Tag Archives: motivation

The third goal

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Cruyff speaks, we listen.

The third goal yesterday was a stand out moment for our football team.

I’ve been banging on about putting passes together, keeping the ball. The clock was ticking. It looked like we would miss out on the points again. The final substitutions had been made.

We got the break from a 50/50 challenge in the middle of the pitch and the ball suddenly started moving from back to front, one player to another to another, then finally at our striker’s feet.

She swings a big right foot at it and the net bulges. It was never missing.

I was pleased and proud of what just happened because the simplicity of the move made it so effective.

There was nothing fancy. The ball just went from player to player in maybe five passes max, and the finish was excellent, but it all came from passes.

The whole game is about making passes – executing on the most basic of skills. The team that does it the most wins most of the time.

The work will carry on. The weeks we play badly will be when we don’t execute on our plans and the frustration mounts as mistakes take over.

But when that plan comes together and the ball hits the back of the net at the end of a move as sweet as the one we delivered yesterday, there will be no frustration. We’ll be winning.

There is life beyond the scroll

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Attempting to white-knuckle the task of beating the algorithms to stop or slow down your use of social media is doomed to failure.

The facts are clear if you think about it.

These mammoth tech businesses have armies of the brightest minds working against you as their business model.

Their job is to hijack your attention and keep you coming back for more, over and over again. And they do it so well.

The attention on Instagram, for example, and the seemingly non-stop growth of that attention, transcending age, gender, and social barriers, is off the chain.

Willpower alone is not enough. The algorithms are too strong, too smart, too skilled at keeping you fixated. Our psychological weaknesses as humans are being exploited.

To overcome the alogorithms and move on with a full life, cut them out.

Delete the apps from your device to eliminate that instant fix from your phone.

Reclaim that 2 to 5 to 15 to 50 minute block that you’d spend scrolling inside the app, using it for something practical instead.

Challenge yourself to make this change work. Your mental health and your ability to be productive will thank you later.

Write on your blog

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No one cares if it’s hard. It doesn’t matter. Just get it done.

What’s the point in having one if you don’t use it? It’s like having a bike and never riding it.

If you’re not adding to it, it just sits there. Everyone can see it’s empty.

Deep down, you know you should be writing. It bugs you. It’ll eat away at you.

You’ve got two choices: keep it and use it, or kill it.

One or the other.

Talk over action

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No explanation required!

Don’t just talk about what you’re going to do. Get started and do it.

I’m guilty of this. We all are on certain things in life, no doubt.

Take this blog. It’s been an on/off escapade for years now.

If you’re not adding to it frequently, it grows weeds and dies a slow death. Nobody visits the pages. The posts will remain unread.

Knowing you’ve invested cash in a domain, or have spent money on some fancy editing tools, eats away at your subconscious mind.

You’ve spent that money and you’re doing nothing with it.

All this stuff sitting in our heads, it’s toxic.

The easy fix – get to work and start typing.

It really is that simple.

You’re not Wordsworth on day 1, or even day 10,001, but you’ll be somewhere you’re definitely not today.

And if you make a plan and map out the moves you want to make over time, the action turns plans into reality.

Get out of your own way

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The hard work is ahead. I’m running a final marathon this year before my knees break down.

I got through the hurdle of a half marathon last week. Training now steps up to distances much further, staying on my feet for longer.

It’s always harder in my head than it is to do the actual running.

The running is the fun part. The pain comes and I grind through it. One foot in front of the other, over and over.

Thinking about it – letting my brain get in the way – makes the task more difficult.

When we run, pushing towards our physical limits, we get a look at how we react to pain and stress. We hear our brain telling us to slow down, take shortcuts, or simply stop.

The challenge is laid down – easy or hard path? Which one do you want? Growth or stagnation? Settle for what you have, for who you are right now, or grow into someone else? Someone you don’t know yet. Someone you’ve never met.

The action gives us the answers.

The act of not doing what my brain says, and doing what my plan says – following my process – is where the growth comes from.

The act of ‘less thought, more action’ doesn’t apply universally, but the more I take action without the ‘what if…?’ thoughts that let the brain get the upper hand, the better the results.

Chop wood, carry water.

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Nice quote from Phil Jackson’s book, ‘Eleven Rings’ (beginning of chapter 19):

“Forget mistakes, forget failures, forget everything, except what you’re going to do now and do it.

Today is your lucky day.”

The mess our brains can make of getting through each day is real.

Competing interests, pressure from all sides, the desire to be perfect, all that nonsense.

If you can get into the ‘chop wood, carry water’ mindset, the noise in our brains quietens.

Find the focus in the next task you want to do and go do it. Then the next, over and over.

Sports books and metaphors from sport, or Buddhist philosophies for quieting a noisy mind, don’t sit well with everyone, but they can help you put the pieces together that work for you.

It’s about what you need to get through the day.

How bad was LBJ?

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The man himself: LBJ.

Reading book two of the Robert Caro series on Lyndon Baines Johnson at the moment. These are four epic pieces of non fiction, researched over many years, rightly winning all the plaudits.

I started with little knowledge of the guy other than the fact that he made it to the White House; details of his upbringing were unknown. The way he made it into politics was also unclear.

The thing that’s standing out to me as I near the end of book two – Means of Ascent – is how low this guy was prepared to go to make his political dreams come true.

I won’t spoil the plot. The usual antics of the power hungry are clear throughout, but there’s a deeper urgency to ‘make it’ on his part. A true desperation. The pages reek of it.

His wife, ‘Lady Bird’ Johnson, survived him by a number of years, hopefully to enjoy a life that would never have been possible with him still alive, sucking up all of the glory.

The lies, endlessly cultivating a false impression, wrapped up and sold to hapless voters in all parts, are a theme all of their own.

And the voters bought it. His supporters got what they wanted and their man got the top job he craved, no matter what it took to get there.

There are so many lessons in this story. I’ll let on more when I work through the series.

Be promiscuous with your positive emotions

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Tell people what you like about them.

Let people know how you feel about the positive things they do.

People don’t know this about themselves unless we tell them. So tell them. Be open about it.

And it’ll probably come back. Your friends will reciprocate.

The good vibes will spread.

What’s not to like about that?

Are you better today than yesterday?

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Jacaranda trees in blossom.

Use a simple metric such as the one in the title above to review your day.

Think in terms of what you did and give it a ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

No need for fancy spreadsheets or other tools for this. Not even a notebook. Do it in your head if that’s all you’ve got to work with.

But don’t avoid it. Making notes and tracking your progress every day will be useful.

Over time, you can add categories. Maybe you did a run which boosts your health but you didn’t read that chapter you committed to.

Taking action is what this is all about. It’s a simple and effective process when it’s done over time.

Yes or no, every day, over and over.

You’ll get a feel for what’s working, what’s a success or what might need to change.

Track things that mean the most to you and you won’t go too far wrong.

Your habits define you.

This is a strong one to build.

The trick to laying those solid foundations for a big future

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Centennial Park, Sydney

The groundwork for a future focussed on achievement of any kind is built on one thing.

Discipline.

It’s about creating daily habits that develop into strengths over time.

The task is usually something that doesn’t come easy. That you have to work hard at.

Mine’s writing. No doubt about that at all.

For others it’s maybe reading. Or lifting weights. It can be anything.

What’s yours?

Make the most of your weekend

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Weekends are precious. They are the time to relax, recharge and have some fun. But they can also be the time to get things done and learn some new skills.

How can you have a productive weekend without feeling overwhelmed or stressed?

Here are some tips:

  • Plan ahead. Decide what you want to accomplish and prioritise your tasks. Write them down. Schedule them in your calendar.
  • Set boundaries. Limit your work-related activities and avoid distractions. Turn off your notifications, email and social media (ever tried the Freedom app?). Say no to anything that isn’t aligned with your goals.
  • Balance work and play. Don’t forget to enjoy yourself and do something that makes you happy. Reward yourself for completing your tasks. Even do some celebrating when you knock over a big task.
  • Reflect and review. At the end of the weekend, take some time to reflect on what you did, what you learned and what you can improve. Review your progress. Would you change anything to make it better?

Give these tips a try. New skills take some effort but the payoff is real.

How to overcome fear and take action

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Fear is an illusion that stops us from pursuing our dreams.

The only way to overcome fear is to take action. Action creates momentum, confidence, and results.

Here are some tips to take action despite fear:

  • Start small. Focus on the next step, not the final outcome.
  • Use positive affirmations. Replace negative thoughts with positive ones.
  • Seek support. Surround yourself with positive people.
  • Celebrate your progress. Reward yourself for every step.

Remember that fear is normal and natural. It’s a sign that you’re stepping out of your comfort zone, growing as a person.

Don’t let fear stop your progress.

Act today. Watch your dreams come true.

Move the ball

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Each day, we all show up for work. The job is the constant, whether we like it or not.

Move the ball forwards. Even a small amount, just move the ball.

There are two balls here – mine and the one belonging to my employer. Whoever pays my cheques.

Each one needs that daily movement.

This is how you stay employed and employable. Both balls moving means you are learning. You are doing your job and devloping your skills.

Move each ball. Apply effort and time to it. It doesn’t fail as a long term strategy.

Break out of the pack

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Here are six ways you can increase your personal impact, no matter what you do.

They’re taken from a 2014 Tom Peters slide deck I printed and bound because it was so useful. I pick it up and walk through it periodically. Even time I open the pages, the words pop off the page. They never get old.

  • Outwork ’em
  • Outread ’em
  • Outlast ’em
  • Show up
  • Listen
  • Keep an open mind

I’ll also add another one – master politics. If you can understand how politics works and the role it plays in all aspects of our lives, you’ll have an advantage over the majority of people you work and play with.

Which one are you going to start working on first?

Tackle your problems head-on

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It takes guts to stand up to bad people. The same applies to problems of any kind.

The insecurity we feel when we realise what’s going on, the nerves about what will happen, begin to build. We go through every “what if…?” scenario at 100 mph.

Some people in this spot decide to hide away, playing in the shadows. It gives them a chance to cover their tracks, hoping this is enough to kill the scent.

But it never is.

You’ve gotta own up and face the problem head on. Your weaknesses are obvious to all at this point. Vulnerability here is the path to strength.

Be humble. Admit you’ve made a mistake if that’s the case. Admit you don’t know what to do. Ask for help and listen when the feedback arrives, no matter how tough that might be under the circumstances.

Get the job done. Then go find another one. Use the improvements from this episode to reach new levels.

Onwards, always to better things, with a chunk of learning about yourself in your pocket.

From tired to inspired: revive your energy levels

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I just checked out the caffeine in a pack of Berocca Boost. Wow, it’s wild. That 75mg shot will jack you up for a few hours, no doubt. But how can you imporve your energy levels and not have to resort to the artificial approach?

Sleep

Making sure you get enough is massive. Your body can go for days on end with no food and little water but take away sleep and you’ll stop functioning.

Get to bed at a smart hour, say 10pm, for a week. Keep your devices out of the bedroom so there’s no temptation to check them. Set a challenge to wake up at the same time every day for a week, aiming to make it stick. That’s a great start to forming good sleep habits.

Diet

Caffeine stays in your system for as much as eight hours. That cappuccino after dinner, or the piccolo to get you through the afternoon, makes it impossible for your sleep schedule to work.

Processed foods are a big negative factor, too. The hidden fats and sugars they contain make it harder for your body to digest them, using up additional energy. Hit the fruit and veg hard for a week. Maybe start the day with a smoothie. Your brain and body will feel the benefits instantly.

Screen time

Staring at screens increases stress levels and stops you from interacting with the world. It kills your efficiency stone dead. Can you cut it down?

Less focus on screens improves your sleep for starters, giving your better quality rest. If you can shut screens down for an hour before you get into bed, you’ll also decrease stimulation sources and naturally relax before you hit the sack.

I’m no doctor and this is generic advice. Please consult the pros if this is something you have big problems with. Your energy supplies are limited so do what you can to support yourself each day. A small change or two can go a long way.

Scrolling away productivity: how social media is eating away your day

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Scrolling is a death spiral. Anything you’re working on disappears from your mind. The plot gets lost.

All that replaces the work is someone else’s life or a product you don’t need. Those best bits of the lives of others, served up in that never-ending fire hose of content.

We all get blasted by it. Anyone who says they haven’t – they can deal with it, it’s under control – is not being truthful. It’s like being on a water slide. All that can stop you once you take off is the smash into the pool at the bottom.

The remorse after any amount of time spent scrolling is hard to take. I put Instagram back on my phone about one month ago. Already I can feel its hooks are firmly embedded. I’m in, posting a little and consuming a lot, just they way they like it.

And, boy, do those five minute blocks add up. Between YouTube and Instagram I’m averaging nine hours a week. The waste of that amount of time is tangible. It’s painful to see the facts, whatever level of control I imagine I have.

The challenge is to now do something about it.

Take your own audit of how the scroll affects you. The results might spur you on to some positive changes. If you can go from consuming to producing content, for example, putting those scrolling hours to good use, things could be different.

Negativity spreads quickly and will take us all down

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I was chatting to someone at the office the other day. We got deep quickly on the topic of a mutual coworker – someone with a few issues in their life.

They are bleeding all over the rest of us with their sighs and “it’s all too hard…” comments about the job, leading to some poor performance. The slack created has to be picked up, of course, so no-one’s happy about it.

The chat goes downhill fast. It becomes a pile-on. Within minutes, we’ve gone way beyond anything uplifting or light and down into the murky waters.

By the end of it, we’re all stirred up. Our own productivity levels drop through the floor. The blame for this is clear, too – definitely nothing to do with us… we’re perfect!

But we are to blame.

The chat is gossip that takes us downhill faster than a black run. The decision to avoid the idle banter and stay focussed on the job sets those who get stuff done apart.

Step away. Do something else. Don’t take the bait. Stay in a positive frame of mind rather than taking the easy path and teeing off on someone who could be in real trouble.

It never ends well for those who love this kind of behaviour. The gossip kings and queens are not the ones to hang out with. Build a relationship with them, as with everyone at work, but don’t join them when the sourness takes over.

Rise above it. Be the one who leads the team in the right direction.

Don’t add fuel to the fire. Let it burn out.

Digging deeper: why an easy career is not always the best choice

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Just because something’s easy doesn’t make it right. A career you find easy might not be the ideal path over the long term.

One of my big mistakes from the last 35 years is not getting stuck into a career I enjoyed. I didn’t have a trade, a skill I could develop over time. I could get by without certifications and additional study. I made good money but the ceiling was low. Once I hit it, all I could see was 30 more years of the same. No thanks.

When the pressure is off, motivation is hard to come by. Skills get stale. Money flows but the drive to improve disappears (or at least it did for me).

I’ve now gone deep rather than wide in the area I work in – cyber security. It involves study to improve and the bar keeps getting higher. I wanted a career where some study effort would pay off. There are endless study paths, and it can take a while to find the right path for your own interests, but I’ve found it now. Doors are starting to open.

My purpose for this effort is to grow skills and rise through the ranks. As always, studying on your own time is a pain, but if the purpose is clear and you’ve got that motivation, good things happen.

When you’re making plans for the long term, keep this in mind. Economic security and a skill you’ve developed over the years will keep you on the up.