“Today Matters People create success in their lives by focusing on today. It may sound trite, but today is the only time you have. It’s too late for yesterday. And you can’t depend on tomorrow. That’s why today matters.”
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John C. Maxwell
“In ancient China the people wanted security against the barbaric hordes to the north, so they built the great wall. It was so high they believed no one could climb over it and so thick nothing could break it down. They settled back to enjoy their security. During the first hundred years of the wall’s existence, China was invaded three times. Not once did the barbaric hordes break down the wall or climb over it. Each time they bribed a gatekeeper and then marched right through the gates. The Chinese were so busy relying on the walls of stone that they forgot to teach integrity to their children.”
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John C. Maxwell
“Nothing will make a better impression on your leader than your ability to manage yourself. If your leader must continually expend energy managing you, then you will be perceived as someone who drains time and energy. If you manage yourself well, however, your boss will see you as someone who maximizes opportunities and leverages personal strengths. That will make you someone your leader turns to when the heat is on.”
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John C. Maxwell
“you need to stop waiting for the man you want to become and start being the man you want to be.”
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John C. Maxwell
“Recently I took my daughter Elizabeth out to a restaurant for lunch. The waitress, whose job it was to take care of people, made us feel that we were really inconveniencing her. She was grumpy, negative, and unhelpful. All of her customers were aware of the fact that she was having a bad day. Elizabeth looked up at me and said, “Dad, she’s a grump, isn’t she?” I could only agree with a look of disdain. Halfway through our experience I tried to change this woman’s negative attitude. Pulling out a $10 bill, I said, “Could you do me a favor? I’d like some change for this $10 bill because I want to give you a good tip today.” She looked at me, did a double take, and then ran to the cash register. After changing the money, she spent the next fifteen minutes hovering over us. I thanked her for her service, told her how important and helpful she was, and left a good tip. As we left, Elizabeth said, “Daddy, did you see how that lady changed?” Seizing this golden opportunity, I said, “Elizabeth, if you want people to act right toward you, you act right toward them. And many times you’ll change them.”
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John C. Maxwell
“A Jeff Danziger cartoon shows a company president announcing to his staff, “Gentlemen, this year the trick is honesty.” From one side of the conference table, a vice president gasps, “Brilliant.” Across the table, another VP mutters, “But so risky.”
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John C. Maxwell
“If you want to do a few small things right, do them yourself. If you want to do great things and make a big impact, learn to delegate.”
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John C. Maxwell
“Great minds have purposes; others have wishes. Little minds are subdued by misfortunes; but great minds rise above them.”
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John C. Maxwell
“An intentional life embraces only the things that will add to the mission of significance.”
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John C. Maxwell
“If you pair excellence with humility, people not only won’t run over you, they will respect you.”
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John C. Maxwell
“If the reaction is worse than the action, the problem usually increases. If the reaction is less than the action, the problem usually decreases.”
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John C. Maxwell
“Remember, man does not live on bread alone: sometimes he needs a little buttering up.”
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John C. Maxwell
“If you want to be the best leader you can possibly be, no matter how much or how little natural leadership talent you possess, you need to become a serving leader.”
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John C. Maxwell
“«Ayude a muchas personas a tener éxito, y usted también lo tendrá».”
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John C. Maxwell
“People can perceive a lot in seven seconds. They can decide that they do not want to hear anything a speaker has to say,”
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John C. Maxwell