"It Always Seems Impossible Until It's Done.": Motivation for Dreamers & Doers PDF
Preview "It Always Seems Impossible Until It's Done.": Motivation for Dreamers & Doers
“It Always Seems Impossible Until It’s Done.” MOTIVATION FOR DREAMERS & DOERS Kathryn & Ross Petras WORKMAN PUBLISHING • NEW YORK CONTENTS Introduction Quotes Who’s Quoted About the Authors More Unexpected Words of Wisdom from Kathryn and Ross Petras INTRODUCTION “Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.” Poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote those words hundreds of years ago, but they still have immense power today. His exhortation speaks to us across the centuries—urging us to start, to move ahead, or—to put it less elegantly—to get the lead out and get off our asses . . . now!—if we want to attain our life goals. But what do we want out of life—and how in the world do we get there? If only there were some sort of magic formula for discovering and achieving our goals, something nice and neat like “optimism + hard work + determination = guaranteeing us what we want in life.” Unfortunately, life is far more complicated and difficult than that. This is why we’ve collected the quotes in “It Always Seems Impossible Until It’s Done.” Sometimes we need a push. Other times we need to be reassured that failing is not the end of the world, but possibly a wonderful beginning . . . and that mistakes made may be the luckiest things that ever happened to us. Some of us may need help to figure out what it is we want to do and how we can attain that goal. Others of us may need to be reminded that it’s okay to strike out on a new path. And almost all of us need a bit of motivation to stoke our fires and get our mojo back. “It Always Seems Impossible Until It’s Done” is a collection of thoughts, words, and ideas to focus or refocus on our goals, to get our confidence up to pursue those goals, and to keep the wellspring of enthusiasm and energy going as we continue our journey onward. It’s a simultaneous kick in the ass, a pat on the back, and a sharing of “I did it, so can you” advice from people who have been in the same place we’ve been—and have done something about it. It’s rappers and philosophers, social activists and presidents, poets and jazz musicians telling us to keep striving, keep going, and keep our eyes on the prize . . . just as they did. “It Always Seems Impossible Until It’s Done” makes us look at our own lives —and discover how we can do what others have already done. And just what exactly have all those rappers, philosophers, social activists, and presidents quoted in here done? They’ve gotten closer to where they want to be—a simple- sounding thing maybe, but something that most of us never do. But we can. As entrepreneur Richard Branson said, somewhat less eloquently than Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, but with unmistakable enthusiasm: “Screw it, let’s do it!” DO IT! Screw it, let’s do it! —Richard Branson entrepreneur WORKING HARD Hard work pays off. I am so annoyed at my father for being right about that. —Lena Dunham actress MAKING MISTAKES We have all heard the forlorn refrain: “Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time!” This phrase has come to stand for the rueful reflection of an idiot, a sign of stupidity, but in fact we should appreciate it as a pillar of wisdom. Any being, any agent, who can truly say: “Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time!” is standing on the threshold of brilliance. —Daniel Dennett philosopher TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly. —Franz Kafka writer GOAL SETTING: EYES ON THE PRIZE Whatever you’re thinking, think bigger. —Tony Hsieh entrepreneur
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