Here’s a little bit of trivia about me you probably didn’t know: I was the senior speaker at my high school graduation ceremony. Now, let me be clear: I went to a very small, independent study high school where most of the students attended just one day of class per week. The ceremony was actually held in the parking lot. So I’m not bragging here. I wasn’t valedictorian, though I did graduate with honors. I was actually selected to be senior speaker by the students and the faculty, which—for me—is even better than if I had been chosen for my grades.
So, why do bring this up? Because I wanted to share a quote from my graduation speech. It’s one that still inspires me to this day.
In everything you do, shoot for the moon. Because even if you miss, at least you’re among the stars.
I’m not sure who said this or where it came from. I don’t even remember the first time I heard it. But the words were so powerful; they’ve stayed with me for decades now.
The other day, I was reminded of this quote while interviewing Dick Bolles, the author of What Color Is Your Parachute? (By the way, if you missed it, you can listen to it here.)
During our conversation, while discussing the concept of searching for your “dream job,” Mr. Bolles said the following:
You have to start with the largest vision of what you really, really, really want to do with your life so that if you only get 60 percent of that, you’ve gotten far, far more than if you started with a vision that you hacked down in the name of supposed reality.
How often do you find yourself aiming low because it’s more “realistic”? What are you perhaps missing out on because of that? What if you aimed higher? What if, dare I say it, you aimed for the very top? Even if fell short, would you not possibly end up better off in the long run?
Sometimes, it feels safer and easier to keep your hopes in check. Why try for something that seems so far out of reach? This kind of thinking only limits what you’re capable of. It doesn’t challenge you. It doesn’t inspire you. And it forces you to play small.
So, as I told my graduating class back in 1996, shoot for the moon. Whether you’re looking for your next job, your next home or your next mate. Aim for the dream. You might not get it, but then again…you just might.
If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you.
– Arthur McAuliff
If at first you don’t succeed, failure may be your style.
– Quentin Crisp
If at first you don’t succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
– Author Unknown
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Then give up. There’s no use in being a damn fool about it.
– W.C. Fields
If at first you don’t succeed, do it like your mother told you.
– Author Unknown
If at first you do succeed, try to hide your astonishment.
– Author Unknown
If at first you don’t succeed, you’re running about average.
– M.H. Alderson
As we enter a brand new year, I know many of you may be facing career changes (both big and small) in the future. While this can be exciting and energizing, it can also easily become overwhelming and draining.
Below, I’ve listed a few of my favorite inspiring quotes to help motivate you to take meaningful action towards achieving your career goals now and throughout the year ahead, whatever your goals may be.
If you have a favorite that I haven’t listed here, please share in the comments. Enjoy!
If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.
–Epictetus
You don’t need to win every medal to be successful.
–Jason Fried
A man can succeed at almost anything for which he has unlimited enthusiasm.
–Charles Schwab
Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure. You’ve got to find the treasure, so that everything you have learned along the way can make sense.
–Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
When a person really desires something, all the universe conspires to help that person to realize his dream.
–Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Work to become, not to acquire.
–Elbert Hubbar
People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
–Maya Angelou
Whatever you can do or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.
–Goethe
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.
–Seneca
A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.
–Mark Twain
If you knew how much work went into it, you wouldn’t call it genius.
–Michelangelo
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.
–Dr. Seuss
Life isn’t about waiting out the storm; it’s about learning to dance in the rain.
–anonymous
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
–Oliver Wendell Holmes
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
–Eleanor Roosevelt
Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there must be forethought, system, planning, intelligence, and honest purpose, as well as perspiration. Seeming to do is not doing.
–Thomas A. Edison
I find my greatest pleasure, and so my reward, in the work that precedes what the world calls success.
–Thomas A. Edison
If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.
–Thomas A. Edison
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.
–Thomas A. Edison
Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.
–Thomas A. Edison
Photo Credit: Robbed (Flickr)
