Leading Narratives

Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling five balls in the air. You name them - work, family, health, friends, and spirit - and you're keeping all of these in the air. You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls - family, health, friends, and spirit are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged, or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life. —Brian Dyson, CEO of Coca Cola So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning —Morrie Schwartz,

In the best selling book The Four Agreements Don Miguel Ruiz gives four principles to practice. Adopting and committing to these agreements is simple. Actually living and keeping these Four Agreements can  be one of the hardest things  you will ever do. It can also be one of the most life changing things you will ever do. 1. Be Impeccable with your Word:  Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the Word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love. 2. Don’t Take Anything Personally.  Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering. 3. Don’t Make Assumptions.  Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama.

Championships are won by uncommon people because they are willing to do the things a common person won’t do. A common person is basically lazy and frightful. Uncommon people are not afraid and the greater the challenge; the greater their determination becomes. Championships are won while the stands are still empty. The ones who want to achieve and win championships motivate themselves. —Mike Ditka After all the cheers have died down and the stadium is empty... after you are back in the quiet of your room... and after all the pomp and fanfare have faded, the enduring thing that is left is the dedication to doing with our lives the very best we can to make the world a better place in which to live.—Vince Lombardi Champions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them: a desire, a dream, a vision.—Muhammad Ali Being perfect is not about that scoreboard out there. It's not about winning. It's about you and you

Your program's culture must be full of routines. You are your own habits! At the beginning of the year your team is more ready if you work on "The Whole." At the end of the year your team improves more if you work on "The Past; The Details." Teach and preach but don't overdo either. You don't put guys on the bench. You put guys in the game who deserve to play. You can't train a horse with shouts and expect it to obey a whisper. The coach who thinks his coaching is more important than talent is an idiot. You cannot win without good talent but you can lose with talent. That is where coaching can make the difference. A great coach has the knack for making players think they are better than they really are. The Coaching & Leadership Journal  Written specifically for busy leaders, the Coaching and Leadership Journal gives you the latest strategies in a concise, quick-read format . Published Monthly $149  Learn M

Guide me as I try to coach this team; to build each player’s character and boost their self-esteem. May I keep an even temper and remember it’s just a game. Let me find what motivates each player and work to make everyone feel important. Grant me patience with them as I praise them or correct, remembering that I must work to earn each one’s respect. Whether we may win or lose may all who are watching see the kind of coach at every game that you would have me be. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paperback 6 x 9; 124 pages $24.95 Instant Download $19.95