The things people say

Robert Gerrish

Having spent last week at our conference and much of this week at someone else’s, it occurs to me that simple, memorable wisdom can come from anywhere. Here are some personal favourites.

By the way, talking of Flying Solo LIVE! it was a truly inspirational event for Sam, Peter and me. Not since the Weeley Pop Festival have I enjoyed the company of so many like-minded people. Sad but true.

Okay, let’s get moving:

“It’s just a snapshot”

This little pearl of wisdom was delivered by John-Paul, Sam’s other half. I’ll wager he doesn’t remember.

It was a Sunday and en route to Sam’s for tea and biscuits, the Gerrish family stopped for a swim. I was horrified to see a man doing serious paperwork on the beach while his kids played in the sand. “How ridiculous!” I recounted to JP.

His response was short and spot on. I knew nothing of this man’s true situation and it was unfair to assume this activity was typical.

“Well I’m glad YOU are alright!”

Please read this one aloud and make it sound sarcastic. That’s how I heard it and rightly so.

In 2000, in the midst of a telephone call with a wonderful man, Thomas Leonard, the shrill noise of a passing ambulance disturbed our conversation.

“Don’t worry, I’m okay!” I quipped, not stopping for a second to think of the poor person the ambulance was on its way to. Thomas’s response has never left me.

“Is that really what you want?”

I can’t recall the name of the female author who uses this phrase on her children whenever they say something self-defeating or negative.

I repeat it to myself whenever my inner critic pops up, swiftly followed by “No I don’t, so bugger off.”

So, have you got some one-liners that stick with you? Let’s hear them.

Finally this week we are hastily pulling together all the session recordings and downloads from Flying Solo LIVE! and will announce their publication in a future ezine.

Also, if you’re interested in the results of my social networking experiment watch this space.

Until next week.

Love your work,

Robert Gerrish
robert@flyingsolo.com.au
www.flyingsolo.com.au

Robert Gerrish is Flying Solo’s managing director and founder and works as a business coach, professional speaker, business commentator and consultant. He’s the co-author of Flying Solo – How to go it alone in business.

30 comments | Add your own 1 2 3 4 5 | Next» View all»

My little line seems to be variations of the "if you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got" line....oh and my lovely wife telling me for 4 years (through various job changes) that I'd never be happy until I started my own business. She was right! :) Rich from Sydney
'What you want is right in front of you.' This can refer to anything - love, solution to a problem, work and more. For example, some people search for love only to realise later that the person they really wish to be with is a good friend just waiting for them to ask or notice. Or, a problem has been going round and round in your head, and then you finally realise the solution is in front of you anyway.
I was taught that 'if you can't say something nice (or encouraging), don't say anything at all'. I guess I still try to stick to that, as encouraging people (including children) has a far more lasting effect than putting them down. And believe in yourself. 'I think I can, I think I can, I know I can, I know I can.' (From the 'Little Toot' stories.) Karen Curran from NSW
Hi Robert - also had a brilliant time and here's to JJ playing more tricks on Dad when he's busy in the office (a parallel to your beach incident and JP's comment?).
Also, looking at the lineup, that concert must have been weeley awesome!!
(Sorry - couldn't help that line).
But wait, there's more!
The best line ever used on me (one that Winston Churchill himself would surely have loved) is one I am still waiting to use on someone else, 10 years later! When I was a Corporate Sales Manager running a team meeting, my top salesperson (ever sarcastic) said something really stupid just to annoy me. I said to no-one in particular "Is it an offence to kill an imbecile?" and he shot straight back "not when it's suicide!" Grant Hyman from Sydney | Read my articles
I have many favourite words of wisdom, but this one has stayed with me..
Whatever you resist or submit to persists. The more we develop our habit of resistance or submission the worse it gets; (from personal development guru's). Heather Greer from Sydney
My favourite way to respond when people ask for a discount.... Stop, smile "no, but thanks for asking" and move on with the conversation. This has worked every time I have used it, as it doesn't make the person asking feel bad, and it doesn't stop the flow of conversation.
Oh and one more from the world of sales... I use this in my preamble with those people who are really quick decision makers and have little time... "When you've heard enough, stop me and we'll get you started ok." Summer Nelson from Canterbury, Australia | Read my articles
I was with a photographer in a car, years ago.
As we drove I saw two dwarves walking along the road. I said "Hey look, a pair of shorts"
He laughed, but was it funny? To this day I'm not sure. Carl Sherriff from Sydney | Read my articles

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