Learn to take personal accountability for everything in your life = you making shit really happen in your life.
You’re in control of 100% of your life.
Yes, there are things that happen to you that you’re not in control of…
But no matter what you always control your reaction to them, and you control your mindset.
You decide if you are going to…
Play defense (complain).
Or
Ply offense (attack)
It’s no surprise that the humans that shape or worlds play offense!
-NG
The way you do it isn’t right. It also isn’t wrong.
The way you do it is the way YOU do it.
That’s because there is no RIGHT. Only right for YOU.
So don’t judge others for the way they do it, because that is THEIR right.
But more importantly, don’t judge yourself.
You’ll see someone that you look up to doing a Youtube video and WISH you could talk like that on camera, or you see an Instagram post and with you could take pictures like that…this silly list goes on and on.
Rest assured
You are doing it the right way for you…
IF YOU’RE DOING IT!
Don’t get caught measuring your success vs others, because it’s CREATIVE KRYPTONITE.
Nothing will stop you in your tracks faster than comparing your work to someone else’s.
Go do what’s right for you. And that’s going to take some testing, but you’ll never know until you do it!
Ready, set MAKE IT!
Love,
-NG
The other day I wrote post called Imaginary Enemies where I talked about loving negative stuff like “haters” holding you down.
I didn’t know this at the time of writing it, but “imaginary haters” is a thing!! When I googled it I found a tons of memes!
Now, I don’t happen to agree with all the memes, cause they are kind of mean!
But I do have larger opinions on this “haters” thing…
Anyone that says “Haters” are holding them back are people that want to have something special without working for it.
They’re talking about other people to distract you from the fact they aren’t doing anything.
There is no group of evil villains that twart your efforts to succeed.
You just don’t want to put in the work.
The poster child for this behavior is Johnny Manziel.
He wanted to be great, and he wanted to win and make an impact, but he didn’t want to practice. He didn’t want to watch film. He didn’t want to grind.
He wanted to Super Bowl Parade but didn’t want to have to work for it.
And guess what, he talked about haters too, and that means all he really wanted to do was TALK, TALK, TALK, and not do SHIT.
And in the end, he didn’t do anything but get labeled a BUST.
I’m not trying to be mean, promise.
I actually spent a large portion of my life talking about things others should do, or what someone else should do to improve my situation.
I never talked about haters, but I surely talked more than I took action. I woke up to this fact after attending an amazing self development seminar called the Landmark Forum.
It was a sobering realization that I wait for others to do things, and I don’t take action myself!
It caused me to be a complainer honestly.
So…
I’m writing this hoping that someone will read it and can wake up to the fact that they are being a coward.
Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is taking action is the presence of fear.
If you want to do it, go do it.
If you’re not going to go do it, then stop talking about it. (That’s a message to you and me both!)
It’s not the Haters you gotta worry about.
It’s using the “haters” as a scapegoat that holds so many back!
Go do what ever it is you’ve been talking about! Go accomplish something that you’ve been thinking about!
Take action today!
Love you 🙂
-NG
These inspirational quotes are going to be a bit different than what you would think.
It’s not going to be a bunch of RA-RA cheerleader stuff…hell no.
These quotes focus on building relationships that will raise performance and SHOW employees that you appreciate them. Not just some words that say it.
Let’s get right to it…
These quotes are INSPIRATIONAL in that the goal is to inspire the employees to think for themselves, solve problems, and exploit opportunities!
They are not about cheering people on…
I call that kind of feedback MOTIVATIONAL because you’re trying to motivate people to try harder.
To use these inspirational quotes, you need a few things to be set up already:
Let’s take a quick look at each of these…
Why do you want inspired employees and why do you want to show them appreciation?
If the answer is…
…then we’ve got bigger issues to tackle my friend!
So, listen closely…
There is no number of inspirational quotes to fix a dysfunctional relationship with an employee.
And fixing a strained relationship is the toughest work that a leader will ever have to do!
Before venturing any further I suggest you read this post. It’s about how impactful a leader’s words can be, for the better and for the worse!
When your relationships with your employees are all healthy, they begin to resemble more of a partnership.
If that describes your connection with your team, then we’re on the right track!
Before we talk about the inspiration quotes for employee appreciation, some food for thought…
If your employees aren’t motivated, you’re going to need more than some badass quotes.
Here’s why…
Motivation = The Desire to Try
Inspiration = Feeling or Seeing the Leader’s Vision
Maybe you do the hiring, maybe you don’t…but this BONUS QUOTE cuts to the bone:
“If you want motivated people you have to find them, not motivate them.”
Let’s break that down a tad…
Face it, you just can’t motivate someone.
I know, that’s not a very popular take, but it’s true, and here’s why…
It’s the employee’s responsibility to bring the motivation to you. This would mean they are SELF-MOTIVATED.
From there you can inspire, by helping them pinpoint their dreams and goals, and then pushing them to achieve those goals by teaching, training, holding them accountable, and following up on progress.
I actually have another BONUS QUOTE that I like to use to make this point…
“I’d rather inspire my varsity team to championships than motivate my JV team to try”
If they don’t want to try, you’re going to waste your time!
That’s why I say that leaders don’t motivate, they inspire.
OK one last thing…
Before we get to the list of inspirational quotes for employee appreciation, I’ve got one last thing that I want to touch on, and that is R E S P E C T.
(high five if you spelled that out like the song)…
How Much Do Your Employees Respect You?
People work for people.
That means when someone quits, they didn’t quit the company, THEY QUIT YOU. This is true 80% of the time.
Tough to hear? Find yourself getting defensive?
Sure, there are employees that quit that weren’t a good fit and are better off leaving, but a majority of them quit the leader, not the organization
More food for thought: That’s STILL the leader’s fault for hiring the wrong person!
Check out THIS oldie but goodie (which is actually the 1st thing I ever published to the internet!) about garnering more respect from your team.
OK, OK…And now, without further adieu…
The key to performance isn’t about trying push new conversations about strategy in, but rather clearing out the clutter. -Book: 3 Laws of Performance by Steve Zaffron and Dave Logan
This is one of my favorite quotes because in business, we almost always look to ADD when we want to affect performance, yet most often we need to REMOVE so we can focus on what’s important.
There are no bad teams, only bad leaders. -Jocko Willink
This one is in here because it’s all about ownership. If you have employees that feel under appreciated, or uninspired, you need to own up to your mistakes before you can move on. This is in direct correlation with the 1st quote, as that “clutter” COULD be gossip about you!
Notice the difference between asking ‘Can I do this?’ And, ‘How am I going to do this?’ -Book: Will it Make the Boat Go Faster? By Ben Hunt-Davis and Harriet Beveridge.
In both questions there is an unsure nature of how to start, but one comes with confidence and the other communicates doubt and fear.
Many people are more comfortable with old problems than with new solutions. -Charles H. Brower
This quote is perfect for a time when a teammate is complaining about a process and not adding any value to the situation.
Tough times don’t last forever. Tough people do. – Robert H. Schuller
Great quote for showing appreciation when an employee as working super hard, or the work gets super hard. (Busy season, corporate visit, high pressure deadline, etc.)
If it’s worth doing, then it’s worth doing wrong. What holds us back is fear of failure. Just try…go…fail, and then adjust!! -Joe Calloway
Joe wrote the book Be the Best at What Matters Most and it’s a book that I suggest. This quote means that if you’re going to screw up, do it with 100% conviction. I’d rather see an employee comitted to their dream and do it wrong, than do nothing at all.
Most people have a desire to look for the exception instead of a desire to be exceptional. -John Maxwell, 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership
One of the most important leadership books ever written, and a quote that speaks volumes. Most people would rather find the excuse or reason they failed instead of working to be a success.
No matter how bad things are, you can always make them worse.
This is a funny one because it’s a positive statement said in a negative way. It’s a great reminder that things really aren’t that bad, even when they seem desperate. Stop worrying and go fix it!
If you aren’t in over your head, then how do you know how tall you are? –T. S. Eliot
The reason I LOVE this quote so much is because I’m a hustler. I like a lot on my plate and when I’m not working like a maniac, then I ask for more. You can’t grow unless you’re pushed!
Your abilities say win. What does your attitude say? -Nick Glassett (me!)
Smart, driven, and talented means nothing when the person is negative and toxic!
The essence of competitive advantage is doing different things, and doing things differently. -Book: 3 Laws of Performance by Steve Zaffron and Dave Logan
This is a great reminder that when “they” zig, you’ve got to zag! And the second quote from this book (it’s that good of a read, I suggest it to all leaders!)
Short term easy means long term difficult and short term difficult means long term easy. -Book: Take The Stairs by Rory Vaden
This is a discipline quote. Do what’s easy now, and you’re going to have to kill yourself later to catch back up. Do what’s hard now, and you’ll be ahead of schedule.
Successful people do what others don’t want to do and they in turn get extraordinary results. -Book: Take The Stairs by Rory Vaden
Another one from Rory! I call this, The Winning Formula: Do the things that cause winning. Simple, but not easy. It’s the studying, the practice, the rehearsal, and the work that causes great things to happen.
Get good at being a trouble maker and saying sorry when you really screw up. –Book: 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
This may seem like an odd quote to tell your employees…after all, you don’t want trouble makers do you? I don’t just say yes, I say HELL YES. It’s an empowerment and a trust thing. Nothing communicates “I trust you” like this Tim Ferriss Quote.
Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage is taking action in the presence of fear. – David Cunningham, Landmark Forum Leader
I heard this when I did the incredibly powerful Landmark Forum, and I use it often. Anytime there is a situation that has one of my teammates nervous, this quotes causes action to take place (especially public sharing at a meeting).
Find the sense of who you are, then it will translate into an ease and confidence in how you come off to others. -Unsure of where I got this from
I firmly believe that when you help people be themselves, and not some “improved” or different version is when you truly get inspired action!
Change what you do so you can change how you feel. -Nick Glassett (me)
When people are failing, you would thing they would change what they are doing, but they don’t. Instead they double down and try harder instead of trying something else.
So there you have it, 17 of my favorite inspirational quotes for employee appreciation.
Many of them are different than your ordinary, optimistic, cheerleader stuff.
I hope you enjoyed it, and would love if you dropped a comment with your opinion and if you used any of these 🙂
Thanks,
-NG
“Positivity is a force multiplier”
I’ve embraced a lot of things in my life; Leadership, discipline, simplicity, passion…but they all just felt like tactics that I was attempting apply.
There was a certain “staying power” that was missing.
Tactic = a tip, an action, or a life hack
Values = a “religion”, a ritual, or a philosophy on life
The value that I’m going to talk on today is the power positivity and optimism.
The thing about positivity is that I couldn’t “fake it until I make it” last year no matter how hard I tried.
The positive mindset is not a tactic that can be applied. It’s a value that you have to FEEL and believe in.
Once I saw the power of it, and found my path to it, I was able to resolve 30+ years of residual negativity. From that, good things have happened over and over.
Call it Karma.
Call it God.
Call it “The Universe”.
Call it the Law of Attraction.
Whatever…
The thing is, it occurs differently to all of us, and we all take different paths to get there, but the over reaching effect that it will have on a person is incredible!
My path to positivity was trough people and work. I had to put my ego and reputation aside and go help others.
Being selfish by nature, this was not an easy thing to do! But when I said “to hell with what people say and think” I was able to go do what I wanted and created some truly special relationships.
All the tactics that I’d tried to enact just started happening naturally (leadership, discipline, etc).
All the books that I read, and all the things that I’d looked up that never “stuck” started to be automatic. Started to “just happen”.
I lost my value of “getting credit” and through that I found my path to positivity.
In my life I’d made true attempts at complaining less, acting more grateful, listening more, being a better person, etc etc etc.
But it was never a value. It was always a tactic that was being forced on top.
And we all know how well FORCING something generally turns out! 😉
Of course only you can find the answer to that, but I strongly recommend examining your ego and looking at what it’s doing to corrupt your plans at personal development.
Find your guiding light (karma, god, etc) and put your best efforts into achieving the goals that get you there.
Small hint, it’s going to involve helping people in some way, I promise!
Love you!
-NG
Lao Tzu was an ancient Chinese philosopher and writer, and has also has been referred to as Lao-Tze, and Laozi.
His given name was actually named Li Er. Laozi is a honorary title, which was romanized in many different ways leading to our name-confusion.
Either way, it’s all the same guy!
He is the author of the Tao Te Ching, the founder of philosophical Taoism….However, in the mid-twentieth century, an argument was made by scholars that the person known as Laozi is doubtful to have actually existed and that that the Tao Te Ching was “a compilation of Taoist sayings by many hands”.
Of course, many others argue the opposite, and there is actually no way to know for sure!
What we do know is, no matter what name he goes by, and whether or not he actually existed, there are some INCREDIBLE quotes that he’s credited for.
These quotes are all simple and elegant, but at the same time make you think about yourself and your own views in a very deep way.
When the best leader’s work is done the people say, ‘We did it ourselves.’ -Lao Tzu
If you do not change direction, you may end up where your are heading. -Lao Tzu
Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. -Lao Tzu
A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. -Lao Tzu
He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough. -Lao Tzu
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. -Lao Tzu
Great acts are made up of small deeds. -Lao Tzu
He who conquers others is strong; He who conquers himself is mighty. -Lao Tzu
The snow goose need not bathe to make itself white. Neither need you do anything but be yourself. -Lao Tzu
He who talks more is sooner exhausted. -Lao Tzu
Act without expectation. -Lao Tzu
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. -Lao Tzu
Sincere words are not fine; fine words are not sincere. -Lao Tzu
More quotes from Jocko Willink, Navy SEAL and all around badass
If you would take, you must first give, this is the beginning of intelligence. -Lao Tzu
Happiness is the absence of striving for happiness. -Lao Tzu
I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. -Lao Tzu
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving. -Lao Tzu
Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill. Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt. -Lao Tzu
To lead people, walk behind them. -Lao Tzu
The further one goes, the less one knows. -Lao Tzu
He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know. -Lao Tzu
When you accept yourself, the whole world accepts you. -Lao Tzu
Remind yourself daily, there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. -Lao Tzu
He, who tries to shine, dims his own light. -Lao Tzu
Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny. -Lao Tzu
13 Bad Ass Connor McGregor Quotes
-NG
John Maxwell is the undoubted leadership expert.
His timeless book, “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” has sold over 1 million copies!
The book’s well written stories guide you through the 21 laws and teach you how to apply each to your life. Along the way, there are many memorable quotes!
Here I have assembled…
“People don’t care what you know until they know what you care.”
“You can’t move people to action unless you first move them with emotion…. The heart comes before the head.”
“Leaders Who Attract Followers . . . Need to Be Needed.
Leaders Who Develop Leaders . . . Want to Be Succeeded”
“Attitude is one of the most contagious qualities a human being possesses.”
“Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course.”
“Always touch a person’s heart before you ask him for a hand.”
“It’s not the position that makes the leader; it’s the leader that makes the position.”
Reading The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership… John Maxwell says that “The true meaning of Leadership is Influence- Nothing More. Nothing Less!”….. If you don’t have influence, you will never be able to lead others ❤️… Wow! Time to reflect! Growth Mindset! pic.twitter.com/83IkRt7Kmi
— Sherese Nix (@sherese_nix) February 11, 2018
“Leadership is influence-nothing more, nothing less.”
“What is your personal plan for growth?”
“The bottom line in leadership isn’t how far we advance ourselves but how far we advance others.”
“What you attract is not determined by what you want. It’s determined by who you are.”
Check out our Chapter Summary of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership.
“To add growth, lead followers – To multiple, lead leaders.”
“Someday people will summarize your life in a single sentence. My advice: pick it now!”
“Improvement is impossible without change.”
“There are no Lone Range leaders. Think about it: if you’re alone, you’re not leading anybody are you?”
“Only you reach your potential as a leader do your people have a chance to read their potential.”
“Enlarging others makes you larger.”
Check out the complete 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership List.
“To push people down you have to go down with them.”
“Leaders always find a way to make things happen.”
-NG
Good morning D13!
We have come A LONG WAY this year. I’m proud of all the growth that we have had in one short quarter! We’re a whole new team from January to now, with more focus, higher performance, and MOMENTUM.
That being said, of course there is still more growth to be had. At the rate we’re going, we will be on top of the results in all categories by years end! But it’s only going to happen WHEN we have the conversations that we need to have with our teams…
Impact.
It’s really the largest part of our jobs.
When you took over your store, you had an immediate IMPACT on the numbers
It was from getting YOU on that sales floor for the first time
It was from the conversations that you had with the employees
Teaching. Coaching. Pushing.
Don’t underestimate the IMPACT that those words of yours have. You can make or break a teammates day. You can change the course of their entire life with just your words.
They look up to you, and they look to you for guidance.
Today, show the impact that you can have by getting the team fired up, and out on the sales floor doing the things they need to do!
Keep it simple, make it fun, help them be themselves 🙂
Thanks!
NG13
“Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
We all know that saying…but what I offer you to consider is that Rome didn’t FALL in a day either.
There was a specific day where the city of Rome was sacked by the Visigoths (August 24th 410 ad), but it didn’t go from world power to conquered by barbarians in one day.
It began to fall hundreds of years before it was sacked…
One small decision here.
One little change there.
An outbreak of disease…etc
The culture began to change, and it OPENED UP THE OPPORTUNITY for it to be conquered.
Life is just like ancient Rome.
Impressive accomplishments DO NOT happen in a day. It takes time and effort to do something special.
Life also falls apart just like Rome did.
We don’t just wake up one day covered in rust, with no ambition and no drive.
It starts YEARS before as one decision, on one day, in one moment. And then it starts to repeat…
A small slip up here.
A little “lazy” showing up over there.
An erosion of focus over time…
And then we begin to cut corners. Life changes as our conviction changes.
Our Rome begins to fall so slowly that we don’t even notice it at first.
And then we start to feel like our mindset has changed…
And then we start to see that our behavior has changed…a tiny bit
And we say to ourselves something like, “Hey, I need to get back to doing THINGS like I used to!”
But it’s not a THINGS problem…
It’s a MINDSET problem.
Pay attention, because…
Every single second counts. EVERY. SINGLE. SECOND.
Those quick little seconds turn into minutes. And minutes turn into hours. And hours turn into YEARS. And then all the sudden you’re in a place that you never imagined being and you have no idea how you got there or what happened.
Every second of every day is precious. Because in these tiny little seconds we are either building or decaying.
We are either moving towards conquering goals, or we are losing ground…
So…make every second count, and guard that mindset that help you build your “Rome” with every bit of energy you have.
-NG
