Archive for the ‘Personal Development’ Category

Lessons on Timing & Integrity

Thursday, July 30th, 2009

Judy and I were at Creekwood Golf Course giving it our best shot at filming a Public Service Announcement (PSA) for Youth4Youth and Tickets Fore CharityTM promotion for television. This pair of wanna be producers discovered the realities of filming as wind, too much sun, jets landing every 60 seconds and golfers coming through the 14th green made for a frustrating attempt at filming for a second day. So we jumped in the golf cart and headed for the clubhouse stopping to watch a group of four gentlemen on the 18th tee.  One of the men, Bill Bowers, asked what we were filming and I told him about the PSA for Tickets Fore CharityTMand we were trying to do it ourselves because we didn’t have a budget for it. Bill said, “Hold on a minute I want to talk with you.” He walked over and placed his ball on the tee, looked back at his friends and said, “This is a shot you will tell your grandkids about.” And it was. If only I could have one drive off a tee that perfect it would probably satisfy me for a lifetime. He walks back and gives me his card and says, “I can help you.” Later, when we looked at the video footage, Judy and I looked at each other, smiled and said, “We need help.”  Four days later I was visiting six area TV stations dropping off professional PSA tapes formatted for television thanks to Bill Bowers.

Lesson One - Timing

For Judy and I to have that conversation on the 18th tee at Creekwood Golf Course, failure had to take place, in that the previous day, wind and too much sun gave us unusable video. The next day provided much of the same; wind, sun, jets and golfers passing through causing poor taping conditions. When Bill handed me his card, I immediately knew why we came back to film at the time of day we did and why we continued to try despite the conditions. It was a matter of timing. Had we never pulled up to the 18th tee at that moment in time we would have never met and had that conversation with Bill Bowers. I have become accustom to things happening this way if - I remain open to them and we each have this same opportunity each day.

So I have to ask myself, how often am I in such a hurry that I miss an opportunity?

Let’s blow this out a bit bigger. How often are you in a hurry and so you rush right on by opportunity? How often do we become impatient, frustrated and then become closed off to the many opportunities that present themselves? Slowing down, remaining open and looking for opportunity in the midst of what we perceive as failure will pay big benefits.

 Lesson Two - Integrity

 I learned Bill Bowers is a person of integrity. He said he could help and he did. I am finding this a rare quality in people today. When you say what you will do, then do what you say…that’s integrity! No contracts, no fine print, just Bill’s word. Thank you Bill!

 Special Thanks:

 Bob Kasarda and the team at  Gemini Video Productions whose studio recorded, edited and produced the PSA for Youth4Youth. If you need video or advertising work done I suggest you contact them. If you need a voiceover - Bill Bowers is the guy.

 Dale Sandvick owner of Creekwood Golf Course in Columbia Station, Ohio, whose hospitality and full course access for filming was over the top.

TICKETS Fore CHARITYTM  program for the Bridgestone Invitational, at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, ends August 3. You MUST purchase your Good Any One Day Gallery Ticket online at the TICKETS Fore CHARITYTM weblink. When you do, the PGA will donate 100% of your net ticket purchase price to charity. For information and to order go to: http://www.youth4youth.org/ticketsforecharity

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Posted in Character, Charity, Golf, Inspiration, Law of Attraction, Lifeskills, Motivation, Personal Development, Self Development, Self Esteem, Uncategorized, Youth Programs, success, youth | No Comments »

Leadership Tip 17: Invest Attention Units Wisely

Thursday, February 5th, 2009

On any given day there are countless people and activities trying to get our time and attention. We are bombarded by information from cell phones, text messaging, television, I-pods, emails and more. All are constantly seeking to capture their share of our attention units. Let’s add this into the daily mix of your mental “to do” list; school, friends, extracurricular school activities, studying and a job. All of a sudden you are on overload. Sound familiar?

 Oops, I almost forgot…what about all those things you haven’t finished. We call those “incompletes.” You know, that person you said you’d call or text right back and you’ve forgotten. Or school projects you have to finish or have put-off due to lack of time or urgency. These things add up by consuming all your attention units, daily.

Imagine if you were able to focus most of your attention units on your dreams and direction in life! You had the habit of not getting distracted by the drama of life. You had “confidence in” rather than “worry about” the future or the past and you had such an exciting day today that you can hardly wait until tomorrow. Creating the habit of investing your Attention Units wisely will help make those dreams come true, quicker and easier.

 Let’s start with the basics: An attention unit is your ability to remember and keep information in the forefront of your mind. Think of it as the storage capacity of a computer data stick. You only have the capacity to hold so much “stuff,” so a lot of important information gets lost or misplaced. The results are forgotten assignments, missed deadlines, broken promises and agreements, feelings of frustration, guilt, self-doubt and “if only I would have.”

 The Facts:

1.      There are only 24-hours in a day. (This will never change - don’t invest time wishing it were different.)

 2.      Attention Units - we only have so many. The idea here is to free up as many as possible each day to allow you to reach you maximum potential on any given day. (i.e. the more I get done in my 24 hours)

 So what’s the answer? Develop habit patterns that work to support your success. In this case the same old same old is a great thing. Make it work to your advantage as you develop habits that will make your success inevitable.

Being organized is the most effective habit to begin with. In starting, place your attention units here.

 Here are some quick tips that will help you stay focused, do more and be more.

 1. Develop systems to keep organized.

A system is a habit of always doing the same thing the same way. Always put your books in the same place. Always put your homework in the same place. Here are a few other areas to develop habits to stay organized: locker, sports bag, book bag, desk, bedroom, study area, laundry and dirty clothes, dresser and the inside of your car.

 2. Plan tomorrow the night before.

Know what you are going to wear the night before. Know what you have to do tomorrow. What commitments do you have? Review tomorrow in your mind just before you fall asleep and see yourself being successful in everything you do.

 3.      Develop the habit of using a daily planner.

Most schools now have Agendas for each student. Learn to use this great tool. Learning to use this tool effectively frees up so many attention units that it’s unreal.

 4.      Develop the habit of writing down assignments and always taking notes.

Add commitments you make to others and yourself. Always know where your agenda is and keep it with you most of the time.

  Speed Tips For Getting Started and Successful Results:

First, do a major cleaning of your world - locker, sports bag, bedroom, study area, laundry and dirty clothes, dresser and the inside of your car.

 Create a daily checklist to make these habits a part of your life. Before long you will notice your attention units are now focused on your dreams and direction in life. Remember, it takes 30 consecutive days of doing something before it becomes a part of your unconscious habit pattern. (The key word here is consecutive.)

 Oh, I almost forgot! Rumors and gossip, worrying and putting things off - are all wasted attention units that hold you back in life. I know, no one’s perfect and some days we all get distracted by the drama of life. Make a commitment to yourself to not get distracted too long!

 If you have a question or comment email: AttentionUnits@youth4youth.org

PS. The world rewards action! What is one action step you will take right now?       © 2008 Larry Tracey All Rights Reserved

Larry Tracey is founder of Youth4Youth, an author, keynote speaker and trainer who teaches success and leadership life skills. Members of Youth4Youth believe each student has the potential to be successful and work to create environments in which all students are given the opportunity to discover and begin development of their potential. Contact Larry Tracey by email: success@youth4youth.org 

 

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Posted in Coaching, Education, Leadership, Lifeskills, Parenting, Personal Development, Self Development, Self Growth, Self-esteem, Uncategorized, success, teen, youth | No Comments »

Basketball and Life Skills

Monday, January 26th, 2009

Head coach of Covenant girls basketball team FIRED. Wow! Teaching the qualities of integrity, heart, ability, honor and teamwork can be tough. Beating another team 100-0. Many people are divided on this. Is everyone looking at the poor me syndrome – “Look at these poor girls who got beat or were they victims of defeat” I know when I get my butt kicked there is a lot of personal growth in it. What is your opinion? If you were either team – what would be your thoughts and feelings and reasons why?

Larry Tracey is founder of Youth4Youth, an author, keynote speaker and trainer who teaches success and leadership skills promoting school safety by treating everyone with respect. Contact Larry Tracey at 216-410-4307 or email success@youth4youth.org

 

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Posted in Character, Coaching, Education, Family, Personal Development, Self Esteem, Self Growth, Sports, Teambuilding, success, teen, youth | 1 Comment »

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Youth4Youth

Monday, January 19th, 2009

Today, I found myself waking with a new understanding and appreciation for Martin Luther King, Jr.  Just after the election, I realized we are still missing the point. It was the first time I really understood the words and the dream of Dr. King, “…one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” It was in that moment that I found the words written in the Youth4Youth foundation echoing in my mind.

“Youth4Youth is about changing the school climate by helping your school building become an environment of support, respect, and safety for all, regardless of intellect, physical barriers and limitations, race, social, or economic issues. Youth4Youth works toward achieving such an environment.”

 As with earthquakes, fault lines go deep beneath and are usually unseen at the surface. This past election has brought many lines of division to the surface in our country. Although we now have a symbolic step out of the way with the election of Barack Obama, it is time to make the real dream come true.

It’s possible and in working together we can make it probable! I invite you join me and countless others, both past and present, in envisioning a world that is an environment of support, respect, and safety for all, regardless of intellect, physical barriers and limitations, race, social, or economic issues where we are judged by the content of our character.

Larry Tracey, Jr., founder of Youth4Youth, would like your feedback. Members of Youth4Youth believe each student has the potential to be successful. We work to create environments in which all students are given the opportunity to discover and begin development of their potential.   www.youth4youth.org

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How to Make Life Fair

Friday, January 16th, 2009

My grandmother was always about fairness. When people would say, “That’s not fair, life’s not fair,” she would look at us smile and wink. Mom, as we called her, saw life differently. She would always say, “The more a person tries, the more fair life becomes. You can go through life complaining about things or you can do something about it.” 

 

Her favorite saying was “Be fair to yourself.” Her favorite question was “Are you being fair to yourself?” It was a great way to get her point across without preaching.

 

When I didn’t understand my math homework, I became frustrated, threw my pencil down and quit. Mom would say, “Be fair to yourself: when you don’t understand something…ask a question.” I asked and I became very good at math.

 

When I couldn’t make a basket because the basketball hoop was too high, Mom would say “Be fair to yourself; give yourself a chance to become good.” I became good and in sixth grade I played on the eighth grade team and we won the CYO Championship.

 

When I started playing little league baseball I would always strike out and spend most of the game on the bench. Mom would say, “Be fair to yourself; give yourself a chance to improve.” I improved and became very good at getting on base. I became a great coach and understood that fairness was to help kids learn and encourage them to continue trying.

 

Year’s ago my grandmother’s had her Fav Five

Be fair to yourself; ask questions.

Be fair to yourself; try something more than once.

Be fair to yourself; believe you can do it.

Be fair to yourself; do not give up.

Be fair to yourself and you will know how to be fair to others.

 

Be fair to yourself and give yourself a chance to be all you can be, at math, as an artist, reader, writer, athlete, friend, parent or teacher.

 

At the end of a recent Youth4Youth Student Leadership Training, a student shared because of knowing the information we learned, she would have an unfair advantage over others in school and she felt that wasn’t right. I realized at that moment, sometimes we tend to hold ourselves back in the name of, or what we perceive fairness to be. I asked her, “Would it be fair if you returned to school and did not use the skills you learned today to make your school a better place?” In that moment she saw the strength of fairness and we closed our leadership training by reading the following:

 

A Leader’s Call to Fairness

When fairness calls for me to stand-up or speak-up for another,

it allows me to show true strength.

 

When fairness calls for me to listen to someone’s different point of view,

it allows me to understand.

 

When fairness calls for me to decide what I believe in,

it allows me to lead with passion.

 

When fairness calls for me to have a vision;

it allows me to have direction.

 

When fairness calls for me to see the potential in someone else;

it allows me to encourage them.

 

When fairness calls for me to play fair,

it allows me to be proud of accomplishments.

 

When fairness calls for me to think things through,

it allows me to see all life’s possibilities.

 

When fairness calls for me to tell the truth,

it allows me to live freely.

 

When fairness calls for me to follow my heart,

it allows me to do the right thing.

 My grandmother was about fairness. She taught me the more I tried, the more fair life became. © 2008 Larry Tracey All Rights Reserved 

 

Larry Tracey is founder of Youth4Youth, which teaches success, leadership and promotes school safety by treating everyone with respect. For Ultimate Leadership Training for your school or organization contact Larry Tracey at 216-410-4307 or email.

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Posted in Character, Coaching, Goal Setting, Inspiration, Leadership, Lifeskills, Motivation, Parenting, Personal Development, Self Development, Self Esteem, Self Growth, Self-esteem, Uncategorized, teen, youth | 1 Comment »