Motivation by Visual Stimulation

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The other day I took a short drive to the local library and asked the librarian at the front desk where I could find The Great Gatsby.  She asked me who the author was, which puzzled me for a moment; I thought that kind of information was common knowledge for librarians.  Anyway, I responded with, "F. Scott Fitzgerald," and she led me to the hardcover version of the classic novel.  Within two days I had finished the book.  I'm the type of person that prefers movies over books although I do strive to read more, so reading a novel in such a short time is saying something.  It says that I was very motivated to read.       

The day before this library pick-up I had seen an advertisement for the upcoming Hollywood remake, The Great Gatsby, which will be starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire.  I clicked on the image, which was laden with gold designs and “Gatsby” in fancy lettering.  I then watched the trailer for the film.  I was completely enthralled.  Seeing the vibrant images of the stylized 1920s, intense emotions on the characters faces, and glimpses of unfolding events made me very interested in not only the movie, but the story.  I have read and enjoyed the novel before, a few years ago, but I felt compelled to do it once again.  I had to go seek out the novel and read it.    

The powerful and thought provoking images motivated me by giving me a sense of the end result.  I knew the sorts of things the novel included and the type of experience I would have reading it.   

There have been a few other cases similar to this one, where I was motivated by images.  When I first saw images for the theatrical releases of both The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Hunger Games I read the books within the week.

Another recent example unrelated to reading books (I’ve used a lot of those examples) would be my gardening venture.  I have recently planted some peanuts to grow my own plants.  I would most likely never have planted the peanuts had I not seen the images of peanut plants online.  Yes I searched for the images.  What can I say?  I love peanut butter!  I saw how feasible it is to grow them, and more importantly saw the resulting peanuts that grow beneath the soil.  I was intrigued.

How long before I can make peanut butter!?

If you have interest in something and can gain a sense of how something will be or how it will result then the motivation to act will follow.     

My interest in reading, and in peanuts (it sounds silly to be interested in peanuts) combined with the imagery that I encountered and sought out, led me to act. 

If you are looking for the motivation to do something then just look for powerful images or use your imagination to visualize your own ones that will push you to act. 

Another example, which is gaining a lot of popularity, is the social networking site, Pinterest, which is based on collections of images “pinned” by users; it contains a lot of motivating forces.  Whether you are interested in getting into shape, decorating your home, starting a garden, cooking, traveling, dressing nicely, playing sports etc., there are images throughout the site that can spark motivation to do those things!   

Find or create a motivating image to begin doing something that interests you!

Bam!

Baskets: Not Only For Easter, But Fitness Too

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As we age (this coming from a 21-year-old) our lives become busier and our time is tied up in many different activities; “activities” isn’t the best word to describe how the time is used though, considering it implies physical movement.  Our time is tied up mainly in mental pursuits.  Many people begin focusing on their work and spend countless hours each week physically inactive, hunched over their desks or in other life-draining positions.  The days of running around at recess, competing in sports, and actively “playing” in general have a tendency to slip away.  If an individual cannot set away time to partake in some sort of fun exercise, I feel sorry for them, but I believe they can still find ways to remain fit and active.

I am someone that takes physical fitness fairly seriously.  I try to make it into the gym at least two or three times a week, and I also run or bike a few times a week.  I know that as time goes on I will take on much more responsibility whether it be from work, from family, or any other facet of life that I have no power of foreseeing in the present.  With more responsibilities, carving out blocks of time for exercise will become more difficult.  I have realized this: 

Fitness is a lifestyle, not a trip to the gym. 

I’ve always heard this type of message, but only recently really thought about it.  Today I was shopping at my favorite grocery store… Wegmans!  In case you have never heard of it, a friend of mine, and fellow blogger, wrote a recent post about the magical grocery land.  Anyway, I walked in and realized that I only really needed about ten items or so, the essentials.  In choosing my “weapon of choice” in the battle through the aisles I decided on a basket rather than the large or small carts.  With each added item I could feel a little tension in my biceps, forearms, abs, and shoulders.  I was doing some light exercise!  When others weren’t looking I may have done a few curls and shrugs, no shame. 

It hit me that a little change like this in a very routine errand makes a positive difference in your overall fitness.  It might not help you reach maximum fitness goals in the way that an elliptical or set of free weights would, but small changes like this add up. 

I know that as I age I might not be able to fit in an hour or two at the gym as often as I’d like to, but that won’t stop me from maintaining an active lifestyle.  Making a bunch of small changes like this will be advantageous.

Some more minor changes that can aid fitness include:

• Parking your car at the back of parking lots to maximize walking distances
• Taking stairs over elevators (also walking up ‘down’ escalators if there is no crowd)
• Sitting on a fitness ball instead of a chair
• Standing as opposed to sitting when the opportunity presents itself

It is a matter of identifying things you do on a daily basis and figuring out how they can be done in a more physically active way without costing you too much of your time. 

I believe the other key to being fit is finding time for exercise.  If you have short amounts of time free, do a short workout, but if it is too difficult then these small changes are a step in the right direction. 

As I go into the future I’ll be working on maintaining time for exercise and making fit-changes.  My ultimate, long term fitness goal is to be able to run at least 2 miles straight and do around fifty push-ups when I am at the ripe old age of 80.

Be fit!  However you can!

Boom!

The Value of Handwritten Letters

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Yesterday I had a great surprise.

A hand written letter from one of my friends was waiting for me in my P.O. Box.  This is a friend that I haven't seen in many months, mainly because of the geographical distance between us.  She had planned on visiting me a few weekends ago, but some unfortunate events occurred which made the visit more suitable for another time.  Unable to visit, she sent me a handwritten letter to update me about things in her life and ask how I was doing.

I was really excited to see the surprise letter and even more excited to read it.  My friend could have easily contacted me via email, text, phone call, or through various social media channels.  Instead she chose the letter.  

A handwritten letter is a gesture that has great meaning and holds a lot of weight.  It reveals the effort that an individual is willing to put forth because of their respect or care for you.

The idea of handwritten letters or messages being more thoughtful and meaningful than other mediums is nothing new, but communication technology is growing exponentially and as each day passes the archaic practice of putting words on paper (recycled, of course) gains more power.  Anyone can communicate electronically, and everyone does, but writing by hand has been forgotten a bit and reclaiming it gives you a unique way to reach others.

If you want to make a bold statement, show someone you care, or stand out from the crowd then write a letter.  Put yourself in the shoes of the recipient.  When I do that I say, "Um yes!  Of course I want a handwritten letter.  The words on paper are like gold bricks carefully placed into an envelope-shaped treasure chest."  

It is a simple gesture that takes some time but means a lot.

Obviously some mediums are better than others in certain circumstances, but when the opportunity to write a letter arises, take it!

After I received the letter I responded with one of my own, and this blog post was hand written before typed.

Boom!  

Do You Have A Mission?

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What is the one thing that all organizations have in common?

They all serve some purpose.

This purpose is outlined in their respective mission statements.  These statements give each organization a focus by asserting a goal, or purpose and giving a brief description on the unique way in which the goal, or purpose will be reached.  The statement acts as a guidepost for action.

With a set mission statement, members of an organization know what they are working toward.

That is wonderful!

What about me as a PERSON though?

Have you ever wondered what you're doing and why, where your're going, and who you really are?  If you have never wondered these things, and just knew them, then you should write a book.  These questions are all related to your purpose.

A personal mission statement is something I think everyone should have, and review often.  It guides you, especially when you are unsure of things.

This past summer I sat down and constructed my own personal mission statement so that I could have something that guided me.  I look at it almost everyday and it brings everything into focus.  I recommend taking some time, and it does take some time, to carefully think about yourself and what you want and creating a mission statement.        

Mine is:

To live vibrantly, fearing nothing, exploring life's endless offerings with an open mind and heart, and embracing everything with a positive attitude.  To bring happiness to those I encounter, and maintain inner peace through moderation.

It is my approach to life.  It is my purpose, and way of living as a human.

Outline yours when you have some time; it will be worth it.

I'm not James Bond or Ethan Hunt, but I do have a mission.

You should too!

Track Your Everyday Accomplishments and Succeed In Interviews

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Today, March 1st, just happens to be National Peanut Butter Lover's Day.  Peanut Butter Lovers.com will satisfy all of your celebration needs for today.  If you know me well enough then you know that I would easily be classified as a "Peanut Butter Lover," and I don't need a specific day to celebrate.  In fact, this past week I made my way through about 1 and a 1/2 jars of peanut butter.  Would I call that an accomplishment?  Yes.  Would I call that an accomplishment worth sharing with others?  Apparently yes considering I just did, but in truth no.  It is just a good segue into my blog post today.

Accomplishments.

Recently I have been preparing myself for the job market.  As a graduating senior I have been carefully crafting my resume, and drafting cover letters.  I have been applying online, and conversing with human resource representatives at various employers.  I have also been preparing myself for interviews.

While researching the interview process and common questions, I have found that very often interviewers will ask behavioral questions.  These are questions that require you to respond with answers explaining your past actions, and performance.  These questions usually start with:

•  Tell me about a time when.....
•  Describe your experience.....
•  Give me an example of when you demonstrated.....

These questions require you to know what you have done in different situations, be able to remember your actions, and express them well.

Unless it was something major you have done, or you have included the associated experience on your resume, it may be difficult to remember instances when you did some great things.

When preparing for interviews I find myself looking back at my course projects, work experience, and organizational involvement to pinpoint my "highlights."  This can take a lot of time if you are trying to thoroughly outline everything you did related to certain attributes or qualities that a potential employer may be looking for.

I have been working on that to have a breadth of examples fresh in my mind when answering various behavioral questions, but I have also begun to do something more productive.

I thought to myself, optimistically, and said, "I have accomplishments every day!"  At the end of every day I have been looking back and composing my "highlight reel."  Every day I am working with others on projects, facing challenges, and learning new things.  I actively think back to the day and write down my greatest accomplishments.

Very often we go through our days doing great things along the way, and they can be lost if we don't take some time to think about them.  Of course, the major accomplishments will be memorable, but the smaller ones are more personal and revealing.  Answering an interview question with a clear, concise, yet specific response will be very powerful, and memorable.

You should track your everyday accomplishments because:

• You'll gain a better understanding of yourself 
• You'll have a wider variety of examples showcasing your skills and attributes
• It will make you feel good, feel accomplished

Remember, you don't have to receive a physical award in order to realize an accomplishment.

Go out there and do great things!  (like eating a ton of peanut butter.....)

BAM!   

Wait Tables, Gain Valuable Skills

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Well it's Valentine's Day and couples everywhere will be celebrating their relationships and the deep, endless love that exists within them.

Okay, maybe that won't be the case for every couple today, but nonetheless there will be money spent on the occasion.  The commercialized holiday influences lovers to buy gifts for each other, and one of the more classic ones, besides little stuffed teddy bears and heart shaped candies, is dinner out on the town.

Over the past week I have been seeing an increased number of Facebook posts from the small restaurant I worked at this past summer, Questa Lasagna.  Check it out.  It is a wonderful place to dine.  The restaurant has been trying to attract all of the lovebirds to enjoy a fresh Italian cuisine on the most romantic day of the year.

Seeing the increased number of advertising messages had me thinking about my summer working as a waiter from May until August.  Considering the small size of the staff, yet large customer base, I was required to perform a multitude of tasks.  I thought about the wonderful experience I had, and the challenges that I overcame.  I believe that the demanding job helped me develop all of the skills necessary to be successful in nearly any position I will hold in the future.         

As I head into the "real-world," after securing my Bachelor's Degree, I find myself thinking about the experiences that have best suited me for making my pursuits in business that much easier.  My time spent in the restaurant tops the list of those experiences.


I highly recommend anyone looking to go into business, and not already too far into their career path, to consider a position waiting tables.

These are some of the skills I know I developed, and think anyone would in this position:

Communication
Working as a waiter forces you to constantly interact with customers.  You have to maintain a friendly atmosphere, listen to and understand customer needs, verbally explain the menu and specials, answer questions, and provide solutions.  On the other side of this is communication with the restaurant staff.  You need to be able to clearly tell the chef and cooking staff what the customer needs; you also need to listen to them regarding their needs from you.  A restaurant is an environment with endless communication, and the waitstaff holds much of the responsibility for understanding and acting on any given message.  It is like a game of telephone; you are communicating with two different parties, and are also the link between them.

Multitasking 
As a waiter or waitress you need to be able to do two things at once, maybe even three or four.  When you have four or five tables that you are responsible for, a lot comes with it.  With a full restaurant you are constantly greeting, seating, reciting specials, slightly socializing with customers, taking orders, bringing meals, answering phones, clearing dishes, asking questions, answering questions, watching, preparing checks, cashing out, and bussing and setting tables.  WOAH!  Your mind must always be working to think of the next thing to be done, with an ever changing list of priorities.  Very often the waitstaff needs to coordinate their efforts as well to make sure that the restaurant as a whole is served well.  You not only worry about your own responsibilities, but those of your co-workers too.

Stress Management
While you multitask like crazy it's not uncommon for some stress to set in.  Scratch that, a lot of stress sets in.  Since there is so much to do and so many people counting on you there is a lot of pressure.  You learn to take deep breaths and focus on the tasks one at a time while still being cognizant of everything else that needs to be done.  On one extremely busy, stress filled night I remember asking myself, "What's the worst that could happen if I just left right now?"  Don't worry, I didn't!  It was stressful, but I stuck with it and worked through with focus.

Preparation
My particular position required me to prepare some of the dishes, especially salads.  I had to "prepare for the apocalypse" if I wanted to make it through the night.  A good waiter or waitress will quickly learn that when they have time to prepare, they should prepare because it makes life a lot easier in the future, or in less than an hour when people start flooding through the door.  Also if you know that a large table of customers is coming in, you have to strategically plan their dining experience ahead of time to make it run smoothly.

Teamwork
In a restaurant, you work as part of a team with the other waitstaff and the kitchen.  Everyone counts on everyone else to complete their respective tasks, and pick up the slack when someone needs it.  Everyone has to be on the same page and know what is going on.  You have to be able to understand the others' needs, and communicate yours.  There are a lot of moving parts and you are one of them.

Sales
The best part about being part of the waitstaff is that you are working for tips.  The higher the bill, and the better the service, the higher the tip.  You have to treat each and every customer uniquely, and cater to their needs in a specific way.  You also try to add items on, by suggesting appetizers before their meals, or desserts after.  It is all about treating the customer well, and gaining their desire for certain dishes.  After a while, you begin to understand what works and how to approach different situations.  You foster a sales mindset.

Every restaurant is different, and this one required a lot from its waitstaff.

Work in a demanding atmosphere and you will see yourself adapting and growing to accomplish everything.  The skills you gain in this setting are so useful.

On a side note, having experience in the service industry at this level is great for those who want to explore related career options, or want to always have something to fall back on if need be.

Wait some tables!  

To All The Perfectionists

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What is one of your weaknesses?

I wouldn't advise answering "perfectionism" if you are asked this in a job interview; interviewers hear it all the time, like an overplayed Gaga song.  Nonetheless, perfectionism is a weakness, and if it is one of yours I hope you'd like to move past it.  

I have been a self-proclaimed perfectionist, and have heard others say the same about me.  Time after time I put forth great amounts of time and energy to complete tasks with a high level of quality.  Sometimes this strategy works, but other times it limits me.  I tend to take more time than necessary to do certain things, and often decide not to take on tasks because I know that even with the the time and energy I would put into them there stands a great chance that they might not end up the exact way that I'd like them to. 

When you move past the need to consistently perform at high levels and meet ridiculous standards you become more productive and will most likely produce higher quality work.  

I have outlined three strategies that I believe are helpful in breaking from the limitations of perfectionism.  

Prioritize your tasks

When it comes down to it, 80% of the things that you do during the day don't matter.  Okay, they matter in the sense that you do them, but regarding the quality by which you accomplish these tasks it makes very little difference.  The other 20% are things that require an extra amount of effort.  The next time you are doing something, categorize it into either the 80% or the 20% to know how much time it really needs; when actively categorizing the tasks it should be apparent which belong where, and if it requires more than 10 seconds to decide then it should be part of the 80%.

Go!  Forget about "ready" and "set"

Start something.  Make mistakes.  Deal with them.  Don't let the perfectionist mentality keep you from doing difficult things that you know will not end perfectly.  You wouldn't slowly creep into a freezing body of water if you wanted to get in; you would do a cannonball straight in.  My post on failure builds upon this idea.

View everything as a work in progress

When you begin looking at large tasks or sets of tasks, think of them as works in progress.  This takes your mind off of the end result, and gives you more motivation to put work in and you'll become more able to complete tasks.  With less pressure put on final outcomes you will do more work, and with a higher quality in the long run because you'll consistently be working on improvements as opposed to trying to be perfect the first time.

A great example of my effort to move past perfectionism was a few days ago when I set out to make my first video blog post, about perfectionism (foreshadowing).  I haven't had much experience with video, and I knew the end result would not meet my usual standards yet I set out to do it anyway.  After a few hours of hard work, due to some technical problems, the program wouldn't respond and everything had been lost.   I saw the video production as part of the 20%, began working on it right away without too much concern for the end result, and viewed it as something I would get better at with time and work.  I moved past the limitations of perfectionism.  I think it is definitely a lesson.  I could have not tried the video, and learned nothing, but instead I tried, and even though nothing resulted I was able to learn from it to do better in the future.  

There will be a video post eventually!  It won't be perfect either!