Category Archives: Motivation and inspiration

What would you do if you weren’t afraid?

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What would you do if you weren’t afraid? This was a quote I read recently (and forget where from and sadly cannot give the proper credit for – sorry). Lists are useless for a question like this, and the answers to the question are inside us all, but we are, in the majority of cases, too weak or frightened to look in the mirror and answer with the truth. The fear of knowing the truth takes us away from a great number of things, but the one time that we take the truth head-on, roll up our sleeves and start an all-in, testosterone-fuelled, no-holes-barred brawl with it is the time that everything begins to take shape. We feel a form of ‘release’, and we challenge what we knew and what we now know. The release is from the metaphorical anchor that we all have inside us that keeps us in the life to which we have become accustomed, but, in the same way that a ship pulls it up to get moving, we need to do the same with ours, too. And right now…
 
I look at the answer as lying within a journey, with a start and an end, and a middle bit that takes us somewhere. Anywhere really. But the point is that it takes us somewhere new. We get to see a whole new world that, right now, we have no idea of what it’s like. Taste it, smell it, feel an atmospheric change when we step into it and open our eyes.
 
So, what can you do? What’s going to be your answer? Stop what you’re doing now for five minutes and think about it. Make some space in your world for just five minutes and really have a think about your plan of attack. It might be the most important thing you ever do.
(Written in 2011)

Getting back to the old ways

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I’ve seen some really bad examples of service and communication this year, in many areas from day-to-day retail banking (an area I have worked in) through car dealerships and restaurants and many more. It has moved me to write a few notes on this and I feel it’s an area that needs some attention. My own area of focus is HR and recruitment and I feel that this is also a sector that needs to stop and take stock of how it does in this area.

The basic statement I am making is that we need to ‘get back to the old ways’ and I’m going to try and sum it all up below and add a few things to think about:

Quality
It’s a highly used word but does it really mean anything any more? What does it stand for now? Who’s accountable? It starts with us all. Get some standards. Define it for yourself, seek it out, cherish it, support it.
Meaning
Bigger, faster, stronger, more expensive, wilder, more extravagant, more… Give your life some meaning and purpose – does it have any now? Relationships, work, experiences, evidence. Originality – thoughts, plans, new friendships… Define it for you.
Relationships
Very easy to make, very easy to break. Longevity is key. Sharing is good. Embrace the differences. Show you care. Give and receive.
Service/services
The basics are the only things that matter. Simplicity over ‘empty’ promises. Be thankful for the opportunity. Build relationships and give value. Treat those who serve you like gold. MASSIVE opportunity in getting it right.
Say what you mean
No bullshit, ever.
Be a communications ‘pro’ – listening and speaking.
The time before email and phones
People spoke face to face a LOT more. Communication was formed upon civility. Messages were written and a lot of time taken in making sure they were right. Reading and writing mattered. The world still moved forwards and the pace was acceptable to us all.

What’s your target?

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As we head into the final quarter of the year, with dark nights, christmas present lists, next year’s summer holiday plans, etc, it’s time to think about targets for next year. They don’t need to be sporty ones (although mine mostly are – I do a lot of sport) but they can be anything you like. They can be a real help in motivating us to do something new, improve ourselves, find a new hobby or interest, meet new folks – whatever you fancy, really.

What are yours?

I’d love to hear from you. Even you lurkers out there, too. Come and join in, let us all know what you’re up to…

Mine? Well, the biggest one, anyway – Paris Marathon next April in a new best time for me that’s a long way off right now – 3.15. I’m going to throw everything at it!