I read these 4 quotes at different point of time in my life and through thick and thin these have stayed with me for a long time.
When I am alone, I like to reiterate the list of all the things I want to do. The books I want to read, the MOOCs I want to complete, the physical goals I want to achieve, the next PB record for my next run and so on.
Whenever I need to make a decision on any item on this list, these 4 quotes are my guiding posts.
Most men take more out of life than they give to it. A few give more to life than they take out of it. The world runs because of such men.
Subroto Bagchi
There is always something more to do, something more to achieve. Did a 5K? Time to do 10K. Did a half-marathon? Time to register for the next full-marathon. Completed 1 certification in your field? Time to look for the next one. Are you good at reading? Learn how to write well.
Always keep on learning. Complacency is the dream killer.
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
Robert A. Heinlein
The moment you start to identify yourself as a label like your job title, past accolades, etc. you stop looking for other things to do and opportunities to learn. Every single thing that you want to do and learn is available on the internet. Why settle for a specialization?
Winning is everything. The only person who remembers you when you come second are your wife and dog.
Damon Hill
I read this quote sometime after I lost the TT tournament finals at HSBC. If I had ingrained this philosophy before that, then I would have played with every joule of energy in my body. At that time, I just gave the game away. Got content that I reached the finals. Not good.
I will not be out-worked. The only thing that I see that is distinctly different about me is I’m not afraid to die on a treadmill. I will not be out-worked, period. … But if we get on the treadmill together, there’s two things: You’re getting off first, or I’m going to die.
Will Smith
I will let Will Smith explain this better.