MONOMANIAC WITH A MISSION
By James Ray
“Any time I have seen someone accomplishing something magnificent,
they have been a monomaniac with a mission. A single-minded individual
with a passion.”
Peter Drucker
You may recall my coverage of the idea of “monomania” in a
previous e-letter regarding, “The Curly Principle.” In the movie City
Slickers starring Billy Crystal, we observed the story of a man who
(going through mid-life crises), decides to go out with some buddies and
rustle cattle for a week.
The trail boss they report to is named Curly (played by Jack Palance).
Curly really seems to have his head together and Crystal’s
character keeps asking him what the secret to life is. Curly’s only
reply is to hold up his index finger and say, “Just One Thing.”
Finally, in frustration Crystal asks, “Well, what is that One Thing?”
To which Curly replies, “That is what YOU have to figure out - no one can do it for you.”
The Curly Principle teaches us the same lesson that the renowned
management consultant Peter Drucker has observed in highly successful
people.
Monomania - in other words, a single-minded focus and passion for that “one thing.”
Jesus taught us, “If your eye be single . . . your whole body shall be full of light.” (Light meaning truth and power).
What are you singularly focused on?
Frequently, I meet individuals who want to have their dreams and
yet are not willing to give up anything to achieve them. This is
self-deception.
Choosing to become great in any area means choosing to not be great
in something else. There will always be a price to pay - there will
always be a sacrifice.
You can only ride one horse really well at any one time. Yes, you
may be able to ride two, but nowhere NEAR as well as you can ride one.
Nowhere near as agile, responsive, quick. Understand difference?
The secret to success in life is making your vocation your vacation.”
Mark Twain
Last weekend I was in LA with some good friends attending an
Elton John concert. I was asked a frequent question, “What do you do for
fun and recreation?”
This is always a difficult question for me to answer, because I
know there is an expectation that I come up with a whole list of
activities I am involved in. Bottom line . . . I am a monomaniac. My
work is my passion as well as my recreation (notice the true meaning of
the word). When asked the question, “How is work?” I honestly answer,
“Work is play.”
The Master in the Art of Living simply pursues his vision of
excellence at whatever he does, Leaving others to decide whether he is
working or playing. To him, he's always doing both.
James Michener
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE what I do. I can think of nothing more
fulfilling and recreating than to meditate, study, read, learn, write,
create, help and coach others, talk with you and share insights.
Yes, I do hike, workout, ski form time to time, go to movies, and
play golf poorly once in awhile; but these are not the things that make
life meaningful for me. Many see their work as a “means to and end,”
for the monomaniac their work is an end unto itself. Not just a job . . .
a meaningful, passionate mission.
Your work is your passion, and your love made manifest through action.”
Is this the right approach for you? I am not qualified to answer
that question. What I am qualified to do is to check my own observations
and experiences and agree with Drucker and Curly.
To accomplish anything of consequence . . . anything magnificent
and great, you must be willing to literally trade your life for it. To
be so passionately focused and committed that nothing will divert you.
Nothing and no one can stop you.
My wish is that you find that “one thing” in your life. Your
white-hot-passion that brings you tremendous meaning and purpose.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Sunday, October 14, 2012
WHAT DO YOU MAKE?
What Do You Make?
Unknown
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued: "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"
...
Unknown
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued: "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"
...
He reminded the other dinner guests that it's true what they say about teachers: "Those who can do.
Those who can't teach."
To corroborate, he said to another guest: "You're a teacher, Susan," he said. "Be honest. What do you make?"
Susan, who had a reputation of honesty and frankness, replied, "You want to know what I make?"
"I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal of Honor and an A- feel like a slap in the face if the student did not do his or her very best."
"I can make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence."
"I can make parents tremble in fear when I call home"
"You want to know what I make?"
"I make kids wonder."
"I make them question."
"I make them criticize."
"I make them apologize and mean it."
"I make them write."
"I make them read, read, read."
"I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, and definitely beautiful over and over and over again, until they will never misspell either one of those words again."
"I make them show all their work in math and hide it all on their final drafts in English."
"I make them understand that if you have the brains, then follow your heart... and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you pay them no attention."
"You want to know what I make?"
"I make a difference."
"What about you, what do you make?"
FreebNote: Teaching iis Coaching, Coaching is Teaching; as a coach what would be some skills you woulr add: Attitude, Disciline, Motivation, Goal Setting, Teamwork, Cooperation . . .
AND: What percentage of businessmen and CEOs have an MBA Degrees obtained after years of attending educational institutions in classes conducted by . . . Teachers.
Those who can't teach."
To corroborate, he said to another guest: "You're a teacher, Susan," he said. "Be honest. What do you make?"
Susan, who had a reputation of honesty and frankness, replied, "You want to know what I make?"
"I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal of Honor and an A- feel like a slap in the face if the student did not do his or her very best."
"I can make kids sit through 40 minutes of study hall in absolute silence."
"I can make parents tremble in fear when I call home"
"You want to know what I make?"
"I make kids wonder."
"I make them question."
"I make them criticize."
"I make them apologize and mean it."
"I make them write."
"I make them read, read, read."
"I make them spell definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, and definitely beautiful over and over and over again, until they will never misspell either one of those words again."
"I make them show all their work in math and hide it all on their final drafts in English."
"I make them understand that if you have the brains, then follow your heart... and if someone ever tries to judge you by what you make, you pay them no attention."
"You want to know what I make?"
"I make a difference."
"What about you, what do you make?"
FreebNote: Teaching iis Coaching, Coaching is Teaching; as a coach what would be some skills you woulr add: Attitude, Disciline, Motivation, Goal Setting, Teamwork, Cooperation . . .
AND: What percentage of businessmen and CEOs have an MBA Degrees obtained after years of attending educational institutions in classes conducted by . . . Teachers.
STAFF QUALITIES
Bill Walsh: Checklist of qualities in potential staff:
1. A Fundamental knowledge of the area he is hired to manage. Expertise is more important than friendship or other user-friendly characteristics.
2. A relatively high – but not manic – level of energy and enthusiasm and personality that is upbeat, motivated and animated.
3. The ability to discern talent in potential employees.
4. Ability to Communicate.
5. Unconditional Loyalty to both you and other staff members.
1. A Fundamental knowledge of the area he is hired to manage. Expertise is more important than friendship or other user-friendly characteristics.
2. A relatively high – but not manic – level of energy and enthusiasm and personality that is upbeat, motivated and animated.
3. The ability to discern talent in potential employees.
4. Ability to Communicate.
5. Unconditional Loyalty to both you and other staff members.
FUNdaMENTALS
Continued mastery of the FUNdaMENTALS
Enables you performance to become an
Upward HyperSpiral of Achievement.
by CoachFree
To be successful you must be FUNdaMENTALly sound. You must be able to execute the routine play flawlessly, effortlessly, automatically. Only through the mastery of the FUNdaMENTALS will you be able to move to ever higher levels of performance. Every discipline has its own basic FUNdaMENTALS whether it be sports, education, business related, or any other routines that are currently demanding our attention. In baseball you must be able to field the ball and make an accurate throw to first base before the runner gets there, or you will never have the opportunity to be at the plate and take a swing. There are proper techniques to fielding and throwing when, if followed, produce desired performance. There are proper techniques for blocking and tackling, shooting and rebounding, running and jumping, driving a car. Everyone can remember the trials and tribulations of learning how to drive that stick shift car or truck. Remember looking at the pedals and thinking, “Three pedals and only two feet?” The same can be said for touch typing. I can remember thinking that my dad got taken by a salesman because there was no “B” on his keyboard at the office. Remember those days in typing class trying to get that pinky-finger to reach all the way to “Q?” Now, of course, after practicing the FUNdaMENTALS for many years all these behaviors are done easily, gracefully, unconsciously. What we used to have to think about consciously (hitting that Q; letting the clutch out slowly while giving it just the right amount of gas without rolling back into the Cadillac behind us on the hill), we now perform smoothly with little or no conscious thought. Our performance becomes “automatic.” Let us not forget that math has FUNdaMENTALS (once you get the basics of addition and subtraction down; you move on to fun things like algebra and trig), as does English, science, music, yes, every discipline does. How about family life? Are there basic FUNdaMENTALS of marriage, motherhood, fatherhood? Behavior is rule governed. Rule governed behavior involves discipline and FUNdaMENTAL correctness. The path to greater success that Upward HyperSpiral of Achievement begins with disciplining yourself to master the FUNdaMENTALS.
CoachFreeb says work at mastering your FUNdaMENTALS – The FUNdaMENTALS of your position. What would happen if EVERYONE were FUNdaMENTALLY the best players on the field at their position in this week’s game?
WARRIOR
Being a Warrior is not about the act of fighting. It's about being so prepared to face a challenge and Believing so strongly in the cause you are fighting for that you refuse to quit. Mack Machowicz
After 15 tries, Jeff Rhodes thought this was going to be his day - the day he would qualify for the Ford Ironman World Championship. He was racing with all the top men in his 40-44 age group in St. George, Utah last Saturday, feeling on top of the world. Two miles to go on the bike, though, things went horribly awry when he rolled a tire going around a corner.
Rhodes hit a brick wall and flew over his handlebars. No sooner had he hit the ground than he tried to get back on his bike. He saw the tire was off. Ever tried to get a tubular back on a rim? Ever tried to do that with one hand, because your other arm won’t work? Rhodes deflated the tire, put it back on the rim, re-inflated it with a quick-fill, then realized that his shoulder was up by his ear. He popped his shoulder back in place and tried to get back on his bike again. This time he realized his chain was off, too. When he finally was able to get back on his bike, Rhodes managed the last two miles of the ride by holding his shoulder – it wasn’t just dislocated, he’d broken his collarbone, too. When he managed to get some medical attention in T2, he was assured that he had broken his collarbone and should get into an ambulance for some medical attention. “I told them I could still qualify for Kona,” Rhodes said in an interview today. “I got them to help me change my shoes.” It only took three steps before Rhodes realized that there was no Kona qualifying for him last Saturday. Rather than quit, though, he was determined that he would finish the race, and started walking. “It never even crossed my mind – I was going to get through it,” he said. “This was my 16th Ironman and I’ve never DNF’d. Last year in Japan I had an asthma attack during the swim. I had to pull myself along from buoy to buoy. It was the closest I’ve ever come to death. I knew I could get through the run with some shoulder pain.” So he started walking. Meanwhile, just behind him, Quinton Berry, one of the five men from Orange County who had been training together for Ford Ironman St. George, started the marathon. Like Rhodes, Berry was having an incredible day – he was also in the hunt
for a Kona spot. Berry ran up to his friend and stopped to walk with him. “You’re having a great race,” Rhodes said. “You keep running. I’ll be fine.” Berry made it a few feet up the road and turned around. “At some point you’re going to need some help,” he told his friend. “If you’re going to walk it, I’m going to walk it with you.” A short while later, another of the group, Scott Callendar, came across his two training buddies. He started walking, too. He and Berry took turns finding ice packs for their friend. They got his food at aid stations. They tracked down ibuprofen from the medical crew. The re-strapped his shoulder. The three came across the line together. It was their slowest Ironman. It was also the best. “This was the best Ironman I’ve ever done,” Berry wrote in an e-mail to Rhodes. “It’s what you do for a friend,” he told me. “It was pretty impressive to see the support he had out there. There were some pros out there who said they were inspired by him.” Pros? These three inspired an entire community. You want friendship? You want perseverance? You want grit and determination? They showed it at Ford Ironman St. George last Saturday. It might not have been the fastest Ironman, but it will go down in history as one of the most inspiring and impressive of Ironman achievements. Rhodes is registered to race at Subaru Ironman Canada later this summer. “I know that I’m going to qualify there,” he said. “Those bumps in the road, you learn a lot from them.” I think we can all learn a lot from Jeff Rhodes, Quinton Berry and Scott Callendar.
After 15 tries, Jeff Rhodes thought this was going to be his day - the day he would qualify for the Ford Ironman World Championship. He was racing with all the top men in his 40-44 age group in St. George, Utah last Saturday, feeling on top of the world. Two miles to go on the bike, though, things went horribly awry when he rolled a tire going around a corner.
Rhodes hit a brick wall and flew over his handlebars. No sooner had he hit the ground than he tried to get back on his bike. He saw the tire was off. Ever tried to get a tubular back on a rim? Ever tried to do that with one hand, because your other arm won’t work? Rhodes deflated the tire, put it back on the rim, re-inflated it with a quick-fill, then realized that his shoulder was up by his ear. He popped his shoulder back in place and tried to get back on his bike again. This time he realized his chain was off, too. When he finally was able to get back on his bike, Rhodes managed the last two miles of the ride by holding his shoulder – it wasn’t just dislocated, he’d broken his collarbone, too. When he managed to get some medical attention in T2, he was assured that he had broken his collarbone and should get into an ambulance for some medical attention. “I told them I could still qualify for Kona,” Rhodes said in an interview today. “I got them to help me change my shoes.” It only took three steps before Rhodes realized that there was no Kona qualifying for him last Saturday. Rather than quit, though, he was determined that he would finish the race, and started walking. “It never even crossed my mind – I was going to get through it,” he said. “This was my 16th Ironman and I’ve never DNF’d. Last year in Japan I had an asthma attack during the swim. I had to pull myself along from buoy to buoy. It was the closest I’ve ever come to death. I knew I could get through the run with some shoulder pain.” So he started walking. Meanwhile, just behind him, Quinton Berry, one of the five men from Orange County who had been training together for Ford Ironman St. George, started the marathon. Like Rhodes, Berry was having an incredible day – he was also in the hunt
for a Kona spot. Berry ran up to his friend and stopped to walk with him. “You’re having a great race,” Rhodes said. “You keep running. I’ll be fine.” Berry made it a few feet up the road and turned around. “At some point you’re going to need some help,” he told his friend. “If you’re going to walk it, I’m going to walk it with you.” A short while later, another of the group, Scott Callendar, came across his two training buddies. He started walking, too. He and Berry took turns finding ice packs for their friend. They got his food at aid stations. They tracked down ibuprofen from the medical crew. The re-strapped his shoulder. The three came across the line together. It was their slowest Ironman. It was also the best. “This was the best Ironman I’ve ever done,” Berry wrote in an e-mail to Rhodes. “It’s what you do for a friend,” he told me. “It was pretty impressive to see the support he had out there. There were some pros out there who said they were inspired by him.” Pros? These three inspired an entire community. You want friendship? You want perseverance? You want grit and determination? They showed it at Ford Ironman St. George last Saturday. It might not have been the fastest Ironman, but it will go down in history as one of the most inspiring and impressive of Ironman achievements. Rhodes is registered to race at Subaru Ironman Canada later this summer. “I know that I’m going to qualify there,” he said. “Those bumps in the road, you learn a lot from them.” I think we can all learn a lot from Jeff Rhodes, Quinton Berry and Scott Callendar.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
EQualizer Football Faxuals: Stance
EQualizer Football Faxuals: Stance: All Football palys begin with a stance. In recent years, we have seen more and more stances like the one on the right along the high school...
OK - there is somone who posted up a comment which may or may not be appropriate. Since this person will not ID themself, I will not put his comment up on the board.
Basically my response is this: Strength & Conditioning Programs like BFS (who has proven to be the best HS S&C program EVER) elevate the athleticism of your HS line and the LSU stance appropriate to use at the HS Level. IT WORKS. You argument is mute.
Starting the BFS Program with kids coming out of the 4th Grade and continuing with them till they graduate, puts them on an Upward Spiral of Success that is self actualizing. Their SR Year the line would average a 315 bench, 500+ Squat, 325 Power Clean. It's all about reps and proper form & technique. You as their coach need to become knowledgable enough; open the facilities for them to become what they are capable of becoming.
The youth of today are just like youth of previous generations with the exception that as a group they have the potential to become bigger, faster, stronger than any previous generations. New Olympic and World Records being chalked up at the Olympics we are witnessing testify to that effect. This generation will do amazing things - things never though possible IF we just encourage them to do their best, coach them up as much as we can, & get out of their way.
The only question in this is, "Will You?"
OK - there is somone who posted up a comment which may or may not be appropriate. Since this person will not ID themself, I will not put his comment up on the board.
Basically my response is this: Strength & Conditioning Programs like BFS (who has proven to be the best HS S&C program EVER) elevate the athleticism of your HS line and the LSU stance appropriate to use at the HS Level. IT WORKS. You argument is mute.
Starting the BFS Program with kids coming out of the 4th Grade and continuing with them till they graduate, puts them on an Upward Spiral of Success that is self actualizing. Their SR Year the line would average a 315 bench, 500+ Squat, 325 Power Clean. It's all about reps and proper form & technique. You as their coach need to become knowledgable enough; open the facilities for them to become what they are capable of becoming.
The youth of today are just like youth of previous generations with the exception that as a group they have the potential to become bigger, faster, stronger than any previous generations. New Olympic and World Records being chalked up at the Olympics we are witnessing testify to that effect. This generation will do amazing things - things never though possible IF we just encourage them to do their best, coach them up as much as we can, & get out of their way.
The only question in this is, "Will You?"
Sunday, July 22, 2012
ON FELLOWSHIP/TEAMWORK
In our society such Fellowship is found in church & also athletic teams. Magic Johnson & Larry Bird come to mind - Rivals united with a common cause: Magic’s disease.
This is why we need to be in Fellowship with one another & why we are most alive when united with others in pursuit of a common goal, spiritual and/or athletic; they are so very, very much the same. The role of a preacher & his flock is so very similar to a coach leading his team.
Here’s what we know from the Sociologists/Psychologists: Either we as a society will come together and form teams for our kids to be part of (church groups, athletic teams, orchestras, thespians, Scouts, 4-H, etc) or gangs will come in to fill the void.
Look at what is happening in Chicago. Due to the state of the welfare-state economy, the citizens of Chicagoland have cut back so severely on extras, the community giving is so low, 72.5%+ of the children have been abandoned by their fathers, the only ‘fellowship’ provided is the negative fellowship of rival gangs.
As the number of people on food stamps increases, so does the senseless death rate. As schools & communities cut program after program, the death rate increases. And we do not need to form a committee and study the stats for the next 5 years. We as a society need to immediately implement counter measures to save our children & their future.
A six year old was killed this week in Colorado when her mother took her to a midnight movie. Where was the father? Why was this family at home saying their prayers? Why were they not fast asleep. When my two oldest were 6, bedtime was 7PM; or should I say that is when we got into bed and read “Green Eggs & Ham” . . . . again. When the two youngest were 6, it was stretched to 9PM when we read “One Fish – Two Fish; Red Fish – Blue Fish” . . . . again. When I tried to skip a few pages to hurry things along, couldn’t. They had it memorized, “Dad! You forgot a page.”
That’s the memory. Ask them. Unfortunately, that 6 year old will never know the rest of the story. BUT, you do. It is now up to you to do something about it. Get Busy!
Be Blessed
If we do not meet beforehand, I’ll see you at The Gates!
CoachFree – Cell 503.312.2138 - Gal 6:9
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING
There once was a woman who woke up one morning,
Looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today?"
So she did and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up,
Looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
"H-M-M," she said,
"I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?"
So she did and she had a grand day.
The next day she woke up,
Looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.
"Well," she said,
"today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."
So she did and she had a fun, fun day.
The next day she woke up,
Looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.
"YEA!" she exclaimed,
"I don't have to fix my hair today!"
Attitude is everything.
Be kinder than necessary,
For everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.......
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.
It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today?"
So she did and she had a wonderful day.
The next day she woke up,
Looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.
"H-M-M," she said,
"I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?"
So she did and she had a grand day.
The next day she woke up,
Looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.
"Well," she said,
"today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."
So she did and she had a fun, fun day.
The next day she woke up,
Looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.
"YEA!" she exclaimed,
"I don't have to fix my hair today!"
Attitude is everything.
Be kinder than necessary,
For everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly.......
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.
It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
EQuote of the Day: 05.23.2012
People should know when they’re conquered.
Quintus to Maximus Decimus Meridius, Gladiator
(All time favorite movie quote)
Question of the Day?
Conquer or be conquered,
Do you have a Conqueror ‘Work Ethic?
If we do not meet beforehand, I’ll see you at The Gates!
CoachFree –Cell 503.312.2138- Gal 6:9
Monday, May 21, 2012
DEFINING EXCELLENCE
Excellence is never an accident. It is achieved in a “Team” only as a result of an unrelenting and vigorous insistence on the highest standards of performance. It requires an unswerving expectancy of quality from the coaches and players.
Excellence is contagious. It infects and affects everyone on the team. It charts the direction of the program. It establishes the criteria for planning. It provides zest and vitality to the team. Once achieved, excellence has a talent for permeating every aspect of the life of the team.
Excellence demands commitment and a tenacious dedication from the leadership of the team. Once it is accepted and expected, it must be nourished and continually reviewed and renewed. It is never ending process of striving and searching. It requires a spirit of mission and boundless energy. It is always the result of a creatively conceived and precisely planned effort.
Excellence inspires. It electrifies. It empowers every phase of the organization’s life. It unleashes an impact, which influences every program, every activity, every player, and every coach. To instill it in an organization is difficult: to sustain it, even more so. It demands adaptability, imagination and vigor. But most of all, it requires from the leadership of the “Team” a constant state of self-discovery and discipline.
Excellence must be our “Teams” lifeline. It energizes a stimulating and pulsating force (One Heart Beat). Excellence as an athlete is important…. Because it is everything.
Excellence is contagious. It infects and affects everyone on the team. It charts the direction of the program. It establishes the criteria for planning. It provides zest and vitality to the team. Once achieved, excellence has a talent for permeating every aspect of the life of the team.
Excellence demands commitment and a tenacious dedication from the leadership of the team. Once it is accepted and expected, it must be nourished and continually reviewed and renewed. It is never ending process of striving and searching. It requires a spirit of mission and boundless energy. It is always the result of a creatively conceived and precisely planned effort.
Excellence inspires. It electrifies. It empowers every phase of the organization’s life. It unleashes an impact, which influences every program, every activity, every player, and every coach. To instill it in an organization is difficult: to sustain it, even more so. It demands adaptability, imagination and vigor. But most of all, it requires from the leadership of the “Team” a constant state of self-discovery and discipline.
Excellence must be our “Teams” lifeline. It energizes a stimulating and pulsating force (One Heart Beat). Excellence as an athlete is important…. Because it is everything.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
FREEB’S LAW
In our Be An 11 Class we focus a great deal of attention on the concept of 'Positive Opposites.' In fact, on our classroom wall (which is completely adorned - floor to ceiling- with motivational posters and materials we have these two posters, side by side. On the left Murphy's Law, a picture of a '36 Ford stuck in the mud with people trying to push and pull its way out of it. The car is surrounded with Murphyisms especially "If anything can go wrong it will, and the worst thing that can happen will happen."
Next to the Murphy poster is the 'Road to Success' poster. Perhaps you have seen it, "The Road to Success is always Under Construction.' We'd really like to correct the poster maker and say, "The Success Road IS Always Under Construction" because once you make the decision to seek success is the minute you welcome more success into your life. Success is not something out there that you travel to - it is something that you experience all along the way.
Success is Choice; So is Failure. The choice is your. And you make those choices every day.
Getting back to the positive opposites. We like to counter Murphy's Law with Freeb's Law: If anything can go right, it will go right. And the best possible thing that can happen will happen; when you believe.
People in our society today have no trouble in identifying with Murphy and unfortunately more and more people fell that they are as stuck in the mud with Murphy, bogged down. How often do you have that bogged down feeling. It is, of course, a choice. A choice you made.
Not as many people identify with Freeb's Law. In fact, recent studies indicate that only 20% or less of the folks in the American work force are satisfied with their career choice. How sad. If you do not like the job you have, if you cannot get along with the people you work with daily, If you just have to drag yourself to work each day just to get a paycheck, I guess you would feel trapped, bogged down, desperate.
Would it not be better to Live You Dream?
Next to the Murphy poster is the 'Road to Success' poster. Perhaps you have seen it, "The Road to Success is always Under Construction.' We'd really like to correct the poster maker and say, "The Success Road IS Always Under Construction" because once you make the decision to seek success is the minute you welcome more success into your life. Success is not something out there that you travel to - it is something that you experience all along the way.
Success is Choice; So is Failure. The choice is your. And you make those choices every day.
Getting back to the positive opposites. We like to counter Murphy's Law with Freeb's Law: If anything can go right, it will go right. And the best possible thing that can happen will happen; when you believe.
People in our society today have no trouble in identifying with Murphy and unfortunately more and more people fell that they are as stuck in the mud with Murphy, bogged down. How often do you have that bogged down feeling. It is, of course, a choice. A choice you made.
Not as many people identify with Freeb's Law. In fact, recent studies indicate that only 20% or less of the folks in the American work force are satisfied with their career choice. How sad. If you do not like the job you have, if you cannot get along with the people you work with daily, If you just have to drag yourself to work each day just to get a paycheck, I guess you would feel trapped, bogged down, desperate.
Would it not be better to Live You Dream?
B E L I E V E
The Boise State Broncos beat OK because they BELIEVED!
Instead of kicking the extra-point to tie the game and send it into a second overtime, Broncos coach Chris Petersen risked defeat to go for the two-point conversion to win. He ran their innovative trick play of the night. It was a variation... of the Statue of Liberty play known to the team simply as "Statue Left," which was drawn up by backup quarterback Taylor Tharp. Boise State lined up three receivers on the right side. After the snap, QB Zabransky faked a quick pass to his right with his right hand, then quickly handed off the football backhanded with his left hand to running back Ian Johnson, who ran untouched into the end zone for the conversion and the win.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Sunday, January 22, 2012
WHATEVER
Whatever It Takes
by CoachFree
I AM SUCCESSFUL!
I am successful because I set clearly defined Goals and develop a detailed
Plan to accomplish those Goals. I focus on my Goals through daily reaffirmation. I discipline myself through Positive Self Talk. I master those FUNdaMENTALS necessary to succeed. I give timely, unqualified Effort in executing the Plan. I sacrifice Whatever Is Necessary to accomplish my Goals. I condition myself mentally and physically to Keep On Keeping On. I take Pride in what I do and who I am.
I AM SUCCESSFUL!
No matter how long it takes;
No matter how hard it is;
No matter how much it costs;
No matter what you personally have to sacrifice;
Do whatever is necessary . . .
To achieve your goals!
Too often people in our society, especially teenagers, today do not understand the concept of time management. The number of hours that are awarded to the homeless person down the street do not differ from Bill Gates who is just a little further down the street in Redmond, WA at Microsoft. It is how we manage each of the hours that are given to us each day that determine how far up the ladder of success we will climb.
Too often as Anthony Robbins says, " . . . we get so 'caught up' in making a living (or whatever happens to be the current fad) that we forget to design a life." Too many people get "caught up" in the current most happen'en thing that they forget to put their own success first. Remember: If you do not Crusade for your own success, who will? The many, many success stories from all walks of life and circumstances dramatically illustrate what is attainable.
We have to put our own success first, however, if it is ever going to be achieved. It is useless to dream the impossible dream if we do not translate that dream into first realistic, attainable, achievable goals and a plan "to make it happen." We need to have long term goals to maintain our focus and overcome short term adversities. Additionally, we need to break those long term goals down into seasonal, monthly, weekly and daily goals so that there is something we can do everyday to take another step in the achievement process. Knowing that there is something that we can do right now, today, to make our BIG DREAM come true should provide the motivation to help jump start the process and the day.
by CoachFree
I AM SUCCESSFUL!
I am successful because I set clearly defined Goals and develop a detailed
Plan to accomplish those Goals. I focus on my Goals through daily reaffirmation. I discipline myself through Positive Self Talk. I master those FUNdaMENTALS necessary to succeed. I give timely, unqualified Effort in executing the Plan. I sacrifice Whatever Is Necessary to accomplish my Goals. I condition myself mentally and physically to Keep On Keeping On. I take Pride in what I do and who I am.
I AM SUCCESSFUL!
No matter how long it takes;
No matter how hard it is;
No matter how much it costs;
No matter what you personally have to sacrifice;
Do whatever is necessary . . .
To achieve your goals!
Too often people in our society, especially teenagers, today do not understand the concept of time management. The number of hours that are awarded to the homeless person down the street do not differ from Bill Gates who is just a little further down the street in Redmond, WA at Microsoft. It is how we manage each of the hours that are given to us each day that determine how far up the ladder of success we will climb.
Too often as Anthony Robbins says, " . . . we get so 'caught up' in making a living (or whatever happens to be the current fad) that we forget to design a life." Too many people get "caught up" in the current most happen'en thing that they forget to put their own success first. Remember: If you do not Crusade for your own success, who will? The many, many success stories from all walks of life and circumstances dramatically illustrate what is attainable.
We have to put our own success first, however, if it is ever going to be achieved. It is useless to dream the impossible dream if we do not translate that dream into first realistic, attainable, achievable goals and a plan "to make it happen." We need to have long term goals to maintain our focus and overcome short term adversities. Additionally, we need to break those long term goals down into seasonal, monthly, weekly and daily goals so that there is something we can do everyday to take another step in the achievement process. Knowing that there is something that we can do right now, today, to make our BIG DREAM come true should provide the motivation to help jump start the process and the day.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Thursday, January 5, 2012
On Doing Everything Wrong
“You can do everything wrong and still succeed, If you have The Right Mental Attitude.”
by CoachFree
What’s up with that? How can that be? Everything wrong and still succeed?
Not possible you say? Consider this. Bill Gutman’s book, Parcells, chronicles the coach’s remarks concerning the AFC Championship Game against Jacksonville in 1997, “We played so hard, the mental errors we made did not show up. Even when we would do things wrong, we’d tackle the guy for a loss three of four times.”
There you have it, enough said, straight from the Big Tuna’s mouth. You see, when everyone has the same goal, and a burning, whitehot desire to accomplish that goal, you may not dot all the Is and cross all your Ts properly, but the end result is still the achievement of the ultimate desired behavior.
Of course, the opposite is also true . . . “You can do everything right and still not succeed if you have the wrong mental attitude.” Years ago I coached a free safety who did everything right. He lined up properly, was always in position, always took the proper pursuit angle, knew who his man was, called the right coverage. He always ‘stayed deep, kept his feet, and kept everyone in front of him,’ too far in front of him. Thing was he rarely ever made a tackle. He was always ‘right there’ standing between the pile and the goal line ready to take that ball carrier down IF he would happen to break the tackle of a teammate. He just never would initiate the tackle; everything right and still not succeed.
Being a History teacher I am reminded of Union General George B McClellan, the one Lincoln referred to as having a “case of the slows.” Civil War historian, Bruce Catton, describes it this way: “McClellan had nearly all of the gifts: youth, energy, charm, intelligence, sound professional training. But the fates who gave him these gifts left out the one that a general must have before all others---the hard, instinctive fondness for fighting.” His adversary, Robert E. Lee, had it. Lee was one of the most pugnacious soldiers in American History. Lee is the one who said, “It is well that we know how terrible war really is, else we would grow too fond of it.” McClellan, an engineer, who had every advantage a general could have at the time, did everything right and by the book. And he was never able to win the decisive victory that Union needed to bring about an early end to the war. Instead he was a ‘Master of Retreat.’ What Lincoln needed was a general who would attack, much like Grant did at the end of the war. U. S. Grant. Unconditional Surrender Grant. Now there’s a piece of work. Talk about doing things wrong, did he ever. But he still succeeded. Why? Well, you get the picture by now, right?
“We played so hard . . .” that’s what it is all about. That’s desire.
And that will take you to victory more often than proper pursuit angles, blanket coverages, safety blitzes. The desire of people to rid the country of slavery brought a victory for the Union Army that ground its way to victory in Virginia.
Of course, what would happen if you, your team, would combine that intense, whitehot, burning desire, that right mental attitude with sound FUNdaMENTAL play? Better tackling, proper coverages, correct angles of pursuit, positioning, etc.?
Can you say CHAMPIONSHIP!
Remember, The Sky’s the Limit!
by CoachFree
What’s up with that? How can that be? Everything wrong and still succeed?
Not possible you say? Consider this. Bill Gutman’s book, Parcells, chronicles the coach’s remarks concerning the AFC Championship Game against Jacksonville in 1997, “We played so hard, the mental errors we made did not show up. Even when we would do things wrong, we’d tackle the guy for a loss three of four times.”
There you have it, enough said, straight from the Big Tuna’s mouth. You see, when everyone has the same goal, and a burning, whitehot desire to accomplish that goal, you may not dot all the Is and cross all your Ts properly, but the end result is still the achievement of the ultimate desired behavior.
Of course, the opposite is also true . . . “You can do everything right and still not succeed if you have the wrong mental attitude.” Years ago I coached a free safety who did everything right. He lined up properly, was always in position, always took the proper pursuit angle, knew who his man was, called the right coverage. He always ‘stayed deep, kept his feet, and kept everyone in front of him,’ too far in front of him. Thing was he rarely ever made a tackle. He was always ‘right there’ standing between the pile and the goal line ready to take that ball carrier down IF he would happen to break the tackle of a teammate. He just never would initiate the tackle; everything right and still not succeed.
Being a History teacher I am reminded of Union General George B McClellan, the one Lincoln referred to as having a “case of the slows.” Civil War historian, Bruce Catton, describes it this way: “McClellan had nearly all of the gifts: youth, energy, charm, intelligence, sound professional training. But the fates who gave him these gifts left out the one that a general must have before all others---the hard, instinctive fondness for fighting.” His adversary, Robert E. Lee, had it. Lee was one of the most pugnacious soldiers in American History. Lee is the one who said, “It is well that we know how terrible war really is, else we would grow too fond of it.” McClellan, an engineer, who had every advantage a general could have at the time, did everything right and by the book. And he was never able to win the decisive victory that Union needed to bring about an early end to the war. Instead he was a ‘Master of Retreat.’ What Lincoln needed was a general who would attack, much like Grant did at the end of the war. U. S. Grant. Unconditional Surrender Grant. Now there’s a piece of work. Talk about doing things wrong, did he ever. But he still succeeded. Why? Well, you get the picture by now, right?
“We played so hard . . .” that’s what it is all about. That’s desire.
And that will take you to victory more often than proper pursuit angles, blanket coverages, safety blitzes. The desire of people to rid the country of slavery brought a victory for the Union Army that ground its way to victory in Virginia.
Of course, what would happen if you, your team, would combine that intense, whitehot, burning desire, that right mental attitude with sound FUNdaMENTAL play? Better tackling, proper coverages, correct angles of pursuit, positioning, etc.?
Can you say CHAMPIONSHIP!
Remember, The Sky’s the Limit!
Monday, January 2, 2012
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