11 Phrases Intelligent People Say Every Day (and So Should You)

One of the most paralyzing fears is fear of the unknown. Yet nothing ever turns out to be as hard or as scary as we think. Plus, it’s incredibly exciting to overcome a fear. 

You get that “I can’t believe I just did that!” rush, a thrill you may not have experienced for a long time.

Every day we let hesitation and uncertainty stop us from acting on our ideas. Pick one plan, one goal, or one idea. And get started. Just take one small step.

The first step is by far the hardest. Every successive step will be a lot easier.

Sometimes you're not talking because the other person is interested in what you have to say, but because you're interested in what you have to say.

Never speak just to please yourself. When you do, you please no one.

Most of the time, we should worry about what other people think — but not if it stands in the way of living the lives we really want to live.

If you really want to start a business but you’re worried that people might say you’re crazy, do it anyway. Pick one thing you haven’t tried because you’re concerned about what other people think or say, and just go do it.

One of the best ways to motivate some people is to manufacture a way to feel insulted, regardless of whether they're actually justified in feeling that way or not.

“Justified” is not the point. Fueling your motivation to do whatever it takes to prove that person wrong, and, more important, to achieve what you want to achieve, is all that matters.

Yes, you get only one chance to make a first impression. 

Unfortunately, no product or service is ever perfect, and no project or initiative is perfectly planned. Work hard, do great work, and let it go. Your customers and colleagues will tell you what needs to be improved, and that means you’ll get to make improvements that actually matter to people.

You can’t accomplish anything until you let go. Do your best, let go, and then trust that you’ll work hard to overcome any shortcomings.

Successful people don’t expect to be perfect, but they do think they can always be better.

So think back on your day. Think about what went well. Then think about what didn’t go as well as it could have and take ownership. Take responsibility.

Some jobs require more effort than skill. Delivering packages, bagging groceries, checking out customers — the tasks themselves are relatively easy. The difference is in the effort.

So do more than say a reflexive “thanks” to someone who does a thankless job. Smile. Make eye contact. Exchange a kind word.

All around you are people who work hard with little or no recognition. Vow to be the person who recognizes at least one of them every day.

Like Jimmy Spithill, skipper of America’s Cup-winning Team Oracle USA, says, “Rarely have I seen a situation where doing less than the other guy is a good strategy.”

You may not be as experienced, as well funded, as well connected, or as talented, but you can always outthink, outhustle, and outwork everyone else.