“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.

Leadership by any given definition is nothing more than simply your level of influence on someone else.  Unbeknownst to most people it is not a title or position given by others.  Being an entry-level worker does not make you any less of a leader than a CEO, and certainly having the title of CEO does not necessarily make you a strong leader.  You can be a powerful leader right where you are, and it is all based on your influence on others.  Dr. John C. Maxwell wrote a great book on becoming and being a leader called The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, or Mark Sanborn’s book You Don’t Need a Title to be a Leader.

One man who, through his influence, has made an indelible impact on those he is around is Tony Dungy, head coach of the World Champion Indianapolis Colts.  Of my observations of Coach Dungy, I have noticed that he has two powerful traits that every leader should have in their toolbox if they want to make an impact on others.  Dungy is able to influence his players, fans, coaches, and NFL through his unique style of leadership - he serves those he leads.  He is a role model, and he affects his players by serving their interests rather than imposing his rule.  He lives his life by the example: Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.  Living his leadership by example is the loudest way for Dungy to be an effective leader. 

The two traits that Dungy carries in his leadership toolbox are that he is an Agent of Change and his leadership is a Catalyst.  Two ‘Free’ traits everyone should posses.  First, Dungy is an Agent of Change.  An Agent of Change is a person who intentionally causes a behavioral change.  Dungy infects his personnel with his servant leadership and causes them to have an intense desire to follow him - this provides the origin of the behavioral change.  Secondly, his leadership becomes the catalyst.  A Catalyst is a person or thing that precipitates an event or change.  When these two traits are combined - like mixing Mentos and Coke in a science experiment they cause a powerful reaction.  When it comes to leadership, the proper action can cause a powerful reaction in others.  But - like Mentos and Coke, each one needs the other to create the reaction - An Agent of Change needs a Catalyst as I will explain with the following calculations:

• Agent of Change - Catalyst = Direction without Propulsion
• Catalyst  - Agent of Change = Propulsion without a Destination
• Agent of Change + Catalyst = Rapid Acceleration toward your Vision or desired destination

An Agent of Change provides the direction and causes behavioral change.  While the Catalyst that helps you reach the goal is the passion or fuel that gets you there.  Try adding these two traits to your leadership toolbox and see what they can do for you.