[I recently took a 4-week class on Storytelling for Professionals from the Denver Center of Performing Arts.   I am always looking to learn new things and improve.  So I wanted to share that story with you and see what you think.  Your comments are warmly welcomed]

Photo by: Thomas D. Mangelsen

As a professional wakeboarder, the last place I ever imagined wakeboarding would be Alaska.  So, you can only imagine my shock when I received an invitation to teach for a week at a small summer Bible camp in a place where the ground is still frozen only a few inches beneath the surface, and the mosquitoes are so big they have been known to carry people away.

Let me share with you a story about how leaders lift others up.  They reach down and pull others up to enjoy life’s pleasures. They arrive just in time to be a support.  I witnessed this on my second invitation back to Alaska between two young campers. 

I was very excited to be going back to Alaska because this year both my best friend and I were chosen to teach Wakeboarding to 40 Teenagers.  Bart and I, along with my wife had arrived a few days early to take in the beauty of Alaska.  We spent three days hiking through lush rain forests looking for an Alaskan Grizzly Bear, and after three days had seen none. 

We finally arrived at the camp for the ‘meet-and-greet’ with the staff and campers, and I looked around to see if I recognized anyone from the previous year.  That is when I saw Hannah.

Hannah was a young energetic teenager, and she had been one of my students the year before.  But this year she had chosen to become a Junior Counselor and take on a leadership role at the camp.   

Hannah introduced me to a camper named Jillian.  She was a first year camper and it was easy to see she was uncomfortable.  Her appearance led you to believe she was aged well beyond her 17 years. She was an outsider and the other kids avoided her because her posture remained closed to approach. 

After our introduction to the campers, Bart, my Wife, and I grabbed our fishing rods and ran for the river.  One of the highlights for the instructors is the proximity to the world famous Kenai River.  We were there in early July when the Sockeye Salmon had just begun their spawning run.  More importantly, this year I was determined to win my pride back from my wife who had caught the largest fish the year before.  

The next morning when we arrived at the lake it was amazing.  The scenery reflected off the water like a Thomas D. Mangelsen nature photograph.

We were teaching on a small 50-acre lake, which was one of two lakes in the region warm enough to do so.  The lake was only about 10 feet deep and lined with beautiful homes.  However, instead of boats sitting in their docks, there were planes, and as we taught, planes would land and take off over our heads. 

Before teaching it is always customary to take a test run in the boat, and I had just turned around on the far end of the lake when a Bald Eagle flew down from his nest and flew right next to me no more than 10 feet to my right.  Often, I would find that in the middle of a camper’s lesson, I would stop the boat to look at a moose that had waded out to the middle of the lake to feast on the lush vegetation. 

When I pulled back up to the dock, the campers were unloading out of the vans getting ready for their first lesson.  That is when I spotted Jillian.  She appeared shy and weary and when she approached the boat, I was afraid she just might fall in the water.  

The campers wanted to watch one of us do a demonstration before we started, and, to be honest, I was very nervous.  The water was only 55 – 60 degrees, but the campers did not care.  They eagerly would jump in the water with no wetsuit and smile the whole time while there teeth chattered and their lips turned blue.  So I certainly could not put on a wetsuit and look like a wimp.  I would just have to pray I land every trick without falling. 

After I had done the demonstration, Jillian asked if she could ride in the boat with me rather than participate in the activities planned on shore.  I knew she just wanted to escape and so I agreed.  While we were on the water, we started talking about her life and how difficult it had been. 

She had been constantly handed off, back-and-forth from one parent to the other.  Now, the only reason that she attended the Bible camp was because she had received threats from a dangerous gang in her hometown and needed a place to hang out before going to live with her grandmother for her senior year of high school.   

It was clear that Jillian was scarred.  She was a good person and indeed had a bright future ahead of her; she just needed to be encouraged. 

I asked her if she had prayed about it.  She looked at me with her sad eyes and told me she does not believe in God.  How could she.  He had allowed her to live such a hard life and she had nothing to look forward to. 

I did not know how to respond, but I share my favorite bible verse with her from the book of Jeremiah – I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord.  Plans for you to prosper and not to harm you.  Plans to give you hope and a future. 

I left it at that because I needed to focus on teaching the rest of the morning, and Jillian sat quietly in the passengers side of the boat telling me when the kids had fallen and helping me handle the rope. 

That evening after Chapel, Bart and I grabbed our fishing poles and ran to the river.  My wife stayed back to get a little sleep as we were often fishing until 3am, when the sun had just set below the horizon. 

On the river, Bart asked me if I had talked to Jillian.  I replied ‘yes’.  I asked him what advice he offered her, and he said I just told her, “If she wants to know if God is real to Pray about it and Seek him”, and he guaranteed by the end of the week God would respond. 

Even though we are up over 20 hours a day, the time seems to fly by  and before I knew it we were passing out the end of the week’s awards at Chapel.  For many of the campers, this may be the only time they ever wakeboard in their lives and it is a special time. 

After we handed out the awards, the pastor got up and delivered his last message and at the end he held an alter call.  I saw Jillian get up and walk to the front and by her side stood Hannah.  It was an emotional moment and afterwards I was eager to find out why she had chosen to do so. 

I pulled Hannah and Jillian aside and asked what happened? 

Hannah looked at me and said that she wanted to do something this week that increased her faith, and she was praying a listening hard all week for God’s Voice.  She explained that the night before as the rain fell on the roof of her cabin she was praying for God to use her in a meaningful way.  And, she felt God wanted her to go and speak with Jillian.    That is when Hannah let Jillian finish the story. 

I looked at Jillian and she told me about her conversation with Bart.  She then said, “I was lying in my bunk last night and praying to God, that if he was real and if he loved me, he would send someone to come and speak to her about him and pray.” 

At that moment, Hannah knocked on the door.

That is the theme…

…or slogan, for that matter, which I would hand to an advertising agency if I were trying to redefine the image of the father. A company like Crispin Porter + Bogusky, the brilliant advertising agency behind the Burger King ‘King’ commercials, Coke Zero, the Truth Campaign (this single handedly flattened the tobacco industry), and most recently the recipients of a $300 million dollar contract to, “Make Microsoft Cool.”; would have a hay-day with this type of campaign.

I am coming off a 10-day ‘play’ binge with my daughter. A time in which I dubbed, “DAD DOES FUN.”  We spent the Independence Day holiday at our summer home, and to tell you the truth, if I could make a living playing with my daughter, I would start this very moment!

Being a dad is just pure fun. Every morning I would wake up to a great big smile and a loud “Da – DA”. Then Lexi would smack me on the face a few times just to make sure I was awake and not going to fall back a sleep again. At 18 Months old she is very effective at waking me up. 

We would then head straight to the lake for an early morning wakeboarding session, one of which included holding Lexi in my arms while she giggled and cheered as we crossed the wake and sprayed water everywhere.  Then we shared a bagel + soufle’ together at Panera.  The highlight of the breakfast would be at the end when I was preparing my coffee to go, I would have her lick her finger and stick it in the PURE sugar cane packet.  I believe she loves hanging out with her dear old dad.(… and it has nothing to do with the fact that I let her do things her mother won’t.)

47 seconds.

That is the amount of daily quality time a national study determined that a father spends with his children.

“Becoming a father has changed my life”, that is what I tell anyone who asks. What they really want to know is if it changes their life in a negative way. Everyone hears the ‘horror’ stories that you will never accomplish what you want and your personal life is over once you have a child. So, is it true that having a child changes your life? Yes – but the truth is it does not have to change your ‘lifestyle’. I would argue that the people who stop actively doing things once they have a child do so because they want to. For me having a child has increased the quality of my life 100 times over.

I have become a much better person since having my daughter, Lexi. I am far more focused and, as a leader, I am learning new and influential ways to communicate with individuals. What I look forward to the most is the responsibility of helping this young woman become a magnificent person. My dream is for her to accomplish more than I have ever dreamed. To discover whom she is and help her make the most of it, and I could not do that if I was only spending 47 seconds a day with her.

Today my daughter, Lexi, is turning 17 months, which is 1yr 5mo old. What is the proper way to say a child’s age?

In honor of this day, I wanted to share a few life/leadership lessons I have learned from her.

FEAR Is A Learned Response

I like the way motivational speaker Paula White calls it, “FEAR is just False Evidence Appearing Real.”

Now, I am not suggesting that we do not have any ‘fear’ in life. Obviously, if you were hiking in Alaska and a Grizzly Bear charges you, having FEAR can save your life, and in that case, it would be positive.

At 7 months, she could walk with the aid of my fingers. Her favorite hobby to do every night for hours was to walk up the stairs. At the top she would slowly turn around and face down. It was almost as if she was preparing like a Giant Slalom skier in the Olympics. Then with the power of Bode Miller, she would press off and run down the stairs at a rapid pace. Then giggle hysterically when she reaches the bottom.

When her grandmother saw this she about had a heart attack. It was perfectly safe, but there is an element of danger, if dad trips and somersaults down the stairs daughter in hand. But, unless grandma teaches her it is dangerous, she will never be the wiser.

Lexi is fearless. If she could talk she would just say, “Dad. FEAR is just false evidence appearing real.”

We Do What We See

My daughter watches my every move. She doesn’t really understand my verbal language completely, but she understands my body language perfectly.

Every night I place her in my arms at 7:30 and go upstairs to spend quality time with her and rock her to sleep. It is my favorite time of day.

Recently, she has discovered dolls, and has one she is particularly fond of. The other day I caught her in her room when she thought I was not watching, rocking the baby in her arms and then softly placing her on a pillow and covering her with a blanket.

I think, I had better watch my behavior, I want her to grow up sweet and strong and as a positive influence on others, and what I know is this: what a leader does well in excess, his or her followers will do in moderation. However, what a leader does poorly in moderation, his or her followers will do in excess.

More important than the lessons I teach her, is the life I lead.

Those Closest To You Will Determine Your Future

We have all heard this said a million different ways: Birds of a feather flock together, or those closest to you, will determine your potential.

My daughter is a social butterfly, even at the age of 17 months. She loves to hang with other kids, especially if they are in the 4-6 age range. However, here is what I have noticed.

When Lexi is playing with kids who are nice and well behaved, she rises to the occasion and behaves as they do. When Lexi is playing with naughty kids who run around and cause destruction, she behaves at their standards, and as a result gets in trouble.

Life Should Be Fun

I am ashamed to admit there were times I was aggravated with life. I was not happy with my job, not happy with my finances, and I was basically not happy with anything. I was always one-step behind where I wanted to be. Than I had my daughter and everything changed.

“Happiness is not having what you want; it is wanting what you have.”

My daughter helps me see this more clearly. She does not know what is out there in the world that she is missing. She only knows what she does have, and she is elated with that. She laughs at everything, and life is just one big playground and adventure to her.

She runs over and watches the ants in the yard as they are awakening from the excessively long winter nap here in Colorado, and then she runs over and smells a freshly bloomed flower. Holding my hand and leading on her journey. But - my favorite moment is when she looks at me a smiles with her big gapped tooth smile, seemingly saying, “Dad. Life is Good.”

She made me realize that sometimes you really should stop and smell the roses.

My Brother emailed me just this picture the other day.  I printed it out and taped it to the wall above my office desk and it got me thinking…

… and I just can’t get it out of my mind. 

Which one are you, the lion or the gazelle?

During the warm summer months my close friend and I enjoy wakeboarding on a small private lake. 

Two years ago, the lake had a modest 40+ foot rail-slide set up for the wakeboarders who wanted to use it.  It was constructed of wood 4X4’s and was securely installed into the lakebed.  However, this structure was easily defeated by the brutal winter we experienced in 2006/2007.  As the spring thaw broke up the ice, the rail was reduced to mere splinters and small portions still lie along the shoreline to this day. 

[Rail-slide: A trick adopted from skateboarding where the wakeboarder slides the bottom of the board (base) along an object, typically a metal pipe or wooden beam.]

Since my friend, myself, and only a handful of others used the rail-slide, the lake owners did not want to spend the resources to build another one and called upon us to create and install a new rail.  My phone rang soon after…

“Hello?” I answered

        “Hey, you want to help build a new rail for the lake this year? The old one was destroyed and, if we want one, we have to build it.” questioned my friend.

“Sure what do you have in mind?” I replied

        “I have already gotten started on it.  Just come over after work and I will show you the specs.” He said

“Yep, see you then. Late.” I closed

What I was not prepared for was the sheer size of the beast my friend had in mind.  I should have known better.  Anything he does is always big, and a major adventure.  And, really, I am not certain I can emphasize adventure enough.

Read the rest of this entry »

Happy Belated New Year!

Well it is back to work after taking the last week and a half off. (Dec 21 - Jan 2) And, I have to admit, it was time well taken. 

I am ready to take on the New Year, 2008, the year of New Beginnings, and I am ready in large part because of the time I take off over the holidays.  So, I thought I would share with you why I take vacation at the end of the year and always will:

1. Tradition!: I can almost here the old man in Fiddler on the Roof singing those words now …TRADITION.  Ever since I graduated college I have taken the week of Christmas off, and there is no need to stop now because it always sling shots me into the new year ready to accomplish my goals, help others, and enjoy the holiday.Part of the time I spend in Quality Time with my wife and child, some of the time I spend in the mountains enjoying a face full of fresh powder, and some of the time I spend in preperation.  Nevertheless, it is a great tradition to have. 
2. Reflection: I am not going to lie, 2007 was a tough year for my family and me.  We faced many great challenges professionally and personally.  But, wisdom tells me that we will go through many trails in our lives and it is through those trials that we develop persistence and perseverance.  (This year a little more than others :))

   John Maxwell, a prominent teacher on leadership and author tells us, “experience alone does not make you better, but only through evaluated experience do we grow.”

   Some of my trials were just life, and some of my trials were based on my own decisions.  During this time off, I spent some time thinking back over the year and reflecting on the highs and the lows, and looking for insight on how to improve in either case.  Evaluating my experience and thinking how to make the following year a good one? 

3. Quality Time: The holidays come but once a year, and, while I have heard it argued by many bloggers this holiday that they would rather work than spend time with family, I disagree.

   I will be the first to admit that my family and I do not always see eye to eye. I am the youngest in the family and many times, even though I am now a respectable adult with a family, I am still treated as such. In fact, most of the time we don’t get along, but that does not mean I love them any less.  And is no reason why we should forget spending time together.

   My wife, the wise woman that she is, told me this year that I could make the time with my family whatever I choose - good or bad.  She further explained that I could spend the day with them grumpy and upset over past hurts or I could spend the day removing our differences, focusing on our similarities, enjoying their presence, repairing and rebuilding relationships long overdue.  What a wise woman she is. 

   I also spend much needed time with my wife.  She is my best friend. During this holiday we spend our time enjoying one another, reflecting on our year, and making plans for the new year.

4. To Prepare: I have a great deal I want to accomplish this year, and one way of insuring I see it through is by setting goals.  These are not New Year’s resolutions. These are much more than that.

   My wife and I take time to establish Professional Goals, Personal Goals, and TeamWork Goals.  We can then encourage each other along the way.  Once I establish major goals, I create smaller markers that serve two purpose:

         1st - they help me track that I am moving towards that larger goal.

         2nd - they help keep me motivated.  I know I am most likely the only person who does this, but sometimes when I am not getting somewhere fast enough I have a tendency to want to quit.  However, establishing these smaller markers improve my motivation and help me leap frog to the next one. 

   Like this year, for instance, I plan to release another book. 

5. In Honor: I am a Christian, and the Christmas holiday is a time of year that I honor a man who walked the earth 2000 years ago, to accomplish one thing - He was an atonement for me.  During this time of year I honor his birth and the fact that he loved me so much he was willing to lay down his life for me. Everyone has differing beliefs and I respect their opinions, but for me this is a special time of year. 

The end of the year signifies a New Beginning, and while it would be easy to push through and work during this time, I use it to Reflect, Remember, and Prepare for the upcoming year.  I am very excited about what 2008 has to offer.  I wish each and every one of you a magnificent year.

“It’s kinda fun to do the impossible,” proclaimed Walt Disney. Speaking on the accomplishment of his Disney Empire, and to the opposition he received.  Those individuals who you will find happiest dream big dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true. 

I read a book that re-established my belief in dreaming, The Dream Giver, by Bruce Wilkinson. While the overall theme of the book is Christian, it lays out perfectly how to overcome the obstacles and live the life you were created for. Wilkinson acts as a “ Dream Coach”, counseling readers on how to achieve their own Big Dreams though facing their fears, enduring hardships, and realizing their full potential.

The greatest men and women who achieved great things in life started with a simple dream, that to some seem insurmountable.

• Erik Weihenmayer dreamed of climbing Mt. Everest, and many thought that this may not be the best idea. However, Weihenmayer did not  let them or a debilitating disease that left him totally blind at the age of 13 hold him back reaching the summit of the world’s highest peak.
• Pastor Joel Osteen, Senior pastor of Lakewood Church, dreamed of one day moving his church into the Compaq Center in Houston. A feat that he will tell you took, “a great amount of Faith.”  Today he pastors one of the largest churches in America and is an inspirational leader to many more.
• Jake Burton, founder of Burton Snowboards, spent many long hours in his garage in the early stages of his dream, and has since developed the largest and most successful line of snowboarding equipment ever.

All dreams, combined with determination, propelled them to achieve each one.

In his book, You Don’t Need a Title to be a Leader, Mark Sanborn outlines in one of his chapters that in order to achieve your goals you must implement and execute. “Intent without action is only a daydream,” Sanborn states. I could not agree more.  Execution and implementation are the first steps in achieving your dream and as philosopher Lao Tzu once noted, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with the 1st step.”

The difference between a good idea and a bad idea is found in the implementation of the dream. You will encounter opposition and challenges, even potential failure, as your progress towards your dream, but the truth is that you will strike out 100% of the time when you never swing. However, do not let the ultimate success or failure of the dream be the determining factor of your success. Success is a journey not a destination, and if one dream may fall and shatter don’t be afraid to pick up one of the pieces and begin again.

Most importantly, do not let anyone steal your dream or delay you from taking your first step. Because, who knows, it might be fun to do the impossible.

There is a debate raging internationally over the hot topic of ‘Global Warming’.  Whether it is man made or whether it is just a cycle, whether it can be slowed or whether we have gone to far, what we have done or not done for future generations, and on and on.  But whether or not global warming is a fact or a myth, changes to our global weather patterns are happening and one thing is for sure: it is raising awareness. 

Moreover, while the intellectuals are debating over the details, individuals are stepping up to the plate and making a difference.  They are becoming leaders for a cause they believe in and assembling followers who are ready to make an impact. It is amazing how quickly this is catching on, and people and corporations all over the world are starting see how their daily habits can have an effect on future generations.  

Whether or not you believe global warming is just a fade or way for people to get rich, it is important to remember that we do have a responsibility to care for the earth regardless of our feelings towards global warming.  By that measure - Global Warming is just the cause that is precipitating change, and a good one at that. 

That is why ‘Green’ is Good, regardless of your viewpoint or political stance.  It is raising awareness about our actions - proving that Newton’s Third Law, “Every action has an equal and opposite reaction” is true.  Green is an ‘agent of change’ causing us to modify our behaviors or at the very least be concerned with what effects our actions will have. Even if you only make one small change in your behavior, multiplied with that of your neighbor, we all can make a difference for generations to come.   That is simple mathmatics.

My wife and I were talking the other day about ‘Green’.  It appears to be the new catch phrase and everyone is using it.  In the mid to late ’90’s the catch phrase was ‘Extreme’:  Extreme Sports, Extreme Auto Repair, Extreme Lending, etc.  Then we slowly progressed into the catch phrase ‘Luxury’: Luxury living, Luxury Apartments, Luxury Golfing, Luxury Automobiles, Luxury Air Travel, etc.  Now we have progressed into the catch phrase ‘Green’. However, for the first time in recent years this catch phrase is causing action to be taken by individuals. (The others caused to think about what you can get – while ‘green’ causes you to think about what you can give) Every time you see the word ‘Green’, you cannot help but stop and think about the earth and what a precious gift it is to humankind.

So, what can it hurt? Don’t wait for someone else to make the difference or for the politicians to be the first to lead. Be a leader and why not go a little green?

Today I have enjoyed my last cup of coffee, for the time being anyway.  Don’t get me wrong, I love coffee.  Not necessarily for the caffeine boost it provides, but more so from the comfort.  I enjoy drinking a warm cup of good java while working throughout the day.  The problem is: I drink way, way, way too much coffee.  And therefore I have decided to try a little experiment.

I am going to test my theory that coffee has been causing some issues with myself.  Could it possibly be linked to my problems? By the end of this experiment I will have an answer. I am giving up coffee for a minimum of one month, but if my hypothesis proves to be true (and all past tests have proven it to be true) I will be giving it up permanently. 

Over the past eight years I have drank coffee religiously each day.  However, I have noticed very subtle changes in my body and mind that I have compiled into this list:

• Tenseness in my jaw
• Tenderness under my eyes
• Tenderness in my eyebrows
• Twittery eyes
• Lockjaw at night when I sleep.
• Lack of a good night sleep
• Lack of dreams
• Drowsiness upon waking
• Complete lethargy around 3:30pm - 5pm.
• Headaches
• Tension in the back of neck
• Lack of focus at times - especially during high doses of coffee
• Tenderness of scalp

Now proponents of coffee would tell me I am crazy.  And, “that there are so many other things that cause these”:

• Staring at the computer for uncomprehendable hours
• Stress from work deadlines
• Lack of exercise
• Poor nutrition
• The list can go on for awhile

And, many times, I would agree with them - if it were not for complete relief from all said ailments when I have quit in the past for short durations. 

“So why am I telling you?” you ask. 

“I am not your doctor.” you say.  

Well, I am using you to help keep me honest.  In the past, I have attempted to quit drinking coffee only to return to it because there is constantly a fresh cup brewing in the breakroom and the fragrance slowly seeps out and across my desk.  Almost begging me to drink it - at least that is how I justify it.  The other reason may be that I get up everyday at 4:30 and coffee just seems to help me settle into the days tasks.  

So, as I write this post I am saying “goodbye” to the final sips of glorious java in my cup and saying “hello” to relief. 

So what do you think?  Is there a coffee connection?

I’ll keep you up to date on the progress.  Have a great day.

“A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in.”  - Robert Orben

I love vacation!  One week of relaxation and fun in the sun.  A short time to forget about all of the day-to-day stresses and worries that can plague you back in the real world. 

Have you ever noticed that what you really need a vacation from is the week prior to vacation?  That is the week that you are trying to finish all of your activities normally planned for the next week, you know the one during which you will be on vacation.  Not only do most of us have 40+ hours a week spent at a monotonous job, but we are hit with overtime as we run around like Sonic the Hedgehog attempting to complete all the additional tasks. 

Well, after 10 days at my family’s summer home on a lake in Central Missouri I am ready to tackle the working world again.  This year was especially exciting for me since it was the first time my, now 8-month-old, daughter would visit my childhood hang out, the “Zarks”, as I so fondly call them.  I can still remember this moment: When I was two, we were preparing for the long drive home after spending the summer splashing and playing in the water and as we loaded into the car, I firmly planted my butt on the front porch and proclaimed to my parents, “I Don’t Want to Leave the Zarks!”  I was hoping my daughter would follow in my footsteps this year and tell me the same, but rather she just stuck her toungue out and gave me a cool saliva shower. Oh well, maybe next year.

This vacation was special in that I shared with my daughter my favorite place in the world, other than the top of a mountain in a blaring snowstorm and 3 feet of fresh powder between me and the base of the mountain, and she seems to share the same passion for it as her mother and I.  I look forward to taking her back again as she grows.

A few weeks ago, I wrote about my belief that everyone is a leader, whether or not they would like to be.  (Read: School of Thought or A Way of Life?) That is because everyone has the obligation to lead at least one person in their life - themselves.  And when you do that well, simply by your actions, you are influencing other people; which by its very definition is Leadership. 

The problem is that too many people are not leading themselves; they are just allowing life to happen around them.  Yet, they too, through their actions and words are influencing others.  For example, I think everyone would agree the potential drunk driving and drug charges pending against Lindsey Lohan this past week would be poor judgments, yet they are influencing many people.  Just like gravity pulling every object down to itself, so do people with lower values become a constant pressure to compromise. 

In this blog, I want to talk about Who Is Influencing You?  All great leaders do not always lead.  Many times, they allow themselves to be influenced by their inner circle, and those closest to them determine a leaders potential.  It is my opinion that we choose whom it is that we allow ourselves to be influenced by. Many times outside influences can have a certain charisma and charm that can be drawing.  But people who influence you should have certain characteristics and predetermined values.  Those who do not have a predetermined set of values will find themselves expedient - this means that they are guided simply by what is advantageous and self-serving - rather than by principles. 

What this does not mean is that every decision made by someone who does have values is good, nor that every decision made by someone who has not set  their values makes bad judgments.  It only means that having values by which you stand by will provide you with the greatest chance of making good judgments.  Because you have something by which to make those decisions.

Temptation is a constant companion, but set values, like hardened cement, will be able to withstand the pressure.  Think of your life as a custom sailboat, built solely by your choices.  Values act as your sail and rudder in life.  When you do not have any values you will be blown to and fro by the passing storms and currents, and many times taken to places you never intended to go.  Our world is full of change - seasons change, goals change, friendships change - but values do not.  And it is by our values, principles, ethics, and beliefs that we can make sound judgments which, in turn, will allow you, or someone else, to be a person worthy of influence.  The success of anyone’s influence is the sum total of the quality of decisions they make on a daily basis. 

For these reasons, it is important to consciously understand who it is that is influencing you, as well as, understand how you may be influencing others.  For reference, the following is a list of predetermined values and ethics that great leaders posses, and that may aid you in understanding Who is Influencing you:

• Leaders posses Integrity
• Leaders make decisions based on their understanding of Right and Wrong
• Leaders decisions are consistent with their values and ethics
• Leaders are honest and trustworthy
• Leaders honor others and value them
• Leaders keep their word even if it means they take a loss
• Leaders are strong and stable

This message had been adapted from a speech given by Art Williams, Founder of A.L. Willimas & Associates, at the Regent University Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship student classes on November 14, 2006. His book Coach is available on Amazon.com. 

I read this lesson given by Art Williams the other day and found it resonated with me strongly.  The title is How to be a “Two Percenter”, and while the title alone did not grab all of my attention, the message did.  Best of all if focuses on how to succeed as a leader and an entrepreneur. 

Over the past twelve years, I have started many small businesses.  Some of them more successful than the others, but in hindsight I can see that their success was directly proportional to the amount of effort I put into the process before, during, and after.  Like a mathematical equation Time X Effort = Amount of Success.  Mr. Williams explains that a “Two Percenter” is someone who has survived the initial pressures of starting a business and has succeeded.  In other words, out of every 100 people who start a business, Mr. Williams believes only 2 will succeed.  Why?  Because those two people are the only ones who did/will do what was necessary to succeed. 

A great example of a “Two Percenter” is a friend of mine, a ‘TwentySomething’ young man who runs two successful businesses – one is a multi-million dollar privately held company and the other a real estate company. He has a hand written note stuck to his bathroom mirror in his home.  It reads, “I will do today what others will not, so that I can enjoy tomorrow what others cannot.” I quickly added this quote to my inspiration board. 

Let’s get back to Art Williams’s speech on How to Succeed as a “Two Percenter” in life and in business.  “Winning in business is a 10-year or 20-year game, and most people fail because they keep changing.  They are always looking for a quicker way, an easier way, and a way with the smallest amount of hard work,” said Mr. Williams. The following are bulleted highlights of his most significant habits to succeed. 

1. Simplify the Complicated – Success is based on a leader’s ability to zero in on the important matters.  They spend 90% of their time on important things and 10% on the rest.
2. Stand for Something – You have to believe in something and then you have to do what is right.  This is the basis for building character.
3. Be a Great Encourager – Be slow to anger and quick to praise.  Mary Kay [Ash] said, “The only thing more powerful than money or sex is praise and recognition.”
4. Win with your Heart and not Your Head – You have to love what you do rather than do something simply for monetary gain.  A.L Williams & Associates did not just sell life insurance; they believed they were correcting an injustice.
5. Be so Motivated it is Ridiculous – Passion is the fuel for motivation.
6. Have a Positive Attitude – Almost everybody can be positive/excited for two or three months, a few can be positive/excited for a few years, but a winner [Two Percenter] will stay positive/excited forever.
7. Have a “Can Do” Attitude – The two worst words in the English language are –“ I Can’t”
8. Make a Commitment – You cannot just test the waters and stick a toe in it.  You have to jump in with both feet.
9. Be a Big Dreamer – Never give up your hopes and dreams – EVER!
10. Be a Master Motivator – Nothing motivates more than getting involved and leading by example.
11. Be Disciplined – Do what you are supposed to do when you are supposed to do it.
12. Follow your Instincts – Follow your heart.

In summary, winners [Two Percenters] simply do it.  They will do today what others will not, so they can enjoy tomorrow what others cannot.

Believe it or not, you are a leader.

I do not know what silent thought just rushed through your mind, but for some of you it may have been, “No I am not!” or “Not Really” or “You Betcha”.  The truth is - everybody is a leader; like it or not.

I never really wanted to be a leader.  It seemed like too much work, and it actually appeared simpler to just sit back, follow, and let someone else make the hard decisions.  The dilemma that ensued was twofold:  most of the time I did not like the decisions others were making for me (but, if I did not help shape the decision, I had no authority to complain - right?), and when I wasn’t sitting with my arms crossed protesting like a young child who did not want to eat their spinach, I was usually chosen by others to be a leader.  A role that, if I was going to be asked to perform, I had better learn to do well.  Now, my passion has become learning to be a great leader.

Some believe in the school of thought, “leaders are born - not made”.  I disagree; no great leaders are ever born; only babies are born.  Leaders are made, and it is from there that my school of thought is birthed.  I stand by the leadership definition: Leadership is influence; nothing more and nothing less.

Whether or not you want to be a leader, in life, everyone has one person they must lead – Themselves. And whether you want to lead many or simply be a follower; you always have to at least be accountable for yourself. Life is nothing more that leading yourself so well that others cannot help but follow. Therefore, if your lead yourself well, you will influence others naturally; and by influencing others, you are leading. Thereby, making everyone a leader in some fashion or on some level. That raises the question: How are you influencing others?

I could never imagine how hard it would be to control others, as some leader’s attempt, when controlling myself is such a mammoth task.  Leading “others” in a formal fashion is a responsibility that not everyone is called to do, but everyone is called to, at the very minimum, lead themselves.  A true leader does not focus on leading others, they focus on leading themselves first and when you do that well, others will follow.  So - is being a leader really a school of thought or a way of life?

This week, and for the next few weeks, I want to stay on the topic of your thoughts, and how powerful, life defining, or life changing one thought can be. Today - on how the simplest word can make all the difference.

By now most of the world has seen the video circulating the web on Terje Haakonsen’s first descent down the Alaskan mountain named 7601. It is a short clip from the snowboarding film First Descent. (If you have not seen it I recommend watching it before reading further to get a better understanding of this lesson. It can be seen here - Terje’s First Descent) When this clip first hit the web my email was bombarded by my friends and colleagues asking me if I had seen it because they know one of my wife’s and my own passions in life is snowboarding. This video still gives me chills because I know first hand what it takes for this World Class Athlete to overcome his fears and succeed.

Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t - you’re right.” For a simple task, the price of thinking that you can’t do something is rather low. But using the video of Terje is the perfect example to illustrate how dangerous this simple word could be - one time or if it is made into a habit. For an action sports athlete the idea that you will ‘achieve what you believe’ is more than just a popular slogan designed for motivational speakers to give you something to get excited about, it is a way of life. One false thought or one negative mental image can mean life or death.

Long before Terje stood on top of 7601, the mountain named for its elevation, he had been thinking positive thoughts, and preparing himself for the challenges ahead.  Not so much outside of himself but from within.  He believed without a shadow of a doubt that he could ride this mountain, despite the dangers, and overcome his fear. He knew his limits and that in this particular case FEAR stood for the acronym: False Evidence Appearing Real. The ability to remove the negative thoughts that overcome you and replace them with positive thoughts and images are what separate you from those who do not.

The saddest words of the human language are: It might have been. These are immortal words of someone who was defeated by their thoughts but recognized that if they would have just said, “I can” they might have changed the world.

What the clip does not show you is that this is not the first time Terje and some of the other athletes featured in the film stood on top of 7601. Earlier in the film a team of athletes stood on the top weighing their options, and at that time the weather conditions proved to be too much for a First Descent. Wisely the team loaded back into the chopper and watched as the mountain got smaller and smaller out the window. Now he had to overcome not only the intial shock at seeing the dangers of the mountain, but he had to have the mental toughness to over come the fear twice. 

For Terje, he knew that the mountain was ridable and he chose to go back if the conditions were right. When the weather cleared and some of the dangers decreased, Terje once again set his sites on descending 7601. This time standing alone atop the peak Terje, with the power of positive thoughts and mental images, was able to tame the mountain and realize a dream come true. A reality that was only accomplished by denying the I can’t mentality.

While I recognize that snowboarding down a 55 degree mountain as dangerous as 7601 is not a gift/talent that everyone has, it does illustrate perfectly how powerful the mind can be and what can be accomplished when we remove the words ‘I can’t‘, ‘I won’t‘, ‘I am not good enough’ and replace them with the words ‘I can‘, ‘I will‘, ‘I am good enough‘. It is all in the power of your thoughts!

life

The great wisdom writer James Allen once said, “You are today where your thoughts have brought you. You will go tomorrow where your thoughts take you.”  What James Allen is really saying is that your thoughts, and what your concentrate your thoughts on, will be the direction that you go in life. Great leaders have the ability to concentrate their thoughts on subjects that will bring return to their lives and the lives of others. They do this by prioritizing what is important in their lives and then using the time they have been given to wisely think upon these thoughts.

A thought, or the act of thinking, is a mental process that allow us to model reality. By doing so we are able to deal with the world effectively according to our plans, desires,  or life vision. It is the ability to reason and reflect upon life or to visualize or imagine something to be true. Overall, thinking, is what we trade our time for and concentrate our thoughts upon.

People who go to the top think differently that those who do not. What they understand best is that life is what a you have been thinking about all day, and that the thoughts that consume our time will influence who we are. Most importantly, those who rise to the top, comprehend that with the limited amount of time we have been given each day they do not want to waste their time thinking upon things that bring no return.

Thoughts can be your best friend or your greatest enemy. A positive thought, that stands the test of time, will begin to shape you and mold you into the person you wish to become. In other words, you will find as you begin to shape your thoughts they will begin to shape you. On the other hand, negative thoughts, that have no return to them, will begin to chip away at your character and leave you discouraged and bare.

Albert Einstein, a man with a gift for thinking in a manner that brings return to himself and humanity, once said, “The world we have created is a product of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing your thinking.” The power of your thoughts can either carry you to the heights of your dreams or the depths of despair. Here are four ways to help your daily thoughts bring you positive return and change your world.

Focus On:

1. Big Picture Thoughts: Your ability to think beyond yourself.
2. Realistic Thoughts: Your ability to remove everything with no value and concentrate on the facts.
3. Strategic Thoughts: Your ability to think forward and give your life direction.
4. Reflective Thoughts: Your ability to reflect on your day and gain insight into your daily thinking in order to improve upon them.