Today's minimotivator #63-2010: Opportunity lost

Someone once said, "Opportunities are never lost; someone will take the one you miss."

How true is this statement? You only have to take a little peek around at the world and you can see people picking up lost opportunities.

Have you ever thought you should be the one that picks up the missed ones?

Well you are the one. Look up, down, sideways and diagonal and pick up those missing opportunities. Sort them out, choose the ones that work for you, and take action.

Success, happiness or fame will follow.

Today's minimotivator #62-2010: Haste

Max Eastman said, "I don't know why it is we are in such a hurry to get up when we fall down. You might think we would lie there and rest for a while."

Do you stop for a minute when you fall down?

This might not a trip and fall, it might be a bad day. In my experience we usually jump straight back up, dust ourselves off and get back into the game as it were.

I think there is value in lying there for a minute. It gives to time to think, to calm down and check yourself.

Next time you fall down stay there for a minute. It will be invaluable time.

Today's minimotivator #61-2010: Gifts

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "The only gift is a portion of thyself."

If you have children you will know this to be very true.

The box a gift came in is as much a gift as the box itself and all they want is you, for a time.

Have a think about this today. Instead of a gift how about giving yourself. No phone, no computer, no Twitter, no Facebook. Just you.

Bet you will find it easier to buy something.

Today's minimotivator #60-2010: The mysterious world

Arthur C. Clarke, "The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible."

How many times a year do you push through to the impossible?

This is a great quote by the man who explored the limits of possibility his whole life. I'm going to try to do it as least once a year.

How many times a year will you?

Today's minimotivator #59-2010: How to cook rice

Chinese Proverb, "Talk does not cook rice."

There is only one way to cook rice. Put water in a pot and boil it.

It is the same for everything.

Today's minimotivator #58-2010: Plowing

Someone once said, "You cannot plough a field by turning it over in your mind."

The NZ'er who just won the World Plowing Champs would have to agree with this quote.

He had to get out there, set his blades and plow in a straight line. Sitting in the tractor seat plowing the field in his mind might be helpful but he had to actually plow the field to win.

Glenn

P.S. For more inspiration join us on Facebook.

Today's minimotivator #57-2010: Inventors

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities."

There is no one like you. No one will ever follow your path, open gates and be presented with opportunities in the same way as you.

How cool is that? Have a great day.

Today's minimotivator #56-2010: Paying the price

Leon J. Suenes said, "Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true."

Have you ever seen someone unhappy to be doing what they are passionate about? Highly unlikely even when things aren't going right.

The thing is though is that those people are paying a price to follow those dreams and that is what sets them apart. For years I never knew what the price was even though I was ready to pay. The price it seems is not money, the price is time and courage to do the things you need to do.

Will you put in the time and do the things to make your dream come true?

Glenn

P.S. For more inspiration join us on Facebook.

Today's minimotivator #55-2010: Amateur to Artist

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Every artist was first an amateur."

There are many types of artist. Not just the painter or the sculpter or the designer. There is the lawnmower man, the sandwich maker, and the rubbish man.

All of these people started off as amateurs to. Then as they mowed more lawns, made more sandwiches, and picked up more bins they got better and better. They became artists because they make what they do seem easy.

And that is what a true artist is. Someone who makes something look easy. What can you do that others find hard? That is your art.

Glenn

P.S. For more inspiration join us on Facebook.

Today's minimotivator #54-2010: Leave no stone unturned

Edward Bulwer Lytton said, "To find what you seek in the road of life, the best proverb of all is that which says, "Leave no stone unturned.""

If you haven't found what you love to do yet take Lytton's advice and "Leave no stone unturned".

You don't have to do a lot of jobs or sports or hobbies first hand though. Ask others, read about them, use the internet to watch video's. See and hear all the amazing things that technology allows us to see and hear and you will surely find what you want to do.

Glenn

P.S. For more inspiration join us on Facebook.

Today's minimotivator #53-2010: Life is like a wheel.

There is a Philipino saying, "Life is like a wheel, sometimes you're at the top, sometimes you're at the bottom."

Thinking about life like a wheel paints an interesting picture. A old wooden wheel off a cart popped into my head. Slowly moving round and round.

So, wherever you think you are now you can be sure the wheel will turn again.

Glenn

P.S. For more inspiration join us on Facebook.

Today's minimotivator #51-2010: Focus

Robert Brault said, "Life is short, God's way of encouraging a bit of focus."

I really like this quote. It might seem like we are here for awhile, but we are not. Compared to a fly or a cicada or a dog our lives might seem long. But compared to a Kauri tree or a tuatara we aren't here for that long.

Get focused. Don't work out what you want to do. Do things. Do everything. And when you find something you want to do forever, do it.

Glenn

Today's minimotivator #50-2010: Putting things off

Charles Kingsley said, "Every duty which is bidden to wait returns with seven fresh duties at its back."

We all tend to put things off to be able to do other more pressing things. But when you do that there is always other things to do. Lots of other things.

Schedule your day. Do things that you don't want to do and don't put things off. The seven fresh duties that are sure to follow will be much easier to handle.

Today's minimotivator #48-2010: Keep hammering

Jacob A. Riis said, "Look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before."

How many times do people stop at the hammering at 100? I think a lot and yet like the stone cutter if they kept hammering they would crack whatever they were working on.

Don't stop at 100. All the energy you have built in the those first 100 will make the next 100 easier and more powerful. You will crack the rock.

Today's minimotivator #47-2010: Jump in

Bruce Lee said, "If you want to learn to swim jump into the water. On dry land no frame of mind is ever going to help you."

This is a great quote from Bruce Lee that can be applied to anything you want to do. You can't be on dry land to swim, you have to jump in the water.

The other part is that no amount of thinking about swimming is going to help, you still have to get in the water.

Whatever you're are wanting to do start doing it. Being on dry land and thinking about it won't help you do it. Jump in the water now!

Today's minimotivator #46-2010: Perseverance vs Obstinacy

Henry Ward Beecher said, "The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't."

Have you ever been in a job, or relationship, where you want to really move it ahead and you just keep coming up against walls. You have the 'will' to keep going but you are coming against a 'won't' from some obstinate person. Someone who won't give up their position. (A great example is the Japanese and their whaling stance.)

What do you do? I suggest persevering until your will becomes a won't. Because then you have done everything you can and if the wall of 'won't' doesn't come down it's time to move on.

What's your suggestion? Tell me on Facebook.

Today's minimotivator #45-2010: Apolgise later

Admiral Grace Hopper said, "If it's a good idea, go ahead and do it. It is much easier to apologize than it is to get permission."

This of course depends on what you are about to do but in many cases you should just do it.

Worrying about reprisal has halted many amazing careers and lives. If you do something and it works you might have to say, "Sorry I just had to prove this worked. We won the battle."

What can they do. You've won! Do what you want to do if it is a good idea.

Today's minimotivator #44-2010: Words

Robert Southey said," It is with words as with sunbeams. The more they are condensed, the deeper they burn."

I like the image those words create. Words so condensed they leave burn marks on you and your soul. There is power in words.

Choose them well and they will leave a mark. Choose with negligence or anger and they will leave a mark. Choose then those that mark with kindness, honesty and love.

Today's minimotivator #43-2010: Timing.

Carl Lewis said, "Life is about timing."

Timing can be a pain or it can be the golden apple. When you are waiting for things to happen and they aren't happening quick enough the timing isn't good. But when that thing happens, and it happens at a time when all your preparation lines up, magic will occur.

You just need to be aware of everything around you and know when the timing is right. And to do that you can't slack off, you have to persist and believe. Then the timing will be right no matter what happens.

Today's minimotivator #42-2010: The Power of No!

Josh Billings said, "Half of the troubles of this life can be traced to saying yes too quickly and not saying no soon enough."

We all say yes to often. It is engrained into us because we like to help people. However to help anyone you need to be able to help yourself first.

Saying no is empowering. It can free you a lot of things that detract from your success or relaxation. Use the Power of No wisely and often.

Today's minimotivator #41-2010: I am

A.L. Kitselman said, "The words "I am" are potent words; be careful what you hitch them to. The thing you're claiming has a way of reaching back and claiming you."

I can imagine the hands of happiness reaching for me and claiming me for their own.

Can you?

Much better than the hands of misery or unhappiness surely. Say "I am happy" or "I am fit and healthy" long enough, do something in that direction, and those hands will claim you soon enough.

Today's minimotivator #40-2010: Hurdles

Someone once said, "Life's problems wouldn't be called "hurdles" if there wasn't a way to get over them."

This quote is great. It gives me a very clear image of life's problems as 'hurdles' and I know I either jump over them or stumble through them. Especially at pace.

So maybe start gently increasing your pace. Day by day start moving faster. Do one more thing that gets you moving towards your goals and your pace will pick up and you will start to easily leap over any hurdle life puts in front of you.

Today's minimotivator #39-2010: Character

John Morley said, "No man can climb out beyond the limitations of his own character."

Why does your character limit you? Because it's who you really are. To climb out further you need to challenge yourself, to seek better characteristics.

For example my goal this year is not to swear anymore, at all. I gave myself a year because a change like this is huge. It took a long time to develop the habit so I know it's not going to take five minutes to change.

But at the end of it I will have changed because I will have to think harder about what I want to say. I will be able to climb out a bit further than I could before.

What limitation could you work on this year that could climb out further? Select one, give yourself a decent amount of time to change and go for it.

Today's minimotivator #38-2010: Perspective

Al Oliver said, "There's no such thing as bragging. You're either lying or telling the truth."

When I was younger I was able to do a lot of things. Not everyone believed me and I realised their reaction was based on their perspective. They didn't have the same opportunities I had or more accurately the confidence to try lots of new things.

However, I quickly learned to tell the truth because from any perspective a lie is a lie. Perspective is a funny thing we generally only look at something from ours. Flip everything to another perspective this afternoon. You never what will come from a view skewif from yours.

Today's minimotivator #37-2010: Treat yourself two

Someone said, "Expectation speeds our progress."

Doing, wanting or getting nice things for yourself makes your life better. It is not selfish if you are also doing things for others, it is a reward for doing those nice things. Because to think of ourselves as deserving we actually have to do things for ourselves.

We set the standard for which others treat us. Otherwise how can others know how we want to be treated if we don't treat ourselves that way in the first place.

Today's minimotivator #36-2010: Treat yourself

Wayne Dyer said, "Treat yourself as if you're already what you'd like to be."

This is a great quote by Wayne because as simple as it is it hides a great meaning. To often we want to be something but let others opinions of us rule how we act. Family especially can find it hard to believe you want to become a better you. They treat you as they always have.

If you want to change and grow you have to start treating yourself like the person you want to be. Practice. Get it nailed and firmly ingrained in your head. Then and only then start educating others about how you have changed and want to be treated. The knockers will already see the change and will find it easier to accept the new you.

Today's minimotivator #35-2010: Kindness

Joann C. Jones wrote, "During my second year of nursing school our professor gave us a quiz. I breezed through the questions until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was a joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.

Before the class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our grade. "Absolutely," the professor said. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello." I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy."

What a great lesson and one to teach your kids.

Today's minimotivator #34-2010: Peace

Indira Gandhi once said, "You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist."

Over the weekend I got to read an amazing book called Century by Bruce Bernard and really got the feeling that as a race we feel clenched fists will get us what we want.

They won't.

If you remember you can only shake hands with an open hand I think we would all be better off.

Today's minimotivator #33-2010: Fishing

Roderick Haig-Brown said, "There will be days when the fishing is better than one's most optimistic forecast, others when it is far worse. Either is a gain over just staying home."

Fishing is like everything else you really like doing. No matter whether you win or lose, or don't catch anything, you are still doing it.

What can be better than that? Winning of course but as much as I like winning you cannot win all the time and that is when wanting to be there no matter what really helps.

Today's minimotivator #32-2010: Marriage

Rita Rudner said, "I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life."

Today I'm getting married and having found the person I want to annoy for the rest of my life I wanted to wish the same to you.

Have a great day, smile at the person who lets you annoy them, or if you haven't got some like that find someone and give them a hug.

You're special but letting someone else know they are too is even better.

Today's minimotivator #31-2010: Dream sticks

Dr SunWolf said, "Give crayons. Adults are disturbingly impoverished of these magical dream sticks."

What a great name for crayons, dream sticks. Give some today, or buy some yourself, grab huge pieces of paper and scrawl.

Create, scribble and laugh. What joy that will be and who knows the result might be good enough for you to frame for yourself.

Today's minimotivator #31-2010: Optimism

Robert Brault said, "The average pencil is seven inches long, with just a half-inch eraser - in case you thought optimism was dead."

I have read similar quotes to this but when I read Robert's version today I finally understood it. It's very optimistic because it says you will make way less mistakes than you will write words or draw pictures.

This has changed the perspective with which I will look at pencils from now on. Maybe we should all keep one close at hand to remind us we do more good things than make mistakes.

Today's minimotivator #30-2010: The meaning of patience

In 1680 John Dryden wrote, "Beware the fury of a patient man."

Have you ever got to the absolute end of your tether and then been told you have to hold on for dear life because you could say or do something out of anger?

What do you do when you get there? Do you hang on or do you do something that makes you feel amazing but could be detrimental to your business or a relationship.

Patience to me can mean giving people enough rope to hang themselves when really I would like to tie the noose. Doing this can cost you money and time so like pulling of a plaster it's better to get things over with quickly with a short sharp pain and then relief.

What does patience mean to you? Tell us here.

Glenn

Today's minimotivator #29-2010: The meaning of life.

Robert Louis Stevenson said, "Anyone can carry his burden, however hard, until nightfall. Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day. Anyone can live sweetly, patiently, lovingly, purely, till the sun goes down. And this is all life really means."

If you do these things every day, and rest at night, you will be happier, healthier and richer than most.

Living one day at a time with an eye on your legacy seems to be the meaning of Life. It's as simple and as hard as that.

Today's minimotivator #28-2010: What now?

Someone once said, "It's not what if, it's what now."

You are dying! That's right you're dying right now as you sit there reading this. In fact we we all are. Every second that passes is another one closer to our death.

So why do people, people who know this too, have what if's? "What if I..." or "What if they...". You don't have time for what ifs you only have time for "What nows?"

Take a minute to think about this and then put a reminder somewhere that says "WHAT NOW?". What now is a powerful question that will get you thinking. Use it daily.

Glenn

Today's minimotivator #27-2010: Adversity

Lou Holtz said, "Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who has overcome adversity."

It occurred to me when I read this quote just how true it is. You have to keep in mind we are talking about something 'worthwhile' here. That might mean being a successful business person but not a successful person because of a large inheritance.

If life was easy and you could easily become successful I suspect you wouldn't be that proud of your achievements because no sweat went into them. It's like being at a restaurant and enjoying the food but the chef is really chuffed because he made it.

Life isn't meant to be easy. It's meant to everything that happens because who are you without everything that happened? No one. Sweat more and you will always feel successful.

Today's minimotivator #26-2010: Hope

Mignon McLaughlin wrote, "Hope is the feeling we have that the feeling we have is not permanent."

Have you had that thought: the one that says it's ok because what I'm feeling, or what is happening to me, will pass?

That's a good thought to have. It grounds you and helps you remember that the situation is not permanent. You will survive, you will feel better.

Make sure you keep having that thought. Write a note to remind you to have it. It's powerful and it will transform you and get you through anything.

Today's minimotivator #25-2010: Little things

Edmund Burke said, "Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little."

My favourite law is the Law of Compounding. Usually 'interest' is added on the end of that sentence and there is even a quote attributed to Albert Einstein about it.

However, the law of Compounding can be added to anything. Work, play, relationships, fitness, lap times and diet.

So, don't sit there today doing nothing because you think you can only do a 'little'. Do that little thing. Because you might think of another little thing you can do while you're doing it and before you know it all the little things have compounded into a HUGE thing.

HUGE! Start doing 'little' things now.

Today's minimotivator #23-2010: Faeries, mountains and flames.

In 1894 William Butler Yeats wrote,

"Faeries, come take me out of this dull world,
For I would ride with you upon the wind,
Run on the top of the dishevelled tide,
And dance upon the mountains like a flame."

Imagine dancing upon the mountains like a flame....

Do it now and exit the dull world for a moment.

Magic isn't it?

Today's minimotivator #22-2010: Rainy days, gardening and God.

Someone once said, "God made rainy days so gardeners could get the housework done."

Do you love to do something so much that God has to intervene to stop you from doing it?

Most of us are so extremely passionate about something we put off everything else to do it.

This quote is a reminder that we have to stop from time to time to do our housework. That might be spending time with your family, tidying up or actually doing the housework but we must take a break from time to time before God intervenes.

Today's minimotivator #21-2010: DON'T PANIC!

Douglas Adams wrote, "Don't Panic!"

Mr Adams Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy would come in quite handy today because it would be a constant reminder not to panic.

Being in the office by myself I am overcoming the urge to panic by just getting on with things and thinking I will get it all done. If I don't there is always tonight.

Have you got a big "Don't Panic!" sign in you're office? If you don't feel free to print this one out and hang it up as a reminder not to panic. It never solved anything.

Today's minimotivator #20-2010: Job done!

Sam Ewing said, "Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."

Having been working with a successful electrician today I really understand the importance of turning up. He turns up on time, every time and gets the job done. He is the kind of person who turns up, rolls up his sleeves, and is successful because of it.

Which one are you? More importantly, which one do you want to be? Tell me on Facebook.

Today's minimotivator #20-2010: What's eating you?

Annita Manning said, "High-tech tomatoes. Mysterious milk. Supersquash. Are we supposed to eat this stuff? Or is it going to eat us?".

Love this quote because with the stuff that goes into food these days it's amazing they aren't eating us. Actually they probably are, from the inside.

Food plays a big part in your day, week, life and success. Teach someone to cook a meal this week and you could have saved lives. Their life and their children's and their grand children.

Jamie Oliver offers a lot of evidence in his 20 minute TED talk here.

Today's minimotivator #19-2010: Instincts; do you trust them?

Come to the edge.

We might fall.

Come the edge.

It's too high!

COME TO THE EDGE!

And they came

and he pushed

and they flew . . .

Christopher Logue, "Come to the edge"

Instincts are an amazing thing. They wake you up a split second before your child cries in the night and make you move to avoid a golf ball or catch a plate.

It takes practice to get in touch with them again and that's your challenge for the weekend: listen to your instincts. You'll be surprised at how good they are.

Today's minimotivator #18-2010: More countryside

Eddie Cantor said, "Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going to fast: you also miss the sense of where you are going and why."

It's not a great idea to slow down on the motorway but, if you turn off sometimes, you can slow down to 70 or 80, maybe even stop, and really enjoy the scenery. Here in New Zealand we are very lucky but whatever country your from you will have the same opportunities.

Take them. Read the map and get a good idea of where you're going while you're at it. You might find an interesting short cut or cool sight you would have missed by blasting by at 100.

Today's minimotivator #17-2010: The countryside

Henri Rousseau said, "When I go out into the countryside and see the sun and the green and everything flowering, I say to myself Yes indeed, all that belongs to me!"

It really is only in the countryside where you can sit on a bench or on a hill and say this all belongs to me. Do it this weekend. Go out to a park or a beach, breath in and say, 'This belongs to me."

Not only will you feel richer, you will feel healthier - mostly because your breathing fresh air.

Today's minimotivator #16-2010: What's over your shoulder?

Eileen Elias Freeman said, "When babies look beyond you and giggle, maybe they're seeing angels."

What do they see over your shoulder when they giggle? Are they just giggling because they are safe in your arms or are they seeing something? Either way they do it a lot and they are very happy.

As adults we don't giggle that much and we can be a dour lot. Next time you're out at a cafe or in a mall check people out. They don't look that happy. Your task today is to think silly thoughts and giggle more. You will add years to your life and people will wonder what you're seeing over their shoulder.

Today's minimotivator #15-2010: Poker and chips

Someone once said, "The guy who invented poker was bright, but the guy who invented the chip was a genius."

How true is this quote when you look around at a lot of the richest people in the world. They didn't invent something new, they invented something that went with something new.

What could you invent or create that could be what chips are to poker?

Get your thinking cap on. It could make you rich.

Today's InstantMotivator #14-2010: Are you bored?

Jules Renard said, "I am never bored anywhere: being bored is an insult to oneself."

There are a lot of quotes about boredom but this one sums up the word / feeling for me. Boredom is not only an insult to oneself it's an insult to your companions. One should never be 'bored' when you are breathing.

Fight against it with every ounce of energy you have and look at every situation with childlike wonder. You will never be bored again.

Glenn

P.S. If you're into cars you might like to join us on CAR137.com's Facebook page.

Today's minimotivator #13-2010: Frustration and exhaustion

Kurt Vonnegut said, "Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward."

What do you do when you are tired and frustrated? We all do different things at or out or at work. I sometimes have to take myself away and have a lie down or something to eat.

What's your never fail way to pick yourself up when you are tired and frustrated? Let us know here.

Today's minimotivator #12-2010: Success and decisions

"To be successful, YOU have to decide what to do next."

Do you make your own decisions about what to do next? Disregarding the "yes" that popped into your head take a minute to think about your day so far. Did you decide to come into work or did you have to. Did you make the decision to eat cereal for breakfast or was that all that was in the cupboard.

When you look closely at the decisions you made today you will see some of them were made by either someone else or outside influences.

What if you made the decision to come to work. When you get up in the morning you consciously think to yourself and maybe say out loud, "I make the decision to go to work today!" Would that make it easier to go to work? I think it would because you are in control of the decision.

Try it this afternoon when you decide what route to drive home or what task to do next. Not only will it make you smile it will make you feel happier because you made the decision.

Glenn

P.S. Hat tip to Seth Godin for making me thing about this.

Today's minimotivator #11-2010: Influence

Horace G. Hutchinson said, "If profanity had an influence on the flight of the ball, the game of golf would be played far better than it is."

Swearing might not have any influence on a golf ball but you definitely influence the person you are playing with.

We all have an influence on someone and that is a responsibility we seem to take lightly. Would you handle yourself differently if you could see the impact of your speech or actions on someone in the future?

You would. Looking at your own history will show you what influence others have had on you. Take responsibility for your influence today.

Today's minimotivator #10-2010: Moving mountains

William Faulkner said, "The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones."

Have you ever tried to move a mountain? I have. It wasn't an actual mountain but I definitely bit off more than I could chew and had to stand back, figure out where to lift first and then start carrying away the smaller stones.

If you look at all BIG things like that and start with the small things first. Pretty soon the mountain becomes a hill and then a mound and then it's gone. Try it today.

Today's minimotivator #9-2010: Putting off happiness

James Openheim said, "The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under his feet."

It seems a lot of put things off. We put off holidays, spending time with friends, rewards and even happiness. We do this because we say to ourselves, "We will be happy when ...."

The problem with this thinking is you might die before you get to be happy. A survey done in the US several years ago found the average father spent 37 SECONDS quality time a day with their kids. They were really putting everything off to get ahead.

Don't put things off. Plan for your future by saving but live today.

Today's minimotivator #8-2010: Looking both ways

Doug Linder said, "A good programmer is someone who always looks both ways before crossing a one-way street."

When you are looking for a solution do you look both ways or even up? As Doug says a good programmer looks both ways and so often we only look one way, the way we know.

Make a conscious effort to look both ways next time you come to what would generally be a one way street. The result, and maybe opportunity, could surprise you.

Today's minimotivator #7-2010: Patience

Someone once said, "Patience is the ability to count down before you blast off."

How patient are you? In this age of fast food and instant gratification our patience seems to wear thin quickly. However, we must teach patience to our kids because the "I want it now attitude" is one of the reasons our world is in big schtuck.

Practice counting down before you do something. Count down from ten, take a big breath, and then hit the button. You will surprised at how much of a wiser or even genius person you will be perceived as.

Today's minimotivator #6-2010: The price of success

Frank Lloyd Wright said, "I know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen."

There is always a price to pay for the success of any enterprise but it needn't be your life, your family or your health.

Dedication, hard work and devotion can be done in the hours between seeing your friends and family. Make time for them or you will be sharing your success with a lonely glass of beer at your desk.

Today's minimotivator #5-2010: Perfection

Goethe said, "Certain flaws are necessary for the whole. It would seem strange if old friends lacked certain quirks."

Isn't it so often the quirks of your friends that make them so fun to be around. Whether it's wit or worldly cynicism it keeps you entertained and thinking about view points other than your own.

You are the same. Your quirks are what make you fun to be around and entertaining for your friends. Keep them, they are what make you, you.

Today's minimotivator #4-2010: Procrastination

Robert Benchley said, "Anyone can do any amount of work, provided it isn't the work he is supposed to be doing at that moment."

Often I find myself able to do a whole bunch of things that I enjoy but are not what I should be doing. When I realise what I'm doing I have two choices: carry on or stop and do what I'm supposed to do.

More and more I am choosing the one I am supposed to do because it moves me forward to my goals. And as I do that more it's becoming easier. A habit is forming. Create the habit and you will go far.

Today's minimotivator #3-2010: Life

Nadia Boulanger said, "Life is denied by lack of attention, whether it be to cleaning windows or trying to write a masterpiece.""

How often do you miss a spot or forget something minor that can cause no end of chaos. The battle for your attention goes on daily and we sometimes give it to things that we shouldn't. TV for example instead of playing with your kids. Pay close attention to those things that matter to you and you will create a masterpiece every time.

Today's minimotivator #2-2010: Inspiration

From a billboard, "Success is 10% inspiration, 90% last-minute changes."

The pressure of the 'last minute' seems to bring out the best in most people. Those finishing touches and flourishes, that can really make something, happen in those moments. Giving yourself deadlines can be very inspirational. Try it out on everything and see what happens.

Today's minimotivator #1-2010: We are back!

Theodore Roosevelt said, "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are."

We're back and kicking it off with a great quote from Theodore Roosevelt that at this time of the year I think is very pertinent. Print this out somewhere because I think this is a great quote to read every morning.

Today's minimotivator #241-2009

Ellen Goodman said, "We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential."

Merry Christmas and here's to your potential.

Today's minimotivator #240-2009

George Bernard Shaw said, "If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas."

The holidays are a great time to relax and exchange ideas. Just think how many you will by the end of the break if you chat to one or two people each day.

Come and join us at http://www.facebook.com/mondaymotivator.

Today's minimotivator #239-2009

Charles Dickens said this about Christmas, "I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys."

That sums it up nicely.

Today's minimotivator #238-2009

Jane Haddam said, "In my day, we didn't have self-esteem, we had self-respect, and no more of it than we had earned."

Self-esteem is a term that hinders because of it's lack of a concrete concept to build on - respect. It's a bit loose.

Work hard and your self-respect will grow. Respect others and your self-respect will grow. Respect is a powerful word and in turn will help you become powerful.

Today's minimotivator #237-2009

George Bernard Shaw said, "The only man I know who behaves sensibly is my tailor; he takes my measurements anew each time he sees me. The rest go on with their old measurements and expect me to fit them."

We often judge people by their old ways and discount the new. Take a moment each time you see someone to measure them up. Their measurements might of changed.

Today's minimotivator #236-2009

Someone once said, "A bend in the road is not the end of the road... unless you fail to make the turn."

Twist and turns make our life interesting. When you don't make one you will go through the guardrail and off the cliff. Take the turn. You never know where it will take you.

Today's minimotivator #235-2009

Robert Fulghum said, "Maybe we should develop a Crayola bomb as our next secret weapon. A happiness weapon. A beauty bomb. And every time a crisis developed, we would launch one. It would explode high in the air - explode softly - and send thousands, millions, of little parachutes into the air. Floating down to earth - boxes of Crayolas. And we wouldn't go cheap, either - not little boxes of eight. Boxes of sixty-four, with the sharpener built right in. With silver and gold and copper, magenta and peach and lime, amber and umber and all the rest. And people would smile and get a little funny look on their faces and cover the world with imagination."

Buy yourself and others crayons for Christmas and watch the funny look they get as they imagine.

Today's minimotivator #234-2009

Someone once said, "Someday is not a day of the week."

I will get around to that someday is a common phrase used by many people.

Procrastination is a killer. A killer of dreams, goals and relationships.
As the quote says 'someday' is not a day of the week so pick a day and get some of your 'thats' done.

Today's minimotivator #233-2009

Ivern Ball said, "Most of us can read the writing on the wall; we just assume it's addressed to someone else."

If you can read the writing and don't think it's for you. Take a look over your shoulder. If there's no one there, the writings for you. Don't ignore it.

Today's minimotivator #232-2009

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air."

This quote reminds me of Summer and how lucky I am to live in New Zealand.

What does it remind you of?

Today's minimotivator #231-2009

William A. Ward said, "God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?"

That looks like a big number but those seconds tick by at a pace we seem to set ourselves. In a hurry = never enough time. In the flow of what your doing = times almost slows down.

It's so easy then to think to yourself, it's ok I will say thank you later, and then the day flies by and the moment for thank you is gone.

Say it straight away. Thank you. These two words change lives. Yes they are that powerful. If you wake up everyday in NZ there is a lot to be thankful for. Say them more often and you will be amazed at the results.

Today's minimotivator #230-2009

Napoleon Hill said, "It takes half your life before you discover life is a do-it-yourself project."

I had the thought today that I am an unfinished project, a work in progress. It made me feel happy because it means I'm constantly tweaking here, changing there and I have the power to do that. No one else.

Think about yourself as an unfinished project or a work in progress and you will not be able to help but smile. Try it now and tell all your friends. It will bring a smile to their faces too.

Today's minimotivator #229-2009

Alec Waugh said, "You can fall in love at first sight with a place as with a person."

With the holidays fast approaching this quote stood out for me. This Summer are you going to your favourite holiday place?

We all seem to have one don't we. Engraved on our minds by the perfect Summer holidays we used to enjoy as kids.

I had a thought today about relaxation. What if we could go to that place in our minds a few times a day. That would be relaxing. This year on holiday really soak up your favourite place. Suck it through your pores and store it under your skin because next year you will find it easier to go there in your mind when you need to relax.

Today's minimotivator #228-2009

Someone once said, "A New Year's resolution is something that goes in one year and out the other."

I think this is because we tend to try to change too many things at once. This New Years make one resolution for the year and only one. Then do everything you can to make that one thing happen.

If you do one a year for the next ten years you will have made massive changes in your life.

Don't let this years resolutions go through one year and out the other. Make one and stick to it.

Today's minimotivator #227-2009

Someone once said, "If you are still talking about what you did yesterday, you haven't done much today."

That might be a bit harsh, especially if you climbed Mt Everest, but I notice Hillary didn't dwell on that, others did. He just got on with using that accomplishment to help him do things that helped people today.

Things you did yesterday are building blocks for today. Keep building.

Today's minimotivator #226-2009

Ted Grant said, "When you photograph people in colour you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in B&W, you photograph their souls!"

Would this be true for being with people as well? If you saw everyone on Black and White would you see more than just their clothes and skin?

Thought I might leave you with something to ponder upon this afternoon.

Today's minimotivator #225-2009

Robert Brault said, "I believe that there is an explanation for everything, so, yes, I believe in miracles."

Do you believe in miracles? You might call unexplained things something else but sometimes, sometimes, how else do you explain an event that blew your mind. Something that you thought you really shouldn't have survived.

On the radio this morning they talked about a guy who had a really bad feeling and left a restaurant. His friends thought he was being odd but left with him. Later the city was rocked by an explosion and they went back to where they had been and the place was destroyed in the blast.

When these things happen though you generally have never felt so alive and it's life changing. Imagine if just waking up in the morning did that to you. How great would your day be?

Today's minimotivator #224-2009

Mark Kennedy said, "All of the biggest technological inventions created by man - the airplane, the automobile, the computer - says little about his intelligence, but speaks volumes about his laziness."

Celebrate your laziness. It's where all the best ideas come from.

Today's minimotivator #223-2009

Lauren Bacall, "I am not a has-been. I am a will be."

As she has got older, in an industry that doesn't treat aging woman well, Lauren Bacall has proven herself to be a 'will be' person.

I am a 'will be' person. Will you be one too?

Today's minimotivator #222-2009

There is a Turkish Proverb that goes, " He bites his tongue who speaks in haste."

How often this is the case. I sometimes think I will bite it off by the end of the week.

How to stop it? Pausing and thinking before you speak. Hmmm that only works sometimes. How do you stop from speaking in haste?

Today's minimotivator #221-2009

Albert Einstein said, "If at first, the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it."

It makes me feel so much better that Einstein said this. It makes those crazy ideas and dreams I have so much more plausible.

What about you? Does it make you want to come up with absurd ideas more often.

Today's minimotivator #220-2009

Will Rogers wrote, "Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save."

Do you you that? Rush everywhere, get things done quickly, but only at 70%, all to save some time.

Time that you then look for something else to fill it with so you can be busy and important and rush off to that. What's wrong with sitting on your butt and reading for a few hours? Oh, but I don't have the time, I hear you say.

You do have time. Thinking you are bored, or will get bored, is a sad state to be in. My challenge to you is to do nothing and be bored for an hour in the next week. You will find it hard to do but the relaxation you get will be worth it.

Today's minimotivator #219-2009

Jim Rohn said, "If you don't like how things are, change it! You're not a tree."

A tree is a tree is a tree but you on the other hand can be whatever you want to be.

A salesman, an actor or a cabinet maker. Decide what you want to be then do what has to be done to become it.

Simple, yet very hard when you are surrounded by so many choices. Pick one today, focus on it for a month or a year and you are guaranteed to be somewhat different at the end of that time.

Today's minimotivator #218-2009

Someone once said, "Happiness is an unexpected hug."

Something for you to do today - give someone an unexpected hug. Then stand back and smile. They will too and it will give you both a spot of happiness in the midst of your hectic day.

Today's minimotivator #217-2009

Zenna Scha said, "Give a man a fish and he has food for a day; teach him how to fish and you can get rid of him for the entire weekend."

Bit of a funny for Friday. However, it is true that once you teach someone something that they really get into and love, you have given them something to do for a long, long time that will change their life and make them very happy.

Teach someone to 'fish' this weekend.

Today's minimotivator #216-2009

Voltaire wrote, "No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking."

This is true for any problem. Put enough of your thinking time, others if you can, and you will come up with an answer.

The trick is to allow yourself the time. We don't do that often enough because if we did we wouldn't get our best ideas in the shower or the bathroom.

Today's minimotivator #215-2009

Lily Tomlin as "Edith Ann" said, "I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework."

What are you giving to the people around you to think about apart from homework?

Allowing someone time to think is a good thing because the idea they come up with might solve both your problems and a lot of others.

Today's minimotivator #214-2009

Robert Brault wrote,
Always when judging
Who people are,
Remember to footnote
The words "So far."

This poem sums up my thoughts about judging people. You can only judge them on what they have done up until today. You cannot judge what they will do tomorrow because who knows what they will do or decide to become.

Today's minimotivator #213-2009

Albert Einstein said, "Life is like riding a bicycle - in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving."

Can you remember your first shaky goes on a bike? Mine were in the back yard where I only had to avoid the washing line and grape vine. Both of which I hit.

What I discovered was if I kept peddling I kept my balance. Steering and stopping came next. Life is like that. As soon as you stop you start to wobble and the handle bars shake.

There is plenty of time to get wobbly at Christmas so for the next six weeks - keep moving.

Today's minimotivator #212-2009

Edward Gorey said, "Life is intrinsically, well, boring and dangerous at the same time. At any given moment the floor may open up. Of course, it almost never does; that's what makes it so boring."

I am the kind of person that does wish the floor would open up sometimes so I can see what I would do. Hang on by my fingertips or scream like a little girl and fall.

None of us seem to like boring and so we create things that we can then deal with and work out how to get of. This thinking has lead to the highest mountains being climbed and the deepest oceans plumbed.

This weekend do something that you think is 'dangerous' and break out of 'boring'. The exhilaration will be awesome. Notice I said 'dangerous' and not 'life-threatening'. There is a big difference.

Today's minimotivator #211-2009

Jackie Robinson said, "I'm not concerned with your liking or disliking me... All I ask is that you respect me as a human being."

Respect is something that I do strive to give to everyone because whether I like or dislike them they are human. And as humans we are all prone to the same failings.

One thing about respect is having the guts to front up to people when you have done something wrong or no longer need them. Instead of slinking off I find that telling someone sorry or I don't need their services can lead to better dialog or even solve the issue I am having.

Some might call this not burning your bridges. Because you never know when you might need help from that person / business again.

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

Today's minimotivator #209-2009

Lynn Johnston said, "An apology is the superglue of life. It can repair just about anything."

Sometimes all you want to hear is the words, "I'm sorry", and you will feel heaps better. But when they aren't offered you can become resentful.

I think apologies should never be held back. You need to make them quickly when you upset someone even if they don't want to hear it at the time, they have heard it.

We all upset people and even if you're think you're right an apology for your tone of voice or language can move things along a million times faster. Try it this week and not only will you lighten the load on your shoulders you will be someone people want to be around.

Today's minimotivator #208-2009

Henry Van Dyke said, "Some people are so afraid to die that they never begin to live."

Today I found out a mate of mine died a year ago in Bali. A year ago. Amazing what happens in a year. It feels like only a few months ago we were chatting Skype but it was actually a year almost to the day.

He was a guy that had a huge zest for life. This sometimes got him in trouble but he was always smiling, was great to be around and 'lived' everyday.

Stop for a sec and ask yourself, "Am I really living?". If the answer is no and you're not afraid to die get going and get living.

Today's minimotivator #207-2009

Franklin P. Adams said, "I find that a great part of the information I have was acquired by looking up something and finding something else on the way."

Google has made learning even easier than looking around, talking, listening or reading. Whenever you click search you find something new.

Maybe once a day search for something you have no idea about and see what comes up. The results could be very surprising and you have just learned something new. Something that when mixed in with everything else you know will help with your creativity because you never know where your next brilliant idea will come from.

Today's minimotivator #206-2009

Muhammad Ali said, "The man who views the world at fifty the same as he did at twenty has wasted thirty years of his life."

I know I definitely don't see the world the way I did at twenty. At twenty I was leading a cloistered life in the RNZAF.

Sometimes though I think it's good to try and see the world as a seven year old - open, honest, adventurous. If you can still do that at fifty you will be having a great life.

Today's minimotivator #205-2009

Ken Blanchard said, "None of us is as smart as all of us."

Sometimes you will meet a know-it-all who thinks they are smarter than the rest of us. Individually he might be right but if we team up we are smarter x 16.

Working on my own is great to get things done but coming up with ideas or answers is always more fun and more stimulating in a team.

Today's minimotivator #204-2009

Annie Gottlier said, It's so hard when I have to, and so easy when I want to."

This is very true. When you have to get up you feel tired and want to stay in bed. When you have something really important to you to get to you're awake early so you don't miss it.

So my thought for the day is: How do I turn the 'have to's' into 'want to's'?

Any ideas?