You are the captain of your own ship; don't let anyone else take the wheel. Michael Josephson More Quotes by Michael Josephson More Quotes From Michael Josephson It's easier to make a good person better than to make a bad person good. Michael Josephson good-person easier character Expressed gratitude encourages further giving; ingratitude drains vitality out of the spirit of generosity. Michael Josephson generosity gratitude giving Success comes in cans. Failures comes in can'ts. Michael Josephson A certain formula for an unhappy life is pursue someone else's definition of success. Until you define your own goals and purposes your life is not your own and there can be no sense of fulfillment no matter how much you achieve. Michael Josephson unhappy goal happy-life The key to success is effort. The bigger the goal, the greater the effort. Michael Josephson effort keys goal Ordinary people, even weak people, can do extraordinary things through temporary courage generated by a situation. But the person of character does not need the situation to generate his courage. It is a part of his being and a standard approach to all life's challenges. Michael Josephson inspirational character people No one is born with good character; it's not a hereditary trait. And it isn't determined by a single noble act. Character is established by conscientious adherence to moral values, not by lofty rhetoric or good intentions. Michael Josephson adherence noble character Ethics doesn't require us to ignore our self-interests or demand a life of self-sacrifice. It requires that we know the difference between what we want and what we should do Michael Josephson sacrifice differences self There are two sure ways to fail: never get started and quit before you succeed. Many companies promote the language of risk-taking and innovation but are so concerned with short term profit goals that their culture discourages innovation (trying new things) and abandons promising projects too soon. It shouldn't require exceptional moral courage to try new things and stick with them. Michael Josephson risk goal two The only force that can sustain true and consistent courage is some form of spiritual belief that values like honor, duty, loyalty and integrity above the status, power, money and even security. Michael Josephson loyalty spiritual integrity What will matter is not your competence, but your character. What will matter is not how many people you knew but how many will feel a lasting loss when you are gone. What will matter is how long you will be remembered, by who and for what? Michael Josephson loss character long Never underestimate the power of temptation to disarm your better senses. Throughout the ages good people surrendered their honor for the empty promise that wealth or power would bring fulfillment and their dignity, good name and self-esteem for the passing pleasures of sex and drugs. Michael Josephson self-esteem names sex At home, be grateful. At work, be appreciative. Gratitude is a gift we give ourselves. Appreciation is a gift we give to others. Michael Josephson gratitude grateful appreciation Success or failure can only be measured in terms of a particular objective. The success of a person whose life objective is money or status will look very different than the success of one who sets out to make a positive difference in the world. Michael Josephson differences different looks There is within you, waiting to be called, a great source of power called courage. Call its name and it will give you the strength to confront challenges despite fear and to continue and the heart to continue with bold confidence despite the pain of caused by tragedy. Michael Josephson pain names heart America is a song that sounds the best when we all sing together - at least for a while. Michael Josephson together song america If one insists on calling all unsuccessful efforts failures the meaning of failure is really quite benign. When trying anything new or taking on any challenge, unsuccessful efforts are an essential aspect of skill building. Michael Josephson effort skills challenges Good intentions are simply not enough. Our character is defined and our lives are determined not by what we want, say or think, but by what we do. Michael Josephson want character thinking The opposite of success is not failure. Unsuccessful efforts are not failures unless they so discourage you that you abandon further efforts to achieve your goal. Even then, the venture or effort may be a failure but you are not. Failure is an event not a character trait. Michael Josephson goal opposites character There is no objective criteria for either success or failure. People who achieve their goals are successful, those who don't are not. Michael Josephson goal successful people
