Get All Access for $5/mo

Yogi Berra's 10 Best Quotes for Entrepreneurs The 'Yogisms' of the baseball legend, who died on Tuesday at the age of 90, could be applied just as easily to business as to the sport.

By Kate Taylor

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Reuters
NEW YORK YANKEES GUEST INSTRUCTOR YOGI BERRA AND DON ZIMMER.

Even if you aren't a baseball fan, you're sure to have heard the "Yogisms" of Yogi Berra.

The baseball great passed away on Tuesday, at the age of 90. While Berra was a Yankee's legend, his baseball skills are often overshadowed by his witty sayings. While Berra asserts with typical sharp wit that he "really didn't say everything [he] said," his iconic quotes can serve as important lessons for entrepreneurs.

In honor of Berra's passing, here are 10 Yogisms that every entrepreneur should take to heart.

1. If you don't know where you're going, you might not get there.

Without a plan, even the most brilliant business can get lost. You need to have goals, create milestones and have a strategy in place to set yourself up for success.

Related: 20 Lists Every Entrepreneur Should Create

2. It ain't over till it's over.

One of Berra's most famous quotes is a favorite amongst entrepreneurs who have snatched success from the jaws of defeat -- or bankruptcy. Every entrepreneur deals with fears of failure. However, the truly successful know how to face these fears and keep on working.

3. You wouldn't have won if we'd beaten you.

In an age when collaboration is often trendier than competition, entrepreneurs can learn a thing or two from Berra's approach to competitors. While partnerships can be great, it's key to remember that at the end of the day, being No. 1 means defeating everyone else.

4. When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

Struggling with indecision? Think of Berra's iconic turn of phrase and know that making the wrong choice is better than stalling indefinitely.

5. Congratulations. I knew the record would stand until it was broken.

Records and achievements are made to be broken. For entrepreneurs, that means constant innovation, unless you want to surrender the upper hand.

6. We made too many wrong mistakes.

Is there such thing as a right mistake? In business, yes -- one that you learn and grow from.

Related: 4 Leadership Quotes That Matter

7. If the world was perfect, it wouldn't be.

In an era of constant innovation, it's important to remember there will always be new problems and demands that require entrepreneurial solutions.

8. You don't have to swing hard to hit a home run. If you got the timing, it'll go.

Sometime, the biggest challenge isn't coming up with a great business idea; it's coming up with the right idea at the right time.

9. You can observe a lot by just watching.

Instead of instantly reacting next time you face a challenge, sit back and take notes. Doing your homework and keeping an eye on the competition will pay off in the long run.

10. Ninety percent of the game is half mental.

Before twisting your brain into a pretzel trying to figure out the math on this one, take a deep breath and direct your attention to more important outlets. Business preparedness and research is key to your success. After all, 90 percent of the entrepreneurial game is half mental.

Related: 30 Motivational Quotes to Help Realize Your Entrepreneurial Dreams

Kate Taylor

Staff Writer. Covers franchise-related trends and topics.

Kate Taylor is a staff writer covering franchises for Entrepreneur.com. Related areas of interest include chain restaurants, franchisee profiles and food trends. Get in touch with tips and feedback via email at ktaylor@entrepreneur.com or on Twitter at @Kate_H_Taylor. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Fundraising

Working Remote? These Are the Biggest Dos and Don'ts of Video Conferencing

As more and more businesses go remote, these are ways to be more effective and efficient on conference calls.

Growing a Business

The Best Way to Run a Business Meeting

All too often, meetings run longer than they should and fail to keep attendees engaged. Here's how to run a meeting the right way.

Starting a Business

How to Find the Right Programmers: A Brief Guideline for Startup Founders

For startup founders under a plethora of challenges like timing, investors and changing market demand, it is extremely hard to hire programmers who can deliver.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Growing a Business

You Need an Advisory Team More Than Ever. Here's Why — and How to Run One Effectively.

The right advice, particularly in a company's early stages, can be an existential matter: how to surround yourself with the right minds.

Growing a Business

You'll Never Satisfy Your Customers — or Grow Your Business — Without Doing These 3 Things

Customer feedback can be used to drive sustainable growth. Here are three approaches to how you can move past measurement to drive improvement and ultimately grow your business.