Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out.
—James Bryant Conant (1893–1978) American Chemist, Educator
I don’t like the sound of all the lists he’s making—it’s like taking too many notes at school; you feel you’ve achieved something when you haven’t.
—Dodie Smith (1896–1990) American Author, Playwright
The mathematics of high achievement—
Begin with a dream.
DIVIDE the problems and conquer them one by one.
MULTIPLY the exciting possibilities in your mind.
SUBTRACT all the negative thoughts to get started.
ADD enthusiasm and determination.
And the RESULT will be the attainment of your goal.
—Anonymous
Spectacular achievement is always preceded by unspectacular preparation.
—Robert H. Schuller (1926–2015) American Christian Televangelist, Author
If you wish to achieve worthwhile things in your personal and career life, you must become a worthwhile person in your own self-development.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.
—John Wooden (1910–2010) American Basketball Coach, Educator
What old people say you cannot do, you try and find that you can. Old deeds for old people, and new deeds for new.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
In time of difficulties, we must not lose sight of our achievements.
—Mao Zedong (1893–1976) Chinese Statesman
Only those who attempt the absurd will achieve the impossible.
—Miguel de Unamuno (1864–1936) Spanish Educator, Philosopher, Author
All men are prepared to accomplish the incredible if their ideals are threatened.
—Hermann Hesse (1877–1962) German-born Swiss Novelist, Poet
Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. The joy and moral stimulation of work no longer must be forgotten in the mad chase of evanescent profits. These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) American Head of State, Lawyer
Kill the snake of doubt in your soul, crush the worms of fear in your heart and mountains will move out of your way.
—Kate Seredy
Our business in life is not to get ahead of others but to get ahead of ourselves – to break our own records, to outstrip our yesterdays by our today, to do our work with more force than ever before.
—Stewart B. Johnson
All great achievements require time.
—David J. Schwartz (1927–87) American Self-help Author
Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.
—Michael Jordan (b.1963) American Sportsperson, Businessperson
The human spirit needs to accomplish, to achieve, to triumph to be happy.
—Ben Stein (b.1944) American Writer, Actor, Commentator
To achieve you need thought. You have to know what you are doing and that’s real power.
—Ayn Rand (1905–82) Russian-born American Novelist, Philosopher
Any great achievement is preceded by many difficulties and many lessons; great achievements are not possible without them.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
While they were saying among themselves it cannot be done, it was done.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
To achieve great things we must live as though we were never going to die.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues (1715–47) French Moralist, Essayist, Writer
Obstacles are things a person sees when he takes his eyes off his goal.
—E. Joseph Cossman
Four steps to achievement: plan purposefully, prepare prayerfully, proceed positively, pursue persistently.
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
There is a real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment.
—Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) American Clergyman, Self-Help Author
A man with a half volition goes backwards and forwards, and makes no way on the smoothest road; a man with a whole volition advances on the roughest, and will reach his purpose, if there be even a little worthiness in it. The man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder – a waif, a nothing, a no man. Have a purpose in life and having it, throw such strength of mind and muscle into your work as God has given you.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible.
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur
Keep on beginning and failing. Each time you fail, start all over gain, and you will grow stronger until have accomplished a purpose – not the one you began with perhaps, but one you’ll be glad to remember.
—Anne Sullivan Macy (1866–1936) American Educator
No one has ever achieved anything from the smallest to the greatest unless the dream was dreamed first.
—Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867–1957) American Children’s Novelist
Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.
—Robert F. Kennedy (1925–68) American Politician, Lawyer
If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it; every arrow that flies feels the attraction of earth.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
It’s amazing what ordinary people can do if they set out without preconceived notions.
—Charles F. Kettering (1876–1958) American Inventor, Entrepreneur, Businessperson
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