I was in a meeting with a person who shared something they heard that has had a significant impact on their life. My own thinking went into overdrive on the people and messages that have impacted me (and still do). These messages have been received in various ways: one-on-one with a person, hearing a statement in a meeting or at a presentation, reading a book, watching a video, and so forth.

Here is a partial list of messages that have impacted me. I hope you will enjoy this and will add your own to the list.

• “Most of what we worry about never happens—and what does happen is most often not nearly as bad as we project.” I was in a meeting where I shared my worries. Afterward, a person came to me and asked me what I had been worrying about a year ago. As I was trying to recall, he shared that statement with me. As you can tell, it stuck. I need to guard against seeing ghosts.
• “Rewarded and recognized behavior gets repeated.” This insight came about in a conversation on whether a person should be rewarded for doing things that are expected. The message was that if you want the behavior not to stop, there isn’t anything wrong with recognizing expected actions.
• “What you permit, you promote.” Lots of people claim this one. Some even say it was me. I first recall hearing this statement from Liz Jazwiec, author of Eat That Cookie!: Make Workplace Positivity Pay Off…for Individuals, Teams and Organizations. It helped me realize the need to not let things slide, to hold myself and others accountable.
• “How is that working for you?” This is one Cousin Al uses in working with someone who is having difficulties with self-awareness. It is a question he asks when they share what they are doing. The answer is usually, “Not well.” This question leads to understanding the need to change their approach.
• “Good Orderly Direction.” This is a statement I heard for someone struggling with their concept of God. The person said, “Try thinking that GOD stands for Good Orderly Direction.”
• “Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned?” (Rotary Four-Way Test). Another way to think about this philosophy: “Is it honest? Is it kind? Is it necessary?”
• “Pause.” As we go through the day, we pause when agitated or doubtful and ask for the right thought or action (from the book Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions). I have seldom gotten into trouble pausing. The same is not true when I do not pause.

There are a host of other words and phrases that people find helpful: “This too shall pass.” “Think first.” “Breathe.” What words have positively impacted your life? I would love to have you share some of them here. The right words, heard at the right time, can shape how we think, act, and lead—often for a lifetime.