Over the years, I’ve been treated to lots of advice, encouragement, and random observations.
Some were good. Some were dreck. And some were so extraordinarily insightful or clever that I saved them on my phone as quotes and pull them up whenever I need a shot of confidence, a quick laugh, or both.
Here are some of the most memorable ones. For the hell of it, I’ve added a few of my own at the bottom.
Table of Contents (Click to Embiggen)
Advice Others Have Given Me
My friend Mike, the menschiest mensch who ever menched, shows up quite a bit here.
“When you’re not the smartest person in the room, listen. When you are the smartest person, speak up.”
My brother-in-law’s partner
On how to navigate board meetings with people who seem intimidating (and, more often than not, turn out to be clueless jackasses)
“Don’t let fear get in the way of happiness.”
My friend Mike
On thinking about what can go right, not what can go wrong.
“I’ve been telling you for years that you are incredibly talented and creative. You just need to have the confidence to share it with the world. Your voice has power.”
My friend Mike
On not second-guessing myself
“You give good advice. You know what I wish? You’d take it once in a while.”
My friend Mike
On being compassionate to myself as much as I am to others
“You can’t litigate the past.”
My friend James
On not expending energy on things you can’t change (and using it to work on the things you can)
“Dude, it’s normal to want to be normal.”
Brian, an industry colleague
On not feeling too guilty about things going well when others are struggling
General Observations
“Too much media, too little news.”
My dad
On the decline of journalism
“You can insert a ‘hey’ into any song.”
My dad
On music
“You can meow every song.”
The Complimentary Spouse
One-upping my dad’s quote about music
“Things seem farther away when you don’t know where they are.”
The Complimentary Spouse
On distance, literally and figuratively
“I pity the customer service agent who does not accommodate you.”
The Complimentary Spouse
On my ability to transform into a Karen, which typically happens when I’ve been transferred more than twice on a customer service call
Food and Drink
“Every food can be turned into a sandwich.”
My dad
Who can prove this is even true of soup
“The four food groups are:
- Mexican
- Crunchy
- Beer
- Diet Coke”
My brother’s father-in-law
On the food pyramid
“Beer is the color of happy.”
My cousin
Unprompted, over drinks
“I Often Quote Myself. It Adds Spice to My Conversation.”
The quote above is from George Bernard Shaw. The ones below are from me.
“It ain’t libel if it’s true.”
Me
On calling it like it is
“Any bad experience that doesn’t kill, maim, or emotionally scar you will eventually become a great story.”
Me
On travel—and life in general