Designs of My Life

Classic Wisdom…

Classic Wisdom for the Professional Life

Edited by: Bryan Curtis

For a long time, I have been a collector of quotes. So when I saw a quote book up for review, I was pretty excited. =)

This book is a compilation of a few hundred quotes all centered around the concept of success. Topics included are making money, having integrity, doing what you love, leading, taking advantage of opportunities, etc. Doing what you love despite the money is one that is especially prevalent. Do what you love and get good at it, and the money will fall in line. These quotes come from a wide variety of reliable sources. Political figures: Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Colin Powell, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama. Entertainment figures: Reba McIntyre, Oprah Winfrey. Sports figures: Babe Ruth, Paul “Bear” Bryant. Entrepreneurial figures: Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs. 

Here are some of my favorites:

“If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude.” -Colin Powell

“Leadership is action, not position.” -Donald H. McGannon

“Jumping at several small opportunities may get us there more quickly than waiting for one bog one to come along.” -Hugh Allen

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” -Thomas Edison

“The tragedy in life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach.” -Benjamin E. Mays

But if you want anymore, you’ll just have to read it yourself. This book would be a great gift: for high school or college graduates, for managers, for people that you lead, for church leadership. Or it would just be a great one to add to your library for the days when you need to give yourself a little pep talk.