proof to all that others can achieve it as well.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
I have discovered that I cannot enhance anybody’s performance without getting them not only to live with the butterflies that come with high-pressure jobs but to embrace that kind of physical response, enjoy it, get into it. That’s the first real ticket to being a performer who thinks exceptionally.
—John Eliot (b.1971) American Psychologist, Academic
Death comes to all, but great achievements build a monument which shall endure until the sun grows cold.
—George Fabricius (1516–71) German Protestant Poet
The fellow who does things that count, doesn’t usually stop to count them.
—Unknown
Only on paper has humanity yet achieved glory, beauty, truth, knowledge, virtue, and abiding love.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time.
—Leonard Bernstein (1918–90) American Composer, Conductor
I determined never to stop until I had come to the end and achieved my purpose.
—David Livingstone (1813–73) Scottish Missionary, Explorer
For a man to achieve all that is demanded of him he must regard himself as greater than he is.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Unless a man undertakes more than he possibly can do, he will never do all that he can.
—Henry Drummond
Real achievement—the true measure of how far we have advanced in life—is not determined by what we have acquired, but rather by the degree to which we have put our fears behind us.
—Guy Finley
Achieving starts with believing.
—Unknown
Personal relationships are the fertile soil from which all advancement, all success, all achievement in real life grows.
—Ben Stein (b.1944) American Writer, Actor, Commentator
Productive achievement is a consequence and an expression of health, self-esteem, not its cause
—Nathaniel Branden (1930–2014) American Psychotherapist
What turns ordinary people into overachievers is the way they use their minds when they are called on to perform.
—John Eliot (b.1971) American Psychologist, Academic
Man can acquire accomplishments or he can become an animal, whichever he wants. God makes the animals, man makes himself.
—Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742–99) German Philosopher, Physicist
Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.
—Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) American Author, Journalist, Attorney, Lecturer
The great accomplishments of man have resulted from the transmission of ideas and enthusiasm.
—Thomas J. Watson, Sr. (1874–1956) American Business Executive
The top players in every field think differently when all the marbles are on the line. Great performers focus on what they are doing, and nothing else…They let it happen, let it go. They couldn’t care less about the results.
—John Eliot (b.1971) American Psychologist, Academic
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