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MESSAGE #836 DO SOMETHING THAT MATTERS…

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”
-WILLIAM JAMES

I just watched a great TED video with Dan Pink on motivation.

He talked about a software company who told their employees that they had 24 hours to work on anything…except for their current projects. It was called a FedEx Day because you had to deliver something overnight. This inspired creativity. They were doing something that mattered to them, and they were getting results.

This idea turned into “20% time” which is something that Google uses. Employees can use 20% of their time on anything.

And guess what?

About half of the new products that Google comes out with come from that 20% time.

What does this mean to you?

As a coach, as a teacher, as a student or employee, we should encourage creativity.

Think outside the box. There is not one way to do something, but instead, many options.

How can you get motivated? Ask yourself this question…

Are you motivated at work, in school, at practice and in relationships?

If the answer is no, think about how you can deliver something better, overnight.

Then do it.

Motivation is an action, not a feeling.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #472 CAN VS WILL

Here is an email I received recently…

Ed,
I just finished your book….Very inspiring. I am working at becoming the athlete I once was and the book definitely gave me big push. My wife, Kathy and I are going to run a marathon in 2010 in Kauai. I am also running a half marathon this summer. I have never been a runner but the thought of running a marathon is an intriguing goal. So a few weeks ago, we came up with this plan. I have about 35 lbs to lose to get in shape for this and I plan on keeping those pounds off. I was in NYC yesterday and must have walked eight miles in my dress shoes. This morning I woke up and my feet were killing me. I really did not want to go running at 6:30am with my feet and back hurting, but after just completing your book (on the train home from the city) I felt like if I didn’t go for my morning run I would be letting myself down. It has been a long time since I felt that way, so thanks.

-Ted Borsuk

So the question isn’t “Can you?”

The question is…

“Will you?”


Thanks for reading.