AIM HIGH...

 Failure is not the crime - low aim is.

-John Wooden

Does Motivation Work? - Not Always...

Some people say that motivation is unsuccessful. Claiming it’s just a bunch of  pep-rally, mumbo jumbo.

There are people who think ‘The Secret’ has something to do with Voo-doo and that Tony Robbins is taking too much speed.

I personally do not believe these two statements, but I do think motivational tools can be useless.

Because no one can make you do something…

You know that saying, ‘you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink it’?

Well, people need to want to be motivated,  for them to actually do something more than they are today.

Without desire, motivation is nothing. (It’s a whisper. It won't move you.)

I am attending the Get Motivated Conference in downtown Cleveland today and I have been looking forward to this for a while.

I have been to several events like this one and the one that stands out in my mind the most is actually a Tony Robbins seminar. 

I am hoping that I am as inspired and energized and the power in the room today is as amazing!

It won’t be Tony, but there will some amazing speakers with tons of experiences to share (both successes and failures). There will also be thousands of enthusiastic people coming together for the same reasons- they are looking for motivation. They WANT it.

They would like an extra spark of thought and creativity. A re-lighting of their fire.

Most people looking to be inspired are already on a journey...they just need a little push.

Inspiration and motivation kind of work like bumper cars.

They come along just bump you a  foot or two forward.

You were already on the road you wanted to be on, and it has and always will be your own, but a little motivation just helps get you there faster.

It doesn't matter who you are, what you do or how much drive you have already, we are all human, and could use an extra hand now and again; to keep us going.

'Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal-a commitment to excellence-that will enable you to attain the success you seek.'
    - Mario Andretti

Truly,

Amber

What's Inspiring Me This Week

I am inspired by reading books, especially those written by leaders.

The most recent leadership book I started reading is ‘The Mentor Leader’ by Tony Dungy. 

Tony Dungy was the first NFL head coach to defeat all 32 NFL teams and he was the first African-American head coach to win the Super Bowl, just to name a couple.

He is the author of two other motivational books and two children's books.

In this book so far, Tony is discussing the difference between a Mentor Leaders and  a typical leader.

He talks about how the focus and goals of the Mentor Leader are quite different from other leaders and I  already admire Mentor Leaders because I can respect them.

Mentor Leaders are team players who lead by mentoring and by lifting everyone up around them.
They pay more attention to the people than they do the bottom line.

From what I understand, a Mentor Leader wants everyone they come in contact with to be better and stronger, and successful at reaching their goals.

Wow, what a week this will be...
I am reading this fantastic book and then I attending the Motivational Conference in Cleveland this Wednesday! I don’t think I will be able to sleep for months after this!
(I remember what it was like attending a Tony Robbins event.I received enough energy to last me for years….I think this week might be have the same results and I could really use it!)

I will keep you posted on what I learn at the conference and what else I gain from Tony’s book!

(If you have not visited Tony Dungy’s Blog – I have it listed on my Family Matters Blog - So check it out!)

 'People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing-that's why we recommend it daily.'-Zig Ziglar

Here is a link to Amazon to review ‘The Mentor Leader’: 

http://www.amazon.com/Mentor-Leader-Secrets-Building-Consistently/dp/141433804X

Here's  Tony Dungy's website link:

http://www.coachdungy.com/

If you are interested in attending the Motivational Conference on Wednesday, May 11^th 2011, click here:

https://www.getmotivated.com/city.aspx?a=5300

If you can't make it to Cleveland for Wednesday’s Conference? Click here for other dates/locations:

http://www.getmotivated.com/

Truly,

Amber

Happy Mother's Day to All of the TV Moms in the World!

Celebrate TV Mom's by:

Learning how the role of a mother has changed over the decades via TV.
http://www.biography.com/tv-moms/index.jsp

Taking this TV-Mom Trivia!
http://www.biography.com/tv-moms/quiz.jsp

Sending an E-Card if you haven't gotten your mom a card yet.(oops)
http://www.biography.com/tv-moms/create_card.jsp

Enjoy!

Truly,

Amber

Friend or Un-Friend

On Facebook, as in real-life, it is sometimes necessary to Un-Friend someone.

It happens. Occasionally, a friend who you thought you knew turns out to be someone you didn’t expect them to be.

In life it’s a bit harder to Un-Friend someone, but my question is: Why do people do it?

I guess there are probably times when you Friended them, or they Friended you and it was too soon in the relationship to be Friends…

Now that you feel like you know them better, you don’t like really like them anymore. Or maybe it’s an ex-boyfriend, (which I found out today you are supposed to Un-friend immediately-oops). 

I am sure there are tons of reasons for Un-friending somebody but I wonder if it happens because some people are concerned with having as many friends as possible, regardless of who they are or if they share similar interests and beliefs. 

Then they end up with Friends they don’t really know or even like...

(Correct me if I am wrong, if I say you are my ‘Friend’ doesn’t that mean that I have to at least like you?)

Anyways…..

I’m left to assume they must be striving for Friend quantity rather than Friend quality.

Maybe it’s about some people choosing to act differently when you first start talking to them.

You meet someone new, or it’s someone you knew in the past and are meeting them again; the conversation seems nice, they seem nice but then you talk a few more times after that and the more you get to know them they seem to change…

You eventually wonder who this person is. 

Usually, it’s not them changing, it’s the Real Them….it just took them a while to come out.

If that happens, no worries, FB makes it as easy to Un-Friend them, as it was to Friend them.

Just go to your Friends list, click edit friends and all of your ‘friends’ will be laid out in front of you (who are all completely unaware of what you are about to do- by the way)

Then, by clicking the little blue X next to their name you officially ‘remove’ them as your Friend

Now - they no longer exist.

Well, that is not entirely true. They do exist, just not in your FB World.

Honestly, I’d have to say that my  #1 reason to Un-Friend someone on FB (yes, I have done this) is because they do not sensor what they post and are either too crude or too judgmental and I don’t think that my friends and family would appreciate the lack of respect.

My wall is not for them to post their insulting or cruel thoughts. (Yes, Freedom of Speech, I get it, but really? It's just not neccessary.)

So, if you all of a sudden are no longer my Friend on FB -I guess you'll know why;)

*To all of my True Friends: 

I am blessed to know you and I know you are genuine and I respect you for being yourself. I appreciate you! (And sorry for any icky stuff you had to endure on my wall written by disrespectful Friends – that sounds like an oxy-moron..)

**A note to my future-potential-Un-Friends: If you Un-friend me or plan on Un-friending me in the near future, I would like to say thank you! 

I would rather you be honest and Un-friend me than pretend to Friend (like) me.

 

Truly,

Amber

Everyone Loves a Good Video

Fear is a state of mind.-Napoleon Hill

Watch this video and feel inspired:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w30ZlGiZRIo&feature=related

If you’re not conquering self, you will be conquered by self.-Napoleon Hill

 Truly,

Amber

 

Cat vs. Internet - A MUST SEE!!

 

     Fun Friday

Happens to the Best of Us

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/253wzW/theoatmeal.com/comics/cat_vs_internet

Truly,

Amber

Are You a Text Message Abuser?

‘Hey Pot, this is Kettle….’

‘Are you a text message abuser?’

‘Yes,yes I am....'

'That is why I can write this post.’

I’ve been that person; opting to text before calling someone, because it seems quicker or easier. Most times I’ve chosen to relay important messages via technology rather than speaking them. (But get upset when others do the same..)

I have also been the one who’s not fully available during a face to face conversation, distracted by that untimely incoming message (because for some reason I haven’t figured out  yet that my text-message inbox has a built-in-readable-mailbox so I don’t have to answer every text immediately). And of course being disgusted that someone else has done it to moi.

Like computers, texting has become, I think, a-cool-new-fang-dangled-gadget that was supposedly going to make our lives easier (and can sometimes) but that that we end up abusing. 

Texting, more often than not can actually interfere with relationships and communication, not always enhance them.

You know what I’m talking about…

How many times have you texted someone, only for the message to: 

A) never reach the person

B) reach them too late 

C) come across wrong and you had to write 20 more texts to clarify what you ‘really meant’ only to end up on the phone for about an hour with that person anyhow because…‘texting’ just wasn’t working?

I’m beginning to realize that once a person depends on texting as an acceptable way of corresponding, they falsely consider it a sustainable replacement for good old fashioned communication.

Trust me... I understand all too well that it takes time to make a phone call. Because unlike when you’re texting-you cannot always multitask, nor can you stop talking at any moment and pick up the conversation later. 

(Hence me being the Kettle.)

Texting is not the same as speaking and can actually do more damage than good.

I've learned this the hard way.

For instance, some people do not text or do not care for it and they do it with you because it's the only way you will respond...(sound familiar?-yes, I recognize this too). These friends/relatives do not value texting, they don't prefer to do it, but yet we do not use their preferred source of communique and so when we choose not to call them they may feel that they are not important to us. (Seems a little one-sided doesn't it?) 

-Again, I understand, since I am the Kettle.

And to defend my texting practices and all those out there who live ridiculously busy lives (which is almost everyone) texting seems the right thing to do most of the time but read on....it isn't always.

When we’re texting there can be moments of bonding opportunities lost.

For example:

Humans have five sense and hearing is one of them. When it comes to human bonding, nothing enhances a conversation like the sound of someone’s voice. 

Especially when saying 'I'm sorry..', 'I love you.', or 'How can I help?'. 

Also:

Listening is an art which benefits both the person who is speaking and the one who is listening. Texting does not clearly prove that someone is listening, nor can the person who’s talking always feel acknowledged and understood if they cannot see the person on the other end. (Body language has been said to account for 93% of a conversation.)

I can say all of this, because I am guilty of it.

So since the New Year, I have tried to be more aware of this and make a phone call over texting if the situation allows, and I try to notch out quiet time to make that call so that I can be present 100% (which does take preparation sometimes but is worth it).

When I get off the phone with the person I chose to call rather than text, I never regret it. I feel very fulfilled. I am content that we understood one another, and above all, bonded. 

Because that is what relationships are all about.

Do you think texting is the quickest, most efficient way to communicate or the quickest, most efficient way to destroy a relationship?

Tell me your pros and cons on texting.

**And I have a challenge for you**

This week, when picking up the phone to text a message, ask yourself this question: 

Would it be better if I called?

Truly,

Amber