Rest on your laurels origin

Highly-accomplished people are often praised for their deeds.

Having won a campaign, a Roman general could spend the rest of their careers savouring their past successes, basking in the memories of former glories. Past achievements and successes are something to celebrate and learn from; however, they can prevent progress according to John Kotter in his seminal work on Change Initiatives Leading Change HBS Press He refers to it as the biggest mistake companies make and the first of a series of hurdles, that must be overcome to implement a successful change initiative:. Inertia means lack of real movement, a tendency to do nothing or to remain unchanged. This may mean maintaining existing standards, market share or even turnover. Kotter points out that the company presence profile and assets like cars, property and history can lull us into a false sense of security, feeling that the company and our future within it are unshakeable. This very set of assets makes it more difficult to generate a sense of urgency that will compel people to get on-board and support our change initiatives.

Rest on your laurels origin

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Log In. My Account. In ancient Greece, the laurel was a plant that was sacred to the god Apollo. Laurel wreaths were awarded to the winning athletes in the Pythian games, held in honor of the god Apollo every four years. Later, laurel wreaths were awarded to signify other victories and honors, in Greece and Rome.

Would you like to let someone know that it's time to put in some real effort, or tell someone that they have been too relaxed in their efforts and have been slacking off? The term 'resting on your laurels' is a saying that can be used to relate this to someone. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. The term 'resting on your laurels' is a type of figurative saying that can be used to mean that someone is relaxing on their efforts after they are sure their work has paid off, usually too soon. If someone is 'resting on their laurels' then it means that they have become lazy or too relaxed in their efforts after some hard work. Someone can use the term 'resting on your laurels' as a veiled insult that tells someone it's time to stop being lazy or get a move on with the activity in question. The expression is either used as 'resting on your laurels' or said as 'to rest on your laurels'. The term can also be used to deny that someone is 'resting on their laurels' as part of a conversation or comment. Remember that if anyone walks in here, you're fired and I didn't see anything.

Rest on your laurels origin

A laurel is a shrub that was traditionally used to weave wreaths and crowns that were symbols of victory in the sporting events of ancient Greece. Today, laurel is synonymous with achievement , and a laureate is one who an award or achievement is bestowed upon. The word also appears in the phrase resting upon one's laurels , in which one is satisfied with their previous successes and makes no attempt at any other. Laurel is the name for an evergreen tree or shrub having attractive shiny, pointed leaves. The plant is also known as the bay or sweet bay and, yes, its leaves are the dried bay leaves that are used in cooking.

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To be satisfied with one's past success and to consider further effort unnecessary.

Your feedback will be reviewed. Email address Sign Up. USA Subscription offer! Buy Kotter's book on change management Buy now. February 27, English to Traditional. Pronunciation Guide. He refers to it as the biggest mistake companies make and the first of a series of hurdles, that must be overcome to implement a successful change initiative:. Having won a campaign, a Roman general could spend the rest of their careers savouring their past successes, basking in the memories of former glories. You lull yourself into a state of complacency, pleased with what you have achieved in the past. French grammar. Traditional to English. Beyond a Night at the Apollo In this way, if you rest on your laurels, it means that you have achieved some victory in the past and you were metaphorically awarded a laurel wreath. Japanese to English. Share on facebook.