Talent is a gift but character is a choice which we all can make.
This is a line taken from one of the many books by the internationally known leadership expert, speaker, coach, and author, John Calvin Maxwell.
The character of a person is the distinctive quality.
For instance if you say someone has good character, it means that person has such admirable traits, such as honesty, responsibility, reliable, caring or/and courage.
People will judge your character traits not by your words, but by your consistent actions and deeds.
In other words, your character is paramount important, as what the American Congregationalist clergyman Henry Ward Beecher said:
“It is not what a man gets, but what a man is, that he should think of. He should think first of his character, and then of his condition: for if he have the former, he need have no fears about the latter. Character will draw condition after it. Circumstances obey principles.” – Henry Ward Beecher
(Royal Truths By Henry Ward Beecher, Boston: Ticknor & Fields, 1866, P. 259)
John C. Maxwell is the man many seek him out to become a better person. To live a happy, healthy and full life.
He can help you to unlock potential that lies in your growth, so that you make the right changes that change everything.
This popular American leadership expert says to know the way and can assist you go after it.
He can you develop the right attitude, discover your strengths, tap into your passion, make gains in your life.
Maxwell has written many books, mainly on leadership since 1979.
Among his many popular book titles are: Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn, 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You, Talent Is Never Enough: Discover the Choices That Will Take You Beyond Your Talent, Winning With People: Discover the People Principles that Work for You Every Time and others.
On May 2014 Maxwell was named the Number 1 leadership and management expert in the world by Inc. Magazine.
Talent Is A Gift But Character Is A Choice
Check out my selected list of inspiring John C. Maxwell quotes on life success with citations below:
“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: Developing The Leader Within You By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson Inc, 1993, One: The Definition Of Leadership: Influence, The Five Levels Of Leadership, Level 2: Permission, P. 7)
“Don’t allow the fire of adversity to make you a skeptic. Allow it to purify you.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: John C. Maxwell Notes Ambit American Airlines Center Dallas, TX 9/14/2013)
“When achievers fail, they see it as a momentary event, not a lifelong epidemic.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: Real Leadership: The 101 Collection By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson, 2006, 6. What Is Failure?, Seven Abilities Needed To Fail Forward, 3. Achievers See Failures As Isolated Incident)
“If you can take action and keep making mistakes, you gain experience.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: The Maxwell Daily Reader: 365 Days of Insight to Develop the Leader Within You And Influence Those Around You By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson Inc, 2011, May 15 When Failure Gets You By The Heart, P. 149)
“The greatest battle you wage against failure occurs on the inside, not the outside.” – John C. Maxwell
“…embrace adversity and make failure a regular part of your life. If you’re not failing, you’re probably not really moving forward.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: The Maxwell Daily Reader: 365 Days of Insight to Develop the Leader Within You And Influence Those Around You By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson Inc, 2011, August 30 Don’t Underestimate The Process, P. 264)
“The less you venture out, the greater your risk of failure. Ironically the more you risk failure — and actually fail — the greater your chances of success.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: The Maxwell Daily Reader: 365 Days of Insight to Develop the Leader Within You And Influence Those Around You By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson Inc, 2011, October 1 Take A Risk, P. 301)
“…change is inevitable. … growth is optional.” – John C. Maxwell
“Character makes trust possible, and trust makes leadership possible.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson, 2007, 6.The Law Of Solid Ground, Trust Is The Foundation Of Leadership, P. 64)
“…the difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: The Leadership Handbook: 26 Critical Lessons Every Leader Needs By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson, 2015, 17.Experience Is Not The Best Teacher, Gaining From Experience, 2.Our Attitude Toward Unplanned And Unpleasant Experiences Determines Our Growth, P. 157)
“If you change yourself and become the kind of person you desire to be, you will begin to view others in a whole new light. And that will change the way you interact in all of your relationships.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: The Maxwell Daily Reader: 365 Days of Insight to Develop the Leader Within You And Influence Those Around You By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson Inc, 2011, January 4: You Are Your Lens, P. 6)
“Your thoughts determine your character.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: A Leader’s Heart: 365-Day Devotional Journal By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson, 2010, October 18, Guard Your Thinking, P. 305)
“Talent is a gift, but character is a choice.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: Success 101 By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson, 2008, Part II: The Core Qualities For Success, 6.Do Others Find Me Trustworthy?, The Importance Of Character, P. 60)
“If you desire growth, then you must embrace change.” – John C. Maxwell
“Success is knowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your maximum potential, and sowing seeds that benefit others.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: Motivated To Succeed By John C. Maxwell, Grupo Nelson, 2006, Part III: The Future With The Right Attitude, ch.7: What Is Success?(Part I), The Right Attitude About Success)
“Success is due to our stretching to the challenges of life. Failure comes when we shrink from them.” – John C. Maxwell
“Most people have a desire to look for the exception instead of the desire to become exceptional.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: Ultimate Leadership: Maximize Your Potential and Empower Your Team By John Maxwell, Thomas Nelson, 2007, Introduction, The Key To Success In An Endeavor Is The Ability To Lead Others Successfully, P. 244)
“…you are the only person who can really label what you do is a failure.” – John C. Maxwell
“If you can change your perspective on failure, it will help you to persevere—and ultimately achieve your desires.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: The Complete 101 Collection: What Every Leader Needs to Know By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson, 2012, Success 101: What Every Leader Needs To Know, ,3.People Think Failure Is Objective…It’s Not, P. 314)
“A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: Motivated To Succeed By John C. Maxwell, Grupo Nelson, 2006, Selections From The 21 Indispensable Qualities Of A Leader, ch. 21.Vision: You Can Only Seize What You Can See)
“A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.” – John C. Maxwell
(The Power Of Leadership By John C. Maxwell, David C Cook, 2001, P. 18)
“Happiness simply cannot be relied upon as a measure of success.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: Real Leadership: The 101 Collection By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson, 2006, Part III: The Future With The Right Attitude, ch.7 What Is Success?, The Wrong Attitude About Success, A Special Feeling)
(Another source: Your Road Map For Success Workbook: You Can Get There From Here By John C. Maxwell, Week 1: What Is Success?, Day 2: The Traditional Picture Of Success, P. 9)
“People’s attitudes determine how they approach life day to day.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: Success: One Day at a Time By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson, 2014, Real Success, P. 85)
(Another source: Motivated To Succeed By John C. Maxwell, Grupo Nelson, 2006, Selections From Failing Forward, Preface: Becoming A Real Success)
“You cannot overestimate the unimportance of practically everything.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in:Developing the Leader Within You By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson, 2005, 2.The Key To Leadership: PRIORITIES, Priority Principles, Priorities Never “Stay Put”)
“Think, act, talk, and conduct yourself like the person you want to become.” – John C. Maxwell
“No matter how daunting the circumstances of your life may be, the greatest battle you wage against failure occurs on the inside, not the outside.” – John C. Maxwell
“There is no achievement without failure.” – John C. Maxwell
“Every successful person is someone who failed, yet never regarded himself as a failure.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: The Complete 101 Collection: What Every Leader Needs to Know By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson, 2012, Attitude 101: What Every Leader Needs To Know, Part III: The Future With The Right Attitude, 6. What Is A Failure, Every Genius Could Have Been A “Failure”, P. 59)
“Life doesn’t do anything to you. It only reveals your spirit.” – John C. Maxwell
(The Power of Thinking Big By John C. Maxwell, David C Cook, 2001, P. 60)
“You may not always get what you desire, but you will always be the person you desire to be.” – John C. Maxwell
(JumpStart Your Priorities: A 90-Day Improvement Plan By John C. Maxwell, Hachette UK, 2016, Day 83)
“Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them.” – John C. Maxwell
(The Power Of Leadership By John C. Maxwell, David C Cook, 2001, P. 12)
“Leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Workbook: Revised and Updated: Follow Them And People Will Follow You By John C. Maxwell, 10, Laws Of Connection, Harper Collins Leadership, 2007, Ch. 10, The Law Of Connection, P. 99)
“You cannot always control what happens to you, but you can control what happens in you.” – John C. Maxwell
“It’s not what happens to me but what happens in me that matters most.” – John C. Maxwell
“The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one.” – John C. Maxwell
(The Power Of Thinking Big By John C. Maxwell, David C Cook, 2001, P. 43 )
“Who you are determines the way you see everything.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: The Maxwell Daily Reader: 365 Days of Insight to Develop the Leader Within You And Influence Those Around You By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson Inc, 2011, January 4: You Are Your Lens, P. 6)
“The only guarantee for failure is to stop trying.” – John C. Maxwell
“The whole idea of motivation is a trap. Forget motivation. Just do it.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential By John C. Maxwell, Hachette UK, 2012, 1. The Law Of Intentionality: Growth Doesn’t Just Happen, Growth Gap Traps, 6. The Inspiration Gap – “I Don’t Feel Like Doing It”)
“The difficulties of life are intended to make us better–not bitter.” – John C. Maxwell
(The Power Of Thinking Big By John C. Maxwell, David C Cook, 2001, P. 60)
“Remember, man does not live on bread alone: sometimes he needs a little buttering up.” – John C. Maxwell
“True leadership cannot be awarded, appointed, or assigned. It comes only from influence, and that can’t be mandated. It must be earned. The only thing a title can buy is a little time – either to increase your level of influence with others or to erase it.” – John C. Maxwell
“The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That’s the day we truly grow up.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: Ultimate Leadership: Maximize Your Potential and Empower Your Team By John Maxwell, Thomas Nelson, 2007, Developing The Leader Within You, Six: The Extra Plus In Leadership: Attitude, We Are Responsible For Our Attitudes, P. 351)
“Live to learn and you will really learn to live.” – John C. Maxwell
“Life doesn’t do anything to you. It only reveals your spirit.” – John C. Maxwell
(The Power Of Thinking Big By John C. Maxwell, David C Cook, 2001, P. 60)
“You don’t become an effective leader by default.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: The Complete 101 Collection: What Every Leader Needs to Know By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson, 2012, Attitude 101, Part II: The Ongoing Process Of Improvement, 5. Where Should I Focus My Time And Energy?, Defining Personal Success, P. 121)
(Another source: Get in the Zone and Stay There: Lesson 7 from Leadership Gold By John Maxwell, Thomas Nelson Inc, 2012, Get In The Zone And Stay There, Defining Personal Success)
“…anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: The 21 Laws Of Leadership In The Bible: Learning To Lead From The Men And Women By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson, 2018, Lesson 4, The Law Of Navigation, P. 47)
“Your attitude colors every aspect of your life. It is like the mind’s paintbrush. It can paint everything in bright, vibrant colors–creating a masterpiece. Or it can make everything dark and dreary.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: The Maxwell Daily Reader: 365 Days of Insight to Develop the Leader Within You And Influence Those Around You By John C. Maxwell, Thomas Nelson Inc, 2011, April 28: What Is Attitude?, P. 130)
“There are two paths that people can take. They can either play now and pay later, or pay now and play later. Regardless of the choice, one thing is certain. Life will demand a payment.” – John C. Maxwell
“As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behavior. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to become. ” – John C. Maxwell
“People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.” – John C. Maxwell
“Nobody can motivate himself in a positive direction by continually using negative words.” – John C. Maxwell
“If you don’t change the direction you are going, then you’re likely to end up where you’re heading.” – John C. Maxwell
“People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude.” – John C. Maxwell
“Credibility is currency for leaders and communicators. With it, they are solvent; without it, they are bankrupt ” – John C. Maxwell
“Most people have a desire to look for the exception instead of the desire to become exceptional.” – John C. Maxwell
(The quote is also found in: Ultimate Leadership: Maximize Your Potential And Empower Your Team By John Maxwell, Thomas Nelson, 2007, Developing The Leader Within You, Introduction, The Key To Success In An Endeavor Is The Ability To Lead Others Successfully, P. 244)
“A person who knows how may always have a job, but the person who knows why will always be his boss.” – John C. Maxwell
Note: If you like to read some of John C. Maxwell’s e-books FREE online, just type any of his book title together with the the word pdf.
For example: 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership pdf, 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth pdf, or developing the leader within you 2.0 pdf.
Then you look for it from the Google search results page, and there is a good chance, you can get hold of it.