Today's minimotivator #210-2009

Someone once said, "All the so-called "secrets of success" will not work unless you do."

There is only one 'secret' to success and that is hard work. Nothing else comes close. Thinking something into existence can only be done by a handful of beings, the rest of us need to take action and work.

We are almost halfway through November and it's a good time to see where you're at and start making notes for next years plan of attack.

Then when the holidays roll round take some time, go through your notes and have a loose plan because the you can go for it when you get back to work

What is really important to us?

I have been thinking that no matter what we say, what is really important to Kiwi's is family, friends and good times.

New Zealanders are an interesting bunch. We are seen as hard workers by some standards and yet I have a sneaky suspicion we could do so much better.

I was at a meeting last week and we talked about Labour Weekend marking the beginning of the end of the year. The weather is getting better, work slows down and people start to think about parties.

For the last few years it has seemed to me that I can't get much out of most companies before February so if we are winding down before November that means we are really only working nine months of the year.

I believe this is a lifestyle choice. We have chosen to be more relaxed and have a more balanced life than most. Because of that we work our butts off the rest of the year so we can hang out at the beach.

So what about my suspicion we could do so much better. Well imagine if we all started winding down one week later. The added week of production what be a huge boost to our productivity.

It's just a thought but I want the best for my country and if working harder for one more week can help, I'm in. How about you?

Today's minimotivator #202-2009

Sarah Brown said, "The only thing that ever sat its way to success was a hen."

Brilliant quote. One must work to be successful. But think about this: if you are doing something you are passionate about the hours will never seem like work.

Todays minimotivator #169-2009

Lou Erickson said, "Gardening requires lots of water - most of it in the form of perspiration."

Life is like gardening, you get in what you put out in the form of hard work and sweat equity you don't often get paid for. But like planting seeds in the right place at the right time your hard work will cause strong roots to form and great trees to grow.

You're a harder worker than you think.

This morning I read a blog post by an advertising hero of mine Alex Bogusky. He talked about a seminar he once attended and the one speaker, Lee Clow, that inspired him to stay in advertising.

The talk Lee Clow gave was about presenting your clients with great ideas. If they don't like them, keep going back with greater ideas instead of trying to persuade them to accept the first one.

The crux is: you don't have to ram ideas down people throats. You work really hard to come up with great ideas until the client buys one or gets sick of you and fires you. The key is hard work.

Everyday we all present ideas to people and a lot of the time they don't like what we present at first. So we listen to their feedback, find out their likes/dislikes, what their goals are and go back to them with a better idea.

What keeps you going until the client/friend/colleague/wife likes an idea? It's hard work and perseverance. You are working harder than you think. So give yourself a second to revel in how great you are ....... now back to work.

Have a terrific week.

P.S. How many inspirational books have you read this year?