Most people have at least one favorite quotation from a famous or not-so-famous person. Some people collect them like baseball cards, figurines or classic cars. You can find hundreds of websites featuring quotations, thousands of sites with a favorite quotes page, and many collections in any bookstore you walk into. All of this proves that quotations are popular. What may be less evident to you is exactly how you can use them to improve you life and your results.
Below is a list of eleven ways you can do just that!
Use when journaling. My Grandmother kept a diary, and so does my mother. Fewer people call them diaries now, and more call them journals. It really doesn't matter what you call them. If you spend time writing each day, you can use a quotation to relate to your activities for the day, record what you have been thinking about, or to help you with your writing in general.
Share at work. You can use quotations whether you are the boss or anyone on the team. Post a new quote on your door, on the bulletin board in the coffee room, or send out in an email. If you pick quotes that are relevant to the work of the group and are positive in nature, you won't believe what an impact they can have ? and how much people will miss them if you don't keep posting new ones!
Share with clients. Use quotations as a way of keeping in touch with clients. When you read a great quotation that you think a client would enjoy, send it off to them with a quick note. This is both thoughtful and thought provoking (and keeps you in the mind of the client too).
Share with yourself. When you find a particularly powerful quotation with specific meaning to you, put it where you can see it! Put a copy on your mirror, on the side of your computer monitor, on your refrigerator or anywhere else you will see it and read it often. Instead of turning on the radio, think about a quotation you've recently read and how it applies to you.
Use in your email. I know I mentioned email in the last tip, but here I am talking about putting a quotation in your signature line. Most all email programs allow you to create a standard message at the bottom of every email that includes your name, contact information and anything else you would like to include. Consider using a quotation that is thought provoking, funny, or that expresses a personal belief or value. This way without any extra effort you can be giving others the opportunity to think about your quotation, and differentiating yourself from the crowd at the same time.
Use in speeches and presentations. Many people give speeches, talks, training, or presentations of some kind. Using a wise quotation from someone else can add credibility to your message, help you persuade others (after all that is what Ben Franklin or Winston Churchill or Gandhi said, not you!), and show that you are well prepared. Beyond these benefits, the right quotation can help you build your talk more effectively, by giving you a focus to build from.
Use in writing. We've talked about journals, which are for ourselves. But many people write for others to read. Whether an article in the church newsletter, a letter to the editor, or your Great American novel, quotations can help you get your point across more clearly and beautifully. Quotations can also be helpful with "writers block," giving you great spurs to help you get your ideas flowing.
Use when you meditate. Perhaps you meditate, pray or spend quiet time reflecting on your day. If you do, you may read something as a part of that activity. Quotations can be used as a seed for your thoughts or "mental conversation" during this time. Other people would like to be more proactive in building this habit. Quotations can be even more valuable to the "newcomer" as it helps give them mental food for their reflection.
Commit them to memory. You can use quotations as a way to exercise your brain! Pick a quotation you love and commit it to memory. Then, you will be able to use it whenever you want ? for yourself or while in conversation with others.
Use as an attitude adjustment. Having powerful, positive, proactive thoughts around can be a great way to adjust your attitude at anytime!
So, the next time you read a great quotation, do more than just think it is it very good -- decide to use one of the ten ideas above to help the wisdom of the quotation benefit you and those around you.
Kevin is Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group (http://kevineikenberry.com), a learning consulting company that helps Clients reach their potential through a variety of training, consulting and speaking services. Kevin publishes Powerquotes Plus (http://kevineikenberry.com), a daily ezine which includes inspiring quotations, questions to ponder and actions to consider designed to help you start your day in a more positive and proactive way.
shuttle to Midway Beardstown .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare1. Combine Emotion and LogicConsumers buy because the want to... Read More
If you're a beginner, starting a website doesn't have to... Read More
Do you know exactly what actions you need to do... Read More
Getting focused on what you want to achieve and creating... Read More
Did you know that there is one critical difference between... Read More
Always include a powerful signature on every email you send... Read More
Are you not sure what Business to buy? Need to... Read More
In Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen's original "Chicken Soup... Read More
'Tis the season to give. And finding the right gift... Read More
Rut -- a routine procedure, situation, or way... Read More
The 9-to-5 grind can make you feel like a just... Read More
1. Focus on the other Being known as a... Read More
10. Procrastination Condemnation - Lose the Labels! All those things... Read More
Do you want to be #1-10 on Google and other... Read More
We've heard numerous success stories of Internet entrepreneurs like Jeff... Read More
Please don't think I am calling you a "moron" to... Read More
In building and runnng an independent private practice or small... Read More
How do you focus on your urgent e-mail and organize... Read More
The 2004 election is over--at least in the minds of... Read More
Advertising executive Alex F. Osborne first coined the word "brainstorming"... Read More
Do you find great joy in being a coach? If... Read More
1. Locks and Padlocks ? Locks on all outside entrances... Read More
If you've been thinking of starting a business on the... Read More
Millions of people start new small businesses in the United... Read More
Ever lost a sale you thought was in the bag?... Read More
Green Bay Hummer H2 SUV rentals ..Proofreading may not be terribly fun, but it's one of... Read More
Please don't think I am calling you a "moron" to... Read More
One way links will help you gain better rankings in... Read More
You're busy with your business today, aren't you?You're pushing your... Read More
While some new business owners face the issue of not... Read More
For most business owners and entrepreneurs, preparing, and communicating the... Read More
1. Focus on the other Being known as a... Read More
Clarity is an absolutely essential ingredient for you to achieve... Read More
1. Maintain regular working hours and stick to them.2. Get... Read More
'Tis the season to give. And finding the right gift... Read More
1.) Brainstorming for an idea - You must select what... Read More
Seven Reasons Why Training Doesn't Produce the Desired Results and... Read More
Buckling under the weight of chronic corporate restructuring, and frustrated... Read More
What is Choice Theory (CT)? CT is a theory of... Read More
So many people I worked with said they got more... Read More
Most people have at least one favorite quotation from a... Read More
Do you want to be #1-10 on Google and other... Read More
What is a niche business? A niche business is one... Read More
Counselling non-performing team members is a tough part of any... Read More
Are you scratching your head after business events wondering why... Read More
If you've been thinking of starting a business on the... Read More
Which one are you? An effective IT project manager, able... Read More
You have seen their ads and you may have wondered... Read More
Here are some simple tips to help you improve your... Read More
How much is your data worth to you? In this... Read More
Top Quick Tips |