Randy Pausch quotes - page 2

Randy Pausch was an American professor of computer science, human-computer interaction, and design. He became widely known for his inspirational "The Last Lecture," which touched millions with its message about achieving childhood dreams and living life to the fullest. He left a lasting impact through his teaching, books, and positive outlook, even in the face of terminal illness. Here are 117 of his quotes:

Get a feedback loop and listen to it. ... When people give you feedback, cherish it and use it.

Randy Pausch

We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the game.

Randy Pausch

It's very important to know when you're in a pissing match. And it's very important to get out of it as quickly as possible.

Randy Pausch

I'm dying and I'm having fun. And I'm going to keep having fun every day I have left. Because there's no other way to play.

Randy Pausch

Don't complain; just work harder.

Randy Pausch

Junior faculty members used to come up to me and say. "Wow, you got tenure early; what's your secret?" I said, "It's pretty simple, call me any Friday night in my office at 10 o'clock and I'll tell you."

Randy Pausch

There's a lot of talk these days about giving children self-esteem. It's not something you can give; it's something they have to build. Coach Graham worked in a no-coddling zone. Self-esteem? He knew there was really only one way to teach kids how to develop it; You give them something they can't do, they work hard until they find they can do it, and you just keep repeating the process.

Randy Pausch

The brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out; the brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. The brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. They are there to stop the other people!

Randy Pausch

Never give up: There are certain times that you think, "OK, you have beaten me down to my knees. And now the challenge is, I am on my knees and you keep on beating me down. And the question is, are you going to keep beating me all the way to the ground or will I find a way to struggle my way back on to my feet.”.

Randy Pausch

The best gift an educator can give is to get someone to become self-reflective.

Randy Pausch

Too many people go through life complaining about their problems. I've always believed that if you took one tenth the energy you put into complaining and applied it to solving the problem, you'd be surprised by how well things can work out.

Randy Pausch

The best way to teach somebody something is to have them think they're learning something else.

Randy Pausch

We don't beat the reaper by living longer, but by living well, and living fully - for the reaper will come for all of us. The question is: what do we do between the time we're born and the time he shows up.

Randy Pausch

We're not going to talk about spirituality and religion. Although I will tell you that I have experienced a deathbed conversion. I just bought a Macintosh.

Randy Pausch

Did you figure out the second head fake? This talk's not for you. It's for my kids.

Randy Pausch

When told by a female colleague about how a girl can pick the right guy, she said... "When it comes to men who are romantically interested in you, it's really simple. Just ignore everything they say and only pay attention to what they do."

Randy Pausch

We all stand on the dart board and very few of us catch the darts. Do not think it is unfair. It is fair but you are unlucky.

Randy Pausch

Never lose the child-like wonder. It's just too important. It's what drives us.

Randy Pausch

Never, ever underestimate the importance of having fun.

Randy Pausch

Avoiding Procrastination: Doing things at the last minute is much more expensive than just before the last minute. Deadlines are really important: establish them yourself!

Randy Pausch

Failing to plan is planning to fail. Plan Each Day, Each Week, Each Semester. You can always change your plan, but only once you have one!

Randy Pausch

You don't find time for important things, you make it.

Randy Pausch