2008 – Uncertain Times? Last month the Editor highlighted the need to embrace change in 2008 – a year of uncertainty with fluctuating interest rates and the consequential effect on the Australian dollar causing some levels of turbulence in importing and exporting – leading to the “fantastic” economy our previous Treasurer and Prime Minister assured us would continue. In these times of uncertainty it is beneficial to keep looking for the positives in life and business. Some of the thoughts that follow may keep you “up”. Pride – is tasteless, colourless and has no size – and yet it is the hardest thing to swallow. Hate – is like acid. It can damage the vessel in which it is stored as well as destroy the object on which it is poured. Courage – is contagious. When a brave person takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened. Problems – the best way to forget your own problems is to help someone else solve theirs. Risk – a ship in a safe harbour is safe, but that is not what a ship is built for. Money – will buy a pretty good dog, but it won’t buy the wag of his tail. Out of Despair Comes Opportunity – one of the secrets of life is to make stepping stones out of stumbling blocks. You CAN Make a Difference – if you think you’re too small to make a difference, you haven’t been in bed with a mosquito buzzing around. Your Dreams – we need to learn to set our course by the stars, not by the lights of every passing ship. Accept Yourself – have patience with all things, but first with yourself. Never confuse your mistakes with your value as a human being. Kids – “my father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, “You are tearing up the grass.” “We’re not raising grass, we’re raising boys.” would be the reply. Ability – you are the only person on this earth who can use your ability – don’t waste it! This year will be tough and challenging – don’t make it worse by your actions and your attitude. Be positive!!! Good luck in 2008 Approaching Each Day author unknown   I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have. Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is watered for free. Today I can feel sad that I don’t have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste. Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive. Today I can lament over all that my parents didn’t give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born. Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.  Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new job relationships. Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to go to! Today I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with knowledge and adventure. Today I can dejectedly murmur because I have housework to do or I can feel grateful for shelter for my mind, body and soul. Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped and here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to me. And I shall decide what kind of day I shall have! How will you live THIS DAY? Attitude – what does it matter?? -The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen - Frank Lloyd Wright -When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us – Helen Keller -A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty – Sir Winston Churchill   Download a PDF Copy

Look after your print, fax, copy and scan device – you might save money and actually enjoy using your device!! Most of us are careful to put the proper fuel in the car, to check the oil and water regularly, check tyre pressures so we can avoid an accident or not wear the tyres out too quickly and almost always have the car serviced at regular intervals as recommended by the manufacturer of the car – for two reasons – to make sure the warranty we purchased with that car is honoured and to be sure that we get many years of trouble-free motoring. Furthermore, we most likely take out comprehensive insurance on the vehicle to protect ourselves from potential disasters that may happen – don’t we?So why do we spend thousands, or at least hundreds, of dollars buying the right printer, fax, copier, multifunction or other such device after doing our research, and then put second rate “fuel” in it (refilled, compatible or counterfeit toner and ink), don’t replace the inkjet printhead regularly or ignore maintenance or fuser kit warnings and basically do nothing about looking after the device and protecting our investment. And then we complain because we encounter problems with print quality, we experience paper jams, the paper comes out crooked and a variety of other problems often leading to an expensive out-of-warranty repair – many of which could have been avoided with the right care and a little thought and common sense. Why genuine consumables or parts? We at Focus Office Supplies understand why you may be inclined to use refilled or non-genuine toner and ink because of the significant savings that seem to be available. However, many studies have shown that the problems caused by non-genuine products and the amount of wasted time and effort as a consequence of service downtime show that it is almost certainly false economy.This is part of an article – one of many to be seen on this type of subject at our website http://www.focusofficesupplies.com.au/for your information. Please visit and feel free to offer feedback. We always look to improve.   February Quiz   February Quiz 1. On 11th February 1963 the Beatles recorded their first album – in just one day. What was that album called? * 2. On 26th February 1918 Kraft registered its first product. what was Kraft’s first product? * 3. 28th February 1983 was the date the last episode of one of TV’s longest running comedies – probably watched regularly while eating your sausages at dinner time (a clue!). What was the legendary TV show called? * email address*   Win 6 x vouchers for Civic Video. Your details:- Name: Organisation: .. Phone or Email: . November/December Quiz Answers – how did you go? 1. Santa’s reindeer Donder (Donner), Cupid, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Comet, Blitzen, Vixen and, of course, Rudolph 2. Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) says to Sam, “You played it for her – you can play it for me.” Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) says to Sam, “Play it once, Sam. Play As Time Goes By.” 3. Born 11/12/1936 as Margaret May Trigar was Maggie Tabberer of fashion label Maggie T and magazine editing fame. Unfortunately nobody got all three answers correct. Try again this month. Opt out? If you find this newsletter of little or no value please let us know by calling on (02)95534255 and ask to be removed from the distribution list.