Walter Clearfoster
Owner @ Clearfoster Media | MA in Coaching and Mentoring
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If you're the smartest person in the room, you're in the wrong room. - Jim Rohn
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Walter Clearfoster
Owner @ Clearfoster Media | MA in Coaching and Mentoring
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Happy Monday!
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Walter Clearfoster
Owner @ Clearfoster Media | MA in Coaching and Mentoring
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Plot is a Rental Car: Insights from Lee ChildWorld-renowned thriller writer Lee Child, the creator of the Jack Reacher series, encourages aspiring writers not to get too hung up on the plot. Why? Because it’s unlikely you’ll come up with an original plot.Depending on whom you ask, some say there are seven plots, while others argue for just three. Child believes there are only two main plots: one where the protagonist ventures outside his environment and another where the main character explores his world closer to home.He advises writers to relax about plot and treat it like a rental car. You borrow it for a week and use it as a vehicle for your characters. Ultimately, it’s about the characters and their development rather than the plot itself.This perspective resonates with me as a writer because I used to get hung up on trying to create an amazing plot. Child’s insight liberates you to write freely, encouraging you to go with the flow and see where your story takes you.He also references the story of Theseus and the Minotaur, which can be likened to a James Bond plot set in the past:Hero's Journey and Challenges: Theseus ventures into the labyrinth to defeat the Minotaur, while Bond often infiltrates complex villainous networks. In both cases, the hero faces high-stakes situations with lethal opponents.Cunning and Strategy: Theseus uses Ariadne's string to navigate the labyrinth and outwit the Minotaur. Similarly, Bond frequently relies on his gadgets, intelligence, and strategic thinking to outmanoeuvre his enemies rather than relying solely on brute force.Villain as a Monster: The Minotaur represents a terrifying force of chaos like Bond villains embody evil or global threats. Both Theseus and Bond must eliminate these antagonists to restore balance and order.Consider films like Dances with Wolves, The Last Samurai, and Avatar. They essentially tell the same story: one man who initially seeks to conquer the indigenous population ultimately empathizes with them and turns against his superiors.So you see, plots are repurposed—just like rental cars. Relax and enjoy the ride!#WritingTips #Storytelling #CreativeWriting #AuthorLife #PlotDevelopment #CharacterBuilding #WritingCommunity #LeeChild #JackReacher #FictionWriting
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Walter Clearfoster
Owner @ Clearfoster Media | MA in Coaching and Mentoring
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Real friendship isn't a popularity contest.#Aristotle #Wisdom #Friendship #Philosophy #AncientWisdom #Truth#LifeLessons #Authenticity #Loyalty #DeepConnections #SelectiveFriendship
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Walter Clearfoster
Owner @ Clearfoster Media | MA in Coaching and Mentoring
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Shake and Vac Commercial: So Bad, It's Good?Remember this ad?Of course, you do. How could you forget?The catchy jingle, "Do the Shake 'n' Vac and put the freshness back!", paired with an energetic woman enthusiastically dancing while using the product, was unforgettable. This memorable character was portrayed by actress and dancer Jenny Logan, whose performance became legendary—even earning fan mail for her legs!The Shake 'n' Vac ads are a series of iconic TV commercials that first aired in the UK in 1979. They promoted a powdered carpet freshener called Glade Shake 'n' Vac, designed to be sprinkled on carpets and vacuumed up to eliminate odours. The ads ran from 1979 to 1988 and are fondly remembered for their humour and upbeat tone.They didn’t win any awards—but who cares?The Shake 'n' Vac ad was incredibly effective in driving sales. Since its debut in 1979, the product has sold nearly 300 million bottles in the UK alone.You can be creative and still sell. Davidson and Pearce understood that the main goal was selling, not chasing critical acclaim—something some agencies seem to have forgotten.#ShakeNVac #Glade #IconicAd #RetroCommercial #CleaningProduct#VacuumCleaners #CarpetCleaning #1980sAds #JennyLogan #HouseholdFreshness
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Walter Clearfoster
Owner @ Clearfoster Media | MA in Coaching and Mentoring
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It's about the process, not the outcome!#perfectionquotes, #perfection, #motivation, #success, #perfectionism, #successquotes, #motivationalquotes
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Walter Clearfoster
Owner @ Clearfoster Media | MA in Coaching and Mentoring
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Would "Tropic Thunder" Still Get Made Today?Imagine a film featuring an American actor portraying an Australian method actor, who in turn plays an African American character, all while staying in character until after the DVD commentary. That actor is Robert Downey Jr., part of a stellar ensemble cast including Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Steve Coogan, and a memorable cameo from Tom Cruise.Released in 2008, "Tropic Thunder" is a satirical critique of Hollywood, war films, and the absurdities of filmmaking. However, its controversial elements—especially Downey's use of blackface—have sparked ongoing debates about its appropriateness in today's cultural climate.1. **Cultural Sensitivity**: Some argue the film’s humour, meant to critique Hollywood stereotypes, may not resonate today due to increased sensitivity to racial issues.2. **Artistic Intent**: Downey Jr. and Stiller have defended the film's message, stating it targets Hollywood's hypocrisy rather than mocking marginalized groups. 3. **Modern Reception**: Critics believe the humour would face significant backlash today, making its production challenging.Personally, I appreciated the film and didn’t find offence in Downey’s portrayal. However, humour is subjective. Has "wokeism" gone too far, stifling creativity? While "Tropic Thunder" has its defenders, it likely wouldn't be made today without considerable controversy. What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments!**#TropicThunder #Filmmaking #CulturalCritique #Humor #Wokeism #Hollywood #Comedy #Creativity #Diversity #Satire**
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Walter Clearfoster
Owner @ Clearfoster Media | MA in Coaching and Mentoring
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Does the culture of your workplace keep you engaged or drive you away?It’s Monday morning—at least it is where I am. But how many of you are at work today because of your workplace culture? Or have some of you called in “sick” because you can’t stand your boss or the environment you work in?Perhaps it’s best not to answer that for obvious reasons. But the Sunday evening dread is a real thing. Millions of people either drag themselves to work or can’t wait to be there. And that’s all to do with workplace culture.The right environment can be the difference between triumph and disaster. Many employers don’t understand the importance of employee retention, and it costs them. Others, like Timpson, the shoe repair company, just get it.For James Timpson, CEO of the Timpson Group, it comes down to two things: staff satisfaction and what the company gives back to society. His employees only have to “put money in the till and look the part”; otherwise, they have complete authority to do whatever they think is right to deliver quality service to customers. This “upside-down” management style doesn’t mean the business isn’t profitable—quite the opposite. Their metric for success is employee happiness. If employees don’t score at least 8 out of 10 on happiness, management investigates and addresses the issues.In 2023, Timpson achieved an impressive average happiness score of 9.1/10, with an 86% response rate. The company continuously adapts, focusing on employee well-being, which drives success rather than just financial performance.Sadly, this isn’t typical. Many companies still believe happiness and success are mutually exclusive.So, if you dread going to work, ask yourself: is it really the right culture for you, or do you deserve something better?If you’re not feeling engaged at work, maybe it’s time to reflect. What’s holding you back from a workplace where you can thrive? Let's talk about workplace culture and how it can either lift you up or weigh you down—share your thoughts in the comments!#WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeEngagement #Leadership #RetentionStrategy #HappyWorkplace #Timpson #UpsideDownManagement #MondayMotivation #EmployeeSatisfaction #WellBeingAtWork
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Walter Clearfoster
Owner @ Clearfoster Media | MA in Coaching and Mentoring
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Why the 80/20 Rule is Essential for Success In his latest video, Paul Mckenna, a world-renowned Hypnotherapist, discusses the 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle to achieve success. It was discovered by 19th-century economist Wilfred Pareto, who noticed that 80% of his peas came from just 20% of the pods. He soon realised this concept applied in many areas of life.For example:- 80% of the money you make comes from 20% of your efforts.- 80% of your stress and worry is caused by 20% of the people or situations in your life.- 80% of the joy, laughter, and fulfilment comes from just 20% of your interactions.Why does this matter?Mckenna says by identifying where the majority of your success, happiness, or problems stem from, you can make smarter decisions about how you spend your time. Spend less time in environments or with people who drain you, and more time with those who uplift and energise you.Take a moment to do a "stock take" of your life:- Who brings you the most joy?- What activities bring you the greatest results?Focus on the 20% that brings 80% of your success and happiness, and watch your life transform. #SuccessMindset #ParetoPrinciple #AuthenticLeadership #FocusOnWhatMatter
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Walter Clearfoster
Owner @ Clearfoster Media | MA in Coaching and Mentoring
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The Strange Story Behind "Money for Nothing": A Lesson in Unexpected InspirationDavid Hartley’s latest video dives deep into the quirky backstory of Dire Straits' hit “Money for Nothing,” revealing how some of the most iconic moments in music history are born out of pure chance.The song’s lyrics were inspired by a conversation Mark Knopfler overheard in a New York hardware store. While browsing kitchen appliances, Knopfler listened to two workers joking about how musicians on MTV made "money for nothing" and barely had to work for it. Amused by their remarks, Knopfler grabbed a pen and started jotting down what would become the hit's core lines.But the happy accidents didn’t stop there. The track’s distinctive guitar sound was achieved when a microphone was knocked out of place during recording, capturing the exact tone Knopfler wanted by sheer coincidence.Even Sting's involvement, singing the now-famous "I want my MTV" hook, happened because he was vacationing on the same island where Dire Straits were recording. Knopfler mentioned, “I wish Sting was here,” and by chance, he was. The "I want my MTV" line was written to the melody of “Don’t Stand So Close to Me.” Although Sting was happy to record the part as a favour, his publishing company insisted he receive a co-writing credit.Despite poking fun at the excesses of the music industry, *“Money for Nothing”* became one of the defining anthems of MTV’s golden age. Its music video, featuring groundbreaking 3D animation, helped cement the band's success, making them pioneers in both music and video production.The takeaway here is clear: inspiration can come from anywhere—overheard conversations, accidental sounds, or even a vacationing superstar. Creativity thrives on unpredictability.What random moments or unexpected sources have sparked your creativity? Let’s hear your stories in the comments!**#CreativeInspiration #MoneyForNothing #MusicHistory #MTV #DireStraits #DavidHartley #MusicIndustryInsights**
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