Category: Relationships - Coach to Expect Success

Quote of the Week - April 15, 2013

4/16/2013

“Confidence is contagious. So is the lack of confidence.” -- Vince Lombardi

So many things in life are contagious if you are around it enough. The statement that Coach Lombardi made about confidence is no different, Some people are born with confidence and it translates to almost everything they do. Others, probably more of us, do not have natural confidence and it has to be learned. I for one, am still trying to learn how to be more confident in many areas of my life.

This statement connects with the idea that I have always told my students, in fact it's a part of what I usually write in their yearbook if they every ask me to write in it. Part of it is always "surround yourself with good people." This is where confidence and the lack of confidence can be contagious. if the people you hang out with are confident people in the things they do, that will help you to be more confident. Especially if those things they are doing are good things. If a group of people, a team, etc., have a common goal or on the same page of helping and supporting each other - that is a very powerful connection for all of them. I think you can really substitute many different words for confidence in the quote. Dedication, teamwork, A positive attitude, etc. What are your thoughts on this quote? Did it get you thinking a little bit I hope?

Quote of the Week - April 1, 2013

4/1/2013

Even with a break from school - I still wanted to get some thoughts out.

"Learn from your failures or be conquered by them." - from livelifehappy.com

This quote just jumped right out at me from two standpoints. First, learn from your failures is something that I know I need to always focus on in my life. Sure wish I had a clue about that earlier, but now I do. Failures happen, but we need to learn from them, make adjustments and move on. So many times I see myself and others making mistakes and failing... but then we don't learn from them. Ouch! Life is all about mistakes happening. Life has failures in it everyday. But we don't have to choose to keep making them over and over again, do we?

Second, if we don't learn from our failures and we don't make adjustments to become better or to get through those things that we struggle with - those failures will end up holding us back, really conquering our futures. There are obviously so many different levels to this as there are different levels of failures. Another key element to this that when we don't learn from these failures, they will also affect the other people in our lives that we are connected to.

Too many of my failures and shortcomings that I've had in my life have affected my family. Whereas if I would have learned from them and gotten better, things could be more positive in many ways for me and my family. These really end up getting in the way of our relationships in life. Which, if you haven't figured out by now, are really what's important in our lives.
Any thoughts or ideas on this? Have you thought about how things like this might be getting in the way for you? Always looking for discussion points.

Quote of the Week -March 25, 2013

3/26/2013

"Don't let someone else's opinion of you become your reality." - Les Brown

When I first heard Les Brown talk about this - it really hit home with me and my students. Many times I think we give up control to those people in our lives that will fill our heads with doubt. Many times the critics in our lives are those that are the closest to us. Those people that love and care for us - and we for them, will sometimes be the biggest distractors for us to get through.

I am also reminded by this statement that we also have to work on our own opinion of ourselves. If we hear enough negative from others in our lives and add it to our own self-doubting opinion about ourselves, that is a recipe for going nowhere. Where if we have the attitude and mental preparation to take these opinions as fuel or reasons for getting better - to use them as inspiration, well... that's another story. When you actually sit back and think about things like this, isn't it the right thing to do - to take these critics in our lives and use their opinions to help us do more and get better? That's an approach that I think would be great for all of us to use. I know I need to do just that!

There are so many things that Les Brown says that really hits home for me and for my students too. I suggest you look him up and read some of his books, listen to some of his audio recordings, and watch his videos as he's got so many messages to connect with so many different people. Another quote he gave to us in this recent presentation - "the best revenge is massive success." For all the doubters and critics in our lives, that is something that will help others to see our true reality for sure.

Any thoughts or ideas on this from Les Brown. Remember, not only do your thoughts and ideas help me, they help yourself and many others too. When you take the time to put some of these in writing - it gets you thinking about making adjustments in your life. Might be right then when you do it, or later on sometime. Either way, it's good to share your thoughts and ideas on these quotes... so thank you for doing just that.

Quote of the Week - March 18, 2013

3/18/2013

"Every challenge is nothing more than a chance to make things better." - Lolly Daskal

This in itself is an amazing quote due to the simple fact that since we have challenges just about every day of our lives, we have the chances every day to make things better. Some people have more challenges than others so they really have the opportunities to make significant changes in their lives to make things better.

Another key to this thought I think is that not only can it help ourselves in our own life, but those that we are connected to as well. You see, all the people that are connected to us in our lives also face challenges. If we are able to have this way of thinking to help ourselves, we can also help those around us too. If you haven't noticed the world if full of challenges each and every day. Instead of complaining, criticizing, condemning about them and letting those challenges dictate life to us, we have the ability to look at how we can get better from this. We can spend our time looking to solve these issues or at least work towards making them better.

Funny thing is, it's taken me so long to figure this out. Actually, I'm just starting to not only figure this out, but maybe even actually doing something about these things. Do I wish I figured it out sooner in life? You bet I do. I try and get my students to start thinking about these things sooner than I did. I always tell them to learn from me and others so they can do things differently than we did. Even today as I write these thoughts and ideas over a cup of coffee before I start my day, there are many things that I need to work on and this morning I did work on one small little thing instead of putting it off like I normally do. I look at that choice and I know my day today (a Monday) will start out better than normal all because of a choice I made to do something different this morning.

How about you? What challenges are you going through that you are trying to make things better? Remember, we can learn so much from each other. I love being a teacher because I can help others get better. But the flip side is more true than that.... I get to learn from others. So drop me a note, leave some thoughts and ideas for me and others to learn from and make things better for you and others too.

Quote of the Week - January 21, 2013

1/23/2013

"If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes." - Andrew Carnegie

Finding this quote on a Monday and thinking about having goals for today (a teacher meeting day) along with goals for the week ahead; got me thinking about having these thoughts going for me long term. Instead of just a Monday or a week, I'm thinking (and I know that) I need to have these going for my future. Thinking about Andrew Carnegie (the steel industry guy) and all the success that he had with people and leadership; I know it's coming from a good source too.

I had a good discussion with a colleague today about focusing in on important things in life. That there are only so many things that we can control and actually do something about ourselves. Happiness comes from the fact that we have the ability to command over our thoughts on those things that are important and that are really important to us. The key is to realize this as soon as we can for then we still have time on our side to do something with this fact. The longer it takes for us to realize the truth to this statment the further away from true happiness I think we will be.

What are your thoughts on this quote? What lessons can you teach me and others with your opinions and thoughts? Please let me know here.

Quote of the Week, January 14, 2013

1/15/2013

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” -- Charles Dickens

One of the things that I try and get across to my students is to be a difference maker. I put my weekly picture on my Blackboard sites and it was that exact message. So when I found this quote
and how much it connected with that important idea, I had to get it out there.

When we set out to make a difference with others, that can be done in so many ways. It is something that all of us can do each and everyday with so many people. First, would be to make a difference with yourself. With everything going on in the world, we can make a huge difference with ourselves by working on how we think. By watching our self-talk, making it more positive rather than negative, that can really help ourselves out. We all have critics taking shots at us along with the everyday trials and tribulations taking shots at us too. How we "defend" ourselves from these issues is very important in making a difference with ourselves.

Once we make a difference with ourselves, we are then able to have a huge impact with helping others. Making a difference with others is one of the things that is most needed in today's world. So many people need help in many different ways and you would be surprised to know that you might be the one that can do it with someone that you will see today. So, see who you can help today along with helping yourself. Make it a point every day you can to lighten the burden of someone else.

The few people that have responded to these thoughts, please know you have already helped me, a great deal with your time and thoughts. So, you've already taken care of helping someone - that someone would be me. :-) I appreciate it very much. Leave me your thoughts since it will not only help me, but in turn it will help others too.

Quote of the Week for January 2, 2013

1/3/2013

"I used to say, "I sure hope things will change." Then I learned that the only way things are going to change for me is when I change."-- Jim Rohn

Found this quote right before the new year started. I thought it connected really well, maybe just for me, I don't know.

I find myself not that excited about New Year's Eve - from the standpoint of not wanting to go out
and party, going to some bar or a big expensive dinner party, staying up all night, etc. I have been one that really enjoys spending New Years Eve with my wife, my kids, other family members or friends; just playing a game, eating of course and just ending one year and starting another with people that I truly care about.

I do find myself getting excited or looking forward to the new year for a new start, a fresh beginning on things that I know I need to work on or accomplish. I am not sure why I am unable to accomplish things at other times of the year, when we all know it doesn't have to be a new year to get things done or to make changes. All it needs to be is to make the choice to change and then to start the action of making the change(s) that need to be done. The new year does help with the sense of urgency I have, since I know I will be another year older this year. There are new habits I need to form and replace bad habits that I have been doing for so long. There are successful people I need to get around and listen to what they say and watch what they do. So many things and all I have to do is just start doing them.

What about you? What's this quote mean to you? I'm always looking to learn from others... and that means you.

What is your Dash?

6/25/2012

What is your dash?

Summer is usually a time of year that we slow down a little bit. Rest, relax and reflect about things that are going on in our lives. Hopefully we are able to spend time with family and friends a little more during the summer than the rest of the year.

One thing to maybe reflect upon this summer, and I know I have to do this more often, is to think about our “dash”. I don’t mean running a race, which with my knee is a good thing that’s not what I mean. I’m talking about our dash as it connects to our life. There is an inspirational poem by Linda Ellis that I’ve used in my Leadership classes that I teach. The dash is that one little character that is between our date and year of our birth and the date and year that we die.

We all see the date of a person’s birth and the date that they die, but the dash in-between the two dates is what that person’s life was really all about. What do we spend our dash doing? What makes a lifetime fit into one little character? I ask that you check out her poem and there is a short movie clip on it too that you can watch. Then please, not only do I want you to start thinking about how you are spending your dash; but please let me know what your thoughts are. I’m looking for inspiration and help with some of my writings.

So please, if you can get back to me with some feedback on Facebook, through my blog, or by email. I would really appreciate any thoughts you had on this as I am really looking at personally improving my dash along with getting some help with things I’d like to write about.

Graduation time!!

5/22/2012

Well another year has come and gone here at Lake Shore High School. The class of 2012 will be my 19th graduating class while I've been here at Lake Shore. So many great and wonderful people that I have met throughout those 19 years. Many of them had some type of impact on me as a person, let alone as a teacher for sure. The class of 2012 faces many challenging times ahead, but they also have so many more opportunities as well. It's been my honor and privilege to have worked with my seniors this year. I hope they realize that they have a very bright future ahead of them. A few things to remember: Always work hard, stay positive, keep good people around you, find and go after your passions in life, always work on your Character, Tasks and Relationships in your life. Life is a journey - enjoy the lilttle steps along the way towards your dreams and goals! Keep in touch - through this website, find me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter @coachtosuccess.

What Time is it?

6/16/2011

What Time is it?
By Coach John Daly
Reposted from: August 6, 2009

That’s a question that we either hear or think about so many times a day.
Other people ask us about it.
We are rushing around trying not to be late to class, a meeting, getting in our car, or to even get home for our favorite T.V. show.

But do we ever really think about that question other than to look at a clock?
Come on, think about it.

My friend, this question took on a different view for me the other night.
It’s ironic though because I have heard and thought about this view on time many times before. I’m sure
you have too.

You see I was at a funeral home for a friend of mine that died. I got there for the prayer service and I heard something that hit me right between the eyes.

My friend’s cousin was speaking to everyone as they opened the floor for anybody that wanted to share a few thoughts. It was at this time when she was trying to finish up that she said “I thought I had more time with him.
I thought I had more time to make plans with him, to talk about the family with him, to go and do things with him. Now I realize that I don’t.  How many of us say that about things and people in our lives?”

As she walked away fighting back the tears, I was doing the same thing and I looked around at the packed room that spilled out into the halls, others were fighting back the tears too. There were so many of her cousin’s former football players there.  Big guys, now in their 40’s and 50’s, all misty eyed with tears.

Like I said a punch to the nose! Tears welling in my eyes from that quick and powerful punch. OUCH!

I knew I have heard this before, many times. Why was it hurting so much now?

I know it’s because indeed, I have heard it many times before. But was I doing anything about it? Was I making
changes to implement that more into my life? I can say a little, here and there. I know now that it’s something that I have to really work at doing a better job with. Time is one of those things that seems to be going by faster as I get older.

We all talk about that, but what do we do about it?   Actually I hear more and more people talking about it now, regardless of their age.

So many songs talk about it.  Once it’s gone, you can’t get it back, it’s that type of message we hear
so often in songs. So why do we waste so much of it on things that don’t really mean to much?   Why does it usually take a sad event or tragedy to get us to focus on this?

I guess I’m tired of me going through these things, I think about it, make a few little changes for a few days.
Then I’m right back to my old habits and old ways on how I spend my time.

Another irony, about the same time last year we lost another good friend.   My friend that just died this past week was best of friends with the one who died a year ago.   Both of these guys were fantastic teachers and coaches.
The impact they made on people was incredible.  That is why the funeral home was packed the entire time for both of these great men.

This time has got to be different for me. It has to be different for you too. I’ve heard this statement from another friend, “We can’t afford to play small in life.”   Wasting time in our lives is playing very small.  It does nobody any good at all.

Ask yourself this right now – heck, even write these down somewhere: What are some time wasters in your life?
Are they getting in the way of important things?

A more crucial thought for you to think about quickly right now: are they getting in the way of your relationships with the important people in your life?

Get in touch with me – I’m sure you have stories too that could help me and others with this important topic. Leave me your thoughts here

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