INTRODUCTION

FRESHLY SQUEEZED QUOTES

200 Fresh Motivational and Inspirational Quotes

Freshly Squeezed Quotes is a collection of 200 fresh and original quotes covering topics such as success, dreaming big, perseverance, taking action, work, failure, fear, happiness, personal growth and friendship.

The quotes will motivate and inspire you to reach a higher potential in both your life and your career, inspire you to take action in pursuing your dreams, give you hope and lift you up, help you to dream bigger and encourage you to make a difference in your life and other people’s lives.

The quotes contain tips and ideas to improve your everyday life. They balance a mixture of being realistic, critical thinking, planning and having hope and belief because all these are essential ingredients in the journey towards success in your life and your career.

Read the 200 quotes as often as you can and add your own insights and experiences as well to get maximum value from the quotes. Identify which way works for you. When you learn and apply something that is of value to you please share it with others.

All the quotes in this eBook were written by Duncan Muguku, Founder, ThriveYard.com

ThriveYard is a career website that provides in-depth career success articles, videos, slides and infographics to help people get jobs, love their jobs and also grow and succeed in their careers.

I am excited to share the information in this eBook to help someone succeed. Please enjoy and have a fun time reading the quotes and feel free to share them.

Warm regards,

Duncan Muguku

Founder, ThriveYard

Author: Freshly Squeezed Quotes & Starting Strong, Finishing Strong

www.ThriveYard.com

I. SUCCESS QUOTES

1

Success is reaching a predetermined goal and accomplishing something that is of value or important to you or others which you had set out to do in the past.

― Duncan Muguku

2.

You are the only person who intimately knows what you want to accomplish in life and what kind of achievement will have the greatest meaning, fulfillment and impact in your life.

― Duncan Muguku

3.

The first step towards achieving your success is having a strong reason why you want to succeed.

― Duncan Muguku

4.

Success is the desire, aspiration and drive to do something meaningful, important, significant, valuable or substantial that has an impact on your life and other people.

― Duncan Muguku

5.

Success is not a one-off or overnight activity or event; instead it is a continuous process where the goal is to always keep getting better each day.

― Duncan Muguku

6.

Rarely will you achieve your success in one single shot; there will be many hits and misses. Be willing to endure a zig zag path. The goal is on average to end up with more hits than misses.

― Duncan Muguku

7.

If you can define your success, you can also redefine it.

 ― Duncan Muguku

8.

You have to fight for your success. It will not be handed to you. Prepare to go to the battlefield of success with a made up mind full of focus with images of winning the battle firmly imprinted on your mind. 

― Duncan Muguku

9.

Aim to be the very best success that you possibly can be based on your success definition. Be the very best at what you do and know why you do what you do. 

― Duncan Muguku

10.

Your definition of success should be a source of motivation and energize you to get started and keep working on your success journey.

 ― Duncan Muguku

11.

The first step towards being successful is to define in your own terms what success means to you. 

― Duncan Muguku

12.

Everyone's path to success is different. Choose the best combination of steps that works for you. For some, success will take a short time, for others it might take a bit longer.

― Duncan Muguku

13.

Success takes time, energy, sacrifice, passionate desire to succeed and a strong resolve to win. There will be mistakes and failure along the way, mistakes and failures are the bridges you cross on your way to success.

― Duncan Muguku

14.

As a successful person you should teach others about your failures and mistakes. Don’t just poke holes on other people’s dreams. Don’t become a "professional balloon buster" someone who is skillful at blowing the air out of other people's dreams.

― Duncan Muguku

15.

It is very exciting, encouraging and heart-warming to see others succeeding in their calling and talents.

― Duncan Muguku

16.

Success should not necessarily be in one single thing in your life it can also be a few specific areas or things that you want to pursue and accomplish.

― Duncan Muguku

17

Success stems from living a life where you truly gave it your all and worked on attaining the greatest good for yourself and other people.

 ― Duncan Muguku

18

Your success is determined by what you decide to do today. What you decide to do today determines your success.

 ― Duncan Muguku

19

Your urge to succeed will keep you going when nobody else believes in you. It is that gut instinct that will strengthen you and keep you in the race when you feel tempted to give up.

 ― Duncan Muguku

20

Important ingredients of success include improving our contribution to the people and environment that surrounds us

. ― Duncan Muguku

21

To keep you focused on your journey towards success you need to have a captivating and exciting reason to keep moving forward every day. This excitement should ignite your spark plugs and provide the power to chug along.

 ― Duncan Muguku

22

You don't have to start big to succeed.

 ― Duncan Muguku

23

The highest ideal as you pursue success is to aim to make a difference in both your life and in other people's lives.

 ― Duncan Muguku

24

In the pursuit of success, challenges and setbacks are ever present like ocean waves lapping on a beach, the waves come and go, over and over in cycles.

 ― Duncan Muguku

25

Success is about getting that extra push in life. Success is not a one-off or overnight activity or event; rather it is a lifelong process where the goal is to always keep getting better and better each day.

 ― Duncan Muguku

II. MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES

26

Challenges make you stronger and strengthen your ability to face and conquer more adversity in the future; you become more confident from overcoming many difficulties.

 ― Duncan Muguku

27

Adversity brings opportunities if you hang in there long enough. Sometimes a closed door is an opportunity for you to find another way to go through.

 ― Duncan Muguku

28

Sometimes adversity can be good because when you reach the edge of a cliff and there is no more road visible and no safety net is in sight, that is when your mind goes into overdrive and figures out incredible solutions. 

― Duncan Muguku

29

Do much more than is required and make this your signature style. Do your best at all times

. ― Duncan Muguku

30

Envisioning possible obstacles in your mind before they actually happen gives you an edge because when the actual problem happens you will be more comfortable handling it.

 ― Duncan Muguku

31

Life will throw you curveballs; there will be hardships and struggles. Expect the unexpected and react well to challenges. Don't beat yourself up, practice thinking on your feet and being spontaneous. 

― Duncan Muguku

32

Doubt, fear, worry and uncertainty stop people from taking action. Sometimes we think that we have to take big steps to start out and this becomes a paralyzing thought

. ― Duncan Muguku

33

Thinking about all the positive outcomes and possibilities that you want should encourage you to take the first step in pursuing your goals.

 ― Duncan Muguku

34

There is great wisdom in starting small and growing big over time likewise there is great wisdom in starting your journey to success one step at a time.

 ― Duncan Muguku

35

Little steps taken over time have the potential to make a difference. The small steps and actions add up over time

. ― Duncan Muguku

36

Taking the first step is usually the hardest part of the journey. Start at the level where you are then grow and increase your skill level and output over time.

 ― Duncan Muguku

37

Whenever you feel overwhelmed by how much work and time it will take to accomplish your goals, take a moment to reflect on and appreciate the progress you have already made. Small wins here and there are to be cherished. 

― Duncan Muguku

III. INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

38

In life, all you need is one win at a time, it all adds up over time. 

― Duncan Muguku

39

Passion takes effort; you keep working at something over and over until you become good at it over time.

 ― Duncan Muguku

40

A clear vision points you towards what you want to be in life. Knowing your destination will keep you traveling on the right road, even if you go off track you will be able to reset and get back on track.

 ― Duncan Muguku

41

A critical ingredient for a strong vision is knowing what you are willing to do to achieve your vision and also knowing what you will not do. Both sides of the coin are equally important in determining how successful you will become.

 ― Duncan Muguku

42

A powerful vision translates to passion which gives you great gusto and intensity in the actions that you take. It gives more meaning, enjoyment, pleasure and satisfaction to life. In short it increases your appetite for life.

 ― Duncan Muguku

43

Imagining a better brighter future helps to invigorate and inspire you and keeps you motivated even when circumstances are tough.

 ― Duncan Muguku

44

Uncertainty is your friend; it keeps you believing, exploring, learning, growing and searching for possibilities to connect the dots.

 ― Duncan Muguku

45

Knowing that you have faced obstacles in the past and have emerged victorious will give you the confidence to persevere and keep trying.

 ― Duncan Muguku

46

Helping others is a powerful drug; it’s all about putting yourself in other people’s shoes, empathizing with them and stretching out your hand to lift someone up. 

― Duncan Muguku

47

Everyone has a unique and positive quality about them when we take time to listen to and understand others.

 ― Duncan Muguku

48

Maintaining a positive attitude is continuous work. Just keep working on it one day at a time. Keep planting positive seeds in your mind and uprooting the negativity weeds. 

― Duncan Muguku

49

The more you focus on your self-doubts the larger they appear to be; seemingly transforming from snowflakes to an avalanche.

 ― Duncan Muguku

50

People respond to you based on how you see yourself, treat yourself and carry yourself. Carry yourself with grace as someone worthy and deserving of respect.

 ― Duncan Muguku

51

Self-doubt is that inner voice that kills dreams before they are born, that tells you why your plans will not work.

 ― Duncan Muguku

52

Develop mental umbrellas to shield yourself from the flood of self-doubt before it capsizes you over and drowns you.

 ― Duncan Muguku

53

Strive to make a difference in your own way. You can inspire yourself, you can inspire others. You can encourage yourself, you can encourage others.

 ― Duncan Muguku

54

Don’t live in the past. Don’t let your past hold you back from moving forward. Break through the past

. ― Duncan Muguku

IV. DREAMING BIG

55

A big dream is a substantial wish or an aspiration for something, of which when we attain it; we believe it would fulfill or satisfy an inner longing or desire. 

― Duncan Muguku

56

Knowing what your big dream is, why you want to achieve it and when is a very powerful driving force. 

― Duncan Muguku

57

You have a right to dream big, illogical, irrational and unreasonable dreams.

 ― Duncan Muguku

58

Your big dream is the blueprint and foundation for your future self. You are the architect; draw out your big dream.

 ― Duncan Muguku

59

A big dreamer dreams big then takes small actions one at a time.

 ― Duncan Muguku

60

Without action, big dreams are simply dreams.

 ― Duncan Muguku

61

Big dreams rarely have an instruction manual; you figure it out as you go. 

― Duncan Muguku

62

The biggest dream killer is dreaming big and then doing nothing. Get started, hit the ignition switch, step on the gas, engage the gear and start steering.

 ― Duncan Muguku

63

By daring to dream big and going forward to reach for your dreams you in turn inspire others to dare to dream big and aim to attain the highest purpose of their life. 

― Duncan Muguku

64

Whatever your big dream is, you should own it and be proud of it.

 ― Duncan Muguku

65

Scare yourself with your imagination. Visualize new and bold things and ideas. Think expansively without fear and limits. ― Duncan Muguku

66

Find out what you want to achieve in life. Step up and jump over the wall of fear. Chase your big dream with passion.

 ― Duncan Muguku

67

A big dream is the fire in your belly that fills you up with a craving to make yourself and things better.

 ― Duncan Muguku

68

A big dream is a bold vision of the future. It brings out your passion, imagination, creativity and a willingness to take and embrace risk. You can see the final destination in your mind’s eye and it inspires and empowers you. 

― Duncan Muguku

69

Other people’s big dreams are just as important as our own dreams. We should always strive to help others to realize their dreams. 

― Duncan Muguku

70

Take time to dream big, immerse yourself into the dream and see what your aspirational future would look like

. ― Duncan Muguku

71

We don’t know all the steps to achieve our big dreams. Some steps will work, others won’t. When steps you have taken do not lead to the desired path, retreat to a predetermined base, pull out your binoculars, survey the terrain then take another path.

 ― Duncan Muguku

72

Your dream is your purpose and your personal mission statement. Knowing your purpose in life gives you peace of mind. Your purpose is what differentiates you from everyone else.

 ― Duncan Muguku

73

There is something powerful about seeing how the end goal looks like. Connect with your goals and let them excite you. In your dreams always aim as high as you can and don't worry about detractors and critics. 

― Duncan Muguku

74

Do not loose your dream. Keep your dream alive. Write down your big dream in one or two specific sentences then read it out aloud and record yourself. 

― Duncan Muguku

75

Share your first-hand story with someone to encourage and inspire others to have the courage to pursue their big dreams. 

― Duncan Muguku

76

There will always be an element of risk associated with pursuing your big dreams. You do not know if your dream will work out or not. 

― Duncan Muguku

77

Many people appreciate an idea after it is successful and not during its infancy stage. When you are busy tinkering with your invention, few people will see the value of what you are doing until you present the finished product.

 ― Duncan Muguku

78

Don't start too big in your execution. Dream big and start small. A big dream without proper execution can be doomed to failure.

 ― Duncan Muguku

79

Dream predators will often be lurking around to kill your dreams. Cynics will tell you multiple reasons why your big dream won't work rather than why it will work.

 ― Duncan Muguku

80

The bigger the dream the more exciting it is.

 ― Duncan Muguku

81

Believe that your dream is achievable and identify steps to work towards achieving your big dream.

 ― Duncan Muguku

82

A big dream is like a seed planted on the ground that needs constant watering and nurturing so that it can grow. 

― Duncan Muguku

83

To achieve great success in life you have to dream big. Your big dream should inspire you to take the necessary action to achieve the dream.

 ― Duncan Muguku

84

The goal of dreaming big is to create a better life for yourself and others. Imagine endless possibilities for your life, your career, your family and the world.

 ― Duncan Muguku

V. HAPPINESS

85

One of the most important and impactful choices that you can make in life is deciding to be happy. 

― Duncan Muguku

86

Look for happiness within, surround yourself with happy people, laugh deeply, do good things for yourself and others, do things that you love, apologize to others, forgive others and have empathy.

 ― Duncan Muguku

87

What we constantly think about influences our day to day outlook on life.

 ― Duncan Muguku

88

When we make a genuine effort to support other people, we also benefit from the good feelings and happiness that we experience internally. When you have a chance and opportunity to serve others, do so wholeheartedly.

 ― Duncan Muguku

89

Adorn yourself with a contagious smile, a heartfelt smile and infect others with it. Smile back at others.

 ― Duncan Muguku

90

When you make an effort to genuinely smile it makes you happier and it makes you look friendly and approachable.

 ― Duncan Muguku

91

Smiling also makes the other person happier and it will help you build relationships with others.

 ― Duncan Muguku

92

Unhappiness slows you down. Great happiness is found in helping others

. ― Duncan Muguku

93

Choose to make peace with yourself and others - don't worry about what other people think when you decide to stay quiet, you cannot please everyone.

 ― Duncan Muguku

94

Slow down and zig zag every so often. Do not be so busy that life passes you by. Make memories, enjoy life and have fun.

 ― Duncan Muguku

VI. PERSEVERANCE

95

Perseverance is a series of bridges for crossing the rivers of adversity as you pursue your vision and success.

 ― Duncan Muguku

96

Perseverance is determining to keep on going in the face of setbacks and challenges. It is that inner drive that keeps you in the game when everything else says it's time to quit.

 ― Duncan Muguku

97

Perseverance is the staying power to follow through and exert effort till the end to achieve your goals, dreams and vision. ― Duncan Muguku

98

Perseverance is resolving to put one foot after another when the finish line is nowhere in sight. 

― Duncan Muguku

99

Persevering builds your resilience and strengthens your willpower. You become more focused in organizing and sequencing activities, you learn what works and what doesn't.

 ― Duncan Muguku

VII. TAKING ACTION

100

Develop your risk tolerance; plan as best as you can, break down goals into small easy to-do tasks, gradually build up your risk appetite by finishing one small task, then move to the next one.

 ― Duncan Muguku

101

Start at the level where you are then grow and increase your skill level and output over time. Do something. Inaction is a killer of big dreams.

 ― Duncan Muguku

102

Taking action gives birth to momentum. 

― Duncan Muguku

103

Action strengthens you. It grows you, makes you smarter, you learn more, you self-correct as you move along, you improve and become better. 

― Duncan Muguku

104

Action is a two sided coin - success on one side and failure on the other. When you toss your "action coin" and it lands on failure, evaluate why your coin landed on failure. What are the lessons to be learned? Then try again.

 ― Duncan Muguku

105

By overthinking the starting point you might end up not taking any action. Remember that other people have been at the same starting point that you are in and they took the plunge and dove into action. 

― Duncan Muguku

106

Humble and small beginnings are great laboratories where we can develop our inventions and experiments.

 ― Duncan Muguku

107

Sometimes you’ll start and restart many times as you try to get the right footing. Do not be discouraged by how many times you have to start. Once you gain your balance take a few easy steps and then a few more. 

― Duncan Muguku

108

The key to growth and progress is to do a bit more each new day than you did the previous day and make small improvements as you move along.

 ― Duncan Muguku

109

It becomes significantly easier to help others and make a difference in their lives when we have taken care of our lives or are actively taking action to be where we want to be in our lives.

 ― Duncan Muguku

110

Risk is at the epicenter of actions taken towards achieving dreams. There is an element of risk associated with pursuing your dreams. 

― Duncan Muguku

111

There is agony and inertia that is experienced before attempting something risky that takes you out of your comfort zone.

 ― Duncan Muguku

112

When you passionately believe in a specific course of action and you take a risk to pursue it, that sets you apart from those who simply think and talk about doing something but don’t do anything about it.

 ― Duncan Muguku

113

Procrastination is a waiting game: Waiting until all the pieces of the puzzle are available; waiting for the right conditions; waiting and breeding procrastination upon procrastination – a procrastination infestation, over analyzing, dodging and saying that I will do it one day.

 ― Duncan Muguku

114

No step or action is too small. Keep building on it. Dream big and start small is useful advice to remember.

 ― Duncan Muguku

115

Taking action is the most important step towards success. The simple truth is that dreams, visions and goals are achieved and accomplished only through action.

 ― Duncan Muguku

116

Action increases your confidence and leads to more action. By taking action you get things done.

 ― Duncan Muguku

VIII. FAILURE

117

Failure is the bridge that you cross on your way towards success.

 ― Duncan Muguku

118

Failing should strengthen your tenacity and determination to inch towards your goal.

 ― Duncan Muguku

119

Everyone has something special to offer in life. Avoid the pattern of thinking that just because you failed in one thing you will fail in everything. 

― Duncan Muguku

120

Fear of failure causes premature death of dreams. It would be naive to ignore that failure is a possibility but at the same time it should not hold you back from taking action.

 ― Duncan Muguku

IX. CHANGE

121

Not all plans go as intended. Allow room for trial and error. Be flexible enough to retrace your steps if a chosen route does not work. Go back to base and figure out another route.

 ― Duncan Muguku

122

Open the door for constructive criticism that will help you grow even if it will sting, aim to look for the honey within the bee sting.

 ― Duncan Muguku

123

Sometimes the strategies that you had thought would work might not work. Learn from failures and mistakes and be flexible to change your strategies when needed.

 ― Duncan Muguku

X. FEAR

124

Fear is a gate; you control the password to unlock the fear gate.

 ― Duncan Muguku

125

Fear keeps you alert, it keeps you surviving and progressing, it is a thermometer that lets you know you are moving into a hot area and doing something beyond the normal.

 ― Duncan Muguku

126

Overcoming fear is not a one-off event it is a process where as you unlock one fear gate, you gain confidence to unlock another gate and another one. Thereby increasing confidence and moving away from your comfort zone towards higher possibilities.

 ― Duncan Muguku

127

Identify the root of your fear. Undertake a root canal on fear. Put on an imaginary surgical mask and perform surgery on fear, cut open fear and analyze its contents under a microscope. Identify and isolate the fear toxins contaminating the cells.

 ― Duncan Muguku

128

Being fearful is a scary feeling, it makes one imagine all sorts of outcomes and scenarios. Persevering through and in spite of fear stems from a determination to succeed and make a difference in your life and those of other people.

 ― Duncan Muguku

129

You might think that you are just ordinary but you could be extraordinary. How will you know how extraordinary you can become if you don't try to pursue your dreams? Jump over the wall of fear. Chase your dream with passion.

 ― Duncan Muguku

130

At the basic level fear helps to keep us safe and alive. Fear heightens your senses and awareness; it keeps you alert and helps in better preparation. The negative side of fear is when it holds you back from doing something positive

. ― Duncan Muguku

131

To achieve great potential or greater heights - have fear and still push through it. Overcoming fear is done through action. 

― Duncan Muguku

132

By sharing your story of how you overcame fear, the strategies you used to endure through fear and how you felt after accomplishing what you set out to do despite fear, you can encourage and inspire others to take action.

 ― Duncan Muguku

XI. PERSONAL GROWTH

133

The mind is strengthened from tackling challenges and you could identify familiar patterns and cycles which can be reapplied to future problem solving.

 ― Duncan Muguku

134

The second worst offender to progress is negative thoughts; the first offender to progress is inaction.

 ― Duncan Muguku

135

Negative self-talk is poisonous to progress. It causes many to quit prematurely when they face disappointments. Negativity wants you to feel sorry for yourself and doubt your abilities to succeed.

 ― Duncan Muguku

136

The simplest way to inspire your creativity is to ask yourself questions about why things are the way they are and how can things be done differently.

 ― Duncan Muguku

137

The ability to see both the whole and the parts and how they are interrelated and interconnected is critical.

 ― Duncan Muguku

138

Hang around other achievers, it is infectious. Propel each other, support each other and feed each other with success. 

― Duncan Muguku

139

Don't compare yourself with others; everyone's journey is different instead be inspired by others. Persevere when you face critics and opposition.

 ― Duncan Muguku

140

Your passion for life is found at the intersection of what you are good at doing, what you are most satisfied doing and what you would do for free. To earn a living from doing what you are passionate about is scoring a jackpot.

 ― Duncan Muguku

141

It is a good idea not to get permanently married to your own ways of thinking and doing things. There is usually a better way of doing things, a better way of solving a problem or a different way of looking at a challenge. 

― Duncan Muguku

142

How strongly you believe that you can do something and succeed at it can differentiate you from others. 

― Duncan Muguku

143

How you communicate your passions to others to inspire them to join you or follow you in accomplishing your vision is a factor that can separate you from the crowd.

 ― Duncan Muguku

144

Set high goals and aspirations. You can have more than one big dream if you wish, it is however best to relentlessly pursue one big dream at a time to achieve the benefits of focus and discipline. 

― Duncan Muguku

145

We have been conditioned over time to work towards reducing risk as much as possible, yet we also know at the back of our minds that the more we reduce the risk the lesser the potential for great returns on investment

. ― Duncan Muguku

146

Smart risks are taken in the hope of bettering one’s life, to stretch us, to make us grow and become better than our former selves. 

― Duncan Muguku

147

Authenticity begins by looking inward and identifying which personal values have the greatest meaning to you and choosing to live your life in ways that complement your values.

 ― Duncan Muguku

148

Authenticity entails embracing your shortcomings and living your life without letting your shortcomings hold you back.

 ― Duncan Muguku

149

Do not be double minded i.e. believing that your dream will come true, and at the same time believing your dream will not work. This causes conflict and confusion to both yourself and others.

 ― Duncan Muguku

150

Avoid spreading negativity and in turn avoid those who spread negativity or intentionally choose not to get caught up in or participate in the negativity. 

― Duncan Muguku

151

There is nothing as precious as your ideas. Ideas should be treasured, they are goldmines. One effective way of keeping track of your ideas is to maintain an idea journal where you write down your ideas.

 ― Duncan Muguku

XII. GRATITUDE

152

Be grateful always. Take stock of your blessings and all the things that you are thankful for.

 ― Duncan Muguku

153

Appreciate yourself, be kind to yourself, value yourself, and see yourself as someone special who has something to offer the World.

 ― Duncan Muguku

154

When you dig deep within, there are many things to be grateful for everyday even during those days when nothing seems to be going as we would wish. Simply being alive is a great blessing on its own.

 ― Duncan Muguku

155

Stretch out your hand to lift someone up whenever you can and make a difference in the world in your own unique way. It starts with one person. Light someone’s candle.

 ― Duncan Muguku

156

Help others whenever you can without expecting anything in return. Aim for the betterment of others, strive to be of support and serve others.

 ― Duncan Muguku

157

Expect the best in people and have empathy and compassion for others. Be kind to others and offer your help whenever you can. 

― Duncan Muguku

XIII. PATIENCE

158

A quest for fast and quick results can be tragic. Overnight success is not guaranteed for many. You learn and improve through the implementation process and from learning from mistakes and failures. 

― Duncan Muguku

159

Success is like a cake it takes time to bake. To be truly successful, patience and delayed gratification are necessary ingredients to put in your baking mixture.

 ― Duncan Muguku

XIV. WORK

160

A proactive employee thinks ahead, acts ahead and gets ahead.

 ― Duncan Muguku

161

When working on small tasks, activities and assignments you have the opportunity to let loose your creativity and imagination. Since the down side risk is relatively low, run wild and give your very best to small things.

 ― Duncan Muguku

162

When working on small things put on the mindset that this thing is a VIP and give it the royal treatment.

 ― Duncan Muguku

163

Over time as you amass a collection of many small assignments that have been done in a great way, you are demonstrating that you are ready and capable of handling bigger responsibilities. This opens up the door towards higher possibilities. 

― Duncan Muguku

164

Track your accomplishments. A record of past accomplishments is a confidence booster and a pick me up especially for the times when someone is going through a difficult challenge.

 ― Duncan Muguku

165

Workmates are a source of knowledge. Some work colleagues are ‘human libraries’ who are smart, talented and skilled. One way to increase your knowledge is by identifying a work colleague who has great skills in a specific area and learning from them.

 ― Duncan Muguku

166

Going the extra mile is hard work and it entails deliberately and consciously deciding to do more than is expected.

 ― Duncan Muguku

167

Ooze both care and professionalism in all that you do.

 ― Duncan Muguku

168

Being proactive means anticipating what might happen and preparing in advance instead of simply reacting to circumstances. 

― Duncan Muguku

169

Know what your capabilities are but most importantly understand the work environment. The marriage between your skills and the organization context is what will bring you success in your job.

 ― Duncan Muguku

170

A differentiating factor in your personal brand is attention to details. It entails taking pride in ensuring that tasks you undertake are completed to the best of your ability and are presented in the highest quality that you can offer.

 ― Duncan Muguku

171

Fresh feedback is always the best; it is high on impact, rich in value and is transmitted when the recipient’s antenna is positioned at the appropriate frequency and wavelength to receive and absorb the feedback you are broadcasting.

 ― Duncan Muguku

172

Always give feedback from the mind frame and perspective of someone who cares, someone who believes in the other person’s potential and you would like to see them succeed.

 ― Duncan Muguku

173

Feedback loses its power and effectiveness when allowed to go stale i.e. when feedback is given after a significant period of time has elapsed between when the actions being discussed happened.

 ― Duncan Muguku

174

Sharing credit with others does not cost you anything yet it has a high return on investment.

 ― Duncan Muguku

175

One way to stand out is by expressing yourself through your dressing style. You can go bold and vibrant or cool and understated, and mix and match different elements as long you are keeping it classy and appropriate for the position

. ― Duncan Muguku

176

Your appearance sends a strong message to those around you about how you feel about yourself and how you want the world to view you.

 ― Duncan Muguku

177

One crucial skill that can serve you well in both your personal and professional life is the ability to take initiative.

 ― Duncan Muguku

178

Taking initiative means going the extra mile or going above and beyond your normal job responsibilities to make things happen. 

― Duncan Muguku

179

Taking initiative means the ability to see something that needs to be done and deciding to do it out of your own free will without someone else telling you to do it. 

― Duncan Muguku

180

Taking initiative means doing something that needs to be done out of your own personal drive with a desire to make things better than they were before or improve processes and ways of doing things.

 ― Duncan Muguku

181

Taking initiative means doing more than your normal work duties and adding a little unexpected surprise for others at work. Being proactive instead of reactive, thinking ahead and taking action.

 ― Duncan Muguku

182

The habit of taking initiative strengthens your personal brand. A person who takes initiative will be a role model to others. You will chart a new path and try out a new way of doing things. 

― Duncan Muguku

183

Deliberately work on putting in more effort than necessary. By going the extra mile you increase your chances of standing out from others.

 ― Duncan Muguku

184

Having a standardized routine for your workday is beneficial. It helps to boost your productivity and responsiveness

. ― Duncan Muguku

185

A work routine charts a familiar path which you can repeat and improve, while being aware of the typical turbulence that can throw you off course and what corrective action you need to engage in to get back on course.

 ― Duncan Muguku

186

The art of following up is part of the arsenal of a responsive professional.

 ― Duncan Muguku

187

Following up and being persistent are ingredients for success in one’s career. It takes will power to constantly follow-up especially when you don’t receive any response.

 ― Duncan Muguku

188

Never-ending postponing of work that needs to be done is a vicious cycle that causes anxiety and wastes energy. Deliberately implement a solution to curb procrastination.

 ― Duncan Muguku

189

Prioritize the things that you have been avoiding and start to work on them purposefully one at a time. Break down the tasks into smaller pieces and attack each small piece. 

― Duncan Muguku

190

Feedback is a key component for continuous growth and improvement. Feedback lets you know when and where you are making progress and when and where you need to make adjustments, corrections and resolve problems

. ― Duncan Muguku

191

When things are chaotic and out of control, make a deliberate choice to be calm. Objectively assess situations to figure the viable course of action. Practice having a composed demeanor even when things are not chaotic. 

― Duncan Muguku

192

Do one thing really well and become a specialist in something. Nurture this gift and talent, cultivate it, perfect it, harness its strength and use it to propel you forward in your life and career.

 ― Duncan Muguku

193

Get into the habit of volunteering to solve big challenges. This will help you strengthen your decision making skills and get familiar with the critical paths it takes to solve big challenges and hard-wire these critical paths into your memory circuits. 

― Duncan Muguku

XV. FRIENDSHIP

194

A healthy dosage of respect in friendships arises from understanding and appreciating the fine-tuned balance and interplay between friends respecting your independence and personal space as an individual and cherishing your interdependence where you need and rely on each other. 

― Duncan Muguku

195

Genuine friendships do not exist in a sterile, antiseptic and germ free environment. There would be situations where germs are transmitted in the form of disagreements, disappointments and other forms of heartaches which are normal in any human relationship.

 ― Duncan Muguku

196

When you emerge through disagreements, it actually strengthens the friendship bonds because you learn more about one another and emerge more mature and enlightened from the experience. 

― Duncan Muguku

197

For a friendship to prosper there should be a genuine give and take relationship. If one person is the giver and the other is just the taker it breeds an unhealthy balance and in the long-term the friendship is likely to suffer.

 ― Duncan Muguku

198

Good friends are confidants with whom you can share your afflictions and challenges and they will listen to you without judging you. You always feel comfortable when you are around them and you shed off any masks

. ― Duncan Muguku

199

The critical test for a strong friendship is the ability to forgive each other, apologize and move forward.

 ― Duncan Muguku

200

A good friend is one who helps you to grow. Spending time with a good friend is simply uplifting and nourishing to the soul and you always look forward to talking with them and being in their company. 

― Duncan Muguku

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Duncan Muguku is the Founder of ThriveYard.com. As a one-man army, so far, the title “Founder” here simply means the person who juggles multiple roles to keep the company running until such a time when it can afford to hire employees.

Duncan’s roles include writing in-depth blog articles, designing website framework, preparing slides, infographics drafts, video concepts, working with freelance graphic designers and website developer, maintaining website, writing eBooks, social media management, marketing, sales, accounting, developing training courses etc.

Duncan is a proud husband to a loving wife and proud father of two children. His interests and hobbies include Dreaming Big; Business; Budgeting; Research; Planning Events; Writing Reports; Blogging; Watching Movies; Cooking; Playing Chess; Photography and the Stock Market.

His professional background is in Project Administration, Program Management, Contracts Management, Proposal Budget Development, Procurement Management and Grants Management experience. He has worked in various nonprofit organizations and holds an MBA in Strategic Management.

Duncan has under his belt a string of five failed businesses that didn’t take off:

A research consultancy firm in 2002 (Worldwide Research Consultancy)

An online business listing website in 2003 (AdnetKenya.com)

A niche website for weekend part-time jobs in 2014 (WeekendParttimeJobs.com)

An online job-board for weekday part-time jobs in 2014 (WeekdayParttimeJobs.com), and

A niche search engine for Animal print items in 2015 (AnimalPrintWorld.com).

Despite these failures, Duncan still has a burning desire to succeed in business - it is his lifelong dream. He founded ThriveYard.com in August 2016 which is a website for providing in-depth career success resources including detailed blog articles, infographics, videos and slide presentations as well as providing online training courses on career success in the future.

Duncan is passionate about helping people to succeed in their careers. In the past years he has helped friends and acquaintances to develop resumes and helped with tips on how to find jobs.

EBOOK BY THE AUTHOR

Starting Strong, Finishing Strong

YOUR CAREER SUCCESS HANDBOOK

From Resumes to Interviews to Job Promotions to Resignations and Everything in Between

See more information at: www.ThriveYard.com/ebooks

Starting Strong, Finishing Strong is power-packed with tips for the entire job life cycle. It provides valuable information to help people get jobs, love their jobs and also grow and succeed in their careers.

The 19 chapters cover resumes, cover letters, interviews, onboarding, job success, job promotion, resigning gracefully, helping others find jobs and bonus chapters on personal growth.

If you desire to grow and succeed in your job, then this handbook is for you. It offers practical and actionable takeaways that you can use and implement over and over again as you move up in your career.

ABOUT THRIVEYARD.COM

ThriveYard.com is a career website that focuses on offering in-depth articles that comprehensively address career success and personal growth topics. We not only provide detailed blog articles, but also go a step further and supplement the articles with infographics, videos, slide presentations, courses and motivational quotes.

Our Mission

To provide in-depth career success articles, videos, slides, courses and infographics to help people get jobs, love their jobs and also grow and succeed in their careers.

Our Vision

To passionately contribute in improving the personal and professional development for millions of professionals worldwide.

Tagline

The Place for In-Depth Career Success Resources.

Flourish | Prosper | Succeed

Website

www.ThriveYard.com

SAMPLE LIST OF CAREER SUCCESS ARTICLES AT THRIVEYARD.COM

For your convenience, each in-depth article has a table of contents to help you easily scan/skim the information you need. Enjoy reading these articles – www.ThriveYard.com/blog

A. RESUMES

35 Terrific Tips on How to Write a Resume

28 Ways to Help Someone Searching for a Job

32 Easy Steps To Create A Stunning LinkedIn Profile

B. COVER LETTERS

34 Great Tips on How to Write a Cover Letter

C. INTERVIEWS

29 Tips on How to Prepare and Succeed at Job Interviews

3 Important Things To Do Before An Interview

57 Common Interview Questions, Answers and Examples

48 Things To Do on Your First Week at Work

D. JOB PROMOTION

25 Practical Tips on How to Get Promoted at Work

E. CAREER ADVICE

22 Exciting Ways to be Successful at Your Job

17 Tips on How to Take Initiative at Work

30 Ways to Improve Your Relationship with Your Boss

25 Tips on How to be Proactive at Work

15 Qualities of a Good Boss

16 Ways to Make a Good First Impression

32 Simple Ways to Manage Email Effectively

15 Ways to Overcome the Fear of Public Speaking

27 Tips on How to Resign From Your Job Gracefully

F. PERSONAL GROWTH

33 Easy Ways on How to Dream Big

75 Tips for Well-Being and Happiness in Life and at Work

21 Ways to Stand Out in Life and at Work

CAREER SUCCESS COURSES AT THRIVEYARD

These courses aim to offer drip by drip long-term results that you can use and re-use as you advance in your career.

Our value-packed career success courses are in the pipeline. Check out our website for more details and availability of courses – www.ThriveYard.com/courses

Job Search Mastery:

Conquering Resumes, Cover Letters

and Interviews

Keys to Career Success:

Essential Skills for Succeeding in

Your Job

Keys to a Job Promotion:

Positioning Yourself Effectively

for a Promotion

Building Bridges on Your Way Out:

How to Resign From Your

Job Gracefully

Managing Meetings Masterfully:

Planning and Running Meetings

Like a Pro

Navigating a New Territory:

How to Succeed as a New/First-Time

Manager