Thought Starters

QOTW 2013: Week 2: What’s the thing that made Jack a dull boy?

By ⋅ January 7, 2013 ⋅ Post a comment
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What’s the one thing that we all have in common with Jack?

We all work and here we are; back at it!

It’s January. The days are slowly getting longer. We have that post-holiday glow and we are getting back into our routines. At least that’s the way it is around here and most likely the way it is for you too, huh?

January can be a precarious month.

It can drag you down but it is also the start of a brand new year and like a clean slate, a fresh page or a new chapter it can also be your land of opportunity. I suppose it becomes whatever you make it. It is simply the way you look at it, right? I have always struggled with SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and the first two months of the year are always the toughest for me. Over time I have learned a few habits that help me fight off the doldrums; exercise, this (blogging and other creative pursuits) and having some fun.

That brings us to today’s quote.

We all work hard but when considering the quote from Mr. James Oglivy below we can certainly discover some opportunity to find a fresh excitement in even the simplest of tasks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If that doesn’t brighten your day then maybe this will.

Do you ever notice that when you’re driving, anyone going slower than you is an idiot and everyone driving faster than you is a maniac?

Have a great Monday and an awesome week.

Cheers!

 

 

 

 

Oh, and if you missed it you can check out last week’s quote here

 

 

 

 

About this Author: Ralph Dopping (166 Posts)

A quirky sense-o-humour coupled with an indelible sense of stylish sarcasm makes it difficult to take the world too seriously doesn't it? My faves: fun, passion and hard work. I work here everyday: www.designdialog.ca


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ExtremelyAvg 908 pts

I loved the finish. I'm usually one of those idiots going 58 in a 55 zone.

My latest conversation: Touched: Ch 37

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rdopping 1096 pts moderator

Hi  ExtremelyAvg Happy New Year good sir! I see you are on Chapter 37 already. I am fully assuming you are publishing a book through blog posts. You are to be commended for that. How's it going? Is that the http://www.nanowrimo.org/ entry you were writing or something completely new?

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ExtremelyAvg 908 pts

 rdopping The NANO entry sort of got side tracked. I was trying to write the second book in a new series I'm starting called "Secret Doors". But I hadn't finished the first book in the series, so after about 12,500 words into book two, I realized it was folly and went back and wrote the last 20K of book one. I'm editing it now.  Touched, is unrelated to that and tonight crossed 49,000 words. I'll be entering Touched in the Breakout Novel contest on Amazon and then publishing it when it gets knocked out. (They have 10,000 entries per year) I'm also planning on entering book one of the Secret Doors series, too. So I will have a 1:5000 chance.

 

The entry is on the 17th of this month, so I need to hustle up and find the ending for Touched.  When I've got both of those books squared away, I'm thinking I may write the screenplay for one of them, because I've been wanting to try a screenplay and they only run around 15,000 words, much of which would be dialogue I've already written.

 

I've also started editing Book 3 of the Henry Wood series and may hold off publishing Book 2, which is now ready to go, until 3 is ready. I haven't decided.

 

I figure if I keep working at it, one day I can sell lots of books. That would be nice.

My latest conversation: Touched: Ch 38

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KDillabough 1824 pts

I love to play. That.is.all. (and don't tell the invisible one I stole his line). And I do believe it's about time for a good ol' fashioned #TeamBlogJack. Finalized logo will be making its appearance in a post early next week! Cheers! Kaarina

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rdopping 1096 pts moderator

 KDillabough It's about time....hehe. I was wondering what happened to it. Who won, BTW (wink, wink)?

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KDillabough 1824 pts

 rdopping I could tell you but then I'd have to.....Stay tuned: you will see the results soon

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Adam | Customer Experience 731 pts

I agree with BetsyKCross -- the line that stood out to me was "play widens the halls." It's really easy to get tunnel vision, especially in the digital world -- getting out of the rut can produce some excellent results.

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rdopping 1096 pts moderator

 Adam | Customer Experience  BetsyKCross Hmmmm.......getting out of a rut. I agree, tunnel vision helps no one. This notion of play became clear to me after a lecture I attended on the same subject. Betsy's video posted below is an interesting 30 min. Just goes to show you how as adults we become so rigid that we have to look for these opportunities to remind us that fun can be helpful. 

 

Thanks for coming by Adam. 

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bdorman264 2669 pts

Did someone say play? I'm all in...............

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rdopping 1096 pts moderator

 bdorman264 ........golf or Texas Holdem'?

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bdorman264 2669 pts

 rdopping Both? At the same time? 

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KDillabough 1824 pts

 bdorman264  rdopping And snowshoeing:)

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Lori 2767 pts

I love January for the freshness of the new year opportunities it offers. Yes, I think it's too easy to get caught up in the organizational work and the planning and to forget to play. Good reminder Ralph. Thanks!

And while we're talking about organizing our work, I'll let you know the LFI Hangout on the 16th is all about that! Come!

Lori

My latest conversation: Dear LFI: How Do I Fill the Inner Void?

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rdopping 1096 pts moderator

Hi  Lori  I will try to join you. I do want to. I am normally in the office and I need to find the time to see if I can get our IT guys to allow us the access to Google Hangouts. Up to now it has been restricted. In the interim I will have to try and catch you in an evening chat.

 

Maybe we can do that just so I can try out the Hangout. I am such a newbie.

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AlaskaChickBlog 193 pts

You are a riot, Ralph. Thanks for this. (All 3!)

I'm bordering on overload and wondering what on earth I was thinking of to think I could do all I can see looming in front of me...

No time to play!! No time, no time... "I'm late. I'm late. For a very important date." Keeps running through my mind... Ha! Nobody mentions in all the posts I have read that your editorial calender should actually be created in June for the following year! (Screech!)

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rdopping 1096 pts moderator

Hey  AlaskaChickBlog  what's going on in the bean of yours?

 

I'm late. I'm late. For a very important date.

I'm late. I'm late. For a very important date.

I'm late. I'm late. For a very important date.

I'm late. I'm late. For a very important date.

I'm late. I'm late. For a very important date.

I'm late. I'm late. For a very important date.

I'm late. I'm late. For a very important date.

I'm late. I'm late. For a very important date.

I'm late. I'm late. For a very important date.

I'm late. I'm late. For a very important date.

I'm late. I'm late. For a very important date......................YOU, my friend, are hilarious.

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rdopping 1096 pts moderator

 Joshua Wilner/A Writer Writes Which one are you?

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BetsyKCross 421 pts

"Play widens the halls." I love that!

That quote reminds me of this TED video from 2008:

http://youtu.be/HHwXlcHcTHc - Stuart Brown, "Play is more than fun."

I can't help but play. In social media I'm learning. It's harder to discern moods and reactions. I'm letting go, trying harder to stop myself from holding back because playing is so rewarding.

Great thought-provoking post.

Thanks, Ralph!

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rdopping 1096 pts moderator

Hey  BetsyKCross I have to give that TED video a solid spin. Thanks for sharing it. You make me laugh! Letting go feels so damn good doesn't it? It's so liberating.

 

So, what kind of driver are you? ;-)

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BetsyKCross 421 pts

 rdopping Just this week I had a tire on my car changed. Seems the metal threads (don't know what you call them?) had snapped due to going through potholes too fast. The car was wobbling uncontrollably when driving! LOL! Only one friend drives faster than I do. We laugh about her giving my family a ride someday, somewhere. They'd never complain about my driving again. Even my son, 23, was driving 40 in a 50 mph zone. He's just chatting away with me while a pile of cars are on our tail. He's like a grandpa already! 

But tires are expensive. I now break for potholes.

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rdopping 1096 pts moderator

 BetsyKCross maniac......;-)

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BetsyKCross 421 pts

 rdopping break or brake? Freudian slip? LOL!

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rdopping 1096 pts moderator

 Soulati | B2B Social Media Marketing Hahaha! I knew it might be a bit obscure. I should have included a link to this image to make the reference a little more obvious....http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbn7vkqJSU1rv24bmo1_400.jpg Anyway, I got a good laugh out of it this morning. Cheers miss!

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