When I walked into the Walnut Community School in August of 1985 I started a journey that has been exciting, steady, frustrating and challenging yet as fulfilling as any job could be.

One of the best decisions I made was to teach and coach.  I have been blessed and count those blessings as my 37th and final year winds down. 

I hope you are lucky enough to be lucky enough too.  Lucky enough to feel a sense of fulfillment in the work that you do.

No matter what you do to make a living I would challenge you to see it as a blessing. Seeing it through a positive lens is a choice. 

The work that you do has a purpose and is an opportunity to make a difference. If you believe that it is an opportunity then you will also believe that it is worth doing well and worth working hard at.

If you believe that then you will gain the satisfaction and the best prize that life has to offer.  A chance to work hard at work worth doing. 

At the end of your time doing this work part of your legacy will be how you did your work.  Take advantage of your chance and your opportunity.  Do it well.

I’m cheering for you.

#leadership #motivation #coaching
#bebetter #beblessed

Today’s thought is inspired after hearing Superintendent, speaker and author Joe  Sanfelippo speak about this phrase last week.  (He is a great follow on social media if you don’t already).
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What is it that you do for a living? 
How about your hobbies? 

Could the people that you come in contact with be influenced by you through one or both of those things?

The answer is obviously yes but so much of our influence is determined by how we see what we do.

Here is what I mean. You can apply this to whatever it is that you do.

I am “not just” an activities administrator.
–I am an activities administrator who can make a difference just like the mentors who helped and inspired me along the way.

I am “not just” a writer.
–I am a writer who writes to inspire at least one person per day just like the writers who inspire me daily.

The point is that you are “not just” anything.   When you use the term not just you sell yourself short of the impact and influence that you and what you do can have on the world you are in.

Instead of “not just” think about how you can be “just like” those that have inspired, or do inspire, you to be better.

You do what you do to thrive, not just survive.

You are who you are with unique talents, gifts and a purpose, not just a random thinking collection of bones.

You are where you are to make an impact, not just wander aimlessly through it.

You are unique, you are special and you are good enough.

You are “not just” anything.

Live out who you are with purpose and to make a difference as only you can.

I’m cheering for you.

#leadership #motivation #coaching
#bebetter #beblessed

In the movie American Gangster the character that Denzel Washington plays made the statement “the loudest one in the room is the weakest one in the room.”

In several of the schools where I worked part of my duties was to supervise the cafeteria during lunch.  I saw that statement play out time and time again.

Adults display the same behavior though too.  Some can be loud while others live life with a quiet confidence.  You can think of several right now on both sides.

How do you display a confident attitude? Realize that your talents and your abilities are yours and yours alone and you can use them to make a difference in the world you live in.  In fact, I would argue that the world you live in needs you to use your talents and gifts to make it a better place.

Be your own cheerleader.  You don’t need to rely on validation from others.  You can trust your talents and when you trust your talents more opportunities will present themselves to you as well.

Be confident and let your actions, talents and gifts speak for themselves.

I’m cheering for you.

#leadership #motivation #coaching
#bebetter #beblessed

Our attitude not only has an impact on how we see and approach our day but it also has an impact on our leadership and the interactions we have with those we are leading and even those that we may be meeting for the first time and developing relationships with. Every interaction. Every relationship.

Everyone can have a bad day or a bad situation. These are temporary. A negative attitude is usually a state of mind and a choice.

So, what is your reaction to the bad day or situation? Do you choose to dwell there or do you choose to look for a way to turn it around and make it a productive and positive experience.

Be a leader and person that sees a way through the day to day trials to live and lead with optimism and positivity.

It’s your choice and it’s one of the most important choices you will make today.

Be Positive!

I’m cheering for you.

#leadership #motivation #coaching #bebetter #beblessed

Have you ever a person who seems to always have the answers?  Let me rephrase that statement to this.  Have you ever met a person who thinks they always have the correct and possibly only right answer?  Yes, me too. 

The next question is do these people act on what they say or do they just talk a big game?  Here’s the deal though. We’re not responsible for them and what they say or don’t do. We are ultimately only responsible for our words and actions.

To truly be an effective leader we must be willing and make sure that our leadership is more than words and there are actions attached to our leadership.

Become intentional with the doing.  Apply what you know and above all do. 

I’m cheering for you.

#leadership #motivation #coaching
#bebetter #beblessed