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Diane Gottsman | Leading Etiquette Expert | Modern Manners Authority

Leading Etiquette Expert and Modern Manners Authority Diane Gottsman’s official blog, with Business Etiquette, University Etiquette, Social Media Etiquette, Dining Etiquette and more.

Sharing Words of Wisdom

12 Jan 2011 By: Diane Gottsman

Just recently I was thinking about the best advice I was ever given and posted a request on Twitter, asking for more “Best advice” and words of wisdom.  I decided to compile a list from some favorite Twitter friends, listed in alphabetical order. The following is their input along with their Twitter name. I suggest you “follow” them for more great tips.

 

Amy Stevens @EtiquetteAmy

“Do not sweat the small stuff.”

Bethany Simmons @BringLadyBack

My mother taught me to “Smile and say hello to everyone you meet.”I still do this daily and love the way it makes me feel.

 

Diane Gottsman @dianegottsman (Yours truly!)

From a friend giving me advice on taking a professional leap of faith, “Just close your eyes and jump.”

Janene Mascarella @MrsWrite

“Know your worth.” Three words that are so empowering!

Jason Henry @jasonjhenry

“You have one mouth and two ears, use them in the same proportion.”

Kate Hutchinson @kehutchinson

On declaring a college major: “If you hate it, don’t spend 4 years of your life studying it.”

Kate T Lewis @KTLewis

From my dear dad, “Just hold what you’ve got.” (Keep it steady and stay focused when tempted to act before thinking things through. Love my daddy!)

Anastasia Schembri @LilyLemontree

“Be kind to everyone, regardless of age, race or status. It does the world a world of good!”

 

Mindy Lockard @TheGraciousGirl

From a young age my mom taught me that no matter how upset or frustrated I was to be careful with my words and “Never burn a bridge.” Very wise and helpful words.

Nan Russell @nan_russell

From my father (credit union manager by day; jazz musician by night), “Play your own music.”

Steve Cooper @hitchedmedia

There are two comments that immediately stand out for me.

The first one is comes from my former boss and mentor, Rieva Lesonsky, former Entrepreneur magazine editorial director and now CEO of Grow Biz Media. I remember standing in her office and her telling me, “You can’t wait, you have to build it!” I know it sounds like something out of “Field of Dreams,” but she was referring to my website, Hitched. For many months I met with her to discuss strategy and ideas and she finally stopped me in my tracks to put the talk into action. Within a month hitchedmag.com was up and running and we’ve been publishing ever since.

The second piece of advice I received came while I was in college. I was taking a journalism course and my professor, Don Menn, said to the class “Always start at the top.” This applies to anything from interview requests to searching for a job. I’ve used this many times over the years when I’m thinking about the next step I need to take on a new endeavor. This doesn’t mean that I circumvent the proper channels; rather it’s more like the phrase, “Dream Big” while putting it into action.

Sue Jacques @TheCivilityCEO

“Always dress up and arrive 5 minutes early. You never know whom you might meet in the waiting room!”

 

Suzanne Nourse @EtiquetteOttawa

From my Mum, “Always do your best”, from James Bryant Conant, “Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out.” and from my husband, “Enjoy the journey”.

Thomas Farley @MisterManners

“Keep doing what you’re doing and you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.”

Tyler J. Hightower @TylerJHightower

“Give grace to others at ALL times! You never know what difficulty they may be going through!” (On a personal note – and you do Tyler!)

What is the best advice you have ever been given? Post your comment below and automatically enter the chance to be selected to win a free copy of my book, Pearls of Polish, an etiquette guide for today’s busy woman, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Go ahead…just close your eyes and jump!

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Diane Gottsman

Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert and modern manners professional, sought out industry leader, television personality, accomplished speaker, Huffington Post blogger, author, and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in executive leadership and etiquette training. Diane is routinely quoted in national and international media including The New York Times, The BBC, CNN, Bloomberg Business Week, Kiplinger, Huffington Post Canada, U.S. News and World Report, and Forbes. She is the resident etiquette expert for two popular morning talk shows, SA Living and Good Day Austin. She has been seen on The TODAY Show, HLN Headline News, WGN Chicago, and CBS Sunday Morning. Her clients range from university students to Fortune 500 companies and her workshops cover topics ranging from tattoos in the workplace to technology at the dinner table and the proper use of social media.

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Comments

  1. sbridges says

    January 12, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    When I was young and would feel anxious about new situations, whether it was the first day of school or a party I had been invited to attend, my aunt would always say, “You take your party with you.” As I grew up, I applied that same philosophy to starting a new job, encountering not just new situations but everyday situations, especially ones that are not entirely pleasant, and it has come to mean something greater to me. “You take your party with you” = “Only you are responsible for your own happiness.”

  2. Kate Lewis says

    January 12, 2011 at 8:34 pm

    Wonderful compilation of wonderful advice! Thanks for sharing these with us all!

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Diane Gottsman is a national etiquette expert, sought after industry leader, and owner of The Protocol School of Texas,
a company specializing in executive leadership and business etiquette training.

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