Nobody like Mark Twain to get right to the heart of the matter!

I firmly believe in “working smarter” rather than just “working harder.”  But notice both ways do involve work.

Growing up on a farm I saw my father work long, hard hours.  As a result working hard was something that was ingrained into me.  Apparently, though, this is something new for a bunch of people who think that success just magically comes along without any effort.  (Maybe for a very “lucky” few and I’m not always sure they really are lucky when it happens.)  My first job out of college was on Capital Hill and 70-90 hour work weeks were the norm.  By the way, I made all of $12,000 that first year!  Do the math on a per hour basis!

Mark Twain’s motivational words ring true for sales motivation (business motivation) and personal motivation.

Work hard.

Work smart.

The success will show up later!

Not exactly what you expected to hear, I bet!

Succeed by failing – now there’s a concept!  But, obviously Watson (of IBM fame) came to the point of understanding that success is tied to trying.  If we don’t try something (and fail on occasion) then we won’t experience success. His motivational words are both for business motivation and personal motivation, in my view.

The more we try; the more we fail.

The more we fail; the more we succeed.

So, what have you failed at today?

You’re getting closer to success!

Are you successful?

Are you ‘spending’ your life your way?

Not many do.  If you are among those count yourself very fortunate.

To know what your way is, I believe you need to determine what your VIP is.  In this case, VIP stands for “Very Important Purpose.”  What are you wired to do?  What do you love to do?

Sometimes you have to pursue your VIP while you work at something else.  Not everyone can just quit a job they hate (especially in this economy) and pursue their VIP.  However, if the pursuit of your Very Important Purpose pays nothing but contributes a lot to the world then you might “keep your day job” and devote your other waking hours to your VIP.

These motivational words from Morley (d. 1957) are for your personal motivation in deciding the direction of your life.

I pray you are very successful!

Are you a manager in your place of employment?

Are you the owner of the company and thus at the upper end of management?

If you answered “yes” to either of these questions then my question for you is: How are you motivating your employees or subordinates? Do you do it by intimidation (probably not a good idea) or by praise?  Where do you get your own motivation from?

These eight motivational words from Lee Iacocca for business motivation remind us that we are always in the people business.  Whatever business you own or are employed by; it’s a people businesses – the people who make up the company and the people who buy your company’s products.

I hope you are a great manager because that means you are great at motivating people!

Which are you?

The optimist or the pessimist?

The economic times we are currently experiencing make it easy to be pessimistis but the real optimist sees the possibilities that have come into play because of these times.  My local news featured a new craft store opening not far from where I live.  It’s in an area that has seen many stores close in the last 2-3 years but here is one piece of good news.  The company representative said it was their first store in Nevada but not their last.  They see an opportunity!

These motivational words from Cabell are great for business motivation and personal motivation.  They force us to ask how we are thinking and what we are thinking.

Do you see all the problems of our world?

Or do you see all the possibilities?

It is, after all, your choice!

What impossible situation are you facing today?

How are you dealing with it?  (Or, aren’t you dealing with it?)

In these motivational words from clergyman Chuck Swindoll, we are given the personal motivation and business motivation insights we need to persevere.  Most people, when faced with impossible situations merely throw in the towel.  Swindoll reminds us that opportunity exists in the midst of trials.

Don’t give up.

Don’t throw in the towel.

Rather, take a step back.

Take a deep breath.

Look for the opportunity that you are being given.

When you see it; take action and go after it!

Talk is cheap.

Action is a different thing.

There are talkers and there are doers.

Even in the college classes I teach it is very apparent.  Some of the students talk about when they are going to get their assignments done; the doers just get them done.

Joseph Epstein in an article entitled, “Think You Have a Book In You? Think Again” says, “according to a recent survey, 81 percent of Americans feel they have a book in them — and that they should write it.”  (New York Times; published September 28, 2002)  Eighty-one percent!  How many will actually do it?  Not many (which, by the way, he says is good).  Click on the citation above to read his article.

These motivational words from Benjamin Franklin are for both business motivation and personal motivation.  Don’t just talk – do something.  Do anything that will take you closer to your goals.

Has someone been upset with you lately because of what you are doing in your business?  Upset because you aren’t doing it ‘their way?’

Congratulations!

Yes, you read that correctly.

Congratulations!

Bill Cosby is absolutely correct in his motivational quotation that works for business motivation AND personal motivation.  Someone is going to be upset with you because of decisions you make, directions you go and markets you target.

It amazes me how much effort some put into criticizing others.  If they would spend that time creating, contributing or improving their own business, products or life they would probably be much further down the road to success but instead they seem to find joy in pointing out everyone else’s problems.

The bottom line is this:  if you are successful you will have your critics.

Don’t try to please everyone.

It cannot happen.

And, it won’t happen.

Now, go take some action to make your business and your life a success and then let the criticism roll off your back.

Here we are reminded of a couple of very important things by Sprague:

1. You can’t wait to do something until everything is perfect.  Perfection is rarely reached which boils down to nothing happening.  It’s a great way to stay in a rut.  Sprague says “strike” or take action which leads to …
2. You have to do something more than simply thinking about doing something.  Lack of action is a huge cause of failure.

What are you thinking about right now (in your business or in your personal life)?

What one action can you take now to bring about positive results as soon as possible?

Got it?

Then go do it!

Make that iron hot!

These motivational words from Mr. Sprague should be a source of encouragement to do something NOW!

I’ve noticed a lot of people knocking the concept of positive thinking lately.

I would love to ask them, “what’s wrong with it?”  Simply thinking without taking action will produce few results; but, my goodness what’s wrong with positive thinking?

W. Clement Stone’s motivational words are good for business motivation and personal motivation because organizations and individuals alike need the little difference that makes all the difference – a positive attitude.

Make a big difference in your business and your life today but choosing to have a positive attitude and then ignore the people who knock it.