There is no such thing as a “self-made” man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Helpfulness, Encouragement
It’s what each of us sows, and how, that gives us character and prestige. Seeds of kindness, goodwill, and human understanding, planted in fertile soil, spring up into deathless friendships, big deeds of worth, and a memory that will not soon fade out. We are all sowers of seeds-and let us never forget it.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Life
Every one of us, unconsciously, works out a personal philosophy of life, by which we are guided, inspired, and corrected, as time goes on. It is this philosophy by which we measure out our days, and by which we advertise to all about us the man, or woman, that we are…. It takes but a brief time to scent the life philosophy of anyone. It is defined in the conversation, in the look of the eye, and in the general mien of the person. It has no hiding place. It’s like the perfume of the flower-unseen, but known almost instantly. It is the possession of the successful, and the happy. And it can be greatly embellished by the absorption of ideas and experiences of the useful of this earth.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Philosophy
Nearly all our ills are the result of neglect in some way or other. And this truth may be said to apply to the ills of nations as well. Negligence is at the bottom of all decay. And decay always starts by showing little signs-or warnings. Then is the time to show interest and to be alert. There is nothing quite so easy as to neglect, and nothing quite so difficult as to repair that negligence. Negligence always carries a high price. It costs nothing to avoid it.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Problems
There is no such thing as a self-made man. We are made up of thousands of others. Every one who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Success
You can go to doctors until the last cow has been placed in its shed. You can journey the earth in search of peace of mind. You can experiment with a dozen theories, hoping for a relief from worries, or the problems which beset you, but unless you learn to relax you will end up disappointed. Tension is a killer! Just relax and note the immediate effect. One of peace and ease of mind. One in which every organ of the body joins. In relaxation there is unity of mind, body and spirit.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Leisure
One reason why men and women lose their heads so often is that they use them so little! It is the same with everything. If we have anything that is valuable, it must be put to some sort of use. If a man’s muscles are neglected, he soon has none, or rather none worth mentioning. The more the mind is used the more flexible it becomes, and the more it takes upon itself new interests.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Mind
Each day can be one of triumph if you keep up your interests.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Value of Time, Time Management, Work
There is a growing sentiment in America that regular saving should be ignored-that the government will take care of people and give them security when they get beyond a certain age or become old and unable to work, but it must be borne in mind that the people who earn and do save, take care of the government! Were it not for the thrifty and the willing workers, the government would be in a bad way.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Wealth
There is no more fascinating business in this world than that of selling. Without salesmen there would be little progress made. Selling is behind every successful enterprise of whatever character. Even a country has to have its salesmen. Character is the salesman’s stock in trade. It is he who must first sell himself. The product itself is secondary…. Truthfulness, enthusiasm, and patience are great assets to every salesman. Without them he could not go far. Courage and courtesy are essential equipment. Leave your prospective customer with a smile and he will welcome you on your next visit. Bear in mind to be always a salesMAN.
—George Matthew Adams
One reason why so many people are unhappy, not knowing why, is that they have burdened their minds with resentments. These evil thoughts pile right on top of happier and generous ones and smother them so that they never get expression. Resentments are a form of hate…. What a dearth of good will and co-operation there are among human beings and nations! What a world this would be if we all worked together, and as a popular diplomat recently expressed it-played together.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Envy
If we would keep filling our minds with the picture of happy things ahead, many worries and anxieties, and perhaps ill health, would naturally melt away … Always expect the best. Then if you have to hurdle a few tough problems, you will have generated the strength and courage to do so.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Managing Worries, Worry
That one who does not get fun and enjoyment out of every day in which he lives, needs to reorganize his life. And the sooner the better, for pure enjoyment throughout life has more to do with one’s happiness and efficiency than almost any other single element.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Relaxation, Enjoyment
In this life we get only those things for which we hunt, for which we strive, and for which we are willing to sacrifice. It is better to aim for something that you want-even though you miss it-than to get something that you didn’t aim to get, and which you don’t want! If we look long enough for what we want in life we are almost sure to find it, no matter what that objective may be.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Aspirations, Goals
What you think means more than anything else in your life.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Positive Attitudes, Optimism
No one can work and achieve efficiently with a pack of worries on his back. People who enjoy life and radiate their happiness fear nothing. Fear never has led, and never will lead, a man victoriously in any phase of life … . A cheerful frame of mind, reenforced by relaxation, which in itself banishes fatigue, is the medicine that puts all Ghosts of fear on the run! So, get fun out of what you do—and you will do much, and be glad that you are alive.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Anxiety, Relaxation, Fear, Worry
Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years… Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Christmas
One of the great arts in living is to learn the art of accurately appraising values. Everything that we think, that we earn, that we have given to us, that in any way touches our consciousness, has its own value. These values are apt to change with the mood, with time, or because of circumstances. We cannot safely tie to any material value. The values of all material possessions change continually, sometimes over night. Nothing of this nature has any permanent set value. The real values are those that stay by you, give you happiness and enrich you. They are the human values.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Values
There is a tendency among some businesses to criticize and belittle their competitors. This is a bad procedure. Praise them. Learn from them. There are times when you can co-operate with them to their advantage and to yours! Speak well of them and they will speak well of you. You can’t destroy good ideas. Take advantage of them.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Competition
We can accomplish almost anything within our ability if we but think that we can! Every great achievement in this world was first carefully thought out… Think-but to a purpose. Think constructively. Think as you read. Think as you listen. Think as you travel and your eyes reveal new situations. Think as you work daily at your desk, or in the field, or while strolling. Think to rise and improve your place in life. There can be no advancement or success without serious thought.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Success, Passion, Enthusiasm
Fortify yourself with a flock of friends! You can select them at random, write to one, dine with one, visit one, or take your problems to one. There is always at least one who will understand, inspire, and give you the lift you may need at the time.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Friendship
Each day of your life, as soon as you open your eyes in the morning, you can square away for a happy and successful day. It’s the mood and the purpose of the inception of each day that are the important facts in charting your course for the day. We can always square away for a fresh start, no matter what the past has been. It’s today that is the paramount problem always. Yesterday is but history.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Today
There are high spots in all of our lives and most of them have come about through encouragement from someone else. I don’t care how great, how famous or successful a man or woman may be, each hungers for applause.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Encouragement, Support
The organized person … makes the most of his time and goes to his bed for the night perfectly relaxed for rest and renewal.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Value of Time, Time Management
You are your greatest investment. The more you store in that mind of yours, the more you enrich your experience, the more people you meet, the more books you read, and the more places you visit, the greater is that investment in all that you are. Everything that you add to your peace of mind, and to your outlook upon life, is added capital that no one but yourself can dissipate.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Knowledge
If we had no regard for others’ feelings or fortune, we would grow cold and indifferent to life itself.
—George Matthew Adams
Topics: Service, Kindness, Giving
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