- M.F.K. Fisher (1908–1992)
American food writer

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Give more thanks…

Do your people (team, colleagues, customers) know they’re important to you? Always? Sometimes? Rarely?

Remember… It’s your occasional words and continual actions that’ll help them know best.

To be sure it’s a closer to always thing, consider implementing a personal appreciation audit each month or quarter for your most important people – remembering that actions speak louder than words (but words are important too).
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New Q1 printable GiveMore calendars are up for the year Two-Twelve (one less syllable… and a yearlong reminder to give it that extra degree of effort).

Printable workday counts for 2012 are also ready.
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Today’s GiveMore Quote is from Fisher’s book, How to Cook a Wolf (1942) – a cooking classic published during World War II as a guide to enjoying food during tough times and budgets.

Here’s more on Fisher and the book from The Takeaway in 2009 (4 minutes). Interesting on its own but at about 2:45 they illustrate a great example of why we shouldn’t talk over others (because it sounds silly).

This weekend (and every day), we wish you great food and conversation wherever you might be.

To those still working hard today… We salute you.

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- Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919)
26th president of the United States

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Give more inspiration…

Roosevelt was an advocate for "the life of strenuous endeavor." He was a rancher, captured an outlaw, authored 35 books, served as president of the American Historical Association, led two major scientific expeditions for prominent American museums, served as president of the United States (started as the youngest in history – 42), won the Nobel Peace Prize, and was the father of six children.

After he left the Presidency in 1909, he went on a safari in Africa. When he returned, he ran for President in 1912 as an independent because he lost the Republican nomination. While campaigning, he was shot in the chest by a fanatic and ultimately recovered. His words at the time…

"No man has had a happier life than I have led; a happier life in every way."

What will you make happen in the last 26 workdays of 2011?

No Gomos*. No busywork. We’re here to make good things happen for other people.

(gomo: someone who goes through the motions… get a wristband here)

For another favorite from Roosevelt and a nostalgic wallpaper… use this link.
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Tomorrow (and every day), we wish you great food and conversation wherever you might be.

To those still working hard today (and on Friday)… Thanks for giving more!
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In 1939 and 1940, we had two Thanksgiving days in the U.S. It all had to do with business (here’s why).

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-George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)
Irish writer

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Give more reflection…

Think about your work (contribution).

Whether you feel lucky or not with what you’ve been given (or earned) as your opportunity to work, you’re ultimately just a steward of it for a relatively brief period in time.

It will be handed off to someone else at some point.

If you thought of that work as being put in a box to be given to someone else, what would you want the recipient to think when they opened it up?

Wouldn’t you want it to be something that’s difficult to improve on?

Wouldn’t you want them to crack open that box… look in… smile… and say… "Wow. That’s great work."

No Gomos. No D-grunts.

Just Smove.

(gomo: someone who goes through the motions, d-grunt: someone who’s disgruntled… wristbands here)
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So many great quotes are hidden within even greater thoughts and passages. Here’s Shaw’s complete thought from above…

"This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being thoroughly worn out before you are thrown on the scrap heap; the being a force of Nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy."

Print out the full version.
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Another favorite minute from Nike to get you revved up. I watch this one at least once every couple of weeks. I love how it builds and then pops at 0.38.

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