Grace Hopper - The most dangerous phrase in the language is, ‘We’ve always done it this way

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Welcome to The Daily Quote—a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I’m your host, Andrew McGivern, for December 10th.

Now, let’s dig into today’s holiday: International Shareware Day. That’s right—today, we celebrate the unsung heroes of software development: those creators who release their work into the wild with a simple ask—“Try it out, and if you like it, maybe toss me a couple bucks?” It’s like the lemonade stand of the tech world, except instead of refreshing drinks, it’s productivity apps, games, and tools you didn’t know you needed until five minutes ago.

To honor this day, I’ve chosen a quote from computer programming legend, Grace Hopper:

“The most dangerous phrase in the language is, ‘We’ve always done it this way.’”

Now, Hopper was talking about innovation, but doesn’t that also sum up shareware perfectly? Shareware developers didn’t follow the rules of traditional software sales. They dared to say, “Hey, what if people actually like the product so much they voluntarily pay for it?” I mean, it’s either genius or borderline naive—but isn’t that the charm?

And this quote is a good reminder for you, too. Are there areas in your life where you’re sticking to the old way of doing things just because, well, “it’s how it’s always been done?” Maybe you’re stuck in a routine or hesitant to try something new. Today’s the day to channel your inner shareware developer—take a risk, try something different, and trust that the results might surprise you.

Also, let’s just appreciate how bold shareware developers are. They’re basically like: “Here’s my hard work. You can use it for free. But if you really love it...you know where the ‘Donate’ button is.” That’s the energy you need to bring to life. Be so confident in what you offer the world that you know it’s valuable—even if some people don’t pay up.

So, here’s your challenge for the day: Think like a shareware creator. What’s something unique or valuable you can share with the world, trusting that the right people will see its worth? Whether it’s your time, creativity, or an idea you’ve been holding onto, it’s time to put it out there.

Remember, innovation doesn’t come from staying in the box; it comes from flipping the box upside down and turning it into something entirely new—like a virtual lemonade stand of ideas.

That’s it for today on The Daily Quote. If you liked today’s episode, consider paying me with…your attention tomorrow! I’m Andrew McGivern, reminding you to embrace the innovative spirit of International Shareware Day. Now go be amazing—and remember, just because it’s free doesn’t mean it’s not priceless.