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Check out my Blog entry for the week of May 11 - what is something you can improve about playing BIG in your life and not playing small? Part of it is getting out of your comfort zone. Check out my podcast too about it.
Can You Believe May Is Here?May 4, 2015
For most high school seniors, you are coming down to the last few weeks of being in high school. I know most are happy and cannot wait, but there are some of you that are scared too. It's totally understandable. They key is to be chasing something bigger than yourself. A college degree, a new job, moving out of the house, starting a new chapter in your life, etc. The possibilities are endless! As Jim Rohn just asked us (while we watched his video this past week in our Leadership class) - What's got you excited? What's got you waking up early that you can't wait to get started on? What's got you fired up? (CMU baby!!) Those are the things to start thinking about, plan for, and go out and chase after. So ask yourself those questions. If you don't have any answers yet - start looking for them, they are out there waiting for you to discover! Most (if not any) will not drop in your lap, go out and shake some trees, open some doors, go talk to people and go make some things happen!! |
Spring is here!! Seniors, are you ready??
April 4, 2015
With Spring here and if you are a Senior, you are heading into the final stretch of high school. A couple of things for you to think about - you need to FINISH YOUR RACE!! So many seniors - and it happens every year - I hear discussing with friends about dropping certain classes or they just shut down and don't show up any more to certain classes because they know they don't need the class to graduate. I tell this story every year. Some of my students listen and some don't. When I first started at Lake Shore High School, I was coaching the Girls Varsity Basketball team. We had summer camp about to start so I was in the school a day or two before and there was a guy that walked into our building. I asked him if I could help him and he said he was there to pick up his transcript and that he graduated 20 years earlier. I said to him that I would take him to the office where someone could take care of his request.
About 15 minutes later, I saw him walking out and I asked him if he got his transcript? He said he got it and the look on his face as he looked down at it told me something was not good. I asked him if everything was ok and was there something wrong? He roughly said that the only thing wrong was the fact that as a senior he thought he knew everything and he chose to stop showing up to a few classes that he didn't need to graduate. Now that he needs to show this transcript to someone for a new job or going back to school (something along those lines) he told me he was totally embarrassed about having his name on this transcript that showed his poor decisions. He said to me - tell your students to learn from my mistakes. Stick to finishing things in high school, don't quit.
Over my almost 22 years at Lake Shore High School, I've done just that. I've shared this story with my students just about every year. Like I said, some listen to me and some think they know better. That guy had to go try and convince someone to either hire him for a job or let him into college and that transcript screamed out about him not finishing things, quitting, can't be counted on, etc. Now some people understand that when you are in high school some times you make poor decisions and they chalk it up to being a young, naive kid. Others don't and won't even give you a chance to explain any details or circumstances. So seniors - what will it be? Do you want to do things (both in school and out of school) that people will be judging you for years and years to come? You can do just that - make those choices be very positive that will pay dividends for all those years to come.
With Spring here and if you are a Senior, you are heading into the final stretch of high school. A couple of things for you to think about - you need to FINISH YOUR RACE!! So many seniors - and it happens every year - I hear discussing with friends about dropping certain classes or they just shut down and don't show up any more to certain classes because they know they don't need the class to graduate. I tell this story every year. Some of my students listen and some don't. When I first started at Lake Shore High School, I was coaching the Girls Varsity Basketball team. We had summer camp about to start so I was in the school a day or two before and there was a guy that walked into our building. I asked him if I could help him and he said he was there to pick up his transcript and that he graduated 20 years earlier. I said to him that I would take him to the office where someone could take care of his request.
About 15 minutes later, I saw him walking out and I asked him if he got his transcript? He said he got it and the look on his face as he looked down at it told me something was not good. I asked him if everything was ok and was there something wrong? He roughly said that the only thing wrong was the fact that as a senior he thought he knew everything and he chose to stop showing up to a few classes that he didn't need to graduate. Now that he needs to show this transcript to someone for a new job or going back to school (something along those lines) he told me he was totally embarrassed about having his name on this transcript that showed his poor decisions. He said to me - tell your students to learn from my mistakes. Stick to finishing things in high school, don't quit.
Over my almost 22 years at Lake Shore High School, I've done just that. I've shared this story with my students just about every year. Like I said, some listen to me and some think they know better. That guy had to go try and convince someone to either hire him for a job or let him into college and that transcript screamed out about him not finishing things, quitting, can't be counted on, etc. Now some people understand that when you are in high school some times you make poor decisions and they chalk it up to being a young, naive kid. Others don't and won't even give you a chance to explain any details or circumstances. So seniors - what will it be? Do you want to do things (both in school and out of school) that people will be judging you for years and years to come? You can do just that - make those choices be very positive that will pay dividends for all those years to come.
Happy 2015!
Out of the many things we need to ask ourselves to get better - one is for sure: How will 2015 be different / better than 2014 was for us? This is where as I say - it's time to do some home work. That is it's time to reflect and spend some time thinking about those things that we have to improve on in order to have different results. This is much bigger than a New Year's resolution. This goes for everyone, not just students. Actually it's even more important for older people to work on since more of that important element of time has passed more for us than younger people.
Find some people to help you out in this area. People that are somewhere in life where you want to be. Their advice is priceless. Remember the fact that we can obviously learn from our own experiences - but we can also learn from so many other people too. We also need to understand that we are limited in the experiences we can have for ourselves since we can only do so much as we are only 1 person. When you look at learning from others - both things we want to do and things we know we shouldn't do based upon what others do. There are so many other people to learn from - it helps us to maximize those opportunities. We just have to be open to learning from those opportunities when they present themselves.
Out of the many things we need to ask ourselves to get better - one is for sure: How will 2015 be different / better than 2014 was for us? This is where as I say - it's time to do some home work. That is it's time to reflect and spend some time thinking about those things that we have to improve on in order to have different results. This is much bigger than a New Year's resolution. This goes for everyone, not just students. Actually it's even more important for older people to work on since more of that important element of time has passed more for us than younger people.
Find some people to help you out in this area. People that are somewhere in life where you want to be. Their advice is priceless. Remember the fact that we can obviously learn from our own experiences - but we can also learn from so many other people too. We also need to understand that we are limited in the experiences we can have for ourselves since we can only do so much as we are only 1 person. When you look at learning from others - both things we want to do and things we know we shouldn't do based upon what others do. There are so many other people to learn from - it helps us to maximize those opportunities. We just have to be open to learning from those opportunities when they present themselves.
Now that December is here - what changes do you have to make in school? What about in your personal life outside of school? This week's blog post talks about just doing something small today that will help you with your tomorrows. Just that 1% of something you can do better today that will help you get to your goals tomorrow and beyond. With the first half of the school year almost here- it's time to look back a little, learn from what has happened so far. But really we need to look ahead. Where are you going? Seniors - applying to colleges? Looking for a job? Setting up some interviews, etc.? Have you tried your hardest in and out of school? Are you talking to your teachers - knowing what you have to do for the end of your courses or the start of them (for those on Trimesters like we are at LSHS), asking for help when you need it? Hopefully you are looking for things that you are passionate about - things that get you fired up and things that wake you up before your alarm. If not... keep looking, those things are out there. Seniors especially - look ahead to see what's next for you. We all have those moments of being scared of what's next - they key is to check out your choices, get information about those ideas and choices. Also, keep good people around yourself too - good friends who want the best for you (and you for them), your family, etc. It's time to get excited and fired up about where you are going. :-)
Going into the end of September, what adjustments can you make with school?
Remember, you should always look to getting better in everything that you do. How are your classes going? No matter how well they are going (or maybe not so well), there are things that you can improve upon if you take a few moments to sit back and see what areas you need to improve upon. There is still time to make some adjustments in your classes... talk to your teachers, your counselors, your administrator for help - don't just hope things will work out, do something to help yourself.
Remember, you should always look to getting better in everything that you do. How are your classes going? No matter how well they are going (or maybe not so well), there are things that you can improve upon if you take a few moments to sit back and see what areas you need to improve upon. There is still time to make some adjustments in your classes... talk to your teachers, your counselors, your administrator for help - don't just hope things will work out, do something to help yourself.
As summer has passed, what are you doing to make yourself better? Also, are you thinking about what's next for you?
Summer is over - another school year has started up.
How did your summer go? Did you do things you wanted to do? or did the time just kind of go by? Hopefully it involved doing some things that will help your future out. Maybe you worked a lot and were able to save some money? Maybe you got some reading done? That is one thing, that if you don't like reading, you will have to figure out how to get through that. In college and in life, there are so many times where good reading skills are something that will put you over the top as far as your career goes along with really how your life goes. It's always a good idea to do some reading of some good books that will help you make some changes you want to make in order to get to where you want to go. It's never too early to start thinking about where you want to go in your life. Check out my book list on my home page - some great titles there for you.
Some of you might be looking at what's next for you after high school - moving, a new job, going to college, etc.?? Whatever it is, see how you can become better from it. If you need any help with making some tough choices, let me know if I can help.
How did your summer go? Did you do things you wanted to do? or did the time just kind of go by? Hopefully it involved doing some things that will help your future out. Maybe you worked a lot and were able to save some money? Maybe you got some reading done? That is one thing, that if you don't like reading, you will have to figure out how to get through that. In college and in life, there are so many times where good reading skills are something that will put you over the top as far as your career goes along with really how your life goes. It's always a good idea to do some reading of some good books that will help you make some changes you want to make in order to get to where you want to go. It's never too early to start thinking about where you want to go in your life. Check out my book list on my home page - some great titles there for you.
Some of you might be looking at what's next for you after high school - moving, a new job, going to college, etc.?? Whatever it is, see how you can become better from it. If you need any help with making some tough choices, let me know if I can help.
As a NEW School Year Begins... check out the 7 Success Terms Below...
September 1, 2014
As a new school year starts, no matter what grade you are in, check out the 7 Success Terms below. I know there is at least one of the terms if not more that you know deep down inside you need to work on. I know there are more than one that I have to work on big time! One of the keys in life is to figure out some things to work on and get better at about yourself, and start as soon as you can on improving them. Which one should you start on? I'm looking again at them, and I see a little something that I need to work on from all 7 of them!! Check them out. Do a little thinking about them and I will be adding some thoughts in the near future about each of them that you might find some help from. Have a GREAT school year - remember, it's totally up to you as to how your school year goes, so get off to a FANTASTIC start right now!!
As a new school year starts, no matter what grade you are in, check out the 7 Success Terms below. I know there is at least one of the terms if not more that you know deep down inside you need to work on. I know there are more than one that I have to work on big time! One of the keys in life is to figure out some things to work on and get better at about yourself, and start as soon as you can on improving them. Which one should you start on? I'm looking again at them, and I see a little something that I need to work on from all 7 of them!! Check them out. Do a little thinking about them and I will be adding some thoughts in the near future about each of them that you might find some help from. Have a GREAT school year - remember, it's totally up to you as to how your school year goes, so get off to a FANTASTIC start right now!!
Summer is a great time to get some reading done.
July 21, 2013
Looks like a great article to check out. I know I need to get more reading in this summer. Good things can come from getting some reading in. Check out my Book List here on the home page. Do you realize how few people really take the time to read, learn more and grow? You could easily pass most of the population in getting knowledge that can help you improve and open up doors that most will never, ever see.
Great article to take a look at too:
http://www.themillionairesecrets.net/how-spending-60-minutes-a-day-can-make-you-successful-in-life/
Looks like a great article to check out. I know I need to get more reading in this summer. Good things can come from getting some reading in. Check out my Book List here on the home page. Do you realize how few people really take the time to read, learn more and grow? You could easily pass most of the population in getting knowledge that can help you improve and open up doors that most will never, ever see.
Great article to take a look at too:
http://www.themillionairesecrets.net/how-spending-60-minutes-a-day-can-make-you-successful-in-life/
Summer (heck.... Anytime) Homework - spend some of your time on this.
June 21, 2013
"Sharpen your interest in two major subjects: life and people. You will only gather information from a source if you are interested in it." -- Jim Rohn
These are 2 areas that are a must for you to spend some time on this summer getting better at. Pick up anything you can from Jim Rohn, John Maxwell, Napoleon Hill, or any of the authors on my book list on my home page. Don't wait to start getting better in these two key areas. In fact, I promise things will go differently for you come next school year when you start being a "student" about life and about people. Look here on my site for some help coming soon. Questions or comments get in touch with me in the contact section on my home page.
These are 2 areas that are a must for you to spend some time on this summer getting better at. Pick up anything you can from Jim Rohn, John Maxwell, Napoleon Hill, or any of the authors on my book list on my home page. Don't wait to start getting better in these two key areas. In fact, I promise things will go differently for you come next school year when you start being a "student" about life and about people. Look here on my site for some help coming soon. Questions or comments get in touch with me in the contact section on my home page.
Dreaming about summer?
May 1, 2013
“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” - Earl Nightingale
This quote of the week got me thinking a little bit. Since it's May 1st and I know many of my seniors are both excited and nervous about high school coming to an end, along with one of my former seniors is now getting ready for his senior year in college next fall. My current seniors in my high school and my former student in college, both can look back at the last few years and probably agree as to how fast the time went. A key is to look back and see what they have learned (all the good and the not-so-good stuff they have been through), see where they are today, and then think about (dream) where they are going in their future.
Earl's quote above is totally true. Time goes by anyway, no matter how we spend it, it still goes by and moves on. My message to my students, both former and current, along with any and all students; we have to have some plans, goals, dreams, etc., to go after. With time marching on and not waiting for any of us, we need to ask ourselves "what are we spending our time on?" We need to be dreaming and thinking about our futures, not just this upcoming summer. This summer is indeed part of our future, but so is the rest of the summers - and all the falls, winters, and springs too. Find some time to think about the bigger picture (at least a little bit) along with identifying the people who can help you get there along with doing the things that will help you too.
“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” - Earl Nightingale
This quote of the week got me thinking a little bit. Since it's May 1st and I know many of my seniors are both excited and nervous about high school coming to an end, along with one of my former seniors is now getting ready for his senior year in college next fall. My current seniors in my high school and my former student in college, both can look back at the last few years and probably agree as to how fast the time went. A key is to look back and see what they have learned (all the good and the not-so-good stuff they have been through), see where they are today, and then think about (dream) where they are going in their future.
Earl's quote above is totally true. Time goes by anyway, no matter how we spend it, it still goes by and moves on. My message to my students, both former and current, along with any and all students; we have to have some plans, goals, dreams, etc., to go after. With time marching on and not waiting for any of us, we need to ask ourselves "what are we spending our time on?" We need to be dreaming and thinking about our futures, not just this upcoming summer. This summer is indeed part of our future, but so is the rest of the summers - and all the falls, winters, and springs too. Find some time to think about the bigger picture (at least a little bit) along with identifying the people who can help you get there along with doing the things that will help you too.
Learn from your failures - there's still time.
April 1, 2013
There is still time this school year to focus on a couple of areas that maybe you need help with but also areas that you have had failures connected with in the past, but if you step back maybe there are a couple of lessons there for you to learn?
Zero in on one or two of them that maybe you can learn from and improve on for the remaining weeks of school. Feel free to drop me a note on my home page using the contact form. Be glad to help you out if I can.
There is still time this school year to focus on a couple of areas that maybe you need help with but also areas that you have had failures connected with in the past, but if you step back maybe there are a couple of lessons there for you to learn?
Zero in on one or two of them that maybe you can learn from and improve on for the remaining weeks of school. Feel free to drop me a note on my home page using the contact form. Be glad to help you out if I can.
Some advice from Lou Holtz
March 2013
“Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.” - Lou Holtz
One of the things I think students in high school need to remember is that it's the perfect place to practice many things during 4 years that will have such a profound affect on the rest of your life. The thought above should get you thinking about the fact that you are in total control of your attitude. High school is the practice grounds for getting your attitude together to think correctly and that goes hand in hand for your motivation along with your ability. More coming soon....
One of the things I think students in high school need to remember is that it's the perfect place to practice many things during 4 years that will have such a profound affect on the rest of your life. The thought above should get you thinking about the fact that you are in total control of your attitude. High school is the practice grounds for getting your attitude together to think correctly and that goes hand in hand for your motivation along with your ability. More coming soon....
These Words are for everyone!
January 28, 2013
A great set of lessons for not just teens, but for everyone. If you take these words to heart, please understand you will be in rare company. Most people need to follow these ideas and the ones that do, will be so far ahead of others. High school is the perfect time to start getting things into motion for your future. This message is something that I need to read over and over again for myself. Read it a few times for yourself and let me know what you think.
A great set of lessons for not just teens, but for everyone. If you take these words to heart, please understand you will be in rare company. Most people need to follow these ideas and the ones that do, will be so far ahead of others. High school is the perfect time to start getting things into motion for your future. This message is something that I need to read over and over again for myself. Read it a few times for yourself and let me know what you think.
School is always in session..... are you working on your "homework"?
November 2012
Eventhough it's almost half way through another school year and the last thing that most students want to be reminded about is more homework, it's always a good idea to work on this kind of homework.(besides, you are not like most students - you are better than most students.)
Your homework assignment is to ask yourself these questions: How can I get better? Are things going for me the way I want them to go? What are things that are holding me back from doing the things I want to do and accomplish? There will be a few more items here soon to get you thinking.
Your homework assignment is to ask yourself these questions: How can I get better? Are things going for me the way I want them to go? What are things that are holding me back from doing the things I want to do and accomplish? There will be a few more items here soon to get you thinking.