Michelangelo on The Details

 

Trifles make perfection,
and perfection is no trifle.”

– Michelangelo (1475–1564)

Italian painter and sculptor

The story, 1820, slightly edited to modernize it.)…

A friend called on Michelangelo, who was finishing a statue. Sometime afterwards he called again. The sculptor was still at his work.

His friend looking at the figure exclaimed, “You have been idle since I saw you last.”

“By no means,” replied the sculptor, “I have retouched this part, and polished that. I have softened this feature, and brought out this muscle. I have given more expression to this lip, and more energy to this limb.”

“Well, well,” said his friend, “but all these are trifles.”

“It may be so,” replied Michelangelo, “but recollect that trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle.”

Leonardo on Avoiding Mediocrity

 

Iron rusts from disuse; stagnant water loses its purity and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigor
of the mind.”

– Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)

Italian painter, sculptor, and inventor

How are you kicking off your salesday?

Are you preparing your mind with solid thought, information, and support? Are you allowing the right radio or TV personalities to get you ready? The right news or material? The right people
at the office?

Be careful to what you give your attention. It all has an influence on you.

Leonardo on Pushing Through

 

“Obstacles cannot bend me.
Every obstacle yields to effort.

– Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519)
Italian painter, sculptor, and inventor

complainless: (adj.) 1. to be free of complaints 2. a pleasure to be around

Your words move others. Your words move you.

Let yours send everyone in the right direction.

Here’s how to be “ComplainLess”…

  • Be aware. Recognize your typical paths to complaining – what (who) sparks your tendency to gripe. Minimize your exposure to them (eliminating those ‘sparks’ altogether may not always be realistic or the best thing). Know that your grumbling is a complete waste of energy.
  • Be thankful. Regularly reflect on all the good in your life (people, opportunities, things). Understand and enjoy how lucky you really are. Be entitled to nothing.
  • Pause before you begin. Clip a complaint as you feel it coming. Put a smile or thoughtful statement in its path. Blame no one. Blame nothing.
  • Be accountable. Focus on solving problems rather than having them (especially with prospects and customers). Set the example for others and recommit when you slip. Care for yourself and create a positive habit.

Simple. More enjoyable for everyone.