While perusing my e-mail recently, a daily newsletter, Ragan’s PR Daily, from Lawrence Ragan Communications - a publisher of corporate communications, public relations, and leadership development newsletters - caught my eye. This newsletter featured an article, 6 Abraham Lincoln quotes to inspire communicators.
Being one of those people that truly enjoy reading collections of quotes, I immediately clicked through to the article. It was written by Hana Bieliauskas, a project manager in the Columbus, OH, office of CMA - a national public relations agency based in Kansas City, MO.
I found her article so interesting that I asked her if I could share her article, and she kindly agreed.
See if the six Lincoln quotes see highlighted don’t give you some inspiration:
1. "Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the ax.”
“Preparation is a key ingredient for success,” wrote Bieliauskas. “Careful planning and adequate preparation help to ensure a project goes smoothly.
“You won’t get far trying to sink a dull ax into a tree trunk - nor will you produce impressive results with a dull communications plan.”
2. “Reputation is like fine china: Once broken it's very hard to repair.”
It is important that PR people advise their clients to create a plan - before a crisis occurs - to minimize damage and protect reputations, she said.
3. “Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.”
“Once a goal is set,” Bieliauskas said, “a strategy must be formed to achieve it. Keep in mind: Setting realistic, measurable goals significantly increases the chances they will be reached in an effective, timely manner and will act as steppingstones to larger aspirations.”
4. “Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.”
Not every PR campaign will receive glowing reviews or win awards, and not everything a PR person does may get the credit they believe it deserves, penned Bieliauskas. “But those who continually strive to learn from mistakes and seek ways to improve performance will be successful.”
5. “Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality.”
Bieliauskas wrote that “expecting instant change or success the first time around with little effort will only lead to disappointment. Through hard work and dedication, promises made both to yourself and to others, will come to fruition.”
6. “Half-finished work generally proves to be labor lost.”
“Don’t scrap that project just because it’s got you mired in frustration,” she advised. “If you’re overwhelmed or unmotivated, call upon others for help. Discarding the project, as Lincoln said, is lost labor.”
What are you favorite Abraham Lincoln quotes?
