Top Ten Quotes: Maya Angelou

(In honor of Women’s History Month)

A legendary poet, one of the great voices of contemporary literature, civil rights activist, author of twelve best-selling books including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, actress, playwright, producer, director, historian, educator, outstanding orator, and Grammy Award winner, Dr. Maya Angelou is the quintessential Renaissance woman.

The recipient of more than 60 honorary doctorate degrees, Dr. Angelou has captivated and inspired millions of people across the globe. There is no doubt that world could never get enough of Dr. Maya Angelou.

Here are my favorite quotes by this extraordinary woman.

Top Ten Quotes: Mother Teresa

Nobel Peace Prize winner and world renowned humanitarian, Mother Teresa was one of the most outstanding examples of altruism and servant leadership in the history of the human race. She provided the world with a treasure trove of wisdom. Here are my ten favorite gems from Mother Teresa.

What’s On Your Mind?

Mind your mind. Studies have indicated that negative predictions about an experience are far more likely to come true than positive predictions because negative thoughts are seven times more powerful than positive ones.

This means that to override any negative thought or expression you produce, it takes seven positive thoughts just to break even. Think about that.

A Poverty of Ambition

“Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself.”

–Barack Obama, Knox College Commencement Address 2005

Even after hearing the phrase “dream big” 3,297,391 times (or more) over the course of their life, most people still don’t get it.

“Don’t rock the boat.”

“Better safe than sorry.”

“A bird in the hand beats two in the bush.”

These timeless maxims are sage advice. When taken to the extreme, however, they create a certain poverty of ambition.

What The Ancient Egyptians Said About Public Speaking

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers the number one skill across the board that employers are looking for is the ability to communicate effectively.

Suggested Reading:

Public Speaking Tips
Soft Skills – Why all the fuss?

A Lesson On Mastering the Lesson

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”

—Frederick Douglass

Do you find that you struggle with the same things over and over again? If so, you haven’t mastered the lesson in the struggle.

You probably already know that in life, lessons repeat themselves until you…

Smart People vs. Wise People

Smart people learn from their mistakes; wise people learn from the mistakes of others. Learning from the mistakes and experiences of others will greatly accelerate your progress. It will also save you a boatload of time and money.

Suggested Reading:A Lesson on Mastering the Lesson