So many quotes, so often repeated! My social media streams are filled with verbatim repetitions of other peoples ideas, just passed on ad infinitum. You can do better.
Take these three steps the very next time you are tempted to post or speak a well-known quote:
1) Ask yourself "Why this quote now?" What was happening in the moments leading up to the instant when the quote came into your mind? Were you excited, stressed, puzzled, struggling, hopeful, burned out, in despair, elated?
2) Think about how the experience of that moment is connected to the quote that came to mind. Does the experience reflect the same sentiment as the quote? Is it the opposite? A variation? Do you agree or has your experience shown you that the quote no longer holds true? Is your reaction very personal to you or could it be universal?
3) Share your own thoughts about the quote instead of just the quote. "While so-and-so said (quote here) my own perspective is that (your personal idea here)." Now you have added value to the quote and you've provoked your audience or reader to think deeply about the quote.
Audiences and readers want to know what you think and how you experience the world. Stop adding to the stream of repetition. Articulate your interpretation and share that instead.
Join the conversation! Post your intepretation of a well-known, oft-repeated quote in our comment box.
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