The Daily Perk

Monday Motivator

After kicking back for two weeks, reflecting on the accomplishments of the year past and writing up her resolutions, Motivator has to say she feels 2007 is going to be an outstanding year. In that spirit, she was motivated enough to suss out a double dose of on-the-street inspiration.

Name: Wayne Bryant
Age: 45
Occupation: Information technology
What motivates you on Mondays?
Money. That's the first thing. Secondly, doing the type of work you desire. For me, that's advancing technology. Thirdly, working for a good company.

Name: Nancy
Age: 56
Occupation: Administrator
What motivates you on Mondays?
I like my job, the environment, the people I work with.

Merry Christmas, Monday Motivator!

Name: Santa Claus
Age: Older than I look
Occupation: List manager, Gift distributor, Livestock trainer
What motivates you on Mondays?
Bringing the Christmas spirit to boys and girls everywhere. Ho ho ho!

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Happy holidays from everyone at The Daily Perk.

Monday Motivator

Today the Perk bids farewell to our faithful intern, Becky Tsadik. She's done a bang-up job posting the weekly links and stepping in on the occasional Motivator (among her many other contributions), and we wish her the best of luck.

Name: Rebekah Tsadik
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
What motivates you on Mondays?
Reading. I don't read the newspapers on the weekends, and I like getting back in touch with the world on Mondays.

Monday Motivator

Name: Janice Ahn
Age: 27
Occupation: Filmmaker
What motivates you on Mondays?
I have an acting class on Mondays that I enjoy. I just got out of it and I had to cry the whole time. I like thinking about this feature I'm working on now. Being alive to the world. That motivates me.

Monday Motivator

Name: Pirooz Aghssa
Age: 48
Occupation: Professor of Theater Arts at Eastern Michigan University. I'm in New York on sabbatical researching cabaret performance.
What motivates you on Mondays?
For me, New York City itself is a motivator. There's so much going on on the street. You can't be in your car, not noticing everything all day. I love that.

Monday Motivator

After a brief hiatus from all things motivational, Monday Motivator is back in business. Thanks for all the calls and notes; she missed you too. As a reward, this week brings a multiple motivator. As the saying goes, in New York, it all comes back to real estate--especially if they're the only ones willing to talk to the girl with the camera...

Name: Anthony Davis
Age: Between 25-30
Occupation: Real Estate/Catering
What motivates you on Mondays?
I'm self-motivated, but on Mondays I'm able to plan my week in advance. I like organizing. What else? After the weekend, I feel well-rested. If you're not well-rested, you won't have a positive attitude.

Name: Crystal Hayes
Age: 27
Occupation: Real Estate Broker
What motivates you on Mondays?
Wanting to do a good job. I'm working for myself, so I want to get to the office as soon as possible to get a start on everything. That's what gets me in the office, cheery and chipper, at 10am.

Monday Motivator

Motivator says goodbye this week to friend and colleague, William Flanagan, who during his tenure as editor-in-chief of Incentive magazine encouraged Motivator to become more than just a lowly editor's dream of finding out what inspires all those mysterious people she passes on the street every day. He kindly allowed the camera and questions to be turned on him.

Name: William Flanagan
Age: 40
Occupation: Mr. Mom
What motivates you on Mondays?
My kids. They're the reason I get up in the morning.
Oh, that's cute. Because you have to take care of them?
No, my son literally comes in and wakes me up.

Monday Motivator

Name: Mystery Woman #2
Age: 32
Occupation: Project Manager
What motivates you on Mondays?
A paycheck.
Nothing else?
Nope.
Well, you look sharp.
Thanks.

Monday Motivator

Name: Angelo Fontana
Age: 74
Occupation: Cobbler
What motivates you on Mondays?
I work here six days a week, for 44 years. Monday, it's no different than any other day.
Do you like what you do?
Of course! What, are you kidding me?

Monday Motivator

Name: Chikashi "Tika" Egami
Age: 37
Occupation: Owner, Bar Flex; Okinawa, Japan 
What motivates you on Mondays? I work everyday and play records at work. [But] I just came from Japan last Friday; I’m shopping today.