Category: Courage - Coach to Expect Success

Courageous Leadership

7/15/2022

Found something that really connected with me from John Maxwell and I hope it connects with you too. The top 10 list here on some thoughts on Courageous Leadership, I think, is something that can help all of us. Even if it's just one of the ten things he shares here. Try them. I did a podcast on this topic as it was really got me thinking about some things that are currently going on for me. Replay this one to make sure you get some notes on this list. You can find it HERE.

This list has inspired me to have little "wins" every day. In making even the smallest choices - at times it might seem as not a big deal type of decision - I know if I pile up enough little wins, things will continue to get better for me. Like I've brought up before... the better days I have now will not only bring me a better future, but it helps me to create a stronger past - a past that I can keep learning from and growing from. Amazing that it's taken me this long to learn this. But, I'm so happy I've connected with it AND, I know I need to be reminded about just about every day.

See the images below from the Kindle App that I have John Maxwell's "Daily Reader":

Bravery Is All Around Us

12/3/2021

I found something from John O'Leary again (so many lessons from this guy) and this one is all about Bravery. This interview that John had with Gunnery Sergeant Nick Popaditch and his discussion on Courage, Combat and Recovery. Listen to it HERE. I found myself being totally amazed at this discussion on so many lessons. First and foremost, Nick's sense of humor that he had with life!! Amazing lessons for all of us for if he can have that type of outlook / attitude after having gone through all of these things he described.. that simply tells me that I can do the same with my life too. The things that I have gone through are nothing compared to what he's been through & if he could have his current attitude and outlook on things - so can I.

These 2 quotes really stood out to me as it was something that was said to him that totally changed his life -

“If you don’t quit on us, we will never quit on you.” This is a powerful statement from his recruiter. I look at that statement and think how awesome it is to have a group of people connected together and something like this binds them. Something that will never break. Truthfully - I think of this connecting to a family or even a sports team. It will probably be something that I share with some players, coaches and teams as I see this being so strong to have this mentality going into their season & in life too!
"As a drill sergeant, Nick learned that everything was trained in the antithesis. Courage was trained by fear, honor by unfair treatment and commitment by failing." I look at this piece as something to learn some valuable lessons from. Those things that are fearful for me - I can learn courage from those things. I can learn to face them, get through them and to quit having them stop me from living the life I want to live. We all experience unfairness in life, I can learn to still be honorable to others & myself, so that I don't get soured by the unfair treatments. I look to for sure, not treat others in the same unfair matter. Also, to stand up for those that get treated that way too. The world needs more of this for sure.

Become Courageous

11/8/2019

This week's blog assignment had a couple of things to check out. First was this video, "Become Courageous - A Motivational Video" had so many great reflections for us to use on ourselves. One of the first things that really jumped out to me was this thought "What would your life look like if you decided to be courageous?"  WOW... I've never really heard that question asked before, let alone try to apply it to myself. It's a really powerful one if you take it to heart. I start to think about the many areas that I need to be more courageous in my life and I find it encouraging to think about the results that might come my way with having more courage in those areas. One is for sure to keep going after my dream of doing more with podcast, writing a book (or more than one), developing a few video/audio courses, and other things. I can see myself doing it - I just need to get through the limiting beliefs that are holding me back. Nobody's fault other than my own.    Do me a favor, ask yourself that question above and get back to me on any thoughts you may have.

Another question from this first video is "What would your life look like if you decided not to care what other people thought of you?"  For one thing, I do care what some people think of me - those that I love and care for, the important people in my life. My family, close friends, etc. Others? The critics in the world? The negative ones? NO WAY! I need to not let their opinions hold me back - especially since their opinions don't pay my bills!! How are you with this one?? For some people they worry way too much what others think about them.

The other video link - "Golden Buzzer - Kodi Lee" showed a super talented young man who is blind and is autistic, show tremendous courage when he did a 5 STAR performance on America's Got Talent. The look on the judges faces were something to see, especially Simon. ;-)    This emotional and super-powerful performance is something that you need to check out. Since we are talking about bravery & courage, check out Kodi's mom. Talk about a lady who is brave and strong, but one who has so much compassion for her son. That is another huge lesson for all us as the world needs more of those traits now. This story really sends the message that we all are totally capable of doing great things as people with so many more difficulties and challenges are doing great things in their lives. I asked myself, what is my excuse as to why I'm not doing more things that I know I want to do, and even more importantly - I need to do them.   How about you?

Finally, I put out a challenge to my students (and myself too) to have the courage to see what we can individually do to unplug from forms of technology that are really getting in the way and causing us problems. Whether it's our phones, computers, video games, etc. This is a powerful reflection moment for us to do some checking to see where we can have some self-improvement. I know I need to maybe switch my time on technology devices to be more productive. There are things that I need to spend time on - there are a couple of training / educational / self-improvement items that need my attention, compared to other non-productive things that I do with technology. I see this happening in school and in all around life way too often and the sad thing about it is that most of the people don't see themselves doing anything wrong or negative. Time is one of THE most important resources we have and we seem to be "wasting" it more and more when it comes to technology. What would you challenge yourself to get better at with technology?

5 Traits of Naturally Resilient People

4/15/2019

Found a great article about being more resilient and if there is something that I have always needed more of, it's this! The first point is to get some perspective. Stepping back to see what our challenge really is, and how "bad" it is, that's something I need to do more of. One of the things - I was just thinking about this morning on my way into work, was that gratitude gives me tremendous perspective. Some perspective was shared with me (again) from Dr. Joe DiPonio, our Superintendent. He shared with my Leadership students last Thursday about Mr. Mike Popson who was a HUGE difference maker with him when he was a high school student. So much of a difference that Dr. DiPonio got into education and has really excelled (some would say over achieved... hehehe) at being a difference maker for others.

The second point was to be realistic about where you are. That one hits me on many levels, first of all is my age of 53 and that leads me to thinking about so many different things. My career as an educator and basketball coach and the fact that I am so grateful for each of those and the people that have come into my life from these 2 awesome professions. So fired up about what is next in my career too since it will still be about being an educator and coach.

The third point is to take responsibility. This one again, there is some element or relief and comfort when we realize how important it is to take control of things in our life. Owning the things that we do and letting go of the things that are not important or essential - that is the key in life.

Got to love this next one - Having a sense of humor! I was just talking with a former student today and a few coworkers too. This subject came up with all of the. We have to laugh. Especially at some things that are so bad that getting upset will not help, but laughing makes you feel better and I have found it to help calm me down so that I can see some other solution, some other door so often appears that will help me with the original problem. Plus I've heard it's good for you health wise to laugh a few times a day.

Last of the five points is to have courage. It's one of the most important factors in life. Some of us are better at it than others. I am not one of those... yet! I have been working on increasing my courage all throughout life. I'm getting better but I realize I need to keep working on it since I am not where I want to be nor am I at the place where I know I have to be!

Great article - check it out for yourself HERE.

Ask Yourself What Is Really Important - Build Your Life Towards That

7/12/2015

“Ask yourself what is really important, and then have the wisdom and courage to build your life around your answer.” – Wright Thurston

When I saw this quote on Twitter, it obviously caught my eye since this is something that I believe in and try to promote. The reason I hung onto it and read it again and then saved it was that I was reminded about how true this is in my life with a little discussion my wife and I had this weekend.

We were talking to each other about frustrations that we have been having with each other along with other things, and within the discussion it hit me (again, since we have had similar discussions before) that she is not only right on the majority of what we were talking about, but also our discussion got me thinking about how much work I still need to do on myself. At 49 years old, yep, I don’t have it all figured out and I still have lessons to learn. The old saying popped into my head about lessons being repeated, until lessons are learned.

This point about always learning hit me too as I saw a former student post something about how she thought she would have things figured out a little more at age 19 and that didn’t happen. Now at age 23, she also thought she would have more figured out, accomplished a little more, be in a certain place in her life. But she went onto saying something about how that’s not really the case as she is currently having trouble cooking noodles or something like that. She sounded like she was reflecting on the fact that she was still ok, that she’s not the only one that has thought and gone through this, and that she will continue to work at figuring things out in her life.

That point hit me as I too am still working on me. With the help of my wife and others, that is something I know I need to do a better job at. Instead of casting blame elsewhere as I often have done and not putting the action steps into place that are necessary to help make some of those changes, I have yet another reminder for myself to get back into and stay in this game of getting better.

As I have my 2nd cup of coffee going down here on a Sunday morning, this reflective time that I look to find every weekend is so crucial to me. With writing this blog, doing my podcasts, learning about new ways of communicating with people along with thinking about my week ahead of things I want to get done or simply get started; I know I need to continue to not only find this reflective time but then to actually go out and do the things that I reflect upon.

This quote above should be something that we all can focus on for sure. What are the things you are building your life around? Find some time and take that time to really connect to what this is for you. The coffee might help too.

Proud To Wave The American Flag - Just Like John Wayne!

7/6/2015

This was taken in 2014 - I figured it was a good time to bring it out again!

“Sure I wave the American flag. Do you know a better flag to wave? Sure I love my country with all her faults. I’m not ashamed of that, never have been and never will be.” – John Wayne

As we celebrated our country’s birthday again this past July 4, I was seeing a lot of different quotes and ideas about our nation’s birthday. I’m a big fan of John Wayne, always have been as a little kid and I always will be as a big kid too.   I loved his toughness, fairness, strength, courage, etc. Now, most of this was from his movie characters, but learning that was the kind of guy he was outside of the movies too as connected me to him even more.

I put out my American flag a few days ago in front of our house and I noticed a few other houses in our neighborhood had one flying too. That is always great to see, even though there are still not that many flags flying, and there should be. There always seems to be a lot of great pride in the 4th of July holiday, but I wonder sometimes, as with all the holidays, how much we take it for granted. How most people, including me at times, look forward to the time off or the chance to get away more than what the true meaning of the holiday and what the celebration should really be about.

Sure our country has problems and issues, which country doesn’t? Since our country (and every other country) is made up of different people, there will always be issues. When people are involved with things, those things can get very messy. They key is becoming clearer to me as I get a little bit older. Our country does have issues that have to be solved. It involves those of us that live here to start doing things to help solve the problems and issues we have, not to add more problems to the growing list. We should all realize that in order for us to solve the problems and issues we are facing, WE have to be the ones to start doing something about them. We cannot keep looking to our government to solve them. Our government is a BIG part of the problems and issues we have to face. Now before you start going after me because of this view, hear me out. Since WE make up the government, or at least we are supposed to, we all are the ones that equally are part of the problems we face.   This is not a political party issue, this is an American issue!

I am more focused now than ever before of trying to be a difference maker with others. I’m to encourage others more. I’m looking to lead by example more, that’s for sure. This also means that I need to continue to work on myself even more. My habits, my thinking, my connecting to others, encouraging my wife, kids, others even more to follow their hearts in their life’s journey; this and more is what I’m looking at improving. What are a few things you can do? Heck, what is just one thing you can improve upon? Answer that and start doing something about it. We all don’t have as much time as we think we do, that’s for sure. For me, that’s hitting me in the face more and more with all the lessons that are out there for me to learn. It would be great for you to pick up the lessons that life is sharing with you so that you can make a difference to yourself and others. I'm just saying... :-)   Always let me know how we can help each other out with these things as there is power in numbers.

Every Day This Happens To So Many People... Quote of the Week!

7/8/2014

“Every day thousands of people bury good ideas because they are afraid to act on them." -David Schwartz

Life continuously seems to give us messages that maybe there are better ways of doing things. At those moments, we might just come up with ideas on how to do those things better, but then we seem to forget about it, get too busy with other things, think we can’t do that, etc. It seems so many people today have a common thought about how there has to be a better way of doing things. This could be for their job or career, an invention or something, improving their relationships with others, or even for doing things around the house.

The keys on these are that the ideas get lost or buried and also most people are indeed afraid to act on those ideas. Both have happened to me throughout my lifetime and I still am working on fixing this every day. The ideas get lost or buried for many reasons. We do seem to be too busy in today’s world with so much going on that we miss out on the opportunities to take the time to think about how we can improve things.

The other part of us not believing we can do things a different way or improve on something also gets in the way. It comes down to our thinking. David Schwartz is the author of my favorite book of all time, The Magic of Thinking Big. He addresses these points and so much more in his book that it is a book that you should put on your reading list as soon as you can.

One of the major keys that has struck me is that I’ve wasted way too much time and not putting some of my ideas into action. So not only am I working on the fear of things stopping me, along with the fact I’m too scatter-brained so often where I lose sight of things that I need to do; there is that action piece too that has been missing on my end. With some major things going on this summer and this fall for me, I realize now is the time to get things going.

Is it that time for you too? With this quote staring at me when I saw it, I know just like the old saying goes – “There’s no time like the present” to do things I know I have to do. You do realize that quote above and the quote about the present works for you too? I know you knew that. I just wanted to remind you like I reminded myself.

Quote of the Week - February 3, 2014

2/4/2014

"Never lose hope. You never know what tomorrow may bring" - Zig Ziglar

When I saw this quote - it of course connected with me coming from Zig. But it also connected with me from the standpoint that I have been hearing and reading a lot about hope lately. Zig's right. We can't ever lose hope in our lives. It's too important. With having no hope in life, it becomes hard to be able to look forward to anything.

It's amazing that when you need to have something cross your path - at a time that you really need to see it - it happens. This quote is that for me. I need to not lose hope on things in my life as lately, things have been a bit challenging and I tend to get a bit down about those things, I certainly cannot give up hope. There are too many important things I need to work on and accomplish. Too many people I need to help, along with helping myself too. Those things won't happen if I lose hope and give up. That would be playing small and that's not the way life is meant to be.

More thoughts coming soon.....

Quote of the Week - December 16, 2014

12/17/2013

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face." -- Eleanor Roosevelt

Wow.. is this something that I could have used back when I was a teen. Then again, maybe I wasn't ready for learning this lesson?

I guess the sooner you can face your fears, the sooner you have more strength and courage to do other things with in your life. Looking back, there were many fears that I can easily identify now - but I probably had trouble identifying earlier in my life. It's hard to work on battling a fear if you can't identify it. But a word of advice - figure out what those fears are and figure out how you can overcome them and not let them stop you from doing things you want to do.

With another new year coming upon us - remember, don't wait until January 1st to make out some new resolutions to try and take care of. If there are things to deal with - do it now. Don't worry, there will be more things to improve upon come January 1st.

Always looking forward to learning from your thoughts and comments. Let me know.

Quote of the Week - July 1, 2013

7/2/2013

"If you could get up the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed." -- David Viscott

When I saw this quote of course I saw it how it related to me. For a long time, having courage to start things has been a problem for me at times. It's amazing that during those times, once I get started on things it gets easier as time goes on. For me, and I think for others too, just to get started on something is the most difficult thing to get through. The worry, the thoughts of how difficult it might be, and yes the thoughts about failure come to mind too.

I was listening to Les Brown yesterday along with some things from Zig Ziglar too. Both speakers had amazing messages and both touched upon this subject. Waiting to get started on doing something due to fear of failing, robs so many people of things that could benefit not only themselves but a great number of other people too. I think for me, that has been an issue for some time. The old saying is that a lesson is repeated until a lesson is learned. That is something that I guess I've been going through for some time now.

Les Brown also brings up another great point. He mentions the idea that the most valuable piece of real estate is the grave yard. I believe he's right. He mentions that most people die with their "music" still in them. All the great ideas they had, but never acted upon. All the great intentions, that never were started. Les mentions that all those great inventions and things that would have helped so many people, are all gone now. Every time I hear Les talk about that, I know he's talking to me. I'm wondering, is he talking to you too? Do you have challenges getting the courage up to get things done or even get things started? As always, I enjoy hearing from others on this subject because I can always use more help in learning about getting better. I also know that other people need help too. Funny thing, Les mentions that too. We need to remember that we all need help in getting better and learning more. We don't have all the answers and cannot do it all on our own. Please, let me know your thoughts and ideas on this and any other items here on my blog.