OK – so I may have more than 10, but let’s just start with these, maybe I will add more in the future.  So here are some quotes, sayings, and passages that continue to influence me in one way or another:

- The first thing you learn about something is what it can’t do.

            I heard this said about a new computer or gadget or something – but the message was that you quickly would realize its limitations, but after some time and effort you would appreciate what it could do.  So the point is not to be easily and quickly disappointed, but to dig deeper to find true value.  Engineers are often faced with problems but need to find clever ways to make the most of what is available.

- You don’t forget people’s names – you just never learn them

            Many people say that they are bad at remembering names (or remembering anything!), but really if they analyze it they really never learn the name.  Techniques such as repeating the name several time, or even writing it down should help.  Often too it may be that you just didn’t hear or understand the name -  so ask for it to be repeated. Remembering and using a person’s name is very important to that person, so this can help you in many aspects of life.

- “Do or do not – there is no try”   Yoda (Star Wars)

            Plan to succeed.  Do what you can to make sure that you succeed.  To start something half-hearted is really just dooming it to failure.  So if you want to be a licensed professional engineer – take all the steps necessary – and do them 100%.  Prepare, study, and do all you can to give you the edge to achieve your goal.

 

- ACHIEVEMENT:  You can do anything you set your mind to when you have vision, determination, and an endless supply of expendable labor.

            So this is one of the sayings from the folks at Despair, Inc.  Often just having a great idea and really wanting something isn’t enough.  Help is often needed.  Sometimes that comes from others – family, friends, others with a common interest – who volunteer their time and energies for your cause.  It is truly amazing to see what a volunteer work-force can accomplish.

- Do one thing each day that you don’t want to do

            Credit goes to Mark Twain for this thought.  The idea here is that by doing something each day that you don’t want to do you will not procrastinate in doing what needs to be done (but which may not be very enjoyable).  Procrastination (for some) really saps the accomplishment from their lives.  By getting things done – even small things – can really result in big successes.  Engineers often like to dive into interesting parts of their work to the neglect of other aspects of the overall task.  By doing at least some small part of the undesirable tasks each day can enable the entire project to move along.

- STAR TREK:  The Kobayashi Maru

Saavik: Admiral, may I ask you a question?

Kirk: What’s on your mind, Lieutenant?

Saavik: The Kobayashi Maru, sir.

Kirk: Are you asking me if we’re playing out that scenario now?

Saavik: On the test, sir… will you tell me what you did? I would really like to know.

McCoy: Lieutenant, you are looking at the only Starfleet cadet who ever beat the no-win scenario.

Saavik: How?

Kirk: I reprogrammed the simulation so it was possible to rescue the ship.

Saavik: What?

David Marcus: He cheated.

Kirk: I changed the conditions of the test; got a commendation for original thinking. I don’t like to lose.

Saavik: Then you never faced that situation… faced death.

Kirk: I don’t believe in the no-win scenario.

OK – so this is more than just a quote – but it was all needed to make sense.  The point here is to look at problems from multiple angles – there is almost always another way to do things.  Engineers often solve problems in new ways, using new technologies, or by pushing materials to new limits.  Engineers often work multi-dimensional problems – where cost and staff resources are as much an issue as the technology.

- There is more happiness in giving than in receiving

            Of course much has been written and spoken about this – but it really is true.  Just try it!

- “Maybe I shouldn’t have eaten that packet of gravy I found in the parking lot.” – Homer Simpson

            At the time – a lot of things seem like a good idea.  However, for best results – think of the big picture – the long-term impacts.  Also, be honest with yourself – “maybe” leaves room for doubt, and the possibility of repeating a bad choice.

- In any enterprise, your perspiration will be inversely proportional to your preparation. – Scott Sorrell

            There are many sayings & quotes that convey this thought: Preparation is vital to success.  The more you experience examples of this the more you become convinced how vital preparation really is.  One should really look for ways to prepare for the future, even if one is unsure what the future will bring.  An engineer should continue to learn and train to keep up-to-date and maintain usable skills. 

- The conclusion of the matter, everything having been heard, is: Fear the [true] God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole [obligation] of man. (The Bible:  Ecclesiastes 12:13)

      So have you ever asked yourself, “Why Are We Here?”  Nobel Prize winner and Nazi Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel once called that question “the most important question a human being has to face.”  British historian Arnold Toynbee attempted to identify life’s meaning when he wrote: “Man’s true end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him for ever.”  Over three thousand years ago, another man, King Solomon, who was noted for being a keen observer of life, had already identified the fundamental answer. He said the quote above.

      So why are we here? One can find true meaning and lasting happiness in life by doing God’s will.

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