Civilian in an Ill-Fitting Uniform: A Memoir of World War II

Get your copy now at Amazon.com!

Book Club... And Then Some!
Civilian in an Ill-Fitting Uniform: A Memoir of World War II
by Edgar E. Willis

Review by:
Major Zachary Miller, U.S. Army
Veteran of the Iraq War
Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart recipient
Graduate of Harvard and West Point

“In Civilian in an Ill-fitting Uniform Edgar Willis reminds us why the greatest generation has earned our respect and gratitude. More than just a vividly told memoir of his service in the Navy during World War II, it is a narrative of the entire war-time experience. From the fortuitous twists of fate that so influenced his path to his faithful portrayal of life aboard the “USS Alaska,” Willis weaves together a wonderful story. But this memoir also chronicles a consummate family man whose most crushing disappointment was not returning home to his wife and kids immediately after the war ended. In telling us how he came to serve and the sacrifices he made along the way, Willis delivers an engrossing account of a life well-lived.”

Get your copy now at Amazon.com!

Review by:
Darrell Trent, United States Ambassador
Acting Secretary of Transportation under President Ronald Reagan

“This book makes a significant contribution by detailing inefficiencies of war on a personal basis. It describes the impact war has on the lives of those actually doing the fighting. My wartime experience in Iraq gave me the opportunity to experience the tenor of combat, and to see the absurdity of a large military bureaucracy trying to deal with daily operational issues. Willis captures both initiatives in real time experience. I cringed at the moments of tragedy, and laughed at the absurdities of other events as they interplayed together.”

“Civilian in an Ill-fitting Uniform is a book that should be read by policy makers who are sending our young men and women into combat situations in far off places without having clear objectives or opportunities for success.”

Get your copy now at Amazon.com!

Review by:
William C. Orr, Ph.D.
President and CEO
Lynn Health Science Institute
Clinical Professor of Medicine
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

“This book provides a rare first hand account of a crucial time in American history, the end of the war in the Pacific in WWII. The book is compelling and insightful, and describes the experiences of a young PhD who is suddenly exposed during wartime to the rigors, discipline and dangers of military life. The book is replete with anecdotes which are riveting and sometimes quite touching and humorous. Reading the book is much like reading a book by the eminent American historian David McCullough, in that the accounts of events are as if you were actually there.”


Review by:
Rev. Daniel W. Bellavia
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church of Greater Toledo

Get your copy now at Amazon.com!

“Dr. Willis’s command of the written word is extraordinary, and as you read the book, the voice of the author is loud and clear. He is whimsical when recounting the story of Bing Crosby sharing an impromptu version of “White Christmas” on the eighteenth hole of a charity golf tournament, stark and graphic when writing about the effect of hearing General Schmidt’s plea for information during the early days of the Battle of Iwo Jima, and lucid and insightful when sharing the language of the navy in a way that is both instructive and easily understood.”

“Dr. Willis shares his conclusions as well as his memories. While some veterans would be content to simply remember through a haze of rose-colored reflection, Dr. Willis clearly reports the truth as he knows it. The most refreshing aspect of the memoir is how it reveals a mind at work—willing to share opinions and name names—rather than simply providing a stenographer’s account of events. This mind is perhaps the most wonderful aspect of the book as Dr. Willis spins tales of grim reality and utter joy with equal skill and interest. His stories are both intimate and at times shockingly public.”

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Book Club... And Then Some!
Through our reading, researching, and writing, And Then Some Publishing (and our extended family of readers) mine volumes of books representing a wide variety of tastes. We use the books in our writing, test and try suggested techniques, and we read for enjoyment as well. We wouldn't spend the time reviewing the books if we didn't get something out of it. Read more reviews on other fantastic books at our BookClubAndThenSome.com website.

Laugh Like There's No Tomorrow

Q: How many egomaniacs does it take to screw in a light bulb?
A: One. The egomaniac holds the light bulb while the rest of the world revolves around him.


Laugh Like There's No Tomorrow: Over 2,000 jokes from the Internet
Day 2 from our upcoming book compiled by Richard L. Weaver II
Laugh is setup with just over 4 jokes a day, all 365 days, and can be read in any order!
Expected Release Date: Spring 2010

When all else fails...

by Richard L. Weaver II

What people of every age need to know is that they have resources beyond which they understand, appreciate, or use; thus, when all else fails, to depend on these resources may well overcome the restriction, resolve the problem, make the right choice clear, or offer the alternative that leads the way out of the dilemma.

If everyone followed (or has followed) the advice in this essay, many of their resources would already be clear because they would be often practiced and, thus, known.

In my essay, “Good, memorable advice from a father and grandfather to a younger generation,” from the book (and formerly published in The (Toledo) Blade), And Then Some: Essays to Entertain, Motivate, & Inspire there are at least 20 pieces of specific advice. That essay is an excellent place to begin for it talks of opportunity, knowledge, hard work, bouncing back, staying informed, friendship, health, responsibility, happiness, and much more. This one proceeds from where that one left off with some small amount of overlap.

When all else fails begins with belief in yourself and your abilities. Nothing else that follows here matters when there is no self-efficacy. It is the essential and fundamental cornerstone of any edifice. You must convince yourself subconsciously that you can achieve what you set out to do. In that way your efforts will be boosted and the results will reaffirm your self belief and strengthen your trust in yourself as well as your self-confidence.

Closely related to a belief in yourself is thinking of the world in a positive way. If you have a positive outlook, you will feel it. Sometimes you have to pretend, and that’s okay. When you have a smile on your face, nobody knows what’s going on inside. Also, when you’re optimistic and encouraging (reinforcing the smile on your face), others respond to what they see, and, like a self-fulfilling prophecy, it begins to take hold within you, and you begin to believe that you are truly positive and optimistic — no matter how you felt in the beginning.

When all else fails, friendships will pull you through. When you’re a good friend, someone others can count on, you will attract people who are good friends: honest, true, faithful and fun. True friends not only stand the test of time, but they will be by your side time and time again — there for you when all else fails.

When all else fails, too, persistence pays off. There are many reasons people fear failure — how society rewards success, the disapproval and deprivation associated with it, how it may expose their unworthiness. Quitters, however, never win and winners never quit. Thus, success means trying again, and trying again, and.... When you are at bat, it is better to go down swinging than just holding the bat and wondering what happened. It feels better to try something and fail than not to try at all, because if you are afraid to fail you are likely to become afraid of acting. That’s how drop outs occur; that’s how people avoid risks; and that’s the way to sidestep any new situations. Until you face your fear — Who taught it to you? Are others being overly judgmental or perfectionistic? Are you letting someone push you to succeed in ways not right for you? — you will avoid the important growth, development, and change that comes from taking risks, confronting new situations, and persisting through failures and disappointments.

When all else fails, drop back to the goals you have for yourself. You need to have goals — both short and long term. It doesn’t matter what they are, you need to work towards them. Your goals will change with new knowledge, experiences, relationships, and successes. However, when you set goals, really put in the time and energy needed to accomplish what you want. Expect action from yourself knowing that you have the ability, self-discipline, and self-motivation to accomplish whatever you want.

When you are having difficulty achieving your goals, engage in self-assessment. Ask yourself the questions: Are your goals appropriate? Are your standards the right ones for your life? Are they really your standards? Give yourself a chance to grow and develop in ability. Don’t take on excessive tasks or aim for unreachable achievements; go step by step.

When all else fails, remember that you are more than what you do or make. Beware of defining yourself only as the sum of your achievements or the bottom line of your financial status or even of the trips, clothes, friends, or possessions you accumulate. You will always be a growing, changing, developing person who can learn from all the experiences of your life, even the unpleasant ones. When all else fails, consider what you can learn from what is taking place now? When all else fails, view it as part of the process of exploring your world; make a note of its lessons and move on. Often, the lessons of a past failure pave the way for a future successes.

When all else fails, too, make adjustments in the myths that guide your life. For example, you do not have to be the best to be acceptable. Anything less than perfection isn’t failure. Worldly success isn’t everything. More important than worldly success is developing loving and supportive personal relationships, gradually improving your skills and abilities, learning to try new — and therefore risky — ventures.

When all else fails, look for the simpler way, answer, approach, alternative, or solution. Everything doesn’t have to be difficult, complicated, or troublesome. For example, be accepting of others and yourself just the way you are. You are enough. You are always enough. Depend on yourself for your own happiness. Live and let live. Celebrate all those things about yourself and others that make you and them unique.

When all else fails, look at yourself. Your insides are so much more important than your outsides — what you reveal to the world. It’s your brain, kindness, empathy, and sense of humor
that make you who you are. If you love to do something, do it. This is your life, your time to be alive. Try everything and anything (as long as it’s safe), and open yourself to all kinds of adventures. Make good choices, of course, but make the choices — and don’t wait.

Finally, when all else fails, look at the lighter side. Step outside of yourself, and see the humor in what you do, how you act, and who you are. Have fun. Whatever your fun might be, delight in life. Smile. Giggle. Laugh. (Roar! Hoot! Howl!) Life is too short not to have fun. Fun isn’t a feeling, it's a mindset. You control what's fun and what's not. Even cleaning can be fun, because if you tell yourself, this is fun, it becomes fun! Think about it! The reason you find anything fun is because you tell yourself it’s fun! So why not do that with everything in life and have a blast all day long?
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At Psychology Today Blogs, Timothy A. Pychyl has an essay, “Structured Procrastination: When all else fails,” in which he summarizes what John Perry, a professor of philosophy at Stanford University, says in his web essay and on his “Philosophy Talk” podcast - "the program that questions everything --- except your intelligence." Pychyl’s summary is enjoyable, and Perry’s theory has some merit.

At CelebrateLove.com, Larry James has an essay that deals with relationships entitled, “. . . And If All Else Fails,” in which he begins by asking: “When you have done the best you can, and your relationship seems to be falling apart at the seams, what other possibilities exist? What can you do when you have difficulty sustaining intimacy in your relationship?” James advocates counseling, and he ends his essay saying: “So, if you want to work things out, dump your preconceived ideas about what people will think or what your love partner will think if you choose to pursue therapy on your own. They are going to think whatever they think and there isn't anything that you can do about it. Besides, it doesn't matter what they think. It's your problem. You must do what you must do.”

For sheer fun, when all else fails, I recommend the book How to be funny on purpose: Creating and consuming humor, by Edgar E. Willis. It will bring humor into your life in a big way!
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Copyright January, 2010 - And Then Some Publishing L.L.C.

SMOERs: Words of Wisdom

"He who asks is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask remains a fool forever." ---Chinese Proverb

Day #121 - Be willing to ask questions.

SMOERs: Self-Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules! - Daily Reminders for Outstanding Living
An everyday guide full of quotations to uplift your spirits.
Free 30-Day sample: smoers.com

News... And Then Some!

News... And Then Some!
Staff Writer, Anthony Weaver

Our apologies... And Then Some! There's been a lot going on around And Then Some Publishing, LLC, yet we haven't kept you in the loop. It's time to change that!

Let me bring you up to date on the many projects in the works. There are changes coming to our websites, blogs, and basically our overall presence on the internet. We have multiple upcoming books, more videos being processed, and... and... and...

You guessed it: And Then Some!

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And Then Some Publishing Menu
Tempt your palette with a taste that suits you!

I. Books Update
A. Civilian in an Ill-fitting Uniform: A Memoir of World War II by Edgar E. Willis
1. And Then Some Publishing planned to publish this memoir on March 1, 2010. We’ve exceeded our expectations... It’s available now at Amazon!
2. Find out more: EdgarEWillis.com.
a. Quick links to Civilian in an Ill-fitting Uniform book at Amazon.
b. Table of Contents
c. Chapter excerpts
B. Special Delivery: A Baby Memory Book - for girls or boys
1. This is a full color 8.5" x 11" inch book that begs Mom and Dad to write their thoughts from the first time they knew you were on the way! We are producing a book for either girl or boy.
a. A huge project is coming to a close. We are about to release this book... Yup!.... For REAL folks. It's been a crazy long, huge process where all involved have learned a lot!
2. We have an outside shot at making our February 1st deadline to make these books available at Amazon.com.
3. Updates: ProductsThatPamper.com

II. Videos
A. New videos are being written, filmed, and processed!
1. How-To Paint from ~ANT
2. Videos on how to have fun painting with easy to do projects at home.
B. Covering subjects from public speaking and relationships from Richard L. Weaver II
1. New videos expanding on comments from YouTube plus more about relationships.
C. How to Be Funny on Purpose: An Anatomy of Humor from Edgar E. Willis
1. This is a great video breaking down humor from 1995.
2. Currently the video is being broken down into sections to fit with YouTube.
3. Pay attention... there are a couple sex jokes!!
4. Learn why and how jokes are funny... pay attention to this series of videos. Visit EdgarEWillis.com and for the expected release dates!

III. Websites
A. All websites are going through updates. Not only are we updating websites with new material, we are adding more websites to the AndThenSomePublishing.com portfolio!
B. Our blogs will be seeing an upcoming change. We produce many tasty flavors of posts whether you like web tech, art, jokes, or a delicious SMOERs! We are getting prepared to give you just what you want.

Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview:

Thursday’s essay is called, “When all else fails...,” and it introduces you to all the resources you possess right now (and ones that you can secure in quick fashion) that you can always fall back on in emergencies, in times of need, or when all else fails.

When all else fails...
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:
Finally, when all else fails, look at the lighter side. Step outside of yourself, and see the humor in what you do, how you act, and who you are. Have fun. Whatever your fun might be, delight in life. Smile. Giggle. Laugh. (Roar! Hoot! Howl!) Life is too short not to have fun. Fun isn’t a feeling, it's a mindset. You control what's fun and what's not. Even cleaning can be fun, because if you tell yourself, this is fun, it becomes fun! Think about it! The reason you find anything fun is because you tell yourself it’s fun! So why not do that with everything in life and have a blast all day long?

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And Then Some Works - see you Thursday!!

Book Club... And Then Some!

Book Review Mondays is now Book Club... And Then Some!
Staff Writer - Anthony Weaver

Every Monday you're used to book reviews. Please be patient. The reviews will begin again on Monday February 1, 2010 with special reviews of Civilian in an Ill-fitting Uniform: A World War II Memoir by Edgar E. Willis.

And Then Some Publishing also changed to our newly named website BookClubAndThenSome.com. It looks similar to the old BookWorksRules website with only minor graphics replaced, however changes are afoot! We'll keep you updated as we continue the progress.

There's a lot going on inside And Then Some Publishing, LLC. Folks... three books are about to be released! We'll get you up-to-date tomorrow in the And Then Some Publishing News.

Laugh Like There's No Tomorrow

Psychiatry students were in their Emkotional Extremes class. "Let's set some parameters," the professor said.
"What's the opposite of joy?" he asked one student.
"Sadness," he replied.
"The opposite of depression?" he asked another student.
"Elation," he replied.
"The opposite of woe?" the prof asked a young woman from Texas.
The Texan replied, "Sir, I believe that would be giddyup."

This joke is from "Day 1" of the new book soon to be published by And Then Some Publishing, LLC. The book is called, LAUGH LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW: OVER 2,000 JOKES FROM THE INTERNET, and the jokes have been collected by Richard L. Weaver II. You liked and responded well to our book SMOERs: SELF-MOTIVATION, OPTIMISM, ENCOURAGEMENT, RULES, daily reminders for outstanding living. SMOERs included over 1600 quotations and was arranged day-by-day (365 days) with quotations arranged under each day. The set-up for the book LAUGH is similar. It is arranged day-by-day (365 days) with jokes arranged under each day---approximately 4.5 jokes per day. (Incidentally, the words of wisdom published on the blog every Wednesday are taken from the book SMOERs; thus, you have some excellent samples available.)

Weekend Words

"Use what language you will, you can never say anything but what you are." ---Ralph Waldo Emerson

The should haves, could haves, if onlys, and what ifs of your life

by Richard L. Weaver II

The slogan, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life,” may be just a popular aphorism, but it carries great strength and importance when it comes to dealing with the “should haves,” “could haves,” “if onlys,” and “what ifs” of our lives. It’s not easy to release our old hurts, sadnesses, imbalances, and injustices in our lives from our past and present. Think of the power and effect that a broken marriage, a serious and debilitating illness, a serious car accident, or financial ruin can have on us now and in the future.

We all have moments in our lives that can be categorized into regrets that make us think about how different our lives would be if only XYZ had (or hadn’t) happened. It could be something as simple as “if only I had learned how to type” or as thought-provoking as “if only the first plane had missed the Tower.”

Release yourself from the pain of the past, and focus on the future.

There is no doubt our lives could be significantly different if only XYZ had (or hadn’t) happened, and we can spend enormous amounts of time imagining the various scenarios and even slipping into those fantasies. Whether there was a specific moment or some definite detail, we could have done something different, and it is even likely that this moment or detail would have made us a completely different person than we are today. Since this is true, and since the past remains the past and cannot be altered today in any way, why waste the time? We need to learn what we can learn from the past, and then move on. After all, think about it, will focusing on the should haves, could haves, if onlys and what ifs of our life change anything?

Spend some time (if necessary) — but limit it — to sorting out the reasons why what happened in the past happened. Search yourself carefully and honestly, and examine your intentions and motives. These answers may be important guides for you when you reach a crossroads point again. But, once this short and limited process of self-examination is complete then close the door, and spend no more time on it. Refocus.

Keep in constant touch with what makes you feel good about yourself. Savor all the small pleasures and successes that come your way. List the ways you naturally succeed in living a satisfying life even in humble and inconspicuous ways. You are doing the best you can so far, given what you know about yourself and life.

How do you overcome the regrets of the past? First, stay active — whatever you do, don’t drop out, lapse into obscurity, distance yourself, hide from your problems, sequester yourself, lie low, or go underground. This is no time for passivity and self-pity. One of the best ways you have for avoiding thoughts about “what might have been” is to keep your mind active and focused on other things.

How do you keep your mind active and focused on other things? Continue to be a creative, giving person by putting extra effort into personal relationships and helping others. Enjoy the comfort and warmth of your family and friendships. Help your children with their homework, or play games with them. Help your spouse with some project you’ve been putting off. Play tennis with your spouse or friends. Do volunteer work.

If you can afford to, refresh and nurture yourself by taking a vacation now. Take your camper and go fishing. Visit friends who live in Hawaii. See the Grand Canyon. Take a self-improvement course, or enroll in a course designed to hone and polish your skills. Jog, swim, bowl, paint the house, coach Little League. Spend time teaching your kids how to do something special. Remain positive, strong, and confident.

If you know that you’re going to have free time on your hands, create an agenda of things to do. Plan the time carefully by laying out a schedule, getting up early, following the schedule, and staying on track. Don’t sleep all day, overeat, over drink, or complain excessively. These are self-defeating behaviors that should trigger a need to get back to your schedule.

Keep your morale high. Do things that make your mind and body feel good. Learn techniques of relaxing, such as meditation, deep breathing, and yoga. Read the classics, or biographies of people who not only interest but inspire you.

Examine your feelings about being a success and what your criteria for success include. Perhaps the idea of high achievement — in whatever area of life — makes you uneasy. Don’t overrate the value of worldly success. Don’t let the pursuit of success replace more important goals such as developing loving and supportive relationships, gradually improving your skills and abilities, or learning to try new — and therefore risky — ventures. Beware of defining yourself only as the sum of your achievements. You are more than what you do or make. You are more than the money you earn — or the trips, clothes, friends, or possessions you accumulate. You are a growing person who can learn from all the experiences of your life, even the unpleasant ones. Give yourself credit for wanting to grow, develop, and change in new, positive ways.

Here is an important guide that can help you as you proceed in life. If your goal is to face anything in your life that comes your way — what life dishes out — with all the vigor, strength, and ability you have, then you need a clear mind and an open heart. These characteristics — the clear mind and open heart — come from living in the present moment, free of the attachment to concerns about the past or the future that dwelling on regrets can cause.

Remember, the if onlys and what ifs in your life are unhappiness generators. When you dwell on them, they inform you that you can’t be happy now, and they open the door to pessimism, stress, illness, and isolation. Failure is part of the human condition. You have a human right to make mistakes, to try and not succeed, to fail outright. Wins and losses are both temporary. Your value as a person does not rest on your success at any one thing; failing at a task does not mean you’ve failed as a person, rather, it is clear and evident proof that you are human and have proper, normal human traits.
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Ezine@rticles, includes an essay on their website, “Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life,” by Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, Life Coach, Hypnotherapist, Author, "101 Great Ways To Improve Your Life," that is short, buoyant, and uplifting. This one is worth a read.

At LifeOptimizer, there is an essay entitled, “Live Life to the Fullest Through Personal Growth,” that includes a series of short introductions by Donald Latumahina with the titles, “10 Essential Tips to Change Your Life,” “Do You Want to Stay Positive? Turn Off the News,“ ”Tacking: A Strategy for Personal Success,” “A Simple Tip for Finding Good Ideas,” and “Sharpen Your Axe: The Value of Preparation.” These are essay titles, and the icon is included at the end of each scenario for reading the complete piece. Each piece has numerous specific, practical, and important suggestions for accomplishing these ideas.
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Copyright January, 2010 - And Then Some Publishing L.L.C.

SMOERs: Words of Wisdom

"The really great people are the ones who know how to make the little people feel great." ---Ashleigh Brilliant

Day #118 - Strive for greatness.

SMOERs: Self-Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules! - Daily Reminders for Outstanding Living
An everyday guide full of quotations to uplift your spirits.
Free 10-Day sample: smoers.com

And Then Some News

Thursday’s essay is called, “The should haves, could haves, if onlys, and what ifs of your life,” and it includes a plethora of suggestions for looking toward a bright future rather than dwelling on the dreary past. If you could follow all the suggestions in this essay alone, you would have a totally different life. Guaranteed! (As much as anything in human behavior can be guaranteed!)

Share your link. Have you written anything about should haves, could haves, if onlys and what ifs? Are you a person who has lived a satisfying life? Do you dwell on the past? Do you know people who do? Can you share some insights about how to look to a bright future rather than dwell on the past? What would you like to tell people about shedding their propensity for dealing on the should haves, could haves, if onlys, and what ifs of their life? Share your link with us. We’ll post it and move traffic in your direction. And, a big “thank you,” in advance, from AndThenSomeWorks.com, for sharing your link.

Click here to LINK your And Then Some story

Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview:
The should haves, could haves, if onlys, and what ifs of your life
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:

Remember, the if onlys and what ifs in your life are unhappiness generators. When you dwell on them, they inform you that you can’t be happy now, and they open the door to pessimism, stress, illness, and isolation. Failure is part of the human condition. You have a human right to make mistakes, to try and not succeed, to fail outright. Wins and losses are both temporary. Your value as a person does not rest on your success at any one thing; failing at a task does not mean you’ve failed as a person, rather, it is clear and evident proof that you are human and have proper, normal human traits.

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And Then Some Works - see you Thursday!!

Weekend Words

"Style is the dress of thoughts; and let them be ever so just. If your style is homely, coarse, and vulgar, they will appear to as much disadvantage, and be as ill received as your person, though ever so well proportioned, would, if dressed in rags, dirt, and tatters." ---Lord Chesterfield

How do you get your mojo back?

by Richard L. Weaver II

How often have you been working on a project and suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, you lose all your motivation? Here is what one respondent on the website Shine, said: “I have lost whatever it is let's call it mojo and I feel completely lost. I have always been the type of person that no matter what challenges came my way. There has been a lot. I have always pulled myself together get off my ass and do what I had to do. Now, I can't seem to get motivated and drowning in a sea of problems.” Have you ever gone through a period of your life when you hate to get out of bed, lack the energy to face the day, and have no interest in doing anything? How does this happen? Why does this happen? Can anything be done to change the situation?

First, you need to know that these situations are normal, and the cause is likely to be different for each individual. Whether it’s fear, lack of self-confidence, frustration, laziness, or exhaustion, we all face these times, and the obvious question at times like these is, “How do I get my mojo back?”

In her essay at Ezine@rticles.com, “Motivation in Tough Times - Getting Your Mojo Back,” Jill Betz Freeman, gives readers 4 steps to recover their motivation, get out of their rut, and get their ‘Mojo’ back!” The first thing Freeman suggests is to make a list. She says, “Sit down someplace quiet, breathe and write down everything that is spinning around up there [in your brain]. After you've made the list you can then start to prioritize....” “Whatever your goal is,” says Freeman, “chunk it out into smaller, more reasonable pieces that will give you success quickly. When you succeed at the first goal that success will spur you on to the next.”

Freeman’s second suggestion is to post your goal in a “I can do it,” fashion. Post it on your bathroom mirror, your refrigerator, your car, your home office, or wherever you are a lot. “I can make this speech, finish this project, face this obstacle, make this sale, or make a good impression.”

Now, Freeman says, you need to have specific ways to achieve your goal. “Keep putting one foot ahead of the other, one step at a time. This is the most important step to get where you want to be.”

Finally, Freeman says, “Squash Negative Thoughts:. For every negative thought that pops into your head and runs around in there,” you need to counter it with a barrage of positive thoughts: “I can do this,” “I have the ability,” “I have the power,” “I have the motivation,” and “I am going to make this happen.” Negative thoughts gnaw away at you and sap your energy.

At Pantskicker.com, Adam Kahn has written an essay entitled, “Cultivating Fire: How to Keep Your Motivation High.” Some of his suggestions, like make a list and prioritize the items, are the same as those Freeman makes, above. Kahn also suggests that you keep the level of challenge just right so you are motivated to move forward in a positive direction. Then he suggests that you measure your progress, read and listen to motivational material, take the time to think, and refresh your goals.

At the “Self-Motivation: Finding Your Focus” website, Andy Harnsbergerf writes, “Mental energy is a form of power, and you have total control over it. Thought power is like that of radio waves: You can’t see them working, but their effect is real and profound. By enforcing the control you have over this mental force and learning how to channel it into your intended outcome, you can directly influence your performance.....”

At the website “Intelligent Self-Development,” Jason Ivers has written an essay, “Stuck In A Rut - 7 Ways To Kick Your Life In The Butt,” in which he suggests that you begin at once: 1) Don’t procrastinate, 2) Expand your network by meeting new people, 3) Do something you’ve never done before, 4) Re-evaluate your goals — especially the long-term ones — and see that they are still ones you still want, 5) Break the goals down into smaller goals that can be accomplished. Accomplishing smaller goals will provide motivation to keep moving forward, 6) Find a way to express your creativity. Ivers says, “Unused creativity builds up and puts pressure on you internally, increasing the feeling of being trapped, not going anywhere... or ‘stuck in a rut.’” and, 7) Change your definition of success.

This latter point regarding success is an important one, and it is not mentioned by the previous writers. Ivers makes the point in this way: “Success doesn't have to be measured by society's standards... you can be successful by being a good person, by taking care of the people you care about, by producing creative output (see above item), or many other things. Don't just stick with the default definition society gave you, choose your own..”

At steve-olson.com, Steve Olson offers something, too, that previous writers have not said: “This [when you want to restore your motivation] is when you need to find a quiet spot, close your eyes, and visualize your ideal outcome. Imagine life when you reach your goal. Imagine in as much detail as you can. Imagine how you will feel. Imagine how it will look. Imagine your impact on other people. Do it to remind yourself why you’re working so hard. The stronger the images you can etch into your mind, the quicker you will restore your motivation.”

Lots of writers, lots of suggestions. The point is that you don’t have to remain long without your motivation, but nobody can do it for you. You have the control, you are in charge, and it’s up to you. You have the suggestions, you know the route, now, get busy!
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At steve-olson.com, referred to just above, in an essay, “21 Surefire Ways to Stay Motivated,” there are 21 practical and realistic suggestions that will help you stay motivated.

Rebecca Brents, at her Enchanted Spirits website, has a motivational essay entitled, “Motivation,” and includes many of the suggestions written above, however, she writes in a delightful and easy manner, and the essay is enjoyable.
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Copyright January, 2009 by And Then Some Publishing L.L.C.

SMOERs: Words of Wisdom

"If you wish in this world to advance
Your merits you're bound to enhance;
You must stir it and stump it,
And blow your own trumpet,
Or, trust me, you haven't a chance."
---W.S. Gilbert, Ruddigore

Day #117 - Never doubt your own power and abilities.

SMOERs: Self-Motivation, Optimism, Encouragement Rules! - Daily Reminders for Outstanding Living
An everyday guide full of quotations to uplift your spirits.
Free 10-Day sample: smoers.com

And Then Some News

Thursday’s essay is called, “‘Get your mojo back,” and, like the previous two essays, it comes just after the new year has rolled around. How appropriate, because if the new year ushered in a desire to turn over a new leaf, list and attempt to fulfill New Year’s Resolutions, or begin again to try to forge change in your life, then I would suggest one of your challenges will be to gather together all the mojo you have to accomplish your goals.. This essay is perfect for the time because it provides suggestions for getting your mojo back. Actions require that you are fully motivated. You need to read this essay!

Share your link. Have you written anything about getting your mojo back? What do you do to get motivation? Has it happened to you? When did it happen? How did it happen? What effects have taken place? Do you know others who are motivated? Can you share some insights about how, when, where, or why motivation takes place? What would you like to tell people about motivation? Share your link with us. We’ll post it and move traffic in your direction. And, a big “thank you,” in advance, from AndThenSomeWorks.com, for sharing your link.

Click here to LINK your And Then Some story

Thursday's And Then Some Essay preview:
Get your mojo back
by Richard L. Weaver II

Excerpt:

How often have you been working on a project and suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, you lose all your motivation? Here is what one respondent on the website Shine, said: “I have lost whatever it is let's call it mojo and I feel completely lost. I have always been the type of person that no matter what challenges came my way. There has been a lot. I have always pulled myself together get off my ass and do what I had to do. Now, I can't seem to get motivated and drowning in a sea of problems.” Have you ever gone through a period of your life when you hate to get out of bed, lack the energy to face the day, and have no interest in doing anything? How does this happen? Why does this happen? Can anything be done to change the situation?

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And Then Some Works - see you Thursday!!

Book Review Mondays

What would Google do?
by Jeff Jarvis

Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.

I found this book fascinating simply because it challenges you to think. Jeff Jarvis has numerous credentials. He is on the faculty of the City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism. He was the creator and founding editor of Entertainment Weekly. He writes the new media column for the Guardian in London. His book has three parts, and if I was asked which part I enjoyed the most, I would be hard pressed to give an answer, and here’s why. I have always been intrigued by Google, and the first part of the book explains its philosophy in a set of 40 rules divided into 10 categories. For example, his opening section, “New Relationship,” includes 4 rules: 1) Give the people control and we will use it, 2) Dell hell, 3) Your worst customer is your best friend, 4) Your best customer is your partner. This is just one example, of course. But I found great information in the rules, “The link changes everything,” “If you’re not searchable, you won’t be found,” and “Simplify, simplify.” There are many more. In the second part of the book, “If Google Ruled the World,” Jarvis simply applies the rules discussed in the first part of the book to a long list of businesses: media, advertising, retail, utilities, manufacturing, service, money, public welfare, public institutions, and exceptions. In the third part (only 10 pages long) called, “Generation G,” Jarvis focuses on social implications of the new power structure, dramatically democratized by Google's solutions. In one Amazon.com review, B. Mann writes, “While many companies were sleeping, the rules of business changed, at least as it pertains to business built on, or enabled by, the Internet. Or maybe not all the rules changed (e.g. Wal-Mart, the big dog, will remain the big dog), but a new set of rules has been layered on top (e.g. small is the new big). With those new rules (plus, admittedly, luck), Google has become a behemoth, cyberly speaking. In the process, Google helped redefine the fundamental nature of the relationships between seller, buyer, advertiser, and the 'middlemen' whose value in society is rapidly evaporating.” Although there is a bit too much of Jarvis in this book (self-advertising and self-admiration can be taken too far), it is still a worthwhile read. It is not a book about what Google does, but a book of what people can do with Google. And, furthermore, it is not a practical book, a well-organized book, nor one that offers a deep understanding, but I think it offers a preliminary look at the way Internet-based relationships fuel a new business model, and I found it enjoyable simply because it is speculative and makes you think!


A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America
by Ronald Takaki

Book Review by Richard L. Weaver II, Ph.D.

This is an absolutely fascinating, well-written, extremely well-documented book that is revised from the 1993 edition. If you are interested in multi-culturalism, you must read Takaki’s book. When I say “well-documented,” there are 71 pages of notes in this 529-page book. The index itself is 10 pages long. Takaki covers the cultural perspectives of the Irish, Japanese, blacks, Native Americans, and others as various times throughout American history, and what is great about the book is that he puts you, the reader, right into the mindset of the people he is discussing so you come away with some of the insights, feelings, and reactions of various people. This is a credible, believable, and educational work that makes an important and significant contribution to multicultural literature. The book is not a complete history, but what Takaki does is focus in-depth on a variety of events and issues that reveal the cultural perspective he is discussing. There are some people who may be offended by what Takaki writes, especially when he details some of the horrendous crimes the majority whites committed against minority races — especially people who have read and believed what is written in many mainline required textbooks. Nicole, from Oxford, Ohio, explained this in her review of the book: “One thing I have to teach my conservative, mid-Western students is to move beyond the ‘white guilt’ many Americans seem to suffer from in order to see that the oppression minorities were victim to was a systematic process based on totalitarian ideals, and not some inherent white evil. I believe by presenting the information the way Takaki has, he allows readers to read a multifaceted version of American history (not the myopic, one dimensional history taught in American schools) that effectively places different groups within a specific time and place in history. If you are not afraid to read some truth about America (without the artificiality of ‘Pomp and Circumstance’), this is for you.” If you like American history, you will love this book.

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Through our reading, researching, and writing, And Then Some Publishing (and our extended family of readers) mine volumes of books representing a wide variety of tastes. We use the books in our writing, test and try suggested techniques, and we read for enjoyment as well. We wouldn't spend the time reviewing the books if we didn't get something out of it. Read more reviews on other fantastic books at our BookWorksRules.com website.