Sunday Inspiration #18

Sunday inspiration is taking a short break this weekend – my recommendation is that you do the same – today is the day to try something different to get that inspiration flowing – here are ten starting points:

• Take a walk – get some fresh air, and the heart rate just elevated a little
• Pick up a book – something you’ve been meaning to read for a while now
• Listen to some new tunes – try my Spotify playlist for some jump off points. Its here.
• Watch some people – grab a coffee, take a table outside and watch the passers by
• Read my inspiration archives – if you’re new here, there have been some ideas before.
• Check out some of these blogs. Nicholas. Tom. Steve. Diamond. Londonist.
• Hang out on Twitter. Run some searches for things that interest you. I’m here.
• Start writing. Start Drawing. Whatever that idea is in there, get it down on paper.
• Go for a walk with the camera. It doesn’t have to be anywhere special, there are great pictures everywhere. Take some.
• Look at that to-do list – not the work one, the home one. Pick one item, the most important, start on it, get it done. You’ll feel inspired.

Normal service will be resumed next week.

What’s your inspiration today?

Muse #4

Sophia Loren

A Friday Hero Speaks #16 – Effort

Be like a duck. Calm on the surface, but always paddling like the dickens underneath. Michael Caine

I’m slowly coming to the conclusion, that all the productivity systems in the world won’t make up for putting in the hours, making the effort – but it does help to look good whilst you are doing all that.

Who is your hero today?

Truth #2

So, make the most of it…

Sunday Inspiration #17

Sunday morning rolls around again, I’m off out to shoot some clays and breathe in some early morning fresh air – when I get back, its time to enrich myself a little with som Sunday Inspiration. I’ll fire up some nice music in the background first – today, I bring you The Box by Orbital – a fantastic slice of electronica.

Here are some slices of sunday inspiration to accompany the sounds of Orbital.

• The Virtual Revolution – the series finished yesterday and its worth reviewing some of the great information and interviews from this four part series of how the web has changed our lives. Completely inspirational interviewees throughout the sries.
• Lake Baikal – I can’t imagine anywhere more dark and foreboding than the worlds deepest and coldest lake. This lovely photoset shows just how beautiful this place is.
• The River Thames – I spent part of yesterday seeing London from the River Thames, a great way to see (what I believe to be) the most beautiful city in the world. Wherever you are, try taking a different view today, from a river, from the air or from the sea, you’ll be amazed at the different things you see.

What is inspiring you today?

Muse #3

Christina Hendricks – Joan in Mad Men

A Friday Hero Speaks #15 – Leadership

If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea. Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Great wisdom from the author of The Petit Prince, who was also a pilot and freedom fighter. This quote hangs in my small cube at work.

Who are your leadership heroes?

Brits 2010 – how did I do?

Back in January, I had a stab at predicting who was going win the Brits… here’s how I did…

• British Female Solo Artiste : Matt – Florence and the Machine / Winner – Lily Allen
• British Male Solo Artiste : Matt – Dizzee Rascal / Winner – Dizzee Rascal
• British Breakthrough Act : Matt – Friendly Fires / Winner – JLS
• British Group : Matt – Kasabian / Winner – Kasabian
• British Album : Florence and the Machine – Lungs / Winner – Florence and the Machine – Lungs
• British Single : Matt – La Roux – In for the kill / Winner – JLS – Beat Again
• Critics Choice : Matt – Ellie Goulding / Winner – Ellie Goulding
• Brits Album of 30 years : Matt – Oasis – What’s the story morning glory? / Winner – Oasis – What’s the story morning glory?
• Brits Hits 30 : Matt – Paul McCartney – Live and Let Die / Winner – Spice Girls – Wannabe/Who do you think you are? (seriously – just for that dress)
• International Female : Matt – Rihanna / Winner – Lady Gaga
• International Male : Matt – Jay-Z / Winner – Jay-Z
• International Album : Matt – Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3 / Winner – Lady Gaga – The Fame
• International Breakthrough : Matt – Lady Gaga / Winner – Lady Gaga

So 7 out of 13 this year, just over 50% if you ‘do’ maths, not bad at all…I’m surprised that Lady Gaga won both International Female AND International Breakthrough, and you also can’t vouch for the taste of the British Public in letting JLS win the Best Single.

The show was quite good, Liam Gallagher was an idiot, and ITV’s coverage was bordering on the farce with the sound being dropped every time someone said a rude word, but Peter Kay was funny, Kasabian were great (even if my wife loves the gutarist a little bit) and Florence+Dizzee was a match made in heaven.

What did you think of the Brits?

Truth #1

Inspired by this post from Nicholas Bate yesterday…choose a Doppio Expresso meeting.

Where is your truth today?

Reasons #6

Monday morning – I’m ready… are you? Reasons to be cheerful today…

• My Spotify playlist is already pumping away – check it out here.
• Brits tomorrow – should be fun, keep my predictions handy
• Fellow ‘softie and friend Mel Carson has published a great whitepaper – download his Social Media White Paper here.
• Champs League Football is back
• My notebook is ready and full of blank pages to start the week:

What has you feeling amazing on this Monday morning?