Great article – 6 Ways To Build An Advisory Team For Your Small Business : Managing

American Express OPEN Forum http://ow.ly/4Ri5y

Need Willpower?A very funny image is on

Need Willpower?A very funny image is on this page. Worth checking

Clever Advertisement from Liberty Mutual

I tend to be quite skeptical of insurance companies these days. (Who isn’t?) This ad caught my eye as I thought it was extremely clever – and with a powerful message. I feel good watching it. Something that triggers good feelings causes action. That’s what you want in marketing.

7th Analysis of the International Inspiration Index (I3)

The purpose of the I3 (The International Inspiration Index) is to get a feel for how people are feeling, what’s bothering them, and their outlook for the future. It started in late April, 2009 and is published every one to two months.

If you would like to take the ongoing I3 survey, go to www.Motivation2010.com.

Welcome to 2010

The master chart (below) shows the last several months but Total Average is since inception of the survey. Concerns are sorted based on Highest to Lowest in the most recent month.

All Stats for Last Several Months (click to enlarge)

Understanding the Scores:

On questions #1 and #2, “five” is an excellent attitude and “one” is a horrible attitude, “three” would be average.

For question #3, “five” means greatly concerned, “one” means not at all concerned.

For question #4, “five” is extremely optimistic and “one” is extremely pessimistic.

As always, my standard disclaimer is that even though January had the highest number of participants, samples are not very large (averaging 38 a month) and the survey is self-selecting so we don’t know how accurate it is. However, that doesn’t take away from pondering what it means. (Please post your comments too.)

Questions #1 #2: How’s your attitude – as well as those around you

Maybe it’s the new year, but for whatever reason January showed an uptick  in attitude for both you and for others around you, climbing from 3.6 to 3.7  in the former and from 3.4 to 3.6 in the latter. This is despite the resurgence of partisan politics and lots of bad weather across the country.

Last month, I made an observation that the trend line on YOUR ATTITUDE (dark blue) seemed to be leveling out, almost becoming flat,  leading me to wonder if  we are now approaching our baseline.  If you look at the chart above, you’ll notice that this month’s personal attitude was 3.7 and the average since inception is 3.69, further backing up that theory. The other interesting thing is that OTHERS ATTITUDES is still trending upward and closing in on our personal attitude. When the survey started, the difference was approximately .5 (3.2 for others and 3.7 for personal). Now the difference is only about .1.

Trends: MINE vs. OTHERS full survey period (click to enlarge)

Factors influencing the I3 during January

Staring in August, I began making a note of major international and international events that could be influencing the collective attitude. Following are stories I considered to be significant for January:

• Resolutions
• Haiti earthquake
• Eureka, CA earthquake (I only include this because I live in Eureka and it’s likely a disproportionate number of participants therefore do too)
• Unemployment rate stays flat but 85K job loss
• Obama’s first year comes to an end
• MA senate race goes to Republican Scott Brown in a major upset
• Major rain and snow storms
• State of the Union Address
• Obama speaks to the Republicans at their retreat

A few selected comments from survey-takers about their attitudes:

Gratitude is the key for me…

Considering the weather, it is probably great

I’ve never had the mood swings of late…crazy energy & enthusiasm one minute & negative the next.

A couple of real nice days I would be hitting the 5.

Struggling to stay positive.

Good days and bad days…trying to make the good outweigh the bad. I lost my dad to pancreatic cancer in October, so it’s been a rocky road especially through the holidays.

I find the winter wet months depressing, so it doesn’t help my attitude- especially about dieting.

I always try to find one “special” comment. This time the “Optimist of the Month” award goes to

It was stressful because of financial issues (business cash flow)! But the Saints are going to the Super Bowl and the weather is gorgeous, so my attitude is much improved!

Brilliant Ad from the UK

Check out this video.  Watch it to the end. What a great ad!

(The image is a screen shot; when you click on it, it will take you to the video)

Poorly named websites

All of these are legitimate companies that didn’t spend quite enough time to consider how their online name might appear! These are not made up. Check them out yourself.

1. ‘Who Represents’ is where you can find the name of the agent that represents any celebrity. Their Web site is: www.whorepresents.com

2. ‘Experts Exchange’ is a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at: www.expertsexchange.com

3. Looking for a great pen? Look no further than ‘Pen Island’. It can be found at: www.penisland.net

4. Need a therapist? Try ‘Therapist Finder’ at: www.therapistfinder.com

5. Then there’s the ‘Italian Power Generator’ company. Check it out at: www.powergenitalia.com

6. ‘IP computer’ software, there’s always: www.ip_anywhere.com

7. And the designers at ‘Speed of Art’ await you at their wacky Web site: www.speedofart.com

Thanks to my friend Roy Block for sending it to me.

6th Analysis of the International Inspiration Index (I3)

The purpose of the I3 (The International Inspiration Index) is to get a feel for how people are feeling, what’s bothering them, and their outlook for the future. It started in late April, 2009 and is published every one to two months. This month, we continue with short term as well as longer-term predictions!

If you would like to take the ongoing I3 survey, go to www.Motivation2010.com.

2009 Comes to An End

(and some might say, “Not a minute too soon..”)

Because we have now accumulated so much data, the master chart (below) only shows the last six months.

All Stats for Last Six Months (click to enlarge)

Understanding the Scores:

On questions #1 and #2, “five” is an excellent attitude and “one” is a horrible attitude, “three” would be average.

For question #3, “five” means greatly concerned, “one” means not at all concerned.

For question #4, “five” is extremely optimistic and “one” is extremely pessimistic.

As always, my standard disclaimer is that samples are not very large (averaging 36 a month) and the survey is self-selecting so we don’t know how accurate it is. However, that doesn’t take away from pondering what it means. (Please post your comments too.)

Questions #1 #2: How’s your attitude – as well as those around you

December showed a decline in attitude for both you and for others around you, sliding from 3.8 to 3.6 in the former and from 3.7 to 3.2 in the latter. Although we’ve always heard that holidays are “the most wonderful time of the year,” conventional wisdom (as well as the I3) seem to say otherwise. Although the holidays can be a fun and exciting time of year, it’s also a very busy time of year as well as a month known for bad weather. Beyond that, if you’re alone this time of year, or if you cannot afford the pressure of buying gifts, December can indeed be a “downer” and maybe that’s why the numbers dropped.

One other thing that struck me was the (dark blue) trend line on YOUR ATTITUDE. It seems to be leveling out, leading one to wonder (or at least me) if this is “as good as it gets.” Will our collective attitude  stay slightly above positive, never rising and never falling — or are about to see the trend line start to decline?

The other interesting thing is that OTHERS ATTITUDES is still trending upward. Are we starting to feel more of a kinship to others around us? Overall, as with last month, the convergence between “My Attitude” and “Others Attitude” continues.

Trends: MINE vs. OTHERS full survey period (click to enlarge)

Factors influencing the I3 during December

Staring in August, I began making a note of major international and international events that could be influencing the collective attitude. Following are stories I considered to be significant for December:

• Fall out from Obama’s decision to send more troops to Afghanistan
• Health care bill debate continues
• Tiger Woods scandal
• Copenhagen environmental conference
• The Holidays
• Obama accepts peace prize
• Unemployment drops from 10.2% to 10%
• B of A repays TARP Loan
• Holidays
• Underpants (“Christmas Day”) bomber

A few selected comments from survey-takers about their attitudes:

Quite good considering I’m dealing with some tough emotional and financial problems due to my husband’s death. Counseling is a must when you go through really tough times.

Am trying to remain positive but holidays are hard and am also dealing with stresses of year end at work and a very sick cat that the vet has no idea what is wrong.

The weather’s yucky but everyone in the family is healthy and employed. I would like more laughter in my life…I’ll have to look for it!

I feel just “so so” 90% of the time. The other 10% of the time I’m in the “poor” mode.

Feel like I haven’t made a contribution to life.

Overall good, but a little concerned financially.

Generally positive about life, working on not worrying about things I can’t control

I always try to find one “special” comment. This time the “Optimist of the Month” award goes to

Mom died, cat sick, Dad getting dementia, business in the tank. But GREAT friends!

Some noteworthy comments from survey takers about others’ attitudes; definitely a trend in the comments.

I think the economy is rough for just about all the people I know and it’s taking its toll.

We’re not all out of the woods yet. Need to rebuild reserves that have been depleted this past year.

Seems people are trying to keep their head above water and struggling to maintain a balance.

Most everyone seems to be even these days, though the energy overall is pretty flat this holiday season. I am sure it is related to unemployment and the economy.

People seem to be obsessing over the economy and repeatedly talking about hard times – it’s not affecting me all that much so it doesn’t get me down.

Most of my friends are discouraged and broke.

A lot of people are feeling nervous financially, which spills over into their attitudes about everything else.

Question Three: What concerns you?

The chart at the top of this post sorts the nine problems based on what registers the most concern over the entire time since the I3. For the last few months, Education had been the largest concern for that particular month. However, that changes this month. The Top Three concerns for  December specifically are below. (Actually, there are four because it’s a three-way tie for #2.)

The top three concerns at the end of November were:

1. Economy (3.6 in December, staying flat from November)
2. Education (3.2 in December, down from 3.7 in November. I gave this the #2 position because it’s long term average is 3.49, which is higher than the next two.)
3. Environment (3.2 in December, staying flat from November. Long term rating 3.39)
4. My Personal Health (3.2 in December, down from 3.5 in October. Long term rating 3.10) NOTE: The Swine Flu was a major story in November so this indeed makes sense.

The chart with the top four and their six-month trends is after the jump.

5th Analysis of the International Inspiration Index (I3)

The purpose of the I3 (The International Inspiration Index) is to get a feel for how people are feeling, what’s bothering them, and their outlook for the future. It started in late April, 2009 and is published every one to two months. This month, we have our first longer-term predictions as to where we’re going!

If you would like to take the ongoing I3 survey, go to www.Motivation2010.com.

October and November combined

The last month analyzed was September. So, the graph below will show what has happened over the last two months.

All Stats for Last Six Months (click to enlarge)

Understanding the Scores:

On questions #1 and #2, “five” is an excellent attitude and “one” is a horrible attitude, “three” would be average.

For question #3, “five” means greatly concerned, “one” means not at all concerned.

For question #4, “five” is extremely optimistic and “one” is extremely pessimistic.

Questions #1 #2: How’s your attitude – as well as those around you

The highest month for personal attitude remains July of 2009 with a 4.1o. The highest month for your perception of others’ attitudes remains August with a 3.60. One interesting trend is that the overall average for “My Attitude” is 3.70 with the first four months averaging 3.73 and the last four months averaging 3.68; basically staying flat during the entire eight-month period. However, the overall average for “Others Attitudes,” lower than “My Attitude” is 3.36 but the first four months it was 3.25 and the latter four months, it’s a 3.48; possibly showing that our perception of others is improving, but who knows?

Looking at the chart showing the trend lines of these two statistics, we can see a generally upward path and a convergence between “My Attitude” and “Others Attitude.”

Trends: MINE vs. OTHERS full survey period (click to enlarge)

Also one other thing to note is that, for the first time in all the time I’ve been asking these questions (and I’ve done this survey informally before I started the I3), “My Attitude” was lower in October than “Others Attitude.” Every other time I’ve asked this question, “My Attitude” has always outscored “Others Attitudes.” (October was also a horribly small sample size so it could be an aberration.)

As always, my standard disclaimer is that so far the samples are not very large (averaging 36 a month) and the survey is self-selecting so we don’t know how accurate it is.

Factors influencing the I3 during the last few months

Staring in August, I began making a note of major international and international events that could be influencing the collective attitude. Following are stories I considered to be significant:

October 2009:

• Debate coming to an end on health care bill
• McChrystal asking for 40K more troops in Afghanistan
• Chicago losing Olympic bid to Rio
• Obama winning peace prize
• Daylight savings time ends
• High death toll for US Military in Afghanistan
• Huge terrorist bombing in Iraq

November 2009:

• One year anniversary of Obama’s election
• Swine flu vaccine goes widespread
• Huge tuition increases at UC campuses
• Unemployment hits 10.2%
• Holidays in full swing
• Fort Hood shooting
• Thanksgiving
• Senate & House pass bills for health care
• Obama debates what to do in Afghanistan
• Sarah Palin’s book is released

A few selected comments from survey-takers about their attitudes:

God has blessed me with a generally good disposition

I usually have an upbeat attitude. It’s the end of the year and I feel like I haven’t accomplished much. I also realized I need validation from others – and that’s not happening now.

I love the holidays — but sometimes I just allow myself to get too busy and lose focus on what I want to be important!

I need to take responsibility for my choices, right now I only do it sometimes.

Everything pisses me off, I seem to have lost all patience, where I used to be known for my patience.

Some ups, some downs. But overall my attitude is as good as I make up my mind for it to be.

I deal with some real “jackasses” so sometimes, it affects my mental well being. Plus I’ve had some very severe back problems and am in horrific chronic pain, so it too has affected my attitude.

And one person summed it all up as follows:

Too much bad ‘stuff’ is happening at once…

Some noteworthy comments from survey takers about others’ attitudes

I think people are starting to realize that in order to succeed, they need to rely on themselves, and in doing that, they have become more self sufficient and happier because of it.

Most people I am friends with have been struggling with financial woes. The friends with financial troubles have been very down. The friends without money troubles have been exactly the same. (A little predictable, I know)

And two opposing views:

Most people I know are in good spirits and I try not to talk to strangers

Holidays make people cranky!

Question Three: What concerns you?

Continuing the pattern that started late summer, Education continues to be the primary concern of the people who have taken the I3 for the last few months. What is also interesting is that “Public Health” has been rising lately, possibly due to all the news about Swine Flu and is actually tied with Education now.

The top three concerns at the end of November were:

1. Education (3.7 end of November from 3.5 in October, down from from 3.9 in September – which was the start of the school year)
2. Public Health (3.7 end of November from 3.1 in October and 3.8 in September)
3. Economy (3.6 end of November from 3.4 in October and 3.7 in September)

The chart with the top four and their six-month trends is after the jump.

4th Analysis of the International Inspiration Index (I3)

The purpose of the I3 (The International Inspiration Index) is to get a feel for how people are feeling, what’s bothering them, and their outlook for the future. It started in late April, 2009. Due to a great deal of traveling during September and October, I was not able to update it for almost two months so we now have completed one year.

If you would like to take the ongoing I3 survey, go to www.Motivation2010.com.

August and September combined

The last month analyzed was July. So, the graph below will show what has happened over the last two months.

The Complete Overview (click to enlarge)

Understanding the Scores:

On questions #1 and #2, “five” is an excellent attitude and “one” is a horrible attitude, “three” would be average.
For question #3, “five” means greatly concerned, “one” means not at all concerned.
For question #4, “five” is extremely optimistic and “one” is extremely pessimistic.

Question #1: How’s your attitude – as well as those around you

The highest month for personal attitude so far was July of 2009 with a 4.1o. The highest month for your perception of others’ attitudes was August with a 3.60. That said, the overall trend for both still seems to be upwards, as illustrated by the trend lines on the graph below. As always, my standard disclaimer is that so far the samples are not very large (averaging 38 a month — and growing) and the survey is self-selecting so we don’t know how accurate it is.

Factors influencing the I3 during the last few months

Staring in August, I have been making a note of major international and international events that could be influencing the collective attitude. Following are stories I considered to be significant:

August 2009:

• Health care debate moves forefront with congress people heading to their districts
• Town hall meetings about health care
• Edward Kennedy dies
• Afghanistan starts getting much worse
• Lower than expected unemployment
• Stock market climbing

September 2009:

• Resurgence of swine flu into the news
• School restarting
• Anniversary of September 11
• President Obama speaks to congress on health issues
• Congressman Joe Wilson screams “You Lie!” at the president — and the whole ensuing debate over that

A few selected comments from survey-takers about their attitudes, ranging from insightful…

As a Christian, I do a daily attitude check and try to maintain an overall good outlook. Right now it would be “fantastic” from my own perspective, but we have family situations that kind of put a damper on things to a certain extent.

My attitude was great when I came back to work, but too many negatives coming at me. I work hard everyday to say, “This isn’t my problem.” But I am a problem solver.

I recently went back to school and changed careers. I LOVE my job. I’m also learning to work to live and not live to work. That decision makes my attitude better!

My attitude rarely changes, except when really negative people decide to drain off some of my positive vibes. But I’ve got some to share.

The economy..the people who think that health care is only for the rich…Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck all these idiots make my attitude suck!!

Many long-term goals were to have come to fruition these past few weeks. All of them have been either set back, cancelled or have mysteriously disappeared. This is a time of choosing depression or renewed direction/action and though the choice is obvious, it is difficult.

Some minor difficulties give me pause, but overall I am happy with the way my life is going. I’m grateful for my spirituality, relationship and freedom to write.

…to the simple…

Crazy landlady giving me problems

I’m ready for a nap, will probably be fantastic when I wake up.

Some noteworthy comments from survey takers about others’ attitudes

As always, one of the prevailing themes from many of the people who had comments is that they choose not to hang out with negative people However, some other comments about others’ attitudes are listed below:

Most people balance an appropriate amount of bitterness and hopefulness.

Too many of my friends seem to let the cares of the world get them down and don’t seem to have a lighthearted outlook.

Everyone you meet is going through their own trials right now. It’s a scary economic time we live in.

They’re caught up in the media and stuff.

People seem “stuck” in today’s world. Not good or bad… sadly so so.

Everyone I come in contact with (and that’s a lot of people) seem to be worried, angry, upset and fearful about their future

It is important to me that I surround myself with success and goal – minded people in my life, so I am profoundly gracious for the love and support of healthy thinking and healthy being.

There are too many rumors, most people are in too big of a hurry to let things play out.

I hear lots of optimism in my networking groups.

Start with a smile and most people will be positive.

They need more coffee

Here’s the chart showing the overview

One note of interest is that since the beginning of the I3, this is the first period (last two months) where “my attitude” has gone in a different direction than “Others” attitude. Usually, although “my attitude” is always better than “their” attitude, the trends go in the same direction.

Six Months of Attitude Tracking — click to enlarge (bold lines are trends)

Question Three: What concerns you?

The top three concerns for the as we ended the third quarter are showing some change.  For the first time since the I3 began, “The Economy” is NOT the biggest concern, actually falling into fourth place, behind the Environment, Education, and — for the first time in the top three — Public Health. (It is important to note that “The Economy” still does have the highest average.)

1. Environment (reaching 4.0, moving up form 3.5 during mid summer)
2. Education (3.9 from 3.8 during mid summer)
3. Public Health (3.8 from 3.1 during mid summer).

It seems logical that Environment continues to stay as a major concern, and when one thinks about it, Public Health is much more in the spotlight now with the H1N1 virus coming back into the news. Education still surprises me, but with the increasing costs of tuition and states cutting budgets right and left, it probably shouldn’t.  (The chart is after the jump.)

Old Spice: Still the Classic – Great Promotion

I bought a bottle of body wash last week. (My wife teases me that I spend more on that kind of stuff than she does.) I like Old Spice, not the newer scents, just the original. When I got it home, I noticed the back of the bottle. Very, very clever.

Check the description. Is that clever or what?