Inspire 'n' Influence

After watching this video on the secret of self-motivation, I learned about the five-second rule and the theory behind our instincts and subsequent actions. People have great ideas but they believe the reason they don’t act on them is due to a lack of self-motivation. Mel claims the real reason comes down to the way we are built. Our brains are designed to keep us safe and when you act on an idea that represents risk and danger that is the very thing our brain will try to avoid. Unfortunately, we all have to do difficult things in order to achieve anything. Key messages I took from this video: Motivation is garbage – you’re only motivated to do things that are easy. Motivation is never there when you need it. Your mind is designed to stop you doing anything that could hurt you. We all have a habit of hesitating. We are all one decision away from changing our lives. Your life is made up of countless, little decisions, everyday.

As someone who loved Robin Williams' stand up comedy and numerous movies, his quote is not only empowering to any writer and communicator (in any form), but it's something to remember before your next discussion with loved ones, friends, family and colleagues. Words have impact. Use them carefully. Strike when it's necessary and take a soft, fluffy approach when it's appropriate. For your career, words can make all the difference between how your colleagues perceive you, which also goes a long way into encouraging promotions. Nobody wants to work with someone who is underserving or underhanded. As long as your character matches what you say, you will get noticed in a positive way.

Here we are. Getting ready for a year of inspiration and influence through learning, reading, exploring and viewing. The first thing i wanted to share with you in 2018 is this rather amazing video of Frenchman, Christian Moullec, who literally flies with birds. This video from National Geographic, shows the amazing beauty captured during Christian's journey but also represents how passion for something can translate into lifelong fulfilment. He takes tourists who come from all walks of life to enjoy this 35-minute flight. What started as a conservation mission has inspired his respect for nature, which Christian conveys to his passengers. As the video shows, getting this close to something so natural in a bird's life is truly a unique experience. Source:  here

When i read this text after someone posted it on FB, i completely fell in love with it. Definitely agree with the idea and think that if everyone adopted it, we would all be wearing smiles on our faces much more often. The world is a fascinating place...you just have to learn to appreciate the life you have instead of that fantasy you imagine. I'm not saying don't have big dreams but enjoy the current moments that make today a dream too!

When i read this quote as part of a promotional email this morning, it really resonated with me. I feel that a lot of us want to take steps in life that are perfectly planned, executed and which always deliver the desired result. As many will have experienced, this wishful thinking doesn't always occur but i think the quote below explains exactly why it's ok to make mistakes and in fact that mistakes are what make up our lives in the first place! "A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing". - George Bernard Shaw  

I was born in Europe but raised in Australia and as my family didn't always have enough money to splurge on the European holiday, the visits back to my native nation tended to be on the sparse side of things. None the less, when i did go back i got to see all of my uncles, aunties, cousins and grandparents. Although each trip was unique and successful in many ways, it was my most recent trip that proved to be extremely memorable. I was 24 then and considered a true grown up amongst my relatives. With this new status came different conversations as i learnt from my latest exchanges with my grandparents. It seems the older you get, the higher the ratings become for your family conversations, which suddenly turn from PG stuff (how is the weather? What type of animals live in Australia? What is your favourite food?) right through to the R18+ subject matters (Who are you dating? What kind of illnesses has the family experienced, who passed uni and got a job/who didn't, who died?)