ARTICLE
I realized early in my career that I had some catching up to do. Given my lack of education, I knew I needed to grasp knowledge from every person and situation I encountered. So I made it a point to learn everything possible from some very bright and successful Lehigh Valley connections. Some are leaders of the business community, some are relatives and some are regular folks who unknowingly planted a seed of knowledge that would stick with me for a lifetime. Here are some quotes that I’ve recalled throughout my life and career. Some border on the comical, some are deeper, but all have affected my life. I hope they’ll make you smile. I also hope that maybe one or two will affect your thinking and add to your life. Lots of knowledge surrounds you. Keep your eyes open and your ears aware of what you may hear that will have a lasting impact. “You’re on the side of the angels.” — Elmer Gates, entrepreneur This one helped me so many times as a person whose confidence and resolve are shaken at times. Elmer knew that and would throw out this quote to keep me driving toward my goal with fewer doubts. Find a good mentor or two that you respect, and you’ll be surprised what they can bring to your life. If you really want to grow and learn, good people will see themselves in you and invest in your search for success. “I don’t care how you’re dressed, keep your shoes shined!” — Mary Iannelli My mom was about taking pride in your appearance. I suppose it came from my grandfather, who worked his whole life on the railroad but dressed like he was upper level management. My mom felt dirty shoes were a sign of poor character. Take pride in your appearance and others will view you differently. “The idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” — My Uncle Bobby, the iron worker I love this one. When I was in my late teens, my friends went off to college and I was left back home with way too much nonproductive time on my hands. For my personality, that was not a good thing. It wasn’t until I landed two jobs, one being on the assembly line at Mack Trucks, that my temporary funk and panic attacks stopped. Keep yourself busy and productive and keep hustling — you’ll for sure be in a better place for it. “Chum, are you reasonably happy?” — Charlie Patt, Realtor Charlie often would ask me this question. Charlie was a guy who accomplished much and was happy with his measure of success and life in general. He had a great business and a good life and being reasonably happy was enough. He wasn’t a “settle for little” kind of guy. He just recognized that reasonably happy was a good space to occupy and if you’re expecting a constant state of euphoria, it’s just not reality. “If you’re not educated, at least speak like you are.” — Kathryn Stephanoff, Allentown Public Library director Kathryn encouraged me to read and work to expand my vocabulary. I started doing crossword puzzles (with a cheat book, I may add) and it really increased my ability to converse with confidence. Well-versed people are viewed as just that: bright and articulate. Their ability to communicate is a huge asset. “Equity is precious.” — Elmer Gates Another “Elmerism.” Equity in business, in your property and in your life is a commodity. Work hard to build it and hang on to it for future generations. He made this point to me not only regarding business, but building loving relationships with friends and family. It takes time and energy, but the equity we build is precious and can bring much happiness and great security. “It’s OK to look back, just don’t stare.” — Buddy Lesavoy, Allentown attorney We’ve all made mistakes, and it’s good to recognize where and when we’ve fallen short. Acknowledge when we’ve messed up and then move on. Look back at lessons learned, but don’t stare at the negative past. Take inventory, acknowledge misdeeds and humbly move on. When you’re stuck in the past, you’re missing opportunity for the future. “Pursue excellence, not perfection.” — Me I’m big on this one because if we’re focused on perfection, we’re setting ourselves up for failure. Also, if perfection is the goal, we’ll stop taking chances for fear of failure. Some of the greatest success stories were preceded by failure or even multiple failures. You’re not perfect, but you can you can get pretty darn close. Remember that! I see life as a journey. I tell my daughters that in the end, 70 percent of life is pretty good, 20 percent is great and 10 percent is a rough ride. I hate to say it, but we learn the most during our tough times and they make the good times seem even better. So enjoy the ride. Shoot for great success, yet accept failure. In the end, life is short and most of what we worry about isn’t all that important after all. As the Bible states, don’t borrow sorrow from tomorrow, enjoy each day as it comes. To read the article, click here.
I realized early in my career that I had some catching up to do.
Given my lack of education, I knew I needed to grasp knowledge from every person and situation I encountered. So I made it a point to learn everything possible from some very bright and successful Lehigh Valley connections.
Some are leaders of the business community, some are relatives and some are regular folks who unknowingly planted a seed of knowledge that would stick with me for a lifetime.
Here are some quotes that I’ve recalled throughout my life and career. Some border on the comical, some are deeper, but all have affected my life.
I hope they’ll make you smile. I also hope that maybe one or two will affect your thinking and add to your life. Lots of knowledge surrounds you. Keep your eyes open and your ears aware of what you may hear that will have a lasting impact.
“You’re on the side of the angels.” — Elmer Gates, entrepreneur
This one helped me so many times as a person whose confidence and resolve are shaken at times. Elmer knew that and would throw out this quote to keep me driving toward my goal with fewer doubts. Find a good mentor or two that you respect, and you’ll be surprised what they can bring to your life. If you really want to grow and learn, good people will see themselves in you and invest in your search for success.
“I don’t care how you’re dressed, keep your shoes shined!” — Mary Iannelli
My mom was about taking pride in your appearance. I suppose it came from my grandfather, who worked his whole life on the railroad but dressed like he was upper level management. My mom felt dirty shoes were a sign of poor character. Take pride in your appearance and others will view you differently.
“The idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” — My Uncle Bobby, the iron worker
I love this one. When I was in my late teens, my friends went off to college and I was left back home with way too much nonproductive time on my hands. For my personality, that was not a good thing. It wasn’t until I landed two jobs, one being on the assembly line at Mack Trucks, that my temporary funk and panic attacks stopped. Keep yourself busy and productive and keep hustling — you’ll for sure be in a better place for it.
“Chum, are you reasonably happy?” — Charlie Patt, Realtor
Charlie often would ask me this question. Charlie was a guy who accomplished much and was happy with his measure of success and life in general. He had a great business and a good life and being reasonably happy was enough. He wasn’t a “settle for little” kind of guy. He just recognized that reasonably happy was a good space to occupy and if you’re expecting a constant state of euphoria, it’s just not reality.
“If you’re not educated, at least speak like you are.” — Kathryn Stephanoff, Allentown Public Library director
Kathryn encouraged me to read and work to expand my vocabulary. I started doing crossword puzzles (with a cheat book, I may add) and it really increased my ability to converse with confidence. Well-versed people are viewed as just that: bright and articulate. Their ability to communicate is a huge asset.
“Equity is precious.” — Elmer Gates
Another “Elmerism.” Equity in business, in your property and in your life is a commodity. Work hard to build it and hang on to it for future generations. He made this point to me not only regarding business, but building loving relationships with friends and family. It takes time and energy, but the equity we build is precious and can bring much happiness and great security.
“It’s OK to look back, just don’t stare.” — Buddy Lesavoy, Allentown attorney
We’ve all made mistakes, and it’s good to recognize where and when we’ve fallen short. Acknowledge when we’ve messed up and then move on. Look back at lessons learned, but don’t stare at the negative past. Take inventory, acknowledge misdeeds and humbly move on. When you’re stuck in the past, you’re missing opportunity for the future.
“Pursue excellence, not perfection.” — Me
I’m big on this one because if we’re focused on perfection, we’re setting ourselves up for failure. Also, if perfection is the goal, we’ll stop taking chances for fear of failure. Some of the greatest success stories were preceded by failure or even multiple failures. You’re not perfect, but you can you can get pretty darn close. Remember that!
I see life as a journey. I tell my daughters that in the end, 70 percent of life is pretty good, 20 percent is great and 10 percent is a rough ride. I hate to say it, but we learn the most during our tough times and they make the good times seem even better.
So enjoy the ride. Shoot for great success, yet accept failure. In the end, life is short and most of what we worry about isn’t all that important after all. As the Bible states, don’t borrow sorrow from tomorrow, enjoy each day as it comes. To read the article, click here.