Maybe Next Year!

Watching the decline and fall of the Cleveland Cavs in the post-Lebron era has made me think about losing.  More than losing, I've been thinking about how one responds to losing.  Cleveland fans have waited longer than any other city with three major sports franchises to win a title. The last time a Cleveland professional sports team won a championship was in 1964 when the Cleveland Browns won the NFL Championship (pre-Super Bowl era). In fact, in 2004, ESPN named Cleveland the most tortured sports city in America.  However, the response of Lebron leaving has left fans reeling.  There's an old rule of thumb when it comes to business: "don't pay more attention to competition than your customers (fans)."  In my estimation, Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cavs, and the rest of the city really need to move on to focusing on what they have, not what they are missing or they'll miss the opportunity to teach the city of Cleveland and the rest of us some of the most important traits found in winners - perseverance AND optimism.

Being a Cubs fan from Chicago, I can relate to the torture-treatment experienced by Cavs fans.  However, despite our century-long-sports-slump in chi-town, at the end of each year we, Cubbie fans, still cheer - "Maybe Next Year!"  

"Maybe Next Year" is not a stale statement, mindlessly uttered by those who bleed blue.  "Maybe Next Year" is eternal optimism!  "Maybe Next Year" is loyalty.  "Maybe Next Year" is pride.  "Maybe Next Year" is love.  What I'm about to say may seem like blasphemy to most people, especially those who frequent baseball bleachers...Become more like a Cubs fan.

Optimism: Hope is one the most powerful forces on earth.  It's a core belief that energizes us with excitement and anticipation as we look forward to the future.

Loyalty: Out of a loyal heart will spring forth all virtues that make one of depth and growth.

Pride: Many mistake the word "pride" for lack of humility or being "puffed up".  But, the pride that is a sense of  one's own dignity and self-respect is sometimes the thing gets you back up again, and again after falling.   

Love: Show charity to those who play with you, and for you.

I now dub you honorary Cubs fans.  Go ye  and practice the "Maybe Next Year" motto.   

The Lone Ranger Creed

(Me as a 7-year-old Lone Ranger)

When I was a young boy, I would often 'play' the Lone Ranger.  As a city boy growing up on the south-side of Chicago, imagining being a Texas Ranger in the American Old West might as well have been fantasizing myself as a space cadet in one of the farthest galaxies imaginable.  There wasn't many people carrying 'unconcealed' six-shooters in side holsters, riding horseback, or wearing cowboy hats roaming the streets of Chicago, if you know what I mean...

Still, I loved the super-hero-like character of the Lone Ranger going about doing good, fighting injustice, and making the world a better place.   With all that we've seen in society lately with leaders in every sphere of influence (church, business, sports, education, politics, etc.) failing to live up to the standards worthy of being a role model, and even participating in lawlessness at times, I thought it was time for my old friend the Lone Ranger to show up on the scene once again.

In every incarnation of the character to date, the Lone Ranger has conducted himself by a strict moral code. This code was put in place by Fran Striker at the inception of the character. Actors Clayton Moore and Jay Silverheels, taking their positions as role models to children very seriously, also tried their best to live by this creed.

"I believe...

That to have a friend, a man must be one.

That all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world.

That God put the firewood there, but that every man must gather and light it himself.

In being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right.

That a man should make the most of what equipment he has.

That 'this government of the people, by the people, and for the people' shall live always.

That men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number.

That sooner or later...somewhere...somehow...we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken.

That all things change but truth, and that truth alone, lives on forever.

In my Creator, my country, my fellow man."


Perhaps we'll see some courageous, straight-shooting men (and women) like the Lone Ranger coming across the landscape again.  Perhaps those men and women will be you.

For fun: Check out some of the classic episodes I enjoyed as a kid!

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?

We all know the popular TV game show titled "Who Wants to be a Millionaire?", which offers a maximum prize of $1,000,000 (originally lump sum) for correctly answering 15 successive multiple-choice questions of increasing difficulty.  


Prior to syndication, the TV show originally offered three ways to answer a tough question:

• 50:50: The computer eliminated two incorrect answers, leaving only one incorrect answer and the correct answer. 
• Ask the Audience: This lifeline was earned upon answering the tenth question. The computer replaced, at the contestant's request, one question with another of the same monetary value. 
• Phone-A-Friend: (1999–2010): Contestant could call one of up to three prearranged friends, who all had to provide their phone numbers in advance. The contestant had 30 seconds to read the question and answer choices to the friend, who then had the remaining time to offer their input to the contestant.

In life we all need life lines.  Most of us take our chances using the 50:50 approach to solving tough issues or answering tough questions in our life.  We simply narrow the choices, guest based on our wisdom and hope for the best.  This approach ultimately causes the most headaches, costs us the most money, and wastes the most time.

We could ask the audience, which most of us do too.  It's been said that one thing that will determine the person you'll become are the friends you hang around.  The power of association is a powerful thing.  However, most us ask our "peers" some of life's most important questions, like how to raise kids, finances, relationships, etc.  Sadly, many of us listen to the opinions of people that are in our same situation or worse and we live with the results of their wisdom.  Group think can be a dangerous dynamic in your destiny. For example, I've heard stats that your annual income will be within $10,000 of your five closest friends.  People that make $40K/year typically hang with folks that make about $40K/year too.  Millionaires hang with millionaires, and so on...


I think the best life line is the phone-a-friend.  The caveot I must insert here is that fact that you must raise your level of friends to use this life line.  In this case, we'll call the phone-a-friend a mentor.  Mentor relationships are often romantized and theorized, but rarely realized. This life line takes practice and intentionality.  A mentor should be someone you can run after.  A mentor should be someone who has achieved and is modeling the life you desire.  It's been said, don't follow a leader who isn't being lead.  So, if you strive to be leader worth following, you must find someone to follow in life.  When we find people we can see have made it to the next ridge, just ahead in the horizon, we can climb up to them and eventually follow them to the top.


Find a friend and phone him, even daily if needed for a season.  Ask, think about what he or she says, and then follow their lead (repeat the process as needed).

Wear it

NBA Hall of Famer, Michael Jordan wore his North Carolina Tar Heels practice shorts under his NBA uniform his entire career.  Popular author/blogger, Seth Godin wears mixed matched socks.  Actor/Comedian, Jim Carrey wrote himself a check for $20 million and kept it in his wallet until he earned that amount for The Cable Guy in '96... The list goes on how successful people use rituals, and reminders to motivate and move them in the right direction.  I wear two rubber wristbands, one red one that says "Cherokee" and one blue one that says "4 E's".  The red wristband reminds me that I'd like to give the best opportunities to my family.  The blue wristband reminds me how I should treat people.  Most of us have the attention span of a teen in trigonometry class, so physical reminders are needed and at the very least, they're good conversation starters.

Wear it, work it, win it.



CAP

Why Are We Compelled To Pick Our Scabs?

The other night, as my wife an I discussed some of the deep truths, concepts and philosophies that have been pondered for thousands of years, the topic of scabs came up.  Why are we compelled to pick our scabs?  When someone injures themselves, God, in His intelligent design, developed a process where our open wounds could be cocooned in a burgundy, crustaceous Under Armour(R) while the healing process takes place.  If all works as planned, eventually the scab falls off and there's little-to-no sign of the old wound.  Here are a few thoughts on scabs and scab picking:

1.  You need insulation for proper healing - When wounded, it's best to be insulated, (not isolated).  Having an environment to heal is so important.  However, the tendency could be to isolate the wound and continue to focus on it - eventually the wound takes up our attention and we can help but pick at the wound -- essentially hurting ourselves in the process.

2.  Don't shortcut the healing process - Instead of allowing the process of healing to take place, if we're not careful, our tendency is to continue to the revisit the old wound tearing it open again and again and again - ultimately the wound never heals quit right and there's always a sign of your past wound that's very noticeable - even years later.

3.  Healing can be an ugly process sometimes - but if you allow the healing process to take place you typically find yourself fully restored to your original design.

So, like mom always says - "Don't pick your scab!"

Crews and Competing

People need to belong to a fellowship; people desire a battle.  
The problem is, if you don't figure out what your purpose is, 
you'll invent strange ways to belong to a crew and compete.  
I was walking on lunch the other day and I saw a very strange 
and sad scene: grown men taking their one hour of freedom 
during their work day trotting out to a field of grass behind 
their office building to play...kick ball. Yes, 20 and 40-somthing's
playing kickball - really!!?  


We live in a society that has a bunch of sick men and tired 
women. Men that are sick in their heart, and women that are 
tired of wearing the pants. It's no wonder we create weird things
for us to entertain ourselves with, and perhaps deaden the ache 
of regret. More women are working than ever before to pay for
their "man's" toys. More men are spending their hours being 
"gamers", playing video games, softball, joining church basketball 
leagues or simply watching other people compete on the tube 
instead of getting in a crew that will call them into a battle that 

is the most magnificent competition in which they canindulge in
- a cause that will bring out all that is best; something that removes 
all that is base.  


General George S. Patton once said, "All men are afraid in battle. 
The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty.  
Duty is the essence of manhood." I hope to seek out men of duty, 
connect with them and if I'm fortunate, they will join my crew and 
compete alongside me for the hearts and minds of men.

Things that will determine where you'll be in the future:

1. The people you hang with (your crew)

2. The books you read (your field guides)

3. The stuff you put in your brain through your ear (your attitude)

4. The vehicle you choose to go places (choose wisely)

The Wasabi Way

I have a food fetish for western style sushi.  Any chance to eat the Japanese cuisine, of hand-formed clumps of vinegar rice and assorted fish, I do.  Aside from soy sauce and ginger, my favorite sushi condiment is wasabi, a piquant paste made from the grated root of the wasabi japonica plant.  Wasabi is a neon green, fun, little play-doh-like substance. Wasabi is usually served in the tiniest of dollops.  However, as soon as you inject the neon green play-doh you're in for a shocking surprise!  Wasabi sends a five-alarm signal to your palette, especially you're nostrils!  The tiny green stuff packs a punch more potent than horseradish, and jalapenos combined.

We should be more like wasabi in life.  It's not about being big, bodacious, or loud.  It's about being audacious in substance.  When we enter a room, are added to a group, circumstance, or situation we should add noticeable pop, flavor, surprise and flavor to the mix.  And if we can clear out someones sinuses it's just a bonus.  

Find people that are like wasabi and get around them more.    

Don't put yourself in a choke hold

One of the best escapes from the prison of procrastination is to take even the smallest steps toward your goals. People usually procrastinate because of fear and lack of self-confidence and, ironically, become even more afraid when under the gun. There are many ways to experiment and test new ground without risking the whole ball game on one play. Experience has shown that when people go after one big goal at once, they invariably fail. If you had to swallow a 12-ounce steak all at once, you’d choke. You have to cut the steak into small pieces, eating one bite at a time. So it is with prioritizing. Proactive goal achievement means taking every project and cutting it up into bite-sized pieces. Each small task or requirement on the way to the ultimate goal becomes a mini-goal in itself. Using this method, the goal becomes manageable. When mini-mistakes are made, they are easy to correct. And with the achievement of each mini-goal, you receive reinforcement and motivation in the form of positive feedback. As basic as this sounds, much frustration and failure is caused when people try to “bite off more than they can chew” by taking on assignments with limited resources and impossible timeline expectations. Two major fears that sire procrastination are fear of the unknown and fear of rejection or looking foolish. A third fear—of success—is often overlooked. Many people, even many executives, fear success because it carries added responsibility that can seem too heavy to bear, such as setting an example of excellence that calls for additional effort and willingness to take risks. Success, without adequate self-esteem or the belief that it is deserved, also can create feelings of guilt and the result is only temporary or fleeting high achievement. Playing it safe can seem more tempting than a need to step forward with determination to do it now and do it right.

New Media, New Marketing, New Thinking Creates Mojo

Here's an old video of Seth Godin talking about "new thinking" that most network marketers could learn from - enjoy! What are you doing to keep up with the changes in the marketplace? Keep up, or be left behind.

The Road Ahead or the Road Behind

Here is a short poem written by George Moriarty. I watched a talk by John Wooden where he recited the poem from memory - very impressive for a gentleman his age. I loved it so much I found the written text for myself. I figured everyone else would love it too. Please enjoy and share it with others if you find it to be an “Idea Worth Sharing.” The Road Ahead or the Road Behind Sometimes I think the fates must grin as we denounce them and insist, The only reason we can’t win is the fates themselves have missed. Yet, there lives on the ancient claim – we win or lose within ourselves, The shining trophies on our shelves can never win tomorrow’s game. So you and I know deeper down there is a chance to win the crown, But when we fail to give our best, we simply haven’t met the test Of giving all and saving none until the game is really won. Of showing what is meant by grit, of fighting on when others quit, Of playing through not letting up, it’s bearing down that wins the cup. Of taking it and taking more until we gain the winning score, Of dreaming there’s a goal ahead, of hoping when our dreams are dead, Of praying when our hopes have fled. Yet, losing, not afraid to fall, If bravely we have given all, for who can ask more of a man than giving all within his span, it seems to me, is not so far from – Victory. And so the fates are seldom wrong, no matter how they twist and wind, It’s you and I who make our fates, we open up or close the gates, On the Road Ahead or the Road Behind. -George J. Moriarty CAP

Daydreamer

The Matrix 1: Neo "Ever have that feeling where you're not sure if you're awake or still dreaming?" Spent anytime dreaming lately? Daydreamers, those who dream with their eyes open, design their own destiny and help develop the dreams of those around them. Here are some things I've been thinking about lately - I hope my little acronym gives you some things to chew on -- it's a simple recipe to be a daydreamer. D is for Develop: Develop a dream. A is for Action: Act daily to move your dream forward. Y is for You: You are the only thing in your way. D is for Dare: Dare to dream while others don’t and you find yourself alone. R is for Relentless: Relentlessly pursue your dream, no matter what. E is for Excellence: Strive for excellence in all you do. A is for Abandon: Abandon any other alternative plans (No Plan B). M is for Measure: Constantly measure where you are on your dream journey. E is for Explore: Constantly explore you personal growth opportunities. R is for Realization: Realize small milestones along the path of achieving your dreams. CAP

fight

A mentor of mine, when speaking in front of thousands of people has read this quote that he was made to memorize while attending the Air Force Academy. At the time, he admits, he didn't really grasp the significance of this message. "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." John Stuart MillEnglish economist & philosopher (1806 - 1873) This quote isn't just about the fighting our brave men and women are doing overseas, it's about you and me. What are we willing to fight for? I have a few ideas, and I'm in a fighting mood.

Mission Statement

Mission Statements are everywhere. For example, here's Taco Bell's Mission Statement: "We take pride in making the best Mexican style fast food providing fast, friendly and accurate service. We are the employer of choice offering team members opportunities for growth, advancement, and rewarding careers in a fun, safe working environment. We are accountable for profitability in everything we do, providing our shareholders with value growth. " What about Starbucks (we call it Fourbucks, because you can't get out without spending $4): Establish Starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles as we grow.The following six guiding principles will help us measure the appropriateness of our decisions:Provide a great work environment and treat each other with respect and dignity.Embrace diversity as an essential component in the way we do business.Apply the highest standards of excellence to the purchasing, roasting and fresh delivery of our coffee.Develop enthusiastically satisfied customers all of the time.Contribute positively to our communities and our environment.Recognize that profitability is essential to our future success. Pretty boring stuff (no wonder people need so much caffeine to get going in the morning, and mid-afternoon). The only mission that really matters is something like: "My mission statement is to participate in the end of suffering." The greatest people/organizations in the world are taking up the mission to end suffering. A person will do anything to end suffering in their life. Consequently, if you dial into suffering in any arena and help to end it, you'll create a movement of people that want to participate. If I take it up a notch, my vision statement is to "destroy spiritual, relational, emotional, physical, and financial poverty worldwide." What's your vision? What are some ways you think I can accomplish my vision?

What's up with you?

The Hardest Person to Lead It doesn't take long to realize that leadership is hard. You should be able to conjure up the names of at least five people who make that a true statement. All kinds of things make leadership difficult, but certain people are one of those things. As the picture of those certain people comes to mind, take a minute to let that picture fade. Because of all the difficult people you will lead, the hardest person to lead will be yourself. Call it whatever you want-the discipline of a leader, self-leadership, managing yourself-you've got your work cut out for you. The journey of leadership is as much inward as it is outward. Leadership, done well, will continually be a force that drives you back into the center of yourself to find out what you are really made of. Great leadership occurs when you understand your own motives, your ‘dark side,' what you want to misrepresent in order to look better than you really are. One of the things I believe deeply is this: Leaders ought to be the most self-aware people in the room. Sure, who doesn't agree with that? Especially if I clarify that I am not talking about a narcissistic self-awareness. You know the kind: The people who know only two pronouns: I and me-no, not that kind of self-awareness. I'm talking about the kind of self-awareness that makes you comfortable in your own skin. You know who you are and who you aren't. You lean into and lead out of your strengths. You have words for your brokenness, and while you may wish you had none, you know that you do, and you know what they are. And you know that other people know. You wouldn't have it any other way. Taken from Unleashing the Power of Rubber Bands by Nancy Ortberg. Copyright © 2008 by Nancy Ortberg. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Give, Receive, and be the second chance

I fail a great deal. If I fail, it means I'm trying. Trying something! A mentor of mine once said, "If you try something, something will happen." Generally, I like something happening more than nothing happening. However, if I try, I generally fail. It's not a matter of if I'll fail, but when. One second I'm taking a chance, the next second I need a second chance. I'm a part of The People of the Second Chance, which is a community of individuals who advocate radical grace and second chances. We champion lost causes and think that a second chance is a human right.People of the Second chance have 3 core values: 1. People of the Second Chance are individuals who are fast to forgive. In a culture that believes in revenge and payback, we rebel with grace. 2. People of the Second Chance receive second chances in their own life. When we have experienced personal, professional, or relational failure, we refuse to be defined by our mistakes. We learn, we grow, and we have the courage to move on. 3. People of the Second Chance serve in places where people need second chances. We advocate for the vulnerable and fight for equality for the poor, the prisoner, and the voiceless.These three values can be simply summed up by:Give, Receive & Be the Second Chance.

Questions

I recently read a book titled, "How I Raised Myself From Failure to Success in Selling" and I was intrigued by a chapter about "questions". Instead of making so many positive statements, you should put your conversation in the form of questions the author added. The author of the book went on to describe how in one day he generated more sales then he had anticipated for the entire year! The epiphany of simply asking questions changed the entire trajectory of his sales career! It made me think about how the principle of asking questions is so important to direct selling too. If I were looking into a direct selling opportunity for the first time here are a few questions I would ask my potential sponsor: 1. Is the company you represent debt free? 2. Is the company privately or publicly held? 3. How long has the company been around? 4. Is the company registered with the BBB? 5. What % of company sales go back to the business owners in the comp. plan? 6. Does the company have a global footprint? 7. Is the company an innovator (how many patents, awards, etc. are they responsible for)? 8. Is the product line limited by a specific category? 9. Where do they rank in their category (are they a leader)? 10. How are they investing in the future? 11. How many products do they offer to sell? 12. What are their annual sales? 13. Do you use your own products? These a few questions I would ask. How about you?