Gary's blog

I often have people asking me about how they can motivate themselves more. They want to know the magic program that will instantly give them the motivation the need to get up off the couch and do something to reach their goals. Whether it’s to lose 5lbs, run a marathon, or finish a learning course, they don’t feel the motivation they need to start, or continue, on the path toward their goal.

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared.He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to squeeze its body through the tiny hole. Then it stopped, as if it couldn't go further.

So the man decided to help the butterfly.He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bits of cocoon.The butterfly emerged easily but it had a swollen body and shriveled wings.

Than to be right. Someone wise said this to me years ago, and it's stuck with me. It has guided me through relationships with others, and it is a useful piece of knowledge in marriage as well.

What does it mean?

There are times when you will argue and argue because you believe yourself to be correct. I have actually met people who will spend time and energy seeking out ways to prove a friend wrong on a simple topic of no real consequence. What do you gain by doing this?

How hard do you try to keep your word when you give it to someone?

It's a tricky thing to do, in today's busy life, but it is terribly important.

When you keep your word, and follow through with whatever you said you were going to do, you are building your integrity.

While it is true that something may seem insignificant at the time, integrity is often built through small moments of truth. Moments when you can choose to do what's right, to be a person of your word, and to hold yourself to the standards you expect from others.

My father used to always say to me "Gary, success is a split second decision, it's all the agonizing that takes so much time".

That is a lesson I have always carried with me. It is a lesson I feel everyone should learn.

We, as humans, are programed to make decisions. We want to move towards a goal. The challenge arises when we choose to not make a decision, or agonize over that decision for too long.

How easy it is to put things off or procrastinate on those things we must get done.

As I stare at my ever-growing daily "to-do" list, I can pick out several things that I would rather not do, or at least, would rather not do right now.

While it is important to do the top priority tasks first, let's talk about those ones you keep putting off. Once your major priorities are out of the way, have a look at what is left.

What a great story . . . a wonderful lesson in choosing your attitude, keeping a positive attitude, and how you will face life.

It's so easy for life to get busy, and for us to take for granted our time with our family. We are all guilty of this at some point, despite our best intentions. Whether it's quality time with your children, or having a coffee with your parents or siblings, small moments like this is what you will miss when it is no longer available. Rather than regretting what you didn't do later on, schedule time in your life every week for your family. This doesn't mean doing special activities every week, it simply means spending time talking, listening, and enjoying each other.

Tonight is the big night - the opening of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. I can't  help but feel proud as I watch all the athletes sporting their red mittens, ready to show off what their years of hard work and dedication has erupted into.