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210 quotes, page 7 of 7Starting again
After redundancy, a move to a new country, an illness, a mistake or a long gap. A second start is still a start.
We say who really said each one, and where the credit is uncertain we tell you. Every card is ours to share.
“When the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a road.”
Chinese proverb (Che dao shan qian bi you lu)
You do not need to know every step of a career change before you start. Get moving and the way will show itself.
“Fall into a pit once, gain in wisdom.”
Chinese proverb (Chi yi qian, zhang yi zhi)
A job that went wrong still taught you what to look for next time. Carry that lesson into your next interview.
“Wherever you live becomes the capital.”
Japanese proverb (Sumeba miyako). Said to mean: any place becomes home once you have settled in.
Moved town for work? Give it a few months. The strange place soon becomes yours.
“Send the child you love on a journey.”
Japanese proverb (Kawaii ko ni wa tabi o saseyo)
Parents worried about a son or daughter leaving home for work: hardship away from home is how young people grow.
“Even a mouse hole gets sunlight some day.”
Korean proverb (Jwi-gumeong-edo byeot deul nal itda)
If you have been out of work a long while, your day will come. Keep the CV fresh and keep showing up.
“Who dares, wins.”
Hungarian proverb (Aki mer, az nyer)
Applying for a role a step above where you are now feels bold. Do it anyway; the worst answer is no.
“It will all work out.”
Icelandic saying (Thetta reddast)
Starting over after a setback is daunting. Do the next sensible thing, and most of the time it does work out.
“Better to turn back halfway than to go wholly astray.”
Dutch proverb (Beter ten halve gekeerd dan ten hele gedwaald)
Realised halfway through a course or a job that it is not for you? Changing direction now is wiser than carrying on for years.
“Better a wee bush than nae bield.”
Scottish proverb. Bield: shelter.
A part-time or temporary job may not be the dream, but it is shelter while you look. Take it and keep building.
“Whoever does not look back to where they came from will never reach where they are going.”
Filipino proverb (Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makararating sa paroroonan)
A fresh start goes better when you remember what you learned in every job before. Nothing you did is wasted.
“As the country, so the dress.”
Hindi proverb (Jaisa des, vaisa bhes)
New to working in Britain? Watch how things are done here, from tea breaks to safety talks, and fit in with the custom.
“Where you tread the earth, there you hold up the sky.”
Malay proverb (Di mana bumi dipijak, di situ langit dijunjung). Said to mean: respect the customs of the place where you live.
A new workplace has its own ways. Respect them and people will welcome you sooner.
“The companion before the road.”
Arabic proverb (Ar-rafiq qabl at-tariq)
Starting a new job? Find one friendly colleague in your first week. A good companion makes the whole road easier.
“Comes time, comes counsel.”
Swedish proverb (Kommer tid, kommer rad)
You do not need to have the whole next chapter worked out today. Answers come as you go.
“Whoever does not risk, does not get a bite.”
Portuguese proverb (Quem nao arrisca nao petisca)
A new trade, a new city, a first business: if you never try, you never taste the result.
“This too is for the good.”
Hebrew saying (Gam zu le-tova)
Today's disappointment may turn into tomorrow's opening. Hold the setback lightly while you look for the next door.
“The way is asked of those who have gone before.”
Zulu proverb (Indlela ibuzwa kwabaphambili)
Thinking of a move into care or haulage? Ask someone already doing it. They will save you months of guesswork.
“A change is as good as a rest.”
English proverb
Feeling stale after years in the same role? A new site, a new shift pattern or a new trade can give you your energy back.
“Third time lucky.”
English proverb
Failed your theory test twice? Plenty of good drivers did. Book it again.
“It is no use crying over spilt milk.”
English proverb
The job is gone and the interview is over. Learn what you can from it, then turn your mind to the next one.
“Let bygones be bygones.”
English proverb
A fresh team is a fresh start. Leave old grudges from your last workplace at the door.
“There are plenty more fish in the sea.”
English proverb
Missed out on the job you wanted? There are other employers, other roles and other chances. Cast again.
“We have it in our power to begin the world over again.”
Thomas Paine, Common Sense (1776)
Whatever went before, you can start afresh: a new course, a new trade, a new town. The power to begin is yours.
“What's past is prologue.”
William Shakespeare, The Tempest (Act 2, Scene 1)
Your last job, good or bad, is only the opening chapter. What you do next is the real story.
“May the road rise to meet you.”
Irish blessing
Starting a new job on Monday? Here is wishing your first steps an easy road.
“One door shuts, a great door opens.”
Italian proverb (Chiusa una porta, si apre un portone)
When a contract ends, the next opening is often closer than you think. Start knocking.
“Change your place, change your luck.”
Hebrew saying (Meshane makom, meshane mazal)
If one town has run dry of work, a move for the right job can turn things round. Sometimes the place is the problem, not you.
“Tomorrow is near for the one who watches for it.”
Arabic proverb (Inna ghadan li-naziri-hi qarib)
Waiting to hear back after an interview feels endless. Keep busy; the answer is closer than it seems.
“A new broom sweeps clean.”
English proverb, recorded by John Heywood (1546)
In a new job, you see with fresh eyes. Use that early energy to set good habits from day one.
“There is no ill that lasts a hundred years.”
Spanish proverb (No hay mal que dure cien anos)
A hard spell out of work, a difficult boss, a bad winter: none of it lasts for ever. Keep going.
Other sections
- Work and keeping going (559)
- Stoic calm (316)
- An open mind (366)
- Starting a business (299)
- For leaders (218)
- Working with people (214)
- Mindset and habits (339)
- Safety and health (219)
- Starting again (210)
- Pride in the job (185)
- True stories of people who started small