I've never been a fan of generic quotes in a business sense. I find that they are often given inflated importance based on who said them, rather than their reasoning or context itself. (eg the usual references to Mr. Jobs or Mr. Musk)
However, these are three quotes that I discovered about 2-3 years ago and have stuck with me ever since. The best part is, I don't know who said them, and I don't mind because they resonate with me and how I want to think and live:
“You can’t change the past but worry about the future will ruin the present”
- I have never dwelled on the past, but for the last 10 years, I have constantly been planning my next step, whether it's in my career or personal life.
- Moving into a "Strategy" role has made me even more self-justified in this mindset. It's only been in the last 6-12 months that I have been living by this quote more.
- I always believed that my future planning was a positive trait and showed that I was proactive, but it wasn't until I read this quote and started reflecting on it more that I realized it was driven more by worry or anxiety rather than a genuine desire to stay ahead of things.
- Finally, having a child has made me realize the importance of being present. My child will be turning 1 in a few weeks, and this past year has gone by so quickly. Before I know it, he will be starting school!
- Have a plan, but make it broader and more vague. Align it with a longer-term vision rather than a specific plan.
Go faster alone, go further together
- What I like about this is that it focuses on choosing one approach over the other. Sometimes, it is better to work independently and accomplish tasks much faster.
- From my experience, our business now operates at a slower pace compared to four years ago. Initially, I disliked this change, but this quote serves as a reminder that it is because we are now focused on bigger and more impactful initiatives. In the past, we were primarily reactive and constantly dealing with urgent matters.
2 ways to get ‘wealthy’: get everything you want, want everything you have.
- In a business setting, whether it's a career or running a business, it's easy to get caught up in focusing on what's next and not appreciating what you currently have. In reality, it's often seen as a lack of ambition to simply say, "I'm happy with where I am right now.”
- It is easy for this mindset to start spilling over into your personal life. What's the next house look like? The next car? The next materialistic product?
- Once you reach a certain level of basic needs, such as having a house big enough to support your family or living in a safe environment, it is important to learn to control the desire for more. It is not healthy to constantly live life wanting the next big thing or allowing your lifestyle to grow inline with your income. Instead, try to appreciate and be grateful for what you already have, including the little things.
- I'm currently reading a fiction book called "A Gentleman in Moscow" which explores the premise of whether a life stripped of luxury can be the richest of all.” if you want more on this topic sign up to https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/jadebonacolta/ newsletter.
These three quotes have deeply impacted my thinking and lifestyle. They provide valuable insights and lessons that resonate with me.
The first quote reminds me to live in the present moment and be more present, rather than being consumed by future worries. It reminds me the importance of enjoying the journey instead of constantly striving for what's next.
The second quote emphasises the power of collaboration and teamwork. While individual progress is important, working together can lead to greater achievements. It has taught me to value collective efforts and understand that we can accomplish more as a team. Yet, individual work is still valuable and needed for speed.
The third quote challenges the traditional definition of wealth and encourages us to appreciate what we already have. It reminds us to find contentment in the present and not get caught up in the pursuit of material possessions. It has shifted my perspective towards gratitude and embracing life's simple joys.
