Word Salad and Words of Wisdom

Last week, a saw a friend on Facebook (shout-out to epic writer and editor Niki D’Andrea) note that she hated the saying “fake it until you make it.” Instead, she feels we should “take it until we make it,” meaning take advice, time and anything else you need to “make it” in your own way and on your own terms.

Her insight got me to thinking about sayings that drive me nuts as it relates to work, goals and life in general. Here is a look at some of that word salad:

“It is what it is.”

While this is likely meant to be about accepting what we cannot change, if certain people believed in this ideal, the world would look very different. Would there be cars, homes, food or even fire if we all just took this saying and lived with it? Those who defy this ideal are those who have helped change the world.

“Silence is golden.”

Again, I understand the general vibe of this saying is meant to remind folks that oftentimes, it is better to say nothing at all. And I do know the full saying is “speech is silver; silence is golden.” However, I’ve always believed that while silence is – in many cases – golden; often talk ain’t cheap either. By this I mean that you need to find the courage to voice your opinions and share your ideas when they are important to you, especially in collaborative environments.

“Good things come to those who wait.”

Certainly, patience is a virtue, but when working toward any goal in life, do not just sit back and wait for everything to happen.

Niki’s post also got me to thinking of famed sayings that I adore and apply to work and life all the time. A few of my favorites:

“You better work!”

RuPaul

“Either you run the day, or the day runs you.”

Jim Rohn

“I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.”

Thomas Jefferson 

“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”

Robert Louis Stevenson

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”

Thomas Edison

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.”

Henry Ford 

“The best way out is always through.”

Robert Frost

“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.”

Dalai Lama

“Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.”

Abraham Lincoln