Classic Zig Ziglar from Creators Syndicate

Positive Trivia for 12/31/2007

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

From time to time, I like to share with my readers thought-provoking quotes or sayings that are designed to encourage us to think and take action. Here are a few. They come from both me and some people from whom I have learned:

I often say: When you discipline yourself to do the things you need to do when you need to do them, the day will come when you can do the things you want to do wh ...

Updated: Mon Dec 31, 2007

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The Exceptions Can Kill You for 01/07/2008

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Question: How many times have you been cornered by an individual who was excited about his new eating and exercise program? Did he go into great detail about how much it had improved his confidence, self-image and energy level and how wonderful he felt? Of course he did, and he probably told you far more about it than you really wanted to know.

Chances are good you didn't see that person ...

Updated: Mon Jan 07, 2008

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Education Is Important for 01/14/2008

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Albert Einstein said, "It is essential that the student acquire an understanding of and a lively feeling for values. He must acquire a vivid sense of the beautiful and of the morally good, otherwise he — with a specialized knowledge — more closely resembles a well-trained dog than a harmoniously developed person."

Daniel Webster said, "Knowledge does not compri ...

Updated: Mon Jan 14, 2008

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He Could Sell Anybody Anything for 01/21/2008

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The person who is unfamiliar with the skills and character required to be a professional salesperson is inclined to describe a successful salesperson as someone who "could sell anybody anything." The unfamiliar person thinks he's paying that salesperson the supreme compliment. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The genuine professional could not "sell anybody anything" ...

Updated: Mon Jan 21, 2008

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Words -- Just Words for 01/28/2008

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0800

Several years ago, while on a long flight, I was seated next to a flight attendant who had broken her leg in an accident. Eventually, we started talking, and I found her language to be shocking. It seemed so inappropriate; she was a vivacious, personable young woman. Frankly, filthy language offends me, so I commented on her choice of words. She, in turn, expressed amazement that I was offended ...

Updated: Mon Jan 28, 2008

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His Commitment Was Total for 02/04/2008

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

In the world of golf, there are many names that are legendary — Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson, Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer to name a few. However, considering all factors, there are many who would say that Ben Hogan, for special reasons, would have to rate at or close to the top of the totem pole.

Hogan's accomplishments are too numerous to mention, but they include 242 ...

Updated: Mon Feb 04, 2008

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A Contradiction or a Truism? for 02/11/2008

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

"Play it safe; take a chance." At first glance, this statement may seem to be contradictory, but it is absolutely true that the person who won't take a chance hasn't got a chance.

For example, when you invest in the stock market, you are taking a chance. There is risk involved. But historically speaking, if you invest sensibly and go for the long haul, your returns will be cons ...

Updated: Mon Feb 11, 2008

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Words -- or Pictures? for 02/18/2008

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

The way people talk is the best indication of how they think, and the most powerful instrument for influencing a person's thought process is the spoken word. This is especially true if the word is delivered with passion and conviction. When your words are delivered one on one, eyeball to eyeball and heart to heart, their impact literally can change or influence a person's life.

C.J. Duca ...

Updated: Mon Feb 18, 2008

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Those Giant Sequoias for 02/25/2008

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0800

One of the interesting phenomena of nature is the giant sequoia tree, which is the largest living organism on earth, reaching into the heavens nearly 300 feet. One of them can produce enough lumber to build 35 five-room homes, and you can drive an automobile through the trunks of some.

Most of us would suspect that anything this size would have roots that would extend halfway to China, b ...

Updated: Mon Feb 25, 2008

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Not a Man Will Follow You for 03/03/2008

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0800

History records that in the first part of the 15th century, a young French peasant girl, Joan of Arc, was called to save her country from its enemies. There was something about her that endeared her to her followers and caused them to have a respect — almost a reverence, an awe — for what she was attempting to do. Her sacred sword, her consecrated banner and her belief in her missio ...

Updated: Mon Mar 03, 2008

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Busy but Polite for 03/10/2008

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Theodore Roosevelt, former president of the United States, has been described as the founder of the Bull Moose Party, the man who led his troops up San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War, a big-game hunter, a family man, a civic servant and a host of other things.

His life story would indicate that he was not only an extraordinarily successful man but also surely one of the busiest an ...

Updated: Mon Mar 10, 2008

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Class for 03/17/2008

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700

From time to time, someone gives another individual the ultimate compliment by saying, "You are a class act," or by simply describing a specific behavior, saying, "That's class." From time to time, a master of ceremonies will introduce an individual by saying, "If you go to the dictionary and look up the word 'class,' you will see a picture of your speaker this evening. ...

Updated: Mon Mar 17, 2008

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Practice Cutting Nets for 03/24/2008

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700

In 1974, Digger Phelps, the Notre Dame basketball coach, was preparing his team to meet the perennial national champion UCLA Bruins in a basketball game. UCLA was the overwhelming favorite. The gamblers had "taken the game off the boards" because everyone knew Notre Dame did not have a chance. Everybody, that is, except Digger Phelps and his team.

He prepared them in an unusual ...

Updated: Mon Mar 24, 2008

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Encouragement is the Key for 03/31/2008

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Mary Kay Ash once said that thousands of people have gone further than they thought they could because somebody else thought they could. What that someone else did was to offer encouragement, which is the "fuel" of hope.

The question is: How often do you give someone a word of encouragement, a verbal thank you or a simple little note that says, "I genuinely appreciate your ...

Updated: Mon Mar 31, 2008

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We are Emotional for 04/07/2008

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

Most people pride themselves on making logical decisions, but research conclusively proves we mainly make emotional decisions because we, at heart, are emotional beings.

Question: Did you see the movie "E.T."? If you answered yes, the next question is: Did you cry? Chances are about 4,000-to-1 that you answered either "yes" or "almost." Now, is that logical? ...

Updated: Mon Apr 07, 2008

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Racism is Destructive to Both Perpetrator and Victim for 04/14/2008

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

One day, as I was driving from the airport to my home, I was listening to a call-in radio program hosted by an African-American minister who works to improve race relations. He was gently reminding us that throughout our history, black people have suffered tremendously as a result of racism. There are very few who would doubt the accuracy of his observation.

What many people do not reali ...

Updated: Mon Apr 14, 2008

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Teaching or Reproducing? for 04/21/2008

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

A wise person once said we teach people what we know but we reproduce what we are. The prophet of long ago taught the student is not above the teacher, and the teacher has not taught until the student becomes as the teacher. Yet another individual said, "People will not always believe what you say but they will always believe what you do." Thus, here are three people from different er ...

Updated: Mon Apr 21, 2008

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Customer Service for 04/28/2008

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0700

In this day and age, customer service is truly a "buzzword" in corporate America. I'd like to quote a couple of statements from the Executive Speechwriter Newsletter that say a great deal.

"Because the customer has a need, we have a job to do. Because the customer has a choice, we must be the better choice. Because the customer has sensibilities, we must be considerate. Be ...

Updated: Mon Apr 28, 2008

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Who Says So? for 05/05/2008

Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

It is probable that many of you who read these words have been told from time to time by people who, in most cases, were well-meaning that you would never amount to anything, could not do something or had no talent in a particular field.

If you overcame those negative comments and did something with your life, you smile at the memory of the satisfaction you gained by proving them wrong. ...

Updated: Mon May 05, 2008

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Passion Is the Key for 05/12/2008

Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 -0700

The dictionary says that passion is "a strong emotion, an ardent love; zeal; eager desire, hope and joy." It has been my observation that in every field of endeavor, the people who reach the mountaintops of life have a passion to give their all and be the best they can be.

For example, the Founding Fathers of our country were passionate believers in freedom. Honor ...

Updated: Mon May 12, 2008

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