Tag Archives: dreams

Will Smith – Secrets to Success

Est. Reading time 1 min, Video: 9 min

I think it is a fair assumption to say most people like Will Smith. He comes across as I nice guy, and his films are entertaining for the most part. I was put forward towards this video of him which shows a side I have not seen before.

Obviously he is hugely successful, but it appears he does not rest on his success. He became successful through lots of hard work, and in this superbly made video, he comes across as a great motivational speaker.

Some themes he covers are:
Nothing is unrealistic, Talent vs Skill, and work ethic.

Hopefully you will enjoy this video of Will Smith’s secrets to success:

In another video he talks about the book Rich Dad Poor Dad. It’s a great book and worth a mention about how to get into the mindset of the rich vs the poor.

Rich Dad Poor Dad – Amazon.com (USA)
Rich Dad, Poor Dad – Amazon.co.uk (UK)

How Bad Do You Want It?

Est. Reading / Watching Time 5minutes, (15min with bonus videos)

Hi All,

Sorry for the lack of posts. My trip was extended to an incredible six month journey. I have been back a month now and have started to knuckle down and get motivated. I would like to share with you this amazingly shot video title “How Bad Do You Want It?”. The title is self explanatory. The video was shot using parts of a speech by a speaker at Michigan State University. I will include the original two part speech below the video.

Having ideas and wanting to be successful is all well and good, but its doing and putting those ideas to action which sets people apart.  Enjoy this fantastic video.

Click the HD button if your computer can handle it as the video is superbly shot and deserves it!

How Bad Do You Want It from Greyskale Multimedia on Vimeo.

 

 

Here is the original footage with an extended version of the inspirational speech in two parts…

How to Make a More Awesome You – 101 in 365 challenge

Many people will tell you that to achieve any goal in life it is about breaking the goal down into small defined steps. I am a great believer in this, if you have a goal however “ridiculous” you think it maybe then to achieve it all you have to do is work out what you need to get it, and break down the steps of how to reach this.

Take the 100 push up challenge. At the beginning it sounds ridiculous to be able to do this if you can only do 10 push ups or less. But with the challenge you build up and make it all the way to 100 using small incremental steps that make you better.

Randy Grayson talks about this concept as “Kaizen”. He talks about an American basketball coach called John Wooden.

Randy says, “If you’re no fan of basketball, you have no idea who this is, but all you need to know is that he was exceedingly successful using the principle of Kaizen.  If you would like to know more, check out this website:  http://www.hoophall.com/halloffamers/Wooden.htm.  Here’s a little quote for you, “The John Wooden-coached UCLA teams scaled unprecedented heights that no future organization in any sport is likely to approach. Under the masterful guidance of Wooden, the Bruins set all-time records with four perfect 30-0 seasons, 88 consecutive victories, 38 straight NCAA tournament victories, 20 PAC 10 championships, and 10 national championships, including seven in a row.”

When asked what his incredible success was due to, he once replied, “When you improve a little each day, eventually big things occur.  When you improve conditioning a little each day, eventually you have a big improvement in conditioning.  Not tomorrow, not the next day, but eventually a big gain is made.  Don’t look for the big, quick improvement.  Seek the small improvement one day at a time.  That’s the only way it happens – and when it happens, it lasts.”

Breaking things down to improve something about yourself can be a very powerful tool in helping motivate yourself to achieve your goals. In this vein is the superb website 101in365. It is a website created by Jenn Vargas, a self confessed compulsive list writer, with the idea of making a “More Awesome You” by defining 101 steps, small or large to complete in 365 days. It is a great challenge and one which will give you a great sense of accomplishment when stuck to.

UPDATE: See our interview with Jenn Vargas here

The aim of 101in365 is to help you develop, track, and accomplish your goals in 365 days or less. You also have the huge support of the community on the site, which as anyone knows having others to egg you on and being around inspiring people helps inspire and motivate you. So it is time to apply some Kaizen and achieve what you want in life this year, starting today.

Three Great Inspirational Scenes from Movies

While Hollywood does produce an unbelievable amount of rubbish, everyone loves a great film. However this selection of videos is not about great films, its about great inspirational speeches from films. There are some good films in there, but don’t be put off by any preconception of the film and not watch the clip. I included an amazing Rocky speech for just that reason, the film has no interest for me, however I was told watch this clip. And it is great.  So enjoy these scenes, watch them before you set out your day, before you sit to write an essay, before a job interview. Go out and don’t let anything hold you back.

1, Pursuit of Happyness – Protect Your Dreams
The entirety of this film is superb and inspiring. However this scene is arguably the most important in the film (no spoilers in it), and is certainly the most inspiring.

Buy on Blu Ray and DVD

2, Al Pacino – Any Given Sunday – One Inch at a Time
Unbelievable monologue, not about American football, but about life. One of the greatest actors of all time doing one of his most famous speeches. Whoever wrote this is amazing to bind this into a film about sports. Great motivational speech.

Available on Blu Ray and DVD

3, Rocky 4 – Father to son – Living out of the Shadow
As I say, don’t skip this just because you don’t like Rocky. Its about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. About going out and getting what you want despite “taking the hits”. Pretty amazing speech even coming from Stallone.

Buy Rocky Collection on Blu Ray

What are your favourite inspirational movies speeches? Please share and let me know what you think of these three.

Great Quotes 2 – Pursuing Dreams

This collection of quotes in all about sticking with it and pursuing your dreams. If you put aside your mistakes you will achieve. Hope they help someone…

Dream image from sxc.hu

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Nelson Mandela

“Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish” – Steve Jobs (adapted from The Whole Earth Catalogue)

“You don’t beat the reaper by living longer, you beat the reaper by living well.” – Randy Pausch

“One can have no smaller or greater mastery than mastery of oneself.” – Leonardo da Vinci

“A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits.”- Richard Nixon

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas Edison

“Talk does not cook rice.” – Chinese Proverb

“Brick walls are there to show you how much you want something” – Randy Pausch

“A leader has the vision and conviction that a dream can be achieved. He inspires the power and energy to get it done.” – Ralph Nader

“If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavours to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” – Henry David Thoreau

Post your personal favourites in the comments. I’d love to hear from quotes that have inspired you, and quote sets you would like to see.