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Tag Tag Commitment
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred.
W. H. Murray The Scottish Himalayan Expedition · 1951

Quotes

“It is far easier to start something than it is to finish it.”

Amelia Earhart · 20 Hrs. 40 Min., 1928 · Primary source

“The world is a fine place and worth the fighting for and I hate very much to leave it.”

Ernest Hemingway · For Whom the Bell Tolls, 1940 · Primary source

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”

Steve Jobs · Stanford Commencement Address, 2005 · Primary source

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson · Circles, 1841 · Primary source

“Brick walls are there for a reason: they let us prove how badly we want things.”

Randy Pausch · Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams, 2007 · Primary source

“Effort is one of the things that gives meaning to life. Effort means that you care about something, that something is important to you and you are willing to work for it.”

Carol S. Dweck · Self-Theories, 2000 · Primary source

“A life which does not go into action is a failure.”

Arnold J. Toynbee · A Study of History, 1934-1961 · Primary source

“Remember that by saying yes—to projects, a course of action, or whatever—you are implicitiy saying no to something else. Each time you make a commitment, you forfeit your chance to commit to something else.”

Andrew S. Grove · High Output Management, 1983 · Primary source

“Hedging is expensive and dilutes commitment.”

Andrew S. Grove · Only the Paranoid Survive, 1996 · Primary source

“If you’re wrong, you will die. But most companies don’t die because they are wrong; most die because they don’t commit themselves. They fritter away their momentum and their valuable resources while attempting to make a decision. The greatest danger is in standing still.”

Andrew S. Grove · Only the Paranoid Survive, 1996 · Primary source

“Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Promises may get thee friends, but non-performance will turn them into enemies.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“I don’t want to be your friend, baby. I am your friend.”

Ernest Hemingway · A Farewell to Arms, 1929 · Primary source

“We can do anything we want as long as we stick to it long enough.”

Helen Keller · No reliable source

Works

W. H. Murray · 1951
The Scottish Himalayan Expedition

An account of a 1950 expedition to the Kumaon Himalaya, describing the exploration and climbing of several peaks by a small team of Scottish mountaineers.

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Related Tags

Decision-making 35 Purpose 31 Mortality 30 Perseverance 29 Action 23 Initiative 21 Trust 21 Self-discipline 19 Persistence 19 Effort 18 Friendship 16 Reputation 16 Achievement 15 Diligence 15 Failure 12 Reliability 12 Hope 12 Aspiration 12 Motivation 11 Agency 10 Sacrifice 10 Relationships 9 Companionship 8 Trade-offs 7 Adversity 7 Prioritisation 6 Resource allocation 6 Discernment 6 Marriage 6 Momentum 5 Tolerance 5 Determination 5 Exploration 5 Follow-through 4 Loyalty 4 Vocation 4 Opportunity cost 3 Decision 2 Creation 2 Competitive pressure 2 Enthusiasm 2 Obstacles 2 Dedication 2 Completion 1 Strategic focus 1 Organisational concentration 1 Strategic execution 1 Promises 1 Reassurance 1 Love of life 1 Meaningful work 1 Career satisfaction 1 Long-term effort 1 Personal values 1 Kumaon himalaya 1 1950 expedition 1 Himalayan travel 1