tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320Fri, 04 Oct 2024 17:29:06 +0000AdviceMotivationInvestingBiographiesVideosQuotesBooksLeadershipSuccess StoriesTheoriesHappinessPhilanthrophySportsEconomicsTo ignite motivation through the successes and failures of others.http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (D)Blogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-4829192352456426973Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:28:00 +00002008-12-12T13:19:01.415-05:00AdviceInvestingVideosBruce Berkowitz, from Fairholme Funds, participates in a public Q&A conference call. He gives insight into his holdings, what the future holds, and some of his theories on investing. A great call from one of the best value investors recently. It's good insight into value investing theory in these troubled time, especially because not many value investors talk about their holdings this http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/12/bruce-berkowitz-conference-call.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-4853688509857092886Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:47:00 +00002008-11-21T10:09:37.026-05:00BooksInvestingMotivationSuccess Stories(Source: markrekers.files.wordpress.com)As a follow up to my previous post "Focus", this post is derived from a book I have recently been reading called The Snowball - Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder.While having dinner with some very successful people, the story tells how Warren Buffett (Biography) met Bill Gates and described what is meant by "focus", their key to http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/11/focus-part-2.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-2181630657976359721Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:04:00 +00002008-11-20T17:20:43.770-05:00Books(Source: Userkind.com)Here's a brief summary of what a Tipping Point is, as defined by the book, from Wikipedia:Tipping points are "the levels at which the momentum for change becomes unstoppable."[1] Gladwell defines a tipping point as a sociological term: "the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point."[2] The book seeks to explain and describe the "mysterious" sociological http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/11/tipping-point-by-malcolm-gladwell-book.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-3694171283690154784Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:58:00 +00002008-11-20T16:45:00.256-05:00AdviceHappinessMotivationSuccess StoriesTheories(Source: Persistantillusion.wordpress.com)Taken from "10 Traits of az Successful Human Being" on Pick the Brain.1. An Independent NatureIf we rely too much on those around us for assistance and/or support we will be setting ourselves up for disappointment in the future. This is not to say that we shouldn’t look to others for help when the time is right, but crafting our pursuits in such a way http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/10/10-traits-of-successful-human-being.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-7814199266564777414Wed, 08 Oct 2008 14:09:00 +00002008-10-08T10:48:08.060-04:00AdviceInvestingMotivationSource: Photobucket.comFocus (definition):concentrate: direct one's attention on something;maximum clarity or distinctness of an idea; "the controversy brought clearly into focus an important difference of opinion" The Most Important Ingredient to SuccessWhen asked what the most important thing that led to their success, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates replied "focus".I have always been told to dohttp://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/10/focus.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-8687395914980888808Tue, 07 Oct 2008 21:10:00 +00002008-10-07T17:26:09.990-04:00EconomicsInvestingSource: Cleveland BlogThe stock market is going crazy. What am I doing about it? Standing strong and adding to my positions.From CrossingWallStreet.com - The Worst Decade since the 1930s.Bespoke points out that this decade has been one of the worst in history for stock returns: Unless we get a major rally to close out the year (15%+), this will only be the third time since 1900 that the Dow http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/10/stock-market-is-worst-in-80-years.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-592599108651831349Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:01:00 +00002008-09-17T09:40:17.239-04:00AdviceInvestingMotivationQuotes(Source: BusinessWeek.com)In Parade Magazine, Warren Buffett listed ten ways to get rich.  Here is the list and my comments are below.Reinvest your profits.Be willing to be different. Never suck your thumb.Spell out the deal before you start.Watch small expenses.Limit what you borrow. Be persistant.Know when to quit.Assess the risks.Know what success really means. Reinvest your profits.If you http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/09/10-ways-to-get-rich-by-warren-buffett.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-6203429723551666054Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:50:00 +00002008-09-11T09:50:46.093-04:00HappinessInvestingSuccess StoriesVideos addthis_url=''; addthis_title=''; addthis_pub='I3igDmsu';http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/09/warren-buffett-on-charlie-rose-may-2007.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-639229717254589404Mon, 04 Aug 2008 13:59:00 +00002008-08-04T10:32:52.928-04:00AdviceLeadershipTheories(connect-world.net)What ever happens to our heroes and heroines? Most, if not all, kids have heroes that they look up to and want to be when they grow up. Whether it's a superhero, a character on a television show, a sports figure, or someone they know.As kids grow up, they lose sight of their heroes, probably because most of them mature and wouldn't want to be seen carrying a Batman or http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/08/follow-leader.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-1959972879577487336Fri, 01 Aug 2008 15:08:00 +00002008-08-17T15:21:56.167-04:00BooksInvestingTheoriesI have completed reading a few books over the last few months.Security Analysis (Classic 1940s Edition) by Benjamin Graham and David DoddThe 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere and Join the New Rich by Timothy FerrissThe Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham (my second time reading it)Security Analysis (Classic 1940s Edition)To date, Security Analysis (Classic 1940s Edition) is my most http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-recent-book-readings.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-371521676658237128Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:06:00 +00002008-12-11T11:50:34.526-05:00(Photo: bp0)Are you or someone you may know successful? Do other people recognize this success? Are you or they ever challenged because of your or their success?It seems as though the more successful you become, the more people will challenge your ideas and thoughts. Does the challenge stem from the personal gratification of the challenger justifying their lack of success? Is the challenger http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/07/success-is-always-challenged.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-7447093936123821580Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:27:00 +00002008-07-17T14:01:56.500-04:00BooksHappinessMotivationSuccess StoriesI have recently starting reading (listening actually from the audiobook) The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss. It's been a thought-changing book so far and he has a lot of great ideas to tackle your fears and your passions in life. He started off working in an office like many Americans and made a dramatic change to alter his life and travel the world, all the while working only 4-hours on http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/07/4-hour-workweek-by-timothy-ferriss.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-7966564405808438294Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:17:00 +00002008-07-10T21:19:07.633-04:00InvestingMotivationVideosThis guy made a rap about legendary Warren Buffett.addthis_url=''; addthis_title=''; addthis_pub='I3igDmsu';http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/07/warren-buffett-rap.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-7222573048197256508Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:43:00 +00002008-07-07T11:50:55.441-04:00AdviceHappinessQuotesSee The 'secret' to happiness... is no secret at The Financial Philosopher.The blog post gives some great advice on finding happiness from the following quotes:"Health is the greatest possession. Contentment is the greatest treasure. Confidence is the greatest friend. Non-being is the greatest joy." ~ Lau-tzu"All truly wise thoughts have been thought already thousands of times; but to make http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/07/secret-to-happiness-is-no-secret.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-4385319876134080928Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:02:00 +00002008-06-27T11:05:04.207-04:00AdviceInvestingVideosTruly an inspirational investor, Bruce Berkowitz discusses his new investments.addthis_url=''; addthis_title=''; addthis_pub='I3igDmsu';http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/06/morningstar-interview-with-bruce.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-4129425079889114685Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:59:00 +00002008-06-18T19:11:50.427-04:00AdviceLeadershipQuotesThomas S. Murphy, Former CEO of Capital Cities/ABCAlways do the right thing and you will have nothing to worry about:I got two pieces of advice I have always remembered. The first was from my father, Charles E. Murphy, who was a justice of the New York State Supreme Court. It was a point about ethics. He said, "Doing the wrong thing is not worth the loss of one night's good sleep."Some things in http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/06/best-advice-i-ever-got-thomas-s-murphy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-8439645851271214716Sun, 15 Jun 2008 18:48:00 +00002008-08-17T15:24:32.434-04:00AdviceMotivationVideosI have never been a smoker, but here is some motivation to quit for those who are unable to and are trying.addthis_url=''; addthis_title=''; addthis_pub='I3igDmsu';http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/06/quit-smoking.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-7117368422564090767Mon, 09 Jun 2008 17:58:00 +00002008-06-09T14:56:41.586-04:00AdviceLeadershipMotivationTheoriesMotivating people is one of the key attributes that makes great leaders. There are three useful ways to motivate people, by command, negotiation, and persuasion.Command - To direct with certain authority or prerogative.Often useless, command is used when neither negotiation or persuasion works as a last result. Command is used in the military and is used to tell people what to do or what not tohttp://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/06/three-ways-to-motivate-people.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-8587451991842576531Fri, 06 Jun 2008 21:37:00 +00002008-06-06T17:40:14.738-04:00Here is a recent reply to a friend that is an avid Ron Paul supporter and feels that the U.S. economy is going to fail soon due to the large amount of debt that America has amassed. Although I believe him somewhat, I also believe the following:Business is what keeps economies running and efficient. You have to realize that people in general and people running these companies adapt as they http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/06/business-and-economies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-8926885976022332781Wed, 04 Jun 2008 19:51:00 +00002008-06-04T16:32:38.744-04:00AdviceLeadershipFrom Guy Kawasaki's blog, How to Change the World:I’m on the campus of UCSB this week at family camp, and it's inspired me to blog about what students should learn in order to prepare for the real world after graduation. This is an opportune time to broach this subject because the school year is about to begin, and careers can still be affected.First, take this little test about the state of yourhttp://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/06/10-things-to-learn-this-year.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-6578032819290643402Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:25:00 +00002008-07-17T13:57:45.284-04:00AdviceMotivationQuotes"After a lifetime of making money and observing better men and women than I fall by the wayside, I am convinced that fear of failing in the eyes of the world is the single biggest impediment to amassing wealth. Trust me on this. If you shy away for any reason whatever, then the way is blocked. The gate is shut -- and will remain shut." - Felix DennisThis is a great quote on how to get rich. http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/06/fear-of-failure.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-3662317860506243089Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:55:00 +00002008-06-03T10:10:02.951-04:00AdviceMotivationTheoriesI'm not a alcoholic by any means, but I don't mind a few drinks when the weekend comes around. Drinking during weekdays has almost vanished since my college days - a step in the right direction.I have noticed that drinking a few drinks or not at all for a week has promising effects. I have more energy, ambition and drive throughout the week and feel much more rested. Laying in bed the next dayhttp://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/06/effect-of-no-alcohol.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-4635967152680668009Thu, 29 May 2008 14:57:00 +00002008-06-04T11:11:53.067-04:00AdviceBooksMotivationBased on the audiobook "Getting Rich in America" by Brian Tracy.Here are my favorite high-level points from the book:Whenever you see an opportunity to sell people something greater than the price than you can do it for, you are capturing value. The value is what makes you wealthy.Knowledge is what makes your value more useful and profitable.Always strive to succeed to do your best.Networking ishttp://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/05/getting-rich-in-america-by-brian-tracy.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-2166608939947544515Wed, 28 May 2008 18:07:00 +00002008-05-28T14:21:38.333-04:00AdviceLeadershipMotivationSuccess StoriesWesley Autrey (b. 1956) (dubbed by the media as the "Subway Samaritan", "Subway Superman", "The Hero of Harlem" and as the "Subway Hero") is a New York construction worker and Navy veteran who in 2007 achieved international recognition after he saved Cameron Hollopeter, a 19-year-old film student who had suffered a seizure and fallen onto the tracks, from being struck by a New York City subway http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/05/weslet-autrey-subway-samaritan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8206401945514232320.post-5212586937093851579Tue, 27 May 2008 19:09:00 +00002008-06-04T11:12:11.354-04:00AdviceMotivationQuotesVideosArnold gives advice to the contestants of the TV Show, "The Apprentice".Here are a few quotes from the video:"Never listen to -- it can't be done""Pain is temporary, the result may be permanent""The more you succeed, the more people will attack you"addthis_url=''; addthis_title=''; addthis_pub='I3igDmsu';http://sparkmotive.blogspot.com/2008/05/advice-from-arnold-swartzenegger.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (D)0