“Don’t practice until you get it right; practice until you can’t get it wrong”
"Don't practice until you get it right; practice until you can't get it wrong" (or "Amateurs practice until they can get it right; professionals practice until they…
“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt” (Special Olympics)
"Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt" is the official oath of the Special Olympics (athletic competitions for people with disabilities). The Special Olympics…
“Opportunity never knocks twice”
Entry in progress -- B.P. Google BooksThe Yale Book of QuotationsEdited by Fred R. ShapiroNew Haven, CT: YaleUniversity Press2006Pg. 617:"Opportunity never knocks twice."Chicago Daily…
“If money doesn’t grow on trees, why do banks have branches?”
"Money doesn't grow on trees" is a popular financial proverb from at least the early 19th century. "If money doesn't grow on trees, why do banks have so many…
“Why does a round pizza come in a square box?”
"Why does a round piza come in a square box" is a question that has been added to many lists of supposedly unanswerable (or "stupid") questions. A frequently given answer is…
“A boat is a hole in the water into which you pour money”
"A boat is a hole in the water into which you pour money" is a popular saying that has been printed on gift items, such as T-shirts and posters. "A yacht, they say, is a hole in the…
“Pay the farmer or pay the doctor”
"Pay the farmer or pay the doctor" means that one should eat healthy food (that costs a little more than processed food) and stay healthy, or one should pay the doctor after eating…
“When the tide goes out, the table is set” (seafood harvesting adage)
"When the tide goes/is out, the table is set" is a seafood harvesting adage popular in the Pacific northwest. Razor clams, clams, oysters, mussels, crabs, seaweed, limpets and other sea…
BLT (Bites, Licks and Tastes)
"BLT" usually refers to a BLT sandwich (bacon, lettuce and tomato). Dieting organizations such as Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig have another meaning for "BLT" -- bites, licks…
“You can’t wring your hands and roll up your sleeves at the same time”
"You can't wring your hands and roll up your sleeves at the same time" means that one can't despair ("wring your hands") and take action ("roll up your…
Founder’s Trap
"Founder's trap" describes a problem that many new companies experience. A founder might be able to handle most of the responsibilities of a small company, but that founder might be…
Founder’s Syndrome
"Founder's syndrome" is not a medical condition, but describes a problem that many new companies experience. A founder might be able to handle most of the responsibilities of a small…
Founder’s Disease
"Founder's disease" is not a medical condition, but describes a problem that many new companies experience. A founder might be able to handle most of the responsibilities of a small…
“Honesty is not only morally right, it’s also highly efficient”
"Honesty is not only morally right, it's also highly efficient" is a popular saying that has been printed on a sign. Randy Pausch (1960-2008), a professor at Carnegie Mellon…
“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way”
"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way" is a frequently used saying about leadership. H. Reginald Buckler (1840-1927) wrote in 1889: "And what is it to be…
“The difference between a boss and a leader: a boss says ‘Go!’ — a leader says ‘Let’s go!’”
The syndicated newspaper column "Office Cat by Junius" (Edgar Allan Moss of Marion, IN) published a list of sentences in November 1931 comparing a boss to a leader, titled "The…
“Consulting: If you’re not part of the solution, there’s good money in prolonging the problem”
“You’re either part of the solution or you’re part of the problem" is a famous 1968 quotation by writer and political activist Eldridge Cleaver (1935-1998). The line has been frequently…
Greedy One Percent (Grand Old Party or GOP nickname)
"Greedy One Percent" is a slogan that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts and buttons. The Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011 featured the slogan, "We are the…
“Republicans believe every day is the Fourth of July; Democrats believe every day is April 15th”
U.S. President Ronald Regan (1911-2004) said in September 1984, at Union-Endicaott High School (Endicott, NY): "The main difference between ourselves and the other side is: We see an America…
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that an airplane takes off against wind”
"The Country Parson" comic strip, by Frank A. Clark, from September 6, 1955, said: "When everything seems to be goin' against you, remember that the airplane takes off against…