Commitment to Personal Enhancement

On a daily basis I stress the importance of personal enhancement of others in their holistic experience and overall development through both my words and actions. Reflection has made it apparent that I am not placing a priority on my own personal enhancement. To be an effective leader and educator, I believe it is important to 'practice what you preach.' Therefore, I am committed to face the obstacles and create a change. 

I am committed to focusing on my own personal enhancement. at least one hour, four days per week. It should be dynamic; therefore, each day may be different. As I attempt to succeed at this goal, I will devote time to stress management and refocusing, education and reading, reflection, and special personal projects. My greatest challenge in succeeding is prioritizing my time. The second greatest challenge is making myself a priority. 

As I have practiced recently, I will reevaluate and redirect the goal to ensure it is attainable, realistic and beneficial. For example, I made public my goal to complete the fitness test by the start of the season. I have come to the realization that for many reasons it's not realistic or attainable. I will not succeed. I have reevaluated and determined the most realistic option and best choice for attainability is to attempt completing the fitness test by the end of the soccer season/fall semester. 

In order to live the good life, I must always be making an effort to better myself. In bettering myself, I must be reevaluating how to improve different aspects of my life. As I travel down life's path, it is also essential that I am comfortable and confident in my ability to assess and reevaluate my goals, objectives, mission, etc. Knowing your limits and how to adjust to maximize success are powerful tools.

Single Words. Impactful Actions.

Respect. Love. Faith. 

All single words. All impactful actions. Each immensely powerful and integrated into every aspect of my life. 

Respect. It is valuing the beliefs, opinions and actions of yourself and others. Words alone do not define respect. It must be demonstrated through the value you place on those relationships through your actions. It is earned and shared. It is unconditional. 

Love. It is having a deep sense of caring and concern for others regardless of their faults and imperfections. To love others, you must first love yourself. No love is identical; it exists on many levels. Like respect, words alone cannot define love. It must be demonstrated through your actions. It is unconditional. 

Faith. It is having belief and hope in all moments -- good, bad or indifferent. Actions whether demonstrated through personal reflection, expressed words or physical display represent our confidence and trust. Undefined by words only, faith too is unconditional. 

Respect is the foundation of love and faith. Love is built on the pillars of respect and faith. Faith is core to respect and love. 

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE?

In a whirlwind weekend, I was blessed to be influenced by two very important dialogs. The first, a discussion through the late hours of the night and early hours of the morning regarding the foundational beliefs influencing the expectations in life and goals of the future. The second, a mass lead by the priest at the Havre parish at the baptism of my nephew, who is now officially my godson. 

My life is lived with a focus on relationships. Many of these relationships are dependent on trust and open, honest dialog. The most impactful and meaningful dialog sometimes requires that I listen and respond only in personal reflection. Without an intertwined web of respect, love and faith I would be unable to live the good life impacted by these relationships as I follow my life's path. 

Believe in Yourself

It often takes a powerful message, whether direct or indirect, from someone we cross paths with to remind us of the importance of believing in yourself. If you don't believe in yourself, how can you expect to overcome challenges, meet goals and experience success? Others can believe in you with all their might and provide immense support. However, if you do not believe in yourself, all the support in the world is not going to help you cross a finish line.

One person was told she would never run again. Never walk again. Never stand. Never feel sensation in their legs. She chose to believe in herself. She stood. She walked. The road to recovery is long. The methods non-traditional. But, she continues to believe, so she will continue to succeed.

At birth it was said one person would never crawl. Never walk. Never run. Never speak. Never learn. He knew no better. He believed he could achieve any goal he dreamed. His "family" supported him in all he did. The community supported him in all he did. He won races at the Special Olympics. Everyone is his friend and he knows all his schoolmates names, just like they know his. He won a wrestling match in middle school. He joined the track team and placed as top competitor in track events at the high school meet. He played football his senior year. He learned a play and scored a touchdown. He lead his class in turning their tassels at graduation. He has been appointed as the 'super senior' responsible for teaching the seniors how to be the best leaders they can be. He continues to believe, so he will continue to succeed.
One person was told he would never return to the game. Never overcome the injury. Never have complete mobility. He chose to believe in himself. He regained full mobility. He overcame the injury. He came back strong. He returned to the game. He made many people's unrealistic dream a reality for himself. He made it to the next level. He continues to believe, so he will continue to succeed.
People were told they would never graduate high school. Never attend college. Never find success. Never amount to anything. They chose to believe in themselves. They went the road alone at many points, with no support from the most influential people in their lives. The power of belief lead them down a life-changing path. They graduated high school. They attended college. They earned a scholarship. They graduated college. They found success by creating opportunity and options for themselves. Some entered the work force in a 'dream job' that required college education. Some attended graduate school or law school or medical school. These people continue to believe, so they will continue to succeed. 
Believe in yourself. 

"People become really remarkable when they start thinking they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success." ~Norman Vincent Peale 

"Your belief determines your action and your action determines your results, but first you have to believe." ~Mark Victor Hansen 

"Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, remember, you can achieve." ~Mary Kay Ash 

"Keep your dreams alive. Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe." ~ Gail Devers

Be an Example. Be a Leader.

There are countless individuals who provide leadership by example. A few examples of these leaders within the sport industry are highlighted below. These leaders are inspirations who are living their definition of a good life.

Lead by Example, Live Right: Pat Summitt

At the 2012 ESPYs Pat Summitt was recognized as the Arthur Ashe Award recipient. ESPN created a tribute video to look back at the career and life of the legendary coach. Through her leadership by example, she has become one of the most inspirational and impactful coaches to influence the game and college athletics. 

"If I'm not leading by example, I'm not living right. And I want to live right." ~Pat Summitt

In the NCAA's press release in December 2011 announcing Summitt's recognition as the Gerald R. Ford Award recipient, they included the below quote which exemplifies her 

philosophy and commitment to developing successful student-athletes and young women.

"First and foremost, I have a responsibility to make sure our players know they are students first and athletes second. They are here to earn a degree and prepare for life after basketball. I love teaching both the game and the life skills accompanying it. I have always said that the gym is my classroom." ~ Pat Summitt

Among all her countless accolades, there is one statistic that stands out most. In 38 years of coaching, Summitt has graduated EVERY one of the student-athletes that has completed their eligibility as a member of her program. 

"I will rise from this chair...": Eric LeGrand
One tackle changed Eric LeGrand's life forever. In 2010 he entered the field in his Rutgers uniform alongside his teammates in their game against Army. He left the field in an ambulance. One kick-off changed his life forever. One tackle changed his life forever. Through the adversity and devastating reality that he faced paralysis due to a spinal cord injury, he has been a leader. 

"Don't give up. Don't ever give up." ~Jimmy Valvano

LeGrand, the 2012 Jimmy V Perseverance Award winner, has exemplified Jimmy V's message. He has never given up. He has continued to provide leadership and support to his teammates, friends and supporters. He has persevered with a positive attitude. He has demonstrated impeccable character. He has made serving and positively impacting others a priority. He has continued to follow his dreams, set goals and strive to achieve success. Through it all he also hasn't lost sight of life off of the football field at Rutgers. Although he has not earned a degree yet, he continues his academic pursuits and has an end goal and graduation date in sight. 

Leadership by example provided LeGrand an opportunity to achieve his dream that would have otherwise been taken away after his final tackle. His leadership led to LeGrand signing an honorary contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this spring.


Walk the Walk: Greg Schiano
As the Buccaneers coach, Greg Schiano's recent decision to sign LeGrand to an honorary contract demonstrated to the team, fans and nation that he's not all talk. He will not only 'talk the talk,' he will 'walk the walk.' Schiano is changing a culture and committed to leadership. He is defining the "Buccaneer Way" with expectations of his team  to exemplify and value character, accountability and family. Signing LeGrand who leads the "Buccaneer Way" demonstrated Schiano's leadership. He lead by example. He walked the walk. 

"The way he lives his life epitomizes what we are looking for in Buccaneer Men." ~Greg Schiano

Resources & Links to More Information About These Leaders
1. To view the ESPYs tribute video visit: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8158231.
2. To view the complete release for the Gerald R. Ford Award visit: http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/ncaa/resources/latest+news/2011/december/ncaa+to+honor+pat+summitt.
3. To view the complete release for the Jimmy V Perseverance Award and LeGrand's acceptance speech visit: http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2012/7/11/3154042/eric-legrand-espys-speech-video.
4. To view ESPN video on LeGrand's injury and recovery visit: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=8158220. 
4. To view complete release on Schiano signing LeGrand visit: http://whatthebuc.net/2012/05/02/greg-schiano-signs-eric-legrand-a-leader-worth-following/. 

Roadmap to Happiness

In a constant search for happiness our life's GPS is constantly 'recalculating' with each unexpected turn and construction detour. The roadmap to my happiness seems to have an unknown destination with daily route changes, detours and speed bumps.
At some points I desperately want nothing more than vacation to go 'home' to find my happiness. Once I'm 'home,' I all too quickly realize and am reminded my definition and locale of 'home' has changed as I've journeyed down life's path.
My happiness ideals are clearly targeted on the roadmap I've idealized for myself. However, I am all too frequently coming to the realization that I'm trying to force a happiness that is not 'right' or is at least not meant to be right now.
Two things remain unchanged as I reflect and accept the altered and evolving definition of my happiness... serving others and unconditional love. Both have no 'clock in' and 'clock out' time. As I try to create the best roadmap to my happiness, I am continuously, critically evaluating what I have to share and what I have to learn.