Sunday morning rolls around – spending quality time in the peaceful eye of the storm. I’m up early for some time in the fresh air, breaking some clays. Then its time to chill out with some great music and some slices of internet based inspiration. Our tune this week is WOLD by Harry Chapin, one of my favourite songs, telling the story of a down on his luck Radio DJ. Fire that up on YouTube and then come back for some inspirational links.
What has you inspired this week?
Sunday morning once again – I’m waking up in sunny Lincolnshire, freezing cold but looking beautiful against a bright sky. I woke up with this song in my head, and I think it’s a marvellous Sunday morning tune – Song to the Siren – this marvellous version is by The Czars – fire that up and then enjoy some Sunday morning inspiration…
What is inspiring you today?
Slightly later this week – I’ve had the perfect Sunday, getting some exercise and relaxation at the gym, followed by food and fun with family. Our music for the week is a little bit of fun as well – Por Una Cabeza is better known as ‘the Tango’ in Scent of a Woman, and is one of my favourite pieces of music – as well as a fantastic scene from this marvellous film.
- Inspirational young lady –some parochial inspiration, this girl from my local area is suffering, but still able to commit to raising money for others. See also this young fella who has raised thousands for Haiti – at just seven years old.
- Best sneakers of 2009 – this fantastic review of the 25 best trainers of 2009 is definitely worth a read, old school is new school is retro as you step through some fine crepes from last year. A fantastic website to watch.
- I have a dream, of social networks – what would Martin Luther King have made of Twitter? I’d have followed that account – by the way, I’m here. I cannot promise the wisdom of MLK.
What is your inspiration this week?
It’s hard to pay attention these days because of multiple affects of the information technology nowadays. You tend to develop a faster, speedier mind, but I don’t think it’s necessarily broader or smarter. Robert Redford
So, is he right? I find the more information I get, the more information I crave – and that leads to distraction and lack of attention on the really important things. This week I’ve been thinking a lot about the urgent and important matrix – not only am I using it on my tasks, but I’m using it on my information streams (RSS, Social Networks etc) and purging what its really distracting me.
What are you doing to stay focused?
Sunday morning again – somewhat becalmed in the doldrums of January – time to settle back, grab some fresh juice, maybe a coffee and enjoy some Sunday inspiration. Firstly, our musical choice for the week – one of the all-time legendary voices – Dusty Springfield with You Don’t Have to say You Love Me. Fire that up in You Tube and then enjoy some inspirational links from around the web. If you need more great music – try my playlist over on Spotify.
- Haiti, 48 hours later – once again the incredible Big Picture has the most insightful pictures of the tragedy (still) unfolding in Haiti. The only inspiration you need to have here is to click on the Disaster Emergency Committee link and donate just a few quid to the coordinated relief efforts. For the US – this link – has a vetted list of agencies accepting donations. More Haiti pictures from the Big Picture. My thoughts and best wishes are with everyone there (suffering and helping). My company has committed cash and assistance as well – good work MSFT.
- Harry Truman, Leader of the Freeway – recently retired US president harry Truman decides to attempt an incognito roadtrip. Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t entirely work. Great NYT op-ed piece.
- The Freesound Project – a wiki-like site that contains creative commons licensed sounds not music, a great resource for finding ambient, relaxing sounds to help you as you try and concentrate or sound effects for your presentations and applications.
What inspires you this week?
“I’ve lived in good climate, and it bores the hell out of me. I like weather rather than climate”, John Steinbeck.
Pretty relevant this week after the UK has been ‘paralysed’ by snow and ice. I’ve quite enjoyed it, the ‘extreme’ weather has reminded me that I’m alive, just like some sunshine does the same.
I just wish we had more exciting weather in the UK!
As snow and ice envelopes the UK (and Western Europe), I’m looking for inspiration to provide a sense of warmth on this Sunday morning. As usual, we’re kicking off with a nice heart warming tune – this week, Ken Booth – Everything I Own. Fire that up, and then relax back with this weeks slice of inspiration. If you want more – my current Spotify playlist is here.
- The Children’s Trust is doing well on our donations – including the heart warming story of Alby, who got knocked over last year, recovering and even back on his feet. Marvellous, truly inspiration young man, family and charity supporting them.
- 100 personal growth posts – nice list of links to posts that should inspire you to many life changes. It’s a great collection, and worth bookmarking.
- 100,000 vintage ads – after last weeks visit to Farbor Sid, I was reminded of this terrific site which has tons of old advertisements to browse, all categorised so that you can find interesting things, like shaving ads from the 40’s or beauty products from the 1900’s.
- Finally – Frozen Britain – seen from above, this has been posted everywhere – but I’d like a link on here for posterity. A satellite image showing the UK bathed in beautiful snow. There is something very cleansing and pure about the blanket. Alternatively – It’s just snow says Gemma K
What is inspiring you this week?
You have to dream, you have to have a vision, and you have to set a goal for yourself that might even scare you a little because sometimes that seems far beyond your reach. Then I think you have to develop a kind of resistance to rejection, and to the disappointments that are sure to come your way – Gregory Peck
And that’s how it is – find your North Star (make it a stretch goal) and take steps toward it every day, be persistent and determined.
What keeps you flying true to your goal?
At the beginning of a brand new year – time to be completely awesome – but first some inspiration. As usual, some inspirational music to get you in the right frame of mind, today from Ian Brown – The Sweet Fantastic (Spotify), a well disguised love song – how can anyone not love it when someone says “You make me feel majestic”?
- Farbor Sid Retrospective – from Sweden, so the text is a bit tough to read, but the photos are amazing – culled from vintage magazines and presented in digital glory, this site is chock full of great images to get your creative juices flowing.
- Youthedesigner – you might be thinking about refreshing your business image and stationery is an important part of that. These 83 beautiful letterheads and logo designs will whet your appetite.
- Welcoming 2010 – a regular site in my inspiration series, Boston.Com The Big Picture has a great photoset showing New Year celebrations from around the world. Fantastic photographs – I particularly like #10 which shows Pakistani youths spraying fake snow in Lahore.
What is inspiring you today?
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2010 on mattrutherford.com – before we start the year, here are ten potential New Year revolutions for you as you strive to make 2010 your best ever:
- Be thankful – give thanks for some of the wonderful things, your health, your family, your loved ones and your friends. Write a note to someone, thanking them for a gift or a good time.
- Be ruthless – give up a bad habit, whatever it is you don’t like, you can do it, engage some friends and family to support you.
- Be an expert – learn about something, become the go-to person for your friends, for the internet, for your co-workers.
- Be relentless – invest in yourself, pursue what really makes you happy but don’t give up, don’t give yourself the chance of failure.
- Be available – spend more time with your kids and your loved ones, engage in fun stuff that doesn’t involve your wallet, just be. Everything will be OK while you enjoy yourself.
- Be friendly – meet your neighbours, talk to strangers, network (but don’t just hand out cards) – you never know where it might lead.
- Be kind – with your spirit, not your money – kindness is more than just a £1 in a charity box, start with your friends, co-workers or just holding a door for someone. It’ll do wonders for you too.
- Be understanding – people are different, it doesn’t need dealing with, it just is. The next time you don’t get what you expect from an exchange, look for the causes and try to understand.
- Be brilliant – this is your year, take some advice from someone who knows (more about that tomorrow), imitate the best, invest in yourself and decide that you’ll be amazing from today.
- Be better – failing all of these, just take a small step now, be better at something – for sure, someone will appreciate you making the smallest effort.
What revolutions are you making to ensure 2010 is an awesome year?
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