Handling the "Curve" The path followed to personal or team achievement is never a smooth, straight line. It has numerous curves, stops, re-starts, and double-backs. We know for a fact that a Champion never takes the short-cut....and we also know that a Champion is going to have to handle the "curve-ball" they never saw coming. And really, it isn't about responding to the unexpected with physical brilliance, but rather it is about keeping an attitudinal balance when th

Execution vs. Preparation It is a timeless intellectual exercise - to try and understand which is more important: the development of a sound game plan, or the execution of that plan. To construct a strategy without the fundamental execution is nothing more than a "monument" to intelligence. To simply rely on execution without a purpose is a feckless exercise in physical or intellectual capabilities. But to combine process with a push for "perfection".....That is optima

I would like to believe that success can be found simply by convincing one's self that they are truly capable of doing all that they put their mind to. But the fact of the matter is that greatness is just as often attained by us shutting down the intellectual mechanism that constantly reminds us of all we CAN'T do.

The choices we often must make to begin and maintain the pursuit of Excellence are going to be difficult. The right path is more times than not the "hard" path. But it is considered "hard" because it is forcing us to significantly alter the life we now exist within. Hanging on to those things that provide us little, if any, platform for Achievement to occur - just because they are "comfortable" - is a pointless undertaking. The pain of today is fleeting when compared to

Stephen Covey once wrote: "There is no wealth, without work." It is critical for us in the pursuit of Excellence for us to remember that there are absolutely NO SHORTCUTS to success. We might find a method or a manner that is easier for us to navigate through, but it never overrides the essential path and process demanded of a Champion. And after all is considered....it is the arduous trek we take that makes the "victory lap" that much sweeter.

Very little is ever accomplished in life if you don't believe that it is possible for greatness to be realized and a " Champion " to be crowned. This realization is the driving force in what we do.... What we think.... What we say.... How we respond to the challenges along the way. Ask yourself as to whether or not you believe the day ahead is one with the glass half-full and the sky partly-sunny. If you do on both counts, then you have the distinct possibility of having a

There are very few actions we take in life that have as small a rate of return for us as worrying about what others think about who we are or what we do. People are going to believe what they want to believe. And certainly, we can put in the effort to show them that maybe we aren't the type of individual they believe we are. But for us to literally "waste time" fretting over the intellectual or emotional machinations of people - many of whom we have never, or will EVER mee

We have a tendency to waste a great deal of time and energy considering the mistakes and errors we have made and contemplate what might have been: "If only I had done this." While it is certainly fair for us to assess the path we have taken - rightly or wrongly - we can't dwell on the "what if's"....all the while forgetting the opportunity found in the "next times". Life is never about the pursuit of perfection....but rather to "perfect our will" to see the GAIN we learn

It is difficult at times to envision the possibilities that lie before us. When confronted with relentless challenges and problems we have a tendency to believe that pain is to be our life's calling. Yet through the darkness and the chaos, we MUST take hold of the reality that we are destined for greatness - it may not be the greatness that we have envisioned for ourselves, but it is a form of greatness that is defined in a manner that is powerful for all. We don't always

I have witnessed many an individual's perspective on achievement be derailed simply by their attitude. The negative, bored, detached person gets exactly those kinds of daily results in return. Positivity never actually WON the moment....but it sure offered us all an opportunity. Enthusiasm never actually DEFEATED the opponent....but it sure did make the task at hand look possible. Energy never actually OVERCAME the challenges....but it sure offered a light of hope for oth

Hope is the greatest attribute we can ever hold in our mind. As soon as the will to proceed is gone, or the faith in your cause ceases, you are now held hostage by darkness. And as much as someone can try to buoy your spirit and cheer you moving forward, they can only hold the door open for you..... YOU have to walk through that entryway towards your date with destiny.

No one finds excellence by accident. It is the by-product of careful examination .... Thoughtful planning .... Tireless commitment .... Relentless effort .... And an unwavering belief in your abilities and your calling.