"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or where the doer of the good deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

~Theodore Roosevelt

 

The Beijing 2008 Olympics are now over.  Once again, I am so inspired by all the athletes, their coaches, and their families and friends.  I am thinking about the Bigger Games each of the participants played. 

I think about how they had a hunger to compete and go for the gold for their country and compete with themselves and others.  To have an impact. 

How their compelling purpose to be the best they could possibly be passionately drove them over and over again.  

I think about the comfort zones they had to leave to play their Bigger Game for the sake of their visions.

How much they had to invest in time and resources to keep practicing and get more and more skilled.

I think about the 'GULP' they must have felt when they kept questioning if they could do it.

The bold actions they needed to take in striving to be their very best.

I think about the allies they needed to find in their coaches, families, friends and even the competition. 

I think about what they needed to do to sustain their game and themselves throughout the games.  How they took care of themselves as Bigger Game Players for the sake of their game.  

I think about how they had to constantly assess and reassess their ability and their approach to participate and compete fully in their game.

I then think about what I am doing in playing my Bigger Game.  I will never win at an Olympic sport, but you can surely bet that I am "Going for the Gold" in my life.

Reflecting back on the 2008 Beijng Olympics, where in your life are you fully dedicated to making yourself better.  Where are you playing a Bigger Game?  Where are you going for your gold? What in your life is the best use of you?

"A Bigger Game asks you to grow and evolve and develop additional competencies.  It will shape you and calls for the best use of you – for the leader in you."

~ Laura Whitworth

Step into leading and play a Bigger Game in your life…don't wait…model leadership…the World needs us to do this.

Lead strong.

Pat

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ANYWAY

People are unreasonable, illogical & self centered
Love them anyway
If you do good, people will accuse you of ulterior motives
Do good anyway
If you are successful, you win false friends & true enemies
Succeed anyway
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow
Do good anyway
Honesty & frankness make you vulnerable
Be honest and frank anyway
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs
Fight for some underdogs anyway
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight
Build anyway
People really need help but may attack you if you help them
Help people anyway
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

-Kent M. Keith
from Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments-
Finding Personal Meaning in a Crazy World

• Divine Discipline: How To Develop And Maintain Self- Control by Rhonda H. Kelley
  
  
• Power Living - Mastering The Art of Self-Discipline by Michael Anthony Janke
  
  
• Personal Discipline: Tools for Consistent Success by Allen Richardson
  

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• Here's a link to a beautifully inspiring video that speaks of self-determination, self-motivation and finding the strength within ourselves.
  
  
• Promote Self-discipline - a Human Resources article about how to Create a Work Environment That Minimizes the Need for Disciplinary Action, along with links, tips and much more.
  
  
• Promote Your Personal Growth and Motivation - An article with great ideas and tools that will help you explore personal growth, set new goals, choose motivation and get your life and work back on a course that excites, motivates and fills your life with joy.

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Pat has provided that for me, and then some!  We have collectively embraced new ways of thinking and working that have transformed my ability to respond to my board, coming from a place of strength and centeredness, very different from the "reactionary" approach I found myself taking before working with Pat.

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