Dave Finkel Quotes

Powerful Dave Finkel for Daily Growth

About Dave Finkel

Dave Finkel is an acclaimed American journalist, author, and war correspondent who has made significant contributions to journalism, particularly in covering conflicts and their human impact. Born on June 3, 1968, in Detroit, Michigan, Finkel developed a passion for storytelling at an early age. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in English. His journalistic journey began in 1995 when he joined the St. Petersburg Times as a city reporter. Finkel's life took a dramatic turn in 2001 when he was assigned to cover the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan for the Washington Post. This experience sparked his interest in war journalism, leading him to embed with American troops in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2003 to 2004. Finkel's most notable work, "The Good Soldiers," published in 2009, is a gripping account of the experiences of the Alpha Company, 1-6 Infantry Battalion, during the Iraq War. The book offers a raw and intimate portrayal of war, focusing on the soldiers' personal lives, their friendships, and their struggles with the realities of combat. Finkel's work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in 2005 and the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction in 2009. His journalism continues to challenge perceptions about war and its impact on individuals and society. Today, Finkel serves as a contributing writer at The Washington Post and is working on his next book, which delves into the experiences of veterans transitioning back to civilian life. His work remains influential in shaping public understanding of conflict and its aftermath.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Entrepreneurship is not a job, it's an obsession."

Dave Finkel's quote underscores that entrepreneurship is more than just a profession; it's a deep-seated passion or preoccupation. This implies that successful entrepreneurs are consumed by their ideas, constantly seeking innovative solutions, and relentlessly pursuing their vision, often going beyond the usual work hours and conventional boundaries. Their dedication is not limited to regular business activities but extends into every waking moment, driven by an unquenchable thirst for success and growth.


"The secret to entrepreneurial success: Find a problem that needs solving and offer a solution."

This quote emphasizes the essence of successful entrepreneurship, which lies in identifying problems that need solutions and providing innovative, effective, and valuable solutions to those problems. It underscores the importance of creating value for customers by addressing their needs, rather than simply selling a product or service. In other words, it suggests that entrepreneurs should focus on filling gaps in the marketplace, fostering innovation, and making a positive impact through their endeavors.


"You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great."

This quote emphasizes that taking the first step towards a goal or pursuit is more important than one's initial level of skill or talent. It encourages individuals to initiate their journey despite any perceived limitations, as growth, mastery, and true greatness can only be achieved through experience and continuous effort. Essentially, the message is: don't wait for perfection before you start - just begin, and the opportunity to become great will unfold as you progress.


"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."

This quote highlights the resilience needed for continued success in life. It suggests that while success is significant, it is not the ultimate end-point. Failure too, should not be seen as a dead-end, but rather an opportunity to learn from mistakes and move forward. The true measure of one's character lies in their ability to persist through adversity - to continue pushing towards their goals despite setbacks or obstacles.


"In business, the only thing that matters is making money and staying out of jail."

This quote emphasizes a pragmatic approach to business success, highlighting that the primary objectives in entrepreneurship are financial gain (making money) and adherence to legal regulations (staying out of jail). It underscores the importance of profitability and ethical conduct as essential components for a thriving and sustainable business.


There's no such thing as writer's block. I'm brilliant all the time every day. It never stops.

- Dave Finkel

Every Day, Never, Brilliant, Block

I liked Norman Lear's ideology that you could trust an audience to stay with you.

- Dave Finkel

Trust, Audience, Could, Norman

I'm insanely proud of every single one of my credits until the people who created the shows are dead.

- Dave Finkel

Proud, Dead, Created, Credits

A standard sitcom... is a very standard idea, like these people falling in love and living with each other, and all these people living with each other. It's like, okay, we hooked them up in episode 15, how do we bust that, how do we find a new kernel in it?

- Dave Finkel

Love, Standard, Very, Bust

I mean this sincerely... and I don't know why, but there was a period of time that for some reason, whenever 'Charles in Charge' was on, I couldn't not watch it. I didn't like it and I didn't hate it. I just couldn't not watch.

- Dave Finkel

Reason, Some, Period, Sincerely

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