The 'Treppie Chronicles - Part 2: How To Stay 'Me'tivated

When it comes to motivation and performance, few focus on what they're doing or how to improve it. They might respond to specific feedback from a boss, but rarely examine what motivates them to do their best at their job or in life. 

Ben Bernanke is currently giving a commencement speech to the graduates of Bard Collage at Simon's Rock.

In Obliquity, John Kay argues that many of our most important goals are best achieved obliquely rather than directly. For example, companies that try directly to maximize profits often fail whilst those that aim just to be good businesses succeed in narrow financial terms; Kay contrasts Lehmans and Enron to Boeing and Honda.

How many times have you promised to exercise more, or start meditating, or spend less time at the office? To make changes that last, create rituals — highly specific behaviors that you do at the same time every day (or on specific days you select). Willpower is a limited resource, so use less of it by making challenging activities automatic. By setting a time for your routine, you don’t have to spend energy thinking about when to get it done. If you find yourself faltering, reduce the challenge but stay the course. Run three days a week instead of four.

How many times have you promised to exercise more, or start meditating, or spend less time at the office? To make changes that last, create rituals — highly specific behaviors that you do at the same time every day (or on specific days you select). Willpower is a limited resource, so use less of it by making challenging activities automatic. By setting a time for your routine, you don’t have to spend energy thinking about when to get it done. If you find yourself faltering, reduce the challenge but stay the course. Run three days a week instead of four.

It's easy to get completely addicted to coffee on Wall Street. When you start out as a young analyst, the boring hours between spreadsheets and pitch books are spent going on Starbucks runs. 

Many claim that the US Government saves recordings of all the phone calls, emails, etc. that it can get: