Peanut butter sandwiches

At a meeting recently, a business speaker told this story...

A workman sat down for lunch with his workmates and open his lunch box. "Peanut butter sandwiches again" he announced.

"Why don't you tell your wife you want something different" offered a workmate.

"I make them myself" said the workman.

This story made the room laugh, until the speaker suggested that we are often like the workman who want to change but never make the effort of changing.

Don't lose weight

That was the advice of John Shackleton at a session I attended today.

His advice was to focus on the desired outcome, not the negative process.

For instance, he suggested that losing weight was the process that people needed to go through that resulted in them looking slim, and that looking slim or fitting a certain clothing size should be the goal.

In other words, focus on the gain, not the pain.

Indian Motivators

The snakeboats are huge with over 100 people on each one. There are 5 people steering, 100 paddlers and 5 motivators.

I was impressed with the idea of having these motivators throughout the boat to get the best out of the paddlers. I wonder what would happen to workplaces if they employed motivators to help get the best out of staff?

We got to row with the locals & even though I didn't understand a word they were saying, I was motivated by the noise, whistling and enthusiasm.

Check out the video for a taste...

What motivates you?

Is it money?

Is it status?

Is it time with the family?

Knowing what motivates me changed the way I approach new things. For me, I'm motivated by knowing the Big Picture. Sell me on the Big Picture & I'm off. Miss this step & I won't be on board.

Now I go looking for the Big Picture. My boss knows this about me & uses the information to get me on board.

If you don't know what motivates you find out. There are tests (some on-line) that will guide you. It's best not to assume that you know what motivates you either as this may distract you from your true motivators.

Now go & get motivated!

A little motivation can go a long way

I didn't know if I was going to make it... the finish line looked like it was moving away from me and my shoes felt like they were made from lead ... UNTIL ... I saw my family cheering me on.

I was suddenly running faster, not even thinking about the 20.8 kms I had just run. I crossed the finish line for the half marathon at the fastest pace I had run over the entire race.

It's amazing what can be achieved with a little bit of motivation.

You can use this effective tool with staff, customers and friends, to help them get what they desire, or to encourage them to do more of what you want.

Look for the 'good stuff', acknowledge it and you'll be amazed at what can be achieved - just with a few encouraging words.

Idea for an ad

This idea for an advertisement has been going round my brain for a while.

Hopefully putting it on my blog will create space in my head for other stuff!

This could be used for running shoes or health related products.

1. As the runner tires he hears crickets. The humming turns to encouragement and cheering and the runner keeps going, feeling stronger. The tag line could be "Motivation surrounds us".

2. The runner hears the rain coming behind him and runs faster. They race to the end point, the runner wins, puts his hand in the air, facing the sky as the rain comes down. The tag line could be - rejoice in life! For a water bottle company it could read "Water is life - rejoice in life!".

If you know someone at an ad company, why not send them this link? Just let me know!