Blog
Read Blog Posts by Category:
Passion: Articles that deal with the inner drive that we all need to want to MOVE from where we currently are to where we dream to be.
Preparation: These posts reference articles, books, documentaries, speakers, quotes, and other inspirational and formative ideas that I have found that helped me and the people around me.
Practice: Articles in this category have a heavy sports and performance training lean.
Performance: These articles focus on how you go about your work. From networking to communications to finding a better way to do what you do.
Perseverance: Articles in this category speak to the mechanics that we go through both mentally and physically to stay on track and not get STUCK.
Get To Work … NOW!
Stop procrastinating. Get to work … NOW! I mean it, not later, not tomorrow, not eventually. Stop procrastinating NOW!
Procrastination happens to all of us. It is always hiding in the shadows of our ambitions and dreams. We all know that feeling: the sinking realization that another deadline is looming. Yet, we find ourselves scrolling through social media or binge-watching another series instead of tackling our to-do list. But what if I told you that overcoming procrastination is not just about discipline? It’s a journey, an adventure waiting to happen.
Embracing the Grind: Hard Times Equal Great Lessons
How many of you have been in a position that seemed like there would be no end to the trials and tribulations, so much so that you felt that you just needed to get up and walk out?
I think we all have been there.
But how many of you hung on one more day, and then one more day, and another and another until the hate became a passion?
In life, we often find ourselves wading through some hard times. Whether personal challenges, professional struggles, or challenges out of our control, the phrase “things will get worse before they get better” resonates deeply. It’s a hard truth that we all wrestle with at one time or another. What we learn through the grind is that what we are going through will one day allow us to face any adversity with resilience and hope.
It’s That Time Again: NFL Preseason
As a fan, I must confess that the NFL preseason is not my favorite part of the football season. In fact, I've been on the sidelines as a coach, and I can tell you that it's not a phase I particularly enjoyed.
While I may not enjoy it, I recognize that the NFL preseason was once a crucial phase. It used to be a time when players would have had to step up and play at full speed against other teams, a process that determines who is genuinely 'NFL ready.'
Preseason has always been one of the most challenging aspects for some players: the transition from practice to game situations. It's a learning process where a confused player can easily seek guidance in a practice setting. But in a game, a quarterback or a lineman must make split-second decisions on their own.
Find Your Niche
Finding your niche can be a never-ending adventure, but no matter what field you lean into, it is imperative to find your “sweet spot.” Whether you are a young entrepreneur, an artist, or someone looking to discover your place in the world, figuring out your niche is the key to leaving your mark.
Becoming the Smartest Person in the Room
David Weinberger's quote, “The smartest person in the room is the room,” is both right and wrong, depending on the chair you are sitting in.
If you sit in the chair or a CEO or the Head Coach, Weinberger might be right.
But if you are one of the people seated in that room, you are paid to be the smartest in your area. Then Weinberger is dead wrong.
Your job is to be the smartest person in your field and share insight and knowledge from your area of expertise. The room will never know more than you in your area of expertise. Though some think they know more, they only know what they read in an article or heard at a convention, which has no foundation or context for the discussions in your meeting room.
Don’t Be Afraid to Compete
In a world that often preaches the importance of collaboration and teamwork, the idea of competition can sometimes be seen as divisive or even detrimental. However, I believe that competition is essential to personal growth and development.
Suck It Up, Buttercup
When I played football, my mom had only one coaching point: “If you get hurt, don’t lie on the ground; get up and run off the field.” My father often told us, “You need to stop crying, or I’ll give you something to really cry about.” Our family dictionary didn’t have the word "Sympathy” in it. We weren’t abused in any way; we were just taught that we should push through the little things that life throws at us.
We were raised to be tough.
Toughness is often associated with physical strength, but true toughness goes beyond the surface. It's about resilience, perseverance, and the ability to overcome challenges. The earlier in life we are taught this, the better.
Dualism: Committed vs Involved
We often encounter situations where we can be committed or involved. While these terms may seem similar at first glance, a subtle yet significant difference between them can greatly impact our overall success. Let's delve into the differences between commitment and involvement to understand better how they can change the course of your career and your life.
Success: Focus on the Right, Not on the Easy
In a world where instant gratification and shortcuts are often glorified, it can be tempting to choose the easy path. However, I have seen true success and fulfillment come from focusing on what is right, not what is easy. This mindset shift requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to embrace the challenges that life throws at us.
Three Internal Battles That Shape Our Lives
We all face our own set of unique challenges and struggles during our lives.
From our first breath, we're thrust into a battle for survival. This fight continues, evolving as we do, until our last breath. Some of these battles are colossal, their end never in sight. Though they may seem significant at the time, others fade into insignificance over time.
All of these battles do one very important thing: they shape who we become.
How To Become an Elite Communicator: Part II: Speaking
Every day, you encounter situations in which communicating the right message in the right way is vital. It may be as simple as making sure someone is picking up food for dinner that night or as important as giving life-saving information to a person over the phone.
The key is to communicate well in every situation. Here are three ideas for becoming an Elite Communicator.
How To Become an Elite Communicator: Part I: Listening
Listening is often overlooked in a world filled with constant noise and distractions. We live in a society that values speaking and being heard, but what about the importance of genuinely listening? We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason – to listen twice as much as we speak.
Stacking Your Professional Deck
Like always, I transposed the topic of poker to having a successful life. In life, like in poker, the way the cards come out is random. In magic, you use a sleight of hand to manipulate the deck to get what you want. To control your success, you must control the factors that allow you to have all the success you want when you want it.
From Stuck to Significance
Young and old alike began to realize that life was not working out like they had imagined. They were quickly moving from stuck to stagnation. Stuck is when there is little movement. Stagnation occurs when all movement stops, and you begin to accept your plight.
Think Like a Champion
I spoke about how to train your mind to overcome the setbacks that come with baseball and life. While speaking to the baseball players, I was looking at the parents because the techniques I teach can be used between the lines and in life.
Think Differently
Today, I see people getting caught up in THOUGHT BOXES. A THOUGHT BOX is where one becomes so stuck in one way of thought that they can’t think differently. Because of their education, they have been taught by people who have never been “in the field” to see if what they are teaching actually stands up to real-life situations.
Building Your Team
During my coaching tenure, I devised a strategy to ensure I always had a diverse and talented group of coaches and advisors around me. The key to success is not just surrounding yourself with the best but also with those who bring unique perspectives and skills. It's about having the confidence to attract individuals who are smarter than you in specific areas.
Climbing Your Professional Mountain
Climbing your professional mountain is a journey that requires dedication, hard work, and strategic planning. In today's competitive business world, it's essential to have a roadmap to help you reach your career goals faster.
Embrace the Struggle
The table was set for a pity party. What a great way to start a Monday.
I looked around at the other gym occupants … and you know what? Nobody had noticed. They were doing their thing, living their own struggles.
That’s life. Nobody knows the struggles that you go through. And … spoiler alert … nobody really cares.
How did I deal with my struggle? I took a deep breath. And laughed at myself.
I had two choices. Let this ruin my day or attack the problem. I chose the latter.
Finding Your Space
I believe your environment is a huge part of finding your creativity.
When I am outdoors, my mind is open, and nothing is impossible. Of course, this has grown out of thirty-five years in coaching. Every time I could take my athletes outside to work, we were outside.
Because of this “space” that I had created, I could always think and see the possibilities that could happen. For some reason, I felt muted when I was in my office. I started to carry small notebooks in my pockets to write down the things that came to me while watching one of our workouts or practice.