Just five. I could go on but…

Don’t get me wrong, some popular quotes do exactly what they say on the tin and are indeed inspirational. However, there are some that read much like a listen-in to Billie The Bullshitter. The content is empty. But Billie likes the sound of his/her voice, likes the style of his/her font. Take this quote:

1. “When you want to succeed as much as you want to breathe, that’s when you will be successful…”
Does this need an explanation as to why it is so hard to digest?

2. “You are the author of your life. Choose to live it how you want it.”
Dear writer, you are the author of your life book/story. Fact. From here, you can be sure control is yours. Until your characters decide to branch away from your plans- but that is an entirely different story.

Of course, you grab that steering wheel to your life and make damn sure no one else gets a grip of it but, just like on the roads you have to look out and be careful of others. You’re not holding onto their wheels, these external factors can get in the way of your path and suddenly it’s plain out of your control- no matter which way you look at it.

3. “Seize the moment. Tomorrow may be too late.”
My answer to this?

4. “Success is measured by Persistence.”
Now, ok, yes, many people work very, very, very, very hard. Many work persistently towards achievement but please don’t lie. Success doesn’t always come to those so deserving and to those who are persistent. Some people trip over success just getting out of bed.

5. “Do not give up, you are closer than you think.”
Sounds good until you put it into context. Yep, I could be closer to acquiring a blood clot if I keep banging my head against that brick wall. Yep, thanks, I so wait around for quotes like these.

Some quotes deserve the fate of being baked (in a kind of tame Dante’s Inferno), into a fortune cookie or pulled (singed with the aid of the mild explosive), out of a Christmas cracker.

But then, what have the cookies or the crackers done to deserve that?

What of your most irritating quotes? I’d love to hear.

Don’t forget, here’s your chance to take part in the 511 Challenge http://www.skilbey.com/getting-ready-for-the-511-challenge/

In the meantime, look out for another blog post two weeks from now.