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This week's quote, inspirational in its own
right, is particularly impacting in light of its source: Helen Keller.
Ms. Keller became a significant thread in the fabric of American history,
furthering the themes of idealism and determination that are interwoven
throughout the tapestry of our nation's character. Helen Keller overcame
numerous physical disabilities. She contributed often to magazines and
newspapers on social issues and received nine honorary doctoral degrees.
Three decades after her death, she continues to inspire.
Consider the high honor of her accomplishments as you
ponder this quote. To gain further insight into the life and person of
Helen Keller, visit the sites referenced at the end of this letter.
Ric Moxley – Managing Editor
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I long
to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to
accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.
— Helen
Keller, American Essayist and Lecturer
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Key Point
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It is tempting to focus our energies on those tasks
which bring us the greatest recognition. In doing so, we win short-term
approval and praise perhaps. But the lack of consistent quality in
smaller or less visible assignments weakens our overall worth — the
substance behind the image we put forth to others. As termites in the
walls cause a house to crumble in spite of outwardly healthy
appearances, inattention to small tasks compromise your worth,
undermining your efforts to aspire to greater and nobler tasks.
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Marketing Value
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Let's look at the value of Helen Keller's words
from the perspective of "self marketing." When we are in the
job market, seeking a higher position in or outside of our current
company, we are in effect marketing ourselves. We naturally want to show
our best qualities . . . and hide our worst! Often, however, our
reputation precedes us. For better or worse. It's easy to point an
angry finger at coworkers who surely must have gossiped about us. But
remember that our coworkers are often those who know us best. If we
lack integrity in our current job duties, they are the ones who know.
I once worked with a man named Philip who sought
fervently to climb the corporate ladder. We all could see that he
wanted to be known as a doer of great and noble tasks, the kind of
tasks only assigned to the highest level positions. Instead of gaining
the respect of his superiors by performing his current, smaller
responsibilities — those he viewed as mundane — with integrity, Philip
sloughed off those tasks, either leaving them unattended or assigning
them to insufficiently skilled employees. He focused instead on the
most visible, limelight projects. While he received praise for the
remarkable work he did on those carefully chosen tasks, he ultimately
lost the respect of those above him when the overall quality of output
from his group deteriorated. He was never promoted to the position that
would allow him to do greater and nobler tasks because he was not
faithful in the little things.
When we wish to market ourselves, we would be wise
to take the advice of Helen Keller and make it our chief duty to
accomplish small tasks as if they were the great and noble tasks we
aspire to achieve.
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In Speaking . .
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Quoting Helen Keller in a speech is particularly
valuable if you are viewed by your audience as highly accomplished.
What is it that makes these words from Helen Keller so thought
provoking? Contrast! This quote, steeped in its humble retrospection,
comes from a person of remarkable achievements. First, it is inspiring
that a person so accomplished can remain so unassuming. Second, these
words hit close to home — like a punch right in the gut — to any of us
who have ever desired fame, position, or wealth. Thus, the highly
accomplished leader who quotes Helen Keller will both quicken the
hearts of the weak and humble the haughty spirits of the proud.
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In Writing . .
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Helen Keller's words should be added to every
employee training manual in every company in America. Her
words serve as an inspiring reminder to work the small, mundane tasks
with the same fervor as the greater tasks to which many employees
aspire. What better time to set the tone of work expectations than in
employee orientation?
Likewise, if you must perform a written annual
review for an employee whose dedication to daily tasks has been less
than stellar, employ these words from Helen Keller. They will add
credence and objectivity to the value of the standards you preach.
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Beyond the Workplace . . .
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What a powerful way to inspire your children to
understand the value of performing chores with integrity while also
introducing a lesson from history! The story of Helen Keller, whether
summarized in a few sentences or studied in depth, cannot help but be an
inspiration to children and to teens. Once they have an understanding
of the incredible force of will that allowed Helen Keller to overcome
her physical limitations, a quote such as this applied to their
disgruntlements will give birth to some meaningful introspection.
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What is Your Favorite Quote?
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Do you have a favorite quote that has either served
you inspirationally in the workplace or has been a nice bit of spice in
speech or in writing? Write
and tell us about it. We may feature your quote in a future issue
to inspire others.
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Let WriteWorks Help
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In the corporate world, we have seen countless
noble yet failed efforts to gain approval due to inattention in the
small things. Can you, for example, easily gain the respect of the
decision makers reading your pitch, proposal, or report when it is
loaded with typos, awkward sentences, and punctuation errors? Like
little termites, inattention to these details damages your credibility.
Don't let that happen: hire a wordsmith from WriteWorks to review your
presentation, assuring accuracy, consistency, and persuasiveness. It is
our chief duty to handle the small details of your communications with
integrity, so that your greatness and nobility will shine. Isn't that
worth a phone call? Contact us to discuss your needs and learn how easy
— and beneficial! — it is to do business with
us.
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