Motivation Begins at Home!

Self-Motivation begins at home.

I does not matter at what stage of your life you are at whether you are just starting in school, or beginning your career at the bottom rung of the ladder. If you have just graduated or a seasoned professional. You are always selling yourself.

For your entire life you will be doing your best to gain respect, influence, or merely persuading others to listen to your views. I begins with one's self.

Here are some helpful hints for you.

• You must believe in Yourself.

You must believe in yourself and convey that impression to others. Many people talk to themselves in a negative manner, and this can hold them back. My father was a simple man, he only reached the eight-grade but the most profound thing I can remember him telling us kids was, “Can't never did anything”

• It is a “right attitude” not just a positive attitude.

Being constructive and optimistic is a sign of a successful person. They have a calm, confident, and optimistic demeanor. They have the belief they will be successful in whatever they do. No matter what occupation you are in there will times you will need to work on your attitude. Remember you are the one controlling your attitude. Don't let things you can't control, determine your attitude. Avoid complaining, criticizing, or condemning others.

Maintain a positive pleasant and approachable personality.

• Smile

A great smile is one of your best tools for success. Try it for yourself. As you are walking when someone looks at you flash that smile at them and watch their reaction. Nearly one hundred percent of the time they will return that smile. If you are asking for help or direction use the weapon, it is the smile and nearly always it gets you a positive reaction.

• Use names

By using a persons name you automatically get their attention. If you are doing a transaction that requires another persons name use it. If they are wearing a name tag use their name in a polite and pleasant manner.

• Watch the other person

Observing the other person is important, if they are ill at ease or inattentive and they are going to be difficult to communicate with. Until you put them at ease you will not accomplish anything.

You need to get them engaged in the conversation. A good way to do this is to get them to talk about themselves. It is also important to remember the first conversation, does not always yield the results you hope for. This is due to the fact the interviewee is more likely to be distracted.

Be interested, look at the person and nod or comment on what they are saying. People value your opinion and if you are interested in them they will return that interest.

• Talk Positively

Insure the statements you make are in a positive vain. Don't use negative terms to describe the weather or business conditions. When I was managing stores I never would describe business in a negative way.

Maintaining a positive manner will help to give others a better outlook as well. If you are negative those around you will pick it up.

• Be Warm and Friendly

If you are friendly others will reciprocate the behavior. It is not about being nicey, nicey it is being genuine. I can't say it enough the way you are is the way you will be treated. People respect and admire those that treat them well, and normally they return that behavior.

I feel it is very important to be, and convey a positive self-motivation by following the above tips you will be demonstrating this. By engaging others in this way you will be displaying your motivation, and you will be gaining motivation by the way other interact with you.

Motivation Breeds Success!

Motivation Breeds Success!

Last night I watched a basketball game and one team was already assured of making the NCAA Tournament and the other was on a downhill slide. For the team on the slide, it was their last chance to get the attention from the committee making the choice. The team that was already assured won the game. The motivation was the fact they still had a chance at the championship of the conference.

If you are happy in your “present” you may not be looking for motivation. If you are looking for more then, you may want to look for your motivating purpose to change your reality. For some it may be more money, others it may be a different home, for many it is personal happiness.

I feel it is a personal thing not only to want something different but to have the motivation, to actually get it. Edison was highly motivated to invent the light bulb if not he would have quit after hundreds of failed tries. Some people don't want it, some don't know how to find it.

So it is up to you to determine your goal and then find the means to accomplish it. Simply wishing things will change will not make it happen. If you are going to attain those goals you need to find what your motivation is to sustain your efforts. Remember it is easy to wish for something, to succeed it normally take's consistent effort. Motivation is the engine that keeps our focus and actions moving to our successful accomplishments.

As an example if you are not happy with your present job you need to determine why you are unhappy, and if there is something you can do to change it. If you feel a change is necessary, then you need to decide what your possibilities are. After you have listed your possibilities, assessed their reality, and found the path you intend to follow, you need to insure that you have your motivation in place to keep you on track.

I am a big sports nut so let me give you a couple of sports examples. A few years ago two freshman quarterbacks, both talented, one started school early and participated in spring practice, and won the starting nod. The other freshman got into a few games showed a couple flashes of brilliance,but was a non factor that year.

The following summer the starter seldom showed for off-season workouts. The other worked diligently to learn the things a starter needed to know. He gained knowledge of the playbook that he could not learn in the short period between entering school in the fall and the start of the season. The pair came to summer camp and the starter lost his position, not only did he not start, but at the end of the season he was kicked of the team. The player that made it as a starter the second season is now getting ready to compete in his senior year, and is a early Heisman candidate.

The other is Justin Verlander of the Tigers, last year he was the Cy Young winner the League MVP

and is about the start spring training. Every year he thoughtfully tailors his off-season workouts to keep improving his game. When he was asked what he expected for this year, he replied he wanted to become a better pitcher this year. His motivation is to be the best and he is willing to do the work to get there. He is motivated.

True Motivation=Action=Success!

Are you in one of those "Bad moods"

Here are some tips to help shake the Blahs!

Have you ever had one of those days when you were just in a bad mood. It may not be something that happened to you. Your just in lousy mood and don't know how to shake it. Well here a few suggestion that will help you shake the blahs!

1. Go for a walk.
You don't have to walk for several miles. You don't have to race. You don't have to have a special time. Say it is lunch time and you just get outdoors, walk around the building. Just the sunshine and fresh air will be remarkable. Walk out to the edge of the parking lot, check out the surroundings. Watch the birds, feel the breeze on your face. Check the clouds or watch the traffic going by, wonder where they are going or where you would enjoy being at that moment.

2. Listen to your favorite music.

I have a wide range of likes in music. Some songs have a way of making me feel better. So just pull out one of those CD's and let your mind tune out the other thoughts and just listen to that song you remember so fondly. OK I just dated myself, just pull the IPod and go to town. Chill out and watch the mood change.

3. Discover something new.

Read something different, something you would not normally pick up. Go to the book store and browse the magazines find one you wouldn't usually pick. Check it out see if you can find a brand new interest. If this fails, go to the library and walk the rows of subject matter if you haven't done this for awhile you will be amazed at will peak your interest.

4. Find something to laugh at.

Laughing is a great way to help your state of mind. Find a book, watch the comedy channel, call one of those friends that always make you laugh. Get on the computer and check out you-tube or google for something funny. Check them out and see what a little laughter will do for your mood.

5. Doodling for the fun of it.

Did you doodle when you were younger, don't deny it we were all in school once. Remember when the teacher was lecturing and you had your notebook out, honestly were you taking notes all that time or did you do a few doodles too. Maybe you enjoyed drawing something, for me when I was younger it was cars. Take out that notepad and pen, pencil, or crayons and just go for it.

Here you have it a few ideas to help shake those doldrums away. They are not necessary earth shattering or profound and maybe not very scientific. But the bottom line is they help me to change those moods. I have a strong affinity for working with wood and I can start a wood project and totally lose the ill feelings and thoughts. When I am done working on the project it is a sensation of satisfaction and my thoughts of gloom are gone. Your mind sometimes needs a little redirection or distraction to get back to a more peaceful state. Try one of these the next time you feel this way. The tips are free and they work.

Are You Smiling Today!

Do you know that a Smile is never wasted!

Ron Harris



Do you walk thorough life frowning, are you always in a bad mood, mad at the world? Take it from a guy that has had to battle anger, foul moods, having those around you scared to say anything to you. It is not something to be proud of, knowing you don't make those around you comfortable. The time to think about that is now. Do you want to spend your days by yourself because you make the people around you hesitant to even share the pleasant things that are happening.

Life is truly better with a smile in it. Have you ever noticed that if you smile at someone while passing them, it is almost impossible for them not to return the smile. Have you tried to be mad at a person when they naturally bubbly and consistently up beat. If you can just grab yourself and think about the great days you have when you are surrounded by happy people. I don't know what the scientific reason is but smiling just seems to make things better. We all know it is not possible to always have a smile but to know things seem more enjoyable when we do should make all of us too serious people try harder.


More facts about smiling


• A smile is a expression of happiness and recognized by all cultures

• Most people know it only takes 5 pairs of facial muscles and can take up to 53 muscles to frown.

• Smiling causes the release of endorphins that make us feel better

• Even ‘faking’ a smile can lead to feeling happier

• People are born with the ability to smile.

• A newborn shows a preference for a smiling face over a non-smiling face

• It is a proven fact women smile more than men. Wonder why?

• Younger people smile more than older people. As an older person I am working on this!

• There are 18 different kinds of smile used for different types of social situations

• A smiling person is considered to be more pleasant, attractive, sincere, and sociable, than a non-smiling person

We all would do well to practice our smiles. If you are shy or not very confident a smile is a great way to break the ice. Find a friend and talk to them about what makes them smile and how it makes them feel. Do they enjoy life more or do they make the best of things and move on. Do you know that a frown normally brings a frown in return. So why not try it and see if it makes a difference for you. Remember smiling releases endorphins, that is a fact so if you are feeling grumpy or down try it, if nothing else you can bring a smile to someone else.

You can choose to be permanently grumpy or you can choose to cheer up and smile! Have you been putting off the smiles? By smiling you will you feel better (see above). You can even trick your brain into believing you feel good by getting that smile on your face, even if you don’t feel like it yet. Do it long enough and you won’t have to fake it.

You need to be conscientious of smiling, work on it, have practice days. Smile at the person you are passing on the street, smile at the grouch at work. See what a difference it makes to be the person promoting the smile. Take a measure of your life, does your job make you unhappy, is it your boss, maybe in these times it just the economy. Whatever is dragging you down, you need to look at the issues. Decide if you can do something different and act on it. Don't wait until you get too old. The most important thing we miss in youth is the realization we only have one go round on this earth we owe it to our self's to open our eyes and put a smile on those lips. Smile and give yourself a better chance at happiness.

You can't change everything at once but you can take an honest look and see what is possible, work on the changes you can make. Smile! Try and smile at at least one stranger each day. For the less confident this could be a challenge – but you can do it! Remember it takes less facial muscles so Smile!

Brady Hoke-New Michigan Coach

Watched the press conference on the net today! I was truly happy to watch as Brady was introduced. Now he has his hands full. Hiring a new staff is a daunting task. But to do that at the same time he needs to keep his recruits on the path  to Michigan is an even bigger task.

Although he has a lot of work to do I am confident he will turn it around with a very good recruiting class next year. I believe he will be successful here because he knows what it takes in the Big Ten to win. Our last coach was not capable of getting the defense turned around and I'm not sure he would have ever paid attention to that side of the ball.

Being a avid fan since before Bo was hired, my observation is as follows. Bo was a great coach and brought a tremendous winning attitude, but even he was held back by his fear of passing(three things can happen when you pass, two are bad). Moeller amazed everyone by actually putting the pass in the playbook and Carr was the stern looking fatherly guy that everyone wanted to win for because it was expected!

Coach Hoke spent eight years as an assistant coach and was very good as a defensive coach. I hope that we build those great defenses that ultimately win the big games. It is encouraging to note that Wisconsin was handled by a TCU team running a 3-3-5 defense(they must have been doing it right). My hopes are we have a coach that knows the rewards of utilizing both offense and defense and still is creative enough to find new ways to win ballgames.

For now we should not burden the program with unnecessary rhetoric and let the New guy get about his already tough task at hand. Lets not criticize him until or unless he proves he deserves it. For me it is-----Go Blue!

UM Football and another Loss to OSU!

Well another loss to the Buckeyes, all the papers are calling for Rich's head. Do any of you remember the calls for a new type of football to be played in Ann Arbor, something fresh,different, exciting. Can you remember Bo running and running. Do you remember, there are only three things that happen when you pass, and two are bad? Where was that pass, to get us over the goal line?

Let me give my thoughts for just a moment. I was a UM fan when I was just a kid and when Bo came, I became a rabid fan. I listened when I couldn't watch. I read every article I could find. I remember when Bo was done and Moeller took over how daring he was to actually pass the ball when it wasn't expected. I remember all of those fans that wanted Carr gone. We fans wanted the new brand, exciting, scoring, and fast moving offense. Think about it how many voices were raised, they wanted change.

Well OK we got a very exciting offense and if you look, they are very young. The majority of us would never have dreamed Denard would improve so dramatically. What can DR be if he is playing with this offensive line after another year of improvement. If he has backs that can actually catch a ball and move it upfield. What if the two running back recruits (currently listed as #1 and #3) bring a new dynamite to that backfield,what about receivers with another year of experience?

But lets look at the biggest disappointment, the defense OMG what a disaster. I am so disgusted with seeing other teams receivers be so incredibly open. It would have been interesting to see what influence a veteran DB would have have had on the younger players if he had not been lost for the season. But I will always feel that the worst mistake the coach made was to stay with a 3-3-5 defense that insured the opposing QB has plenty of time to single out the one that is wide open. In a major conference like the Big Ten any quarterback given the time to throw can kill you. The team with good running backs can find those gaps caused by this defense. Is the coach responsible for this, you bet he is.

When RR was hired he was given a four year contract and I think he should be given that last year.  He has developed a very exciting Offense. The defense could develop this next year and I think it will.

But what scares me the most is, we bring in Harbaugh and we don't have the players to fit his type of team.
The players that are gifted athletes then transfer to other schools. Do we then wait three years and then we complain because we are boring and we are still losing. If D Branden pulls the trigger maybe he should look for someone that runs a spread offense and can bring along a defense rugged and disciplined enough to be contenders in the Big Ten.

What do you think? Remember I'm not a writer I am just a great fan that wants them to win.

UM vs MSU can't believe it happened again!

Three years in a row. I have been optimistic ever since RR has been here. All the troubles, the students transferring away, and the sad fact that we have lost three times to MSU. Yes DR didn't get it done in the clutch. But he is the same guy that ran amok during the first 5 games and he will get it done in the future as well. We need to have patients and let him grow, I was a doubter at first but to see how much he has grown is remarkable.

They will not collapse like they did last year. They will get better. Watching as a fan since pre-BO, I am certain of one thing, they will get better. Blaming either the offense or defense is not going to make us better, it will most certainly make loss's less painful. The transfer of players seems more a realization in their own minds they were not going to be starters. The disheartening thing is to watch the defense make good plays and get the team in third and long situations and then let them off the hook with a long run or pass or worse yet a penalty.

Not one of the loyal UM fans can enjoy watching the team implode. What does frustrate me is the failure to make adjustments at the half and seeing the same players make the same mistakes over and over. The coaches must have there reasons but it is tough to watch it continue.

The really great news from the weekend is that the Lions have already one their first game and it is not half way trough the  season. Just think what we could do with a couple of breaks from the referee's and a healthy starting QB.