John D. Rockefeller Jr. - The secret of success is to do the common thing uncommonly well
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Welcome to The Daily Quote—a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, and today is August 29th.
Now, as we sip our morning coffee together, let’s take a moment to celebrate a special occasion. Today is National More Herbs, Less Salt Day. I know, it might sound like just another quirky holiday, but trust me, there’s something powerful hidden in that message.
Imagine standing in your kitchen, staring down at a dish that’s almost perfect. You could reach for the salt, a quick fix that masks imperfections, or you could choose to add something more—something with depth, complexity, and a story of its own. Herbs, in their quiet, understated way, teach us that sometimes, the best solutions aren’t about masking flaws, but about adding layers of richness to what we already have.
And that brings me to today’s quote... from John D. Rockefeller Jr. Who once said...
“The secret of success is to do the common thing uncommonly well.”
Now, let’s unpack that. When Rockefeller talks about success, he’s not pointing to grand gestures or earth-shattering innovations. He’s talking about the everyday—those seemingly small tasks that, when done with care and attention, can elevate the ordinary to the extraordinary. Just like the herbs we add to our food, these little efforts might not seem like much at first glance. But over time, they build a foundation of excellence that no amount of quick fixes can match.
Imagine you’re working on a project that feels tedious, something you’ve done a hundred times before. It’s easy to rush through, to sprinkle a little “salt” and call it done. But what if, instead, you took the time to think about how you could do it just a bit better this time? A touch more thought, a pinch more effort—these small, almost imperceptible tweaks can make all the difference.
Rockefeller knew that success wasn’t about doing the impossible. It was about doing the possible, the ordinary, with a level of commitment and passion that transforms it into something remarkable. Whether it’s in your work, your relationships, or even in how you season your dinner, the key lies in those subtle, thoughtful enhancements.
So today, as you go about your routine, I challenge you to think about where you can add more “herbs” to your life. Where can you bring a little more intention, a little more care? How can you take the common things you do every day and do them uncommonly well?
And who knows? By the end of the day, you might find that what seemed ordinary is now something quite extraordinary.
Thank you for spending these moments with me today on The Daily Quote. I hope you walk away feeling inspired to elevate the everyday in your life. I’ll be back tomorrow with another quote to kickstart your day. Until then, keep adding those herbs and doing the common things uncommonly well.