Everyone Needs a Little Nic In Their Life

A few weeks ago, Deb and I drove to Harlan to honor a friend.

We spent four years in Harlan (2001-2005), and nights like that remind us how much those relationships still matter — and how deeply they still impact our lives today.

Nic Christensen spent 19 seasons on the Harlan boys basketball staff before retiring last year alongside Hall of Famer Mitch Osborn. But his influence reaches far beyond the bench.

Nic has lived with cerebral palsy since the age of two. Now 43, he has built a business, helped coach championship teams, drives his own van with hand controls, and has brought joy to countless people — including us. Last week, he added another title: Harlan Athletic Booster Club Hall of Famer.

After the games, we gathered and listened to stories. It became clear that Nic isn’t just respected — he’s deeply loved. His mom often says, “Everyone needs a little Nic in their life.” She’s right.

She shared a story I hadn’t heard before. After a frustrating day trying to get his driver’s license in Council Bluffs — a day that didn’t go as planned — Nic and his mom sat quietly on the side of the road. She finally asked, “Nic, if you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?”

She waited. Two long minutes.

Then Nic answered, “I can’t think of anything.”

I still tear up writing that as I hear him saying that in his own voice.

We could all use a little more Nic in our lives.
And we could all choose to be a little – or a lot – more like him. 

What’s Important Now

What’s Important Now?

The news that legendary coach Lou Holtz passed away this week prompted me to spend some time revisiting his life and leadership. If you ever watched him speak, you remember the energy. He was passionate, motivating, and deeply principled. His success on the football field was remarkable, but what may have been even more impressive was the way he lived by the values he taught.

One of the ideas Coach Holtz often shared was the acronym W.I.N. — “What’s Important Now?” He challenged his players to ask themselves that question at least 35 times a day.

Imagine what that would require from us.

Discipline – Staying committed to what truly matters.

Action – Seeing a need and stepping in to meet it.

Choice – If we make roughly 30,000 decisions each day, let at least 35 of them bring us back to what matters most.

Presence – Being fully in the moment we’re in.

It won’t always be easy. In fact, the best things rarely are. If it were easy, everyone would do it.

But think about the impact if we consistently ask ourselves: What’s important now?

For the people we love and the people we lead, that question could change everything.

His final speech.

Features his three simple rules.

1) Do what’s right.

2) Be the best you are capable of being.

3) Show people you care.

Thanks for the lessons Coach. 

All the way to the end.