It’s a simple formula. A puppeteer using two hands, a swazzle, and a slapstick tells the story of Punch baby sitting. It starts of well and descends into chaos. It’s hilarious, “slapstick”, comedy that has kids and adults from all over the World laughing their heads off.

However, keeping it simple requires practice and descipline. Plus a piece of cotton on your swazzle to pull it out if you swallow it. Keeping it simple is hard work. It’s easy to be distracted and add some fluff or extraneous part.

In my opinion we are born with an urge to be distracted. I might have even turned it into an art form on Monday mornings. But, I am getting better at recognising when I am being distracted and not working.

Facebook and it’s ilk are in the main distractions. I had the thought recently that distractions are getting a lot of recognition and becoming worth a lot of money. However they are adding nothing of value to the World. Unless you consider distraction is valuable. They are just building distractions, good ones, and making a lot of money.

I really do digress there. So to sum up. Keeping things simple is hard but by practicing the simple stuff over and over it becomes like meditation and something more than just what you are doing. That shows and it means something to others because also in us is a respect for those who keep it simple and strive for quality.

This weeks image: Traditional Punch and Judy and booth.

So why Care More? Seth Godin recently wrote that the National Association of Realtors (US) found that more than 90% of all homeowners are never again contacted by their real estate agent after the contracts for their home are signed.

90%!

I would venture to say with my years of experience in the New Zealand Real Estate Industry it’s more like 95% wouldn’t hear back. Why? Because at first blush it appears there is no money in it.

However, it doesn’t cost much to care. But it costs you a HUGE amount if you don’t. Because when your customer is next looking around to purchase they won’t be looking for you. You won’t be who they ask for advice first and you will be disappointed when a competitor gets the job.

It’s easy to care. Sending a hand written note, or an email, or making a phone call every few months isn’t hard. It generally isn’t a priority but it should be.

Care More this week, and every week. It will make a difference because you are probably the only one doing so. In the long run people pay more for better care and are more likely to tell their friends about it. Interesting concept isn’t it?

If you are a business owner it’s probably leans a lot more towards the double digits. There is a lot to juggle when you work for yourself. Clients, staff, family and then the biggest ball of all, you.

I’ve had a few big challenges recently and the interesting thing is they really are opportunities in disguise. The “trick” is how you look at them.

I am not adverse to change. This might help with my attitude towards challenges but I think it is simpler than that. In my opinion I now have the control to take a step back when a challenge is presented to me and look at it as part of my overall goals. Not just by itself.

Because by itself a challenge can look HUGE and overpowering and really, really get me upset. When I’m upset I mean that as, I have been put off balance. Like a spinning top as it’s losing momentum starts to get the wobbles. Off balance.

Because being off balance annoys me I generally feel the heat rise into my face and, like the good part Irishman I am, get a tad angry. Over my lifetime that has not proven to help situations. However it’s been great when that passion is focused on what I want to achieve. Big emotions are like supercharging a motor.

Today when life throws some s**t at you challenge yourself to step back and see it in the overall picture. I guarantee that by doing that you will take control of not only the situation but of yourself. And that my friend is the biggest challenge of all. Nothing else even comes close.

Have a great week and challenge yourself.

My best.

Glenn

Todays Image: A Monarch butterfly just hatched and finding the world a big challenge.

Tim, What is one thing that anyone could add to their daily routine that you think would be beneficial.

The meaning of it to me didn’t occur until this morning when I realised how soon it will be that Alba will be one. Panic set in for a moment. Will I have done enough this year? It’s going to be over before I know it. Argh! Then calm. We have a list. Brilliant! I can actually see what I have done this year.

But that’s only the stuff you can see being done. Tangible things like; building a deck, painting a fence or planting out a garden.

What about the intangible things. Sitting with Alba watching the V8′s (well I was), hearing someone having a laugh and smiling with them, having a laugh with a friend. How do you record those and tick them off a list?

Smart phones are making it a lot easier to capture those moments and remember them later. If you don’t have one, get one. You will be amazed at how useful they are and how you will capture more and more moments you used to have to rely on your memory for. I think one of the most upsetting things for people as they get older is not being able to remember. Not being able to remember makes life seem shorter and even unfulfilling to some.

This week learn how to use that amazing recording device you carry around with you. Take lots of pictures that will remind you of the moment later and watch them from time to time. Life may be short but if you can remember more good moments it will be a good one.

My best.

Glenn

Todays Image: Alba watching the V8′s with me.
 

No matter what sort of day we have. No matter if we have the worst possible day we could ever have. We always have some to be grateful for.

You might be thinking, really? It is very true though because gratitude is most easily seen through comparison. It doesn’t take very long to find someone who has had a worse day than you. Just look at the NZ Herald website. The front page is always filled with tales of woe and gore.

I take a few minutes every night to be thankful for that day. I’ve done this for a long time now and it’s a fun part of my day because it always makes me smile. Combined with jotting down notes from the day in my journal I believe this has made it a lot easier for me to sleep. My mind doesn’t have to go over everything and keep me awake.

The three terms Napoleon Hill says to use to show your gratitude are; Thank you, I’m grateful, and I appreciate.

Use those a lot and you might even find your Attitude of Gratitude infects those around you with interesting results. Another Experiment to try.

Have a great week and thank you for reading today’s MondayMotivator. I appreciate the courtesy of your time.

My best.

Glenn

Todays Image:
 

My girls are away this weekend and I have had a lot of time alone. Not having a baby around means that when you are alone you really notice the difference. Babies fill up a lot of time, space and emotion. They leave a lot of empty space when they’re not around.

I find being alone after such fulfilling time is not the same as being alone after a hard day at work. It’s a subtle difference. One you could miss in all the hubbub and noise of Life. But it’s a difference worth noticing.

You will notice only what you choose to focus on. There was an experiment done which makes this point in a fun way. It’s been recreated by lots of people. Here is one you can watch here.

I’m not going to tell you anything about the test as it will ruin it for you but you will get my point when you watch it.

I like thinking about my Life and myself as an experiment. It gives me licence to try things, measure them, and see if they work. Curiosity is a big part of my make up and I have always asked why. You once asked why a lot too. It might have been educated, or beaten, out of you but it’s still there. Bring it out into the light, dust it off, and get Experimenting.

My best.

Glenn

Todays Image: Banksy.
 

– Anne Wilson Schaef

via HigherAwareness.com