Anthology of Poems for Goal Setting and Self-Reflection
Anthology for Goal Setting and Self-Reflection
Results And Roses
The man who wants a garden fair,
Or small or very big,
With flowers growing here and there,
Must bend his back and dig.
The things are mighty few on the earth
That wishes can attain.
Whatever we want of any worth
We've got to work to gain.
It matters not what goal you seek
Its secret here reposes:
You've got to dig from week to week
To get Results or Roses.
Edgar A. Guest
THINKING
If you think you are beaten, you are;
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win, but you think you can't,
It is almost a cinch that you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you're lost;
For out of the world we find
Success begins with a fellow's will
It's all in the state of mind.
If you think you're outclassed, you are;
You've got to think high to rise.
You've got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win the prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man;
But sooner or later the man who wins
Is the one who thinks he can!
-Walter D. Wintle
IT’S SIMPLY GREAT
It’s great to be alive, and be
A part of all that’s going on;
To live and work and feel and see
Life lived each day from early dawn;
To rise and with the morning light
Go forth until the hours grow late,
Then joyously return at night
And rest from honest toil – it’s great!
It’s great to be a living part
Of all the surging world alive,
And lend a hand in field and mart,
A worker in this human hive;
To live and earn and dare to do,
Nor ever shirk or deviate
From course or purpose we pursue!
Until the goal is won—it’s great!
It’s great to realize that we
Are of a latent power possessed
To be what we are willed to be,
And equal unto any test;
That of ourselves we may achieve
To worthy deeds and high estate,
If we but in our powers believe
It can and will be done—it’s great!
It’s great and wonderful to know
That all we have to do is do,
That if we will to grow we’ll grow,
And reach the mark we have to view
To know that we’re a vital part
Of all that is, nor hesitate
With all of skill and mind and heart
To work and win—it’s simply great!
-Sidney Warren Mase
Beyond the Profit of Today
Give me vision that shall see
Beyond the profit of today
Into the years which are to be,
That I may take the larger, wiser way.
I seek for fortune, nor claim
To scorn the recompense I earn;
But help me, as I play the game,
To give the world it’s just return.
Though the earth is made for all of us
Teach me through struggle, strain, and stress
To win and do my share, for thus
Can profit lead to happiness.
Guard me from thoughts of little men
Which blind the soul to greater things;
Save me from smug content and then
From greed and selfishness it brings.
Aid me to join that splendid clan
Of people who seek to trace
A calm, considered working-plan
To make the world a better place.
Teach me to hold this task above
All lesser thoughts within this humble creature,
That thus I may be worthy of
The honored name of (Business Man, Teacher).
(Put in your own title)
Taken from a poem of the same name
Author Unknown
“Do It Right”
If you have a thing to do - Do It Right;
Stick at it till you’re through - Do It Right;
Give good and honest work,
It never pays to shirk - Do It Right;
Whether working fast or slow - Do It Right;
Don’t do things just for show - Do It Right;
If things go wrong don’t cry,
Just all the harder try - Do It Right;
If wealth you would aspire - Do It Right;
If fame you would acquire - Do It Right;
Shun ill-gotten gain,
Strive for an honored name - Do It Right;
--Samuel O. Buckner
“It’s impossible,”
Said pride.
It’s risky,
Said experience.
“It’s pointless,”
Said reason.
“Give it a try,”
Whispered the heart.
-Unknown