By John O'Leary. This was originally posted on JohnOLearyInspires.com. When John O'Leary was 9 years old, he suffered burns over 100% of his body and was expected to die. He is now an inspirational speaker and bestselling author, teaching more than 50,000 people around the world each year how to live inspired. John's first book, ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life was published March 15, 2016. John is a contributing writer for Huff Post and Parade.com. John is a proud husband and father of four and resides in St. Louis, MO. Order John’s book today anywhere books are sold.
“Gosh Dad, is everything bad? Are we going to be okay?” These were the questions my son, Patrick, asked last week as we watched the evening news. The entire coverage was on COVID-19. For weeks now, story after story features the infection spread, the death totals, the carnage caused and the projected devastation looming. Although it’s impossible to underestimate how tragic this pandemic is, a little context in understanding our media is also important. Harvard Business Review reported that more than 94% of stories shared by the media are negative – that’s a stunningly high 19 of every 20 stories. And that stat is from 2017 – when markets were at all-time highs, unemployment at historic lows, and the notion of a global pandemic unimaginable for most of us. Because what we choose to focus on expands within our consciousness, it’s highly likely that reading all those negative articles, watching your cable news and becoming a stay-at-home, self-taught epidemiology expert will trigger growing depression for today and hopelessness for tomorrow. My friends, the negative bias promoted by media and echoed in social media feeds is far from an accurate barometer of the world in which we reside. The media highlights exponential virus spread, growing death totals and expanding joblessness. They focus all of their attention – and ours – on the missteps of local leaders and the mishandling by national politicians. They stoke the embers of fear and despair. There are few stories celebrating the global rise in recovered cases, the expanding capabilities around testing and treating, the dramatic increases in the production of masks and respirators, or the generosity of sovereign countries and less devastated states deploying their resources to hotbed areas. They overlook the countless stories of first responders, health care professionals, custodians, grocery store workers, truck drivers and ordinary heroes showing up daily to keep our nations advancing forward. And there’s rarely a mention of the prodigious effort undertaken by our amazing teachers to radically reorganize lesson plans to guide their students (and their overwhelmed parents!) through the crisis. Even during simpler times, the need to notice the good was too often overlooked by so many searching for the bad. To counteract the negativity being broadcast in 1986, the legendary Mr. Fred Rogers wrote an op-ed. Included were these words: I was spared from any great disasters when I was little, but there was plenty of news of them in newspapers and on the radio, and there were graphic images of them in newsreels. For me, as for all children, the world could have come to seem a scary place to live. But I felt secure with my parents, and they let me know that we were safely together whenever I showed concern about accounts of alarming events in the world. There was something else my mother did that I’ve always remembered: “Always look for the helpers,” she’d tell me. “There’s always someone who is trying to help.” I did, and I came to see that the world is full of doctors and nurses, police and firemen, volunteers, neighbors and friends who are ready to jump in to help when things go wrong. In the midst of a global pandemic, perhaps we should consider not only tracking all the figures around mortality and contagion, but also the recovery rate and the vast majority of individuals are choosing to surrender their personal needs and desires while practicing social distancing in order to benefit others. We know that whatever we choose to water, grows. We realize that whatever we pay attention to and focus on gets bigger. And we choose today to attend to what we want, not to what we fear or despise. We can choose to not only can flatten the curve but create a movement that reminds the world: In spite of today’s adversity, there are helpers showing up, there’s reason for hope and there remains certainty that the best is yet to come. This is your day. Live Inspired. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success!
0 Comments
By John O'Leary. This was originally posted on JohnOLearyInspires.com. When John O'Leary was 9 years old, he suffered burns over 100% of his body and was expected to die. He is now an inspirational speaker and bestselling author, teaching more than 50,000 people around the world each year how to live inspired. John's first book, ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life was published March 15, 2016. John is a contributing writer for Huff Post and Parade.com. John is a proud husband and father of four and resides in St. Louis, MO. Order John’s book today anywhere books are sold.
The day after the Kansas City Chiefs won their first Super Bowl, I had a call with a client planning a corporate gathering to finalize my role within the meeting. As we wrapped up the call, I asked if he had concerns for how the coronavirus might impact the event. There was a long pause. Then a firm response: “Man, that’s over there. It’s just not my problem.” Merely a month later the virus has spread, borders have closed and economies have temporarily grounded to a halt. His meeting – and nearly all meetings – have canceled. “Over there” is now very much here. The coronavirus is now very much his problem. And ours. And this man isn’t alone. Many of us have had seasons in our lives where we identify problems as “theirs” only to see that they are “ours.” So what do we do next? How do we progress forward? An experience with a different client from a decade earlier offers some helpful insight. This time my client was a large electric company. In previous years they’d experienced significant challenges with preventable injuries, workplace accidents and even loss of life on the job. Our goal was to galvanize a group of toughened, independent men and women to slow down, be intentional and realize the only way to get better collectively is to focus attention not only on their job, but on the work of everyoneon their team. Flipping the script on one of the oldest stories in the Bible, they decided to actively care for one another. Their motto became: I am my brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. For them, it meant they were responsible not only for their life, but the lives of those around them. They committed to calling out poorly done work, including their own. They would hold others accountable. They wouldn’t accept a colleague putting themselves at risk and would love them as if they were family. That year the organization enjoyed historically low workplace accidents and zero deaths. My friends, as headlines share fear, as social media shames and as the number of reported new cases elevates, it’s reassuring to know that at the epicenter of where this outbreak began, the spread of coronavirus is actually dramatically dropping. It’s the result of entire communities embracing social distancing, thorough hygiene practices and strict adherence to rules put forward. These individuals have come to recognize that the best way to end this plight is to realize they are responsible for their actions. And, as importantly, that those actions have a direct impact on everyone else, too. We are indeed our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. And it turns out, the novel coronavirus is our problem because what happens in one part of the world impacts the rest of it. Individuals focused exclusively on their own needs, desires or interests will exasperate the problem. But when we choose to come together we can create wildly important, life-giving change. In time – like every other virus since the dawn of humanity that disrupted the world – this too shall pass. Then it will be our great work to ensure the lessons we’re learning about interconnectivity as a global family remain. This is your day. Live Inspired. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By John O'Leary. This was originally posted on JohnOLearyInspires.com. When John O'Leary was 9 years old, he suffered burns over 100% of his body and was expected to die. He is now an inspirational speaker and bestselling author, teaching more than 50,000 people around the world each year how to live inspired. John's first book, ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life was published March 15, 2016. John is a contributing writer for Huff Post and Parade.com. John is a proud husband and father of four and resides in St. Louis, MO. Order John’s book today anywhere books are sold.
A while back, I spoke with 40 individuals for a full day seminar. The goal of the event was to bring together some of the highest achievers, connect them with one another, and together expand their businesses and their lives. I was charged with stretching their minds, encouraging bigger dreams and reminding them that anything is possible. To kick off my session I asked what they would do professionally if they knew they could not fail. After a moment of reflection, a brave gentleman stood and proudly announced, “I’d make it big. I mean, like really, really big!” I asked what “making it really, really big” meant to him? He said he wasn’t exactly sure, but he knew it included an increase in sales, expansion of personal accomplishments and significantly more success than any of his friends or former classmates. This conversation was eerily similar to one I was part of almost a decade earlier with another gentleman. He, too, had striven to “make it really big.” The difference was that the conversation wasn’t taking place in a boardroom with a lifetime of possibility in front of him, but in a hospital room with a lifetime of regrets staring back at him. Let me explain. Is Success the Right Pursuit? You see, in my late 20s I spent a several years working part-time as a hospital chaplain. One emotional visit was with a former business owner suffering from congestive heart failure. Slouched in an over-sized hospital bed, connected to various tubes and fully aware of his fatal prognosis, he talked openly and passionately about his life. He spoke of his business and its outstanding success. But he added that it had come at the cost of things that mattered even more to him. He spoke disconsolately about his youth, his family, his health and how he had lost each of them through choices he made along the way. We visited for over an hour, and one of the final things he shared impacted me so deeply that I wrote it down in my journal that night. He said, “John, I spent a lifetime sprinting up the success-ladder.” He looked away from me and out the window, before adding, “only to discover I had the darn thing leaned against the wrong wall.” My friend, I coach individuals to discover passion, live vibrantly and make a difference. I partner with organizations to increase top line revenue and bottom line profit. I speak with sales teams to encourage greater results and passion for what they do. And I serve hospitals to improve employee engagement in order to elevate patient satisfaction and outcomes. The point is that I love growth! The reminder from this story, however, is that not only should our lives be a journey toward continual progress, impact and success, but that these goals must be achieved in accordance with our values, our principles and what matters most in our lives. Nothing could be more painful than to gain the world at the expense of losing the very things that matter most. Why Pursuing a Life of Significance Matters My friends, I invite you today to make it big. I encourage you to climb high as a teacher, to soar as a salesperson, to expand as a business owner and to thrive as an employee. Choose to sprint toward significance rather than success and decide to thrive in life. Just make sure the goals you’re charging toward are advancing you toward a life of true significance and not one of regret. Before continuing your rapid climb, take pause long enough to ensure the ladder you’re climbing is leading you up the right wall. Because if you don’t change direction, you may end up exactly where you are heading. Today is your day. Live Inspired. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By John O'Leary. This was originally posted on JohnOLearyInspires.com. When John O'Leary was 9 years old, he suffered burns over 100% of his body and was expected to die. He is now an inspirational speaker and bestselling author, teaching more than 50,000 people around the world each year how to live inspired. John's first book, ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life was published March 15, 2016. John is a contributing writer for Huff Post and Parade.com. John is a proud husband and father of four and resides in St. Louis, MO. Order John’s book today anywhere books are sold.
On December 21st, while wrapping up our final team meeting for the year, I shared with a colleague some items I had to accomplish over the holidays. The list included two articles that had to be created, a couple video messages that had to be recorded, a substantial number of thank you notes that had to be written, and perhaps most exciting and daunting of all, the very first chapter of my next book that had to be produced. Well, after sharing the list of items with Abby, she thoughtfully looked at me and responded by reminding me why we do the work we do in the first place, the gift of being fully present to those we love and the power of returning from a break actually rejuvenated to do the work. She then stood up and offered a final piece of advice: “Leave it all behind.” How to Ensure Our Greatest Joy Good advice. For two weeks, instead of writing articles for publication, I went on walks with my wife, shot baskets with my boys and baked pies with my daughter. Instead of recording videos of me speaking, I recorded videos of my family gatherings, friends at parties and kids opening presents. Instead of writing hundreds of thank you notes to clients, I wrote a few sincere love letters to dear friends. And instead of disappearing into coffee shops and quiet nooks to write a chapter recalling memories from the past, we surprised our kids with a ski trip to create new memories to last a lifetime. My friends, don’t read the above as permission to procrastinate for our entire lives. Don’t ignore important work projects of the day. Don’t burn that to-do list of tasks to accomplish. Don’t stop striving to succeed mightily. Hard work, professional growth and personal progress are important aspects of a meaningful life. But, in the end, what’s the point of accomplishing anything if it’s at the expense of the family, the people, the things and the health that fill us with the greatest joy? Focusing on What and Who Matters Most in 2019 As you sweep up the holiday parties, put away the Christmas decorations and return to the worthy work of your life, remember to occasionally take pause. Although some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength, the truth is that there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go. And then to have the courage to do it. In the mundane periods of each day, the stress of the task, or the disappointments of the season, it’s critically important to return to what matters most, give thanks for all we already have, control the things we can and then leave the rest behind. Because, in the end, that’s where you’ll leave it anyway. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By John O'Leary. This was originally posted on JohnOLearyInspires.com. When John O'Leary was 9 years old, he suffered burns over 100% of his body and was expected to die. He is now an inspirational speaker and bestselling author, teaching more than 50,000 people around the world each year how to live inspired. John's first book, ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life was published March 15, 2016. John is a contributing writer for Huff Post and Parade.com. John is a proud husband and father of four and resides in St. Louis, MO. Order John’s book today anywhere books are sold.
All the buildup, excitement, planning, time away from work, family gatherings, gifts exchanged, and holidays celebrated is just about over. And as we prepare to flip the calendar to another year and head back to work, to school, and to real life, many of us wrestle with the question: So, now what? A woman with nine and a half decades of experience gave me some sage advice at our family Christmas Eve celebration a couple years ago, and today, I’m going to share it with all of you. Are We Racing and Missing the Gifts Right in Front of Us? Every year, my parents host as many of their children, daughters and sons-in-law, grandchildren, and dear friends as find themselves in town. In the midst of the chaos two years ago, the matriarch of the family, my 96-year-old grandmother Caddy and I stepped into a quiet room and had a wonderful conversation. Caddy is an amazing woman. She drinks from the fountain of youth, always wears a smile, and strives to put a smile on the face of anyone with whom she’s speaking. Grandma Caddy’s short-term memory is fading a bit, but her zest for life and natural beauty remain perfectly intact. During our conversation I asked about her childhood, how she met my grandpa, what it was like during World War II when he was in the Pacific, what life was like raising kids during the 50s, and a few of her favorite memories. I then asked what advice she’d give me as I continued along this path in life. She looked me in the eyes, patted my right leg, and responded thoughtfully, “John, it seems like everyone today is so busy racing. All that racing means they’re busy doing things, but also more likely to miss the gifts that are in front of them right now.” How Can You Embrace Grandma Caddy’s Advice? Caddy’s 96 years of raising kids and losing friends, savoring mighty blessings and minor gifts, learning through mistakes, and living life has taught her what matters most. She knows that the success so many of us long for is illusive until we slow down long enough to notice the joys that are already ours to celebrate. My friends, as we step into a new year, with new goals, new resolutions, new opportunities and new uncertainties, I encourage you to embrace the sage advice of Caddy to slow down and take an inventory of the blessings in your life. Look around at all you have and stop searching for all you don’t. Take account of the lessons you’ve learned, the adventures you’ve experienced, the wisdom you’ve received, the life you’ve lived and the possibility before you. Because it’s not only the scenery you miss by going fast. You’re also likely to miss the sense of where you are going and why you were going there in the first place. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By John O'Leary. This was originally posted on JohnOLearyInspires.com. When John O'Leary was 9 years old, he suffered burns over 100% of his body and was expected to die. He is now an inspirational speaker and bestselling author, teaching more than 50,000 people around the world each year how to live inspired. John's first book, ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life was published March 15, 2016. John is a contributing writer for Huff Post and Parade.com. John is a proud husband and father of four and resides in St. Louis, MO. Order John’s book today anywhere books are sold.
Have you ever had someone make a big difference for you? Better question: Do they even know? Frequently we so quickly move on with our lives that we miss the opportunity to share our gratitude for all someone else did for us. Let me explain. I Never Expressed my Gratitude to my Brother for Saving My Life Shortly after college I bought my first home. A couple of my buddies lived with me and paid me rent. We had a back yard, wooden deck, hot tub, barbeque pit… basically everything a twenty-something guy needed! My brother Jim called shortly after I moved in. He wondered if he could live with us for a few weeks while transitioning from a house he was renting into one he planned on purchasing. He was a successful attorney, my only brother, and I was happy to have him move in for a while. On July 3, 1999 with temperatures in triple digits and humidity so high it made breathing a chore, I helped Jim move. Now, I worked mowing lawns as a kid, bailing hay as a farmhand in high school, and remodeling distressed properties after college. But I’d never worked as hard or for as little as the day I moved Jim in. We carried his free weights, a ski machine, and a treadmill. We carried a giant wooden bar, a pool table, a massive dresser, a beat up bed, a love seat, couches, ottomans, end tables and bags of junk. After a brutal day in the heat, we finally finished. Finding Gratitude in an Unlikely Experience Jim took a quick walk through his old house to make sure we’d grabbed all of his stuff. That’s when he saw his Christmas decorations hiding in the corner of the basement: Wooden reindeers, light strands, a box of ornaments and a giant Santa Clause. He called me over, handed me a few boxes of lights and one of the reindeers, looked at me and said, “Man, this stuff is going to look amazing at our Christmas parties.” Christmas parties? It’s freaking July, Jim. You’ll be in your real home before September. Right? Well, my friend, a “few weeks” turned into three years. Three years of fighting over the television remote control and leftovers. Three years of laughter and great memories. Three years of watching sports and wrestling matches. Three years of going out and staying in. Three years of hosting family gatherings and, yes, Christmas parties. In other words, three years of living like brothers again. Who Has Elevated, Shaped and Inspired Your Life? And not once during the three years we lived together did we talk about the fire that defined my childhood and changed our lives. Not once during the three years we lived together did we acknowledge to each other, or the three other roommates, that Jim was much more than a brother. He was my lifesaver, my hero, and without him I wouldn’t be alive. There are so many individuals responsible for me successfully surviving a childhood fire that should have killed me – paramedics, doctors, nurses, technicians, community. There are countless individuals who helped inspire me to thrive afterwards – my parents, therapists, Jack Buck, classmates. Yet none of them would have had an opportunity to do their job, give their time, offer their prayers or encourage me forward had it not been for Jim’s heroism the day I was burned. As I stood in the front hall burning as a child, he’s the one who picked up a rug, beat down the flames, risked his life, burned himself and saved my life. And I never even acknowledged it much less expressed gratitude for it. How and Why to Express Your Gratitude Well, I have now (speaking about it publicly for 10+ years and in my #1 National Bestselling book ON FIRE, you could say I shout it from the rooftops everyday and it has cemented his impact and my gratitude) and it’s brought us closer together as brothers and as friends. My friends, we all have been elevated, encouraged, shaped and inspired by others. We all have individuals, coaches, mentors, and teachers who made a profound difference in our lives. Use this moment and an excuse to intentionally reach out to those individuals and express your gratitude. When you connect, rather than talking sports, or weather, or what the market did today, choose to participate in conversations that will breathe life and possibility into the moment. Rather than ignore their impact or wait to share with them next time, choose a conversation that matters, elevates and actually shows gratitude. Rather than hope they know, thank them for who they are and what they mean to you. While silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone, shared gratitude sets others on fire for life. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By John O'Leary. This was originally posted on JohnOLearyInspires.com. When John O'Leary was 9 years old, he suffered burns over 100% of his body and was expected to die. He is now an inspirational speaker and bestselling author, teaching more than 50,000 people around the world each year how to live inspired. John's first book, ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life was published March 15, 2016. John is a contributing writer for Huff Post and Parade.com. John is a proud husband and father of four and resides in St. Louis, MO. Order John’s book today anywhere books are sold.
Have you ever wondered if it’s too late to start? Maybe you felt it around beginning a new project, rectifying a teetering relationship, or making better choices in your health, or finances, or business? If you’ve ever thought it’s too late to change, you should meet Andre Norman. You see, Andre spent the first seven years of his life in abject poverty, disregarded by his immediate family. He grew up watching his mother being repeatedly abused by his father within their house and accustomed to the sounds of violence echoing throughout the neighborhood around his house. Having no guidance at home, and with little encouragement at school, he remained completely illiterate entering into the 4th grade. He finally found a sense of meaning and community when he joined a gang while in middle school. The decisions he made within his gang steered him in and out of juvenile detention during his early teens, and lead to a state prison shortly after his 18th birthday. And that’s when things got worse. Andre felt victimized by his upbringing, hatred toward his father, and anger at his circumstances. He was convinced the only way to show real power was through violence. Over the following six years, this angry young man was transferred to eight different state prisons, convicted of two attempted murders, began one prison riot, and spent two years in segregation on 24-hour lockdown. Refusing to change directions, he ended up precisely where he was heading. Until things began to change. Andre Norman Chooses to Turns Things Around At 24, with a long rap sheet, limited education, and little chance of ever leaving prison, Andre began envisioning a new life. He imagined breaking free from his past, setting a new direction going forward, and leading a radically different life. In his dreams, he saw himself beyond the walls, walking freely and even had the wild notion he’d one day graduate Harvard University. The convicted felon with no future began walking a different path. He taught himself to read, became a voracious reader and got his GED. He became a sponge of new information, an articulate writer, and a scholar of the law. Andre Norman also began meeting with people who brought him out of the shadows and into the light. He met with a mental health counselor to better understand, manage and eventually exile the demons of anger and rage. He met with a rabbi named Natan Schafer who taught him about personal responsibility, ethics, and forgiveness. Andre met two remarkable nuns named Sr. Kathleen and Sr. Ruth who taught him about kindness, humor, and charity. From these new friends, Andre began to see that he was worthwhile, that real greatness starts with serving, and that he possessed gifts that might help others. A decade and a half after entering prison as a hate-filled, violent, teenage boy, a wiser, more compassionate, more thoughtful man was released from it. He committed to not only doing better, but encouraging those most at risk to learn not only from his mistakes, but also the possibility displayed through his new life. He was now convinced that the only way to show real power was through love. Andre spent eight years doing outreach to gang members from Boston to Los Angeles. He spent time with addicts, gang members and drug dealers learning their story and what lead them down this path. He then shared his own journey and offered a different, difficult, but possible path forward. News of his impact spread. Cities began inviting him to reconcile disagreements between police and citizens. Schools invited him to share his message with their students. And businesses around the world invited him to share his remarkable story with their teams. What Andre’s Example Means to Each of Us My friends, although few of us will ever know the painful journey Andre traveled, we can all identify areas within our own life that are far from perfect. The painful truth that altered Andre’s life was that if he didn’t change directions, he would assuredly end up exactly where he was heading. But what liberated him was similar. When he finally decided to own his life, to alter his life’s trajectory, to surround himself with life-giving people, and to view himself as being worthy, he ended up exactly where he is now heading. This same redemptive realization will most assuredly apply in your life, too. Just ask the man who recently earned a fellowship at Harvard Law School: Andre Norman. This is your day. Live Inspired. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By John O'Leary. This was originally posted on JohnOLearyInspires.com. When John O'Leary was 9 years old, he suffered burns over 100% of his body and was expected to die. He is now an inspirational speaker and bestselling author, teaching more than 50,000 people around the world each year how to live inspired. John's first book, ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life was published March 15, 2016. John is a contributing writer for Huff Post and Parade.com. John is a proud husband and father of four and resides in St. Louis, MO. Order John’s book today anywhere books are sold.
If you were asked to pick one word that would encourage your team to be as successful as possible this year, what word would you choose? If you are the head of a sales team, perhaps your word would be effort or grit or service. If the team you are leading is in health care maybe it’s healing or extraordinary or presence. And if the team you’re leading is a crew of little ones at home, maybe your word is patience or listening-ears or now! But what if your team was a disparate group of 18 to 22-year-old athletes? What if they came from a couple dozen states, with differing beliefs and values, and from every imaginable upbringing? What single word might bring them together and forge them into champions? The winning head coach of the 2018 College Football National Championship considered this question as the season began, and his answer might surprise you. Let me explain. Finding Power in the Present Coach Dabo Swinney is a successful guy by every measurement these days. He is incredibly successful financially, is one of the winningest coaches over the past decade, just won his second National Championship, and has several times received College Football Coach of the Year awards. He’s got a lovely wife, three healthy kids, and a good life. He’s got it all. But he didn’t always. Growing up in a broken home was difficult for Dabo, and he was sometimes forced to sleep in the family car to avoid the unwarranted wrath of his abusive father. Although he was an extraordinary athlete, Dabo didn’t receive a single scholarship to play football in college, and instead had to make the team as a walk on. After three years of intense practices, studying and preparing, he finished his playing career with a total of 81 yards. When he couldn’t get a job in college football after graduation, he took a job in commercial real estate, but struggled. And after eventually making it back into football, his first season as head coach of Clemson ended with a lopsided loss that almost resulted in him being fired. And yet… One of the key drivers for Coach Dabo Swinney has always been a steadfast belief in work ethic, a deep conviction in his faith, and the certainty that the best is yet to come. Before the start of the 2018 season, he shared his life story with several hundred minority students. He began with these words: “If there’s hope in the future, then there’s power in the present.” What One Word Defined Clemson’s 2018 Season? So, what was the word Coach Dabo Swinney used to unify his team, galvanize their will, and ensure their success? What was the word that would take a group of 105 unique young men and transform them into a team that goes 15-0 and steamrolled their competition? Was it fight or outwork or destroy? No. The word was seemingly more gentile, but undoubtedly more transformative. The word was joy. Joy. Joy often gets confused with happy. But while happy is a fleeting, shifting emotion, joy is a state of mind. It is not easy, and it is not common. But it is a choice and it changes lives. Starting with one – and then a team – choosing it. Joy unified a bunch of college boys to play, work, smile, fight, learn, and win together. And my friends, I am absolutely confident that the decision to pursue that joy will elevate your game, too. Because what I know is this: things may go wrong for you today. You’ll get knocked down. You’ll be let down. You’ll deal with adversity and naysayers and calls that go against you. But in choosing joy, you’ll pop back up and be fueled with both the immense power in the present and the unbridled hope for the future. You’ll be on fire for life and totally unstoppable. Just ask the Clemson Tigers. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By John O'Leary. This was originally posted on JohnOLearyInspires.com. When John O'Leary was 9 years old, he suffered burns over 100% of his body and was expected to die. He is now an inspirational speaker and bestselling author, teaching more than 50,000 people around the world each year how to live inspired. John's first book, ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life was published March 15, 2016. John is a contributing writer for Huff Post and Parade.com. John is a proud husband and father of four and resides in St. Louis, MO. Order John’s book today anywhere books are sold.
It’s almost impossible to make it as an actor in the highly competitive movie industry. The most well-connected actors, from the finest schools, with incredible drive and abilities repeatedly find themselves on the outskirts, incapable of getting the break, unable to achieve the dream. This is what makes the success of Stephanie Szostak – and her unlikely conversation with Kevin Bacon – even more remarkable. Let me explain. Stephanie was raised in the suburbs of Paris, France. She first came to the United States at 19 when she studied marketing at The College of William & Mary. While there she fell in love, graduated, moved to New York, and started her life. She worked in marketing at Chanel, got married, had children and led a normal life. Then, at age 28, with absolutely no experience, no training and no track record, she decided to become an actor. Although well-intentioned friends told her she was crazy and would never succeed, with her husband’s encouragement, her belief in herself, and some neighborhood acting classes, Stephanie started the journey. She took some short roles, got on a few sets, learned the craft, built a bit of a resume, and caught a huge break when she was called back to be in a major movie titled, The Devil Wears Prada. The unassuming, but talented actress then received significant roles in both Dinner for Schmucks and Iron Man 3, before landing the leading lady role in R.I.P.D. The filming took place in Boston and during her first day on set Stephanie looked around the room in absolute awe of the other actors. Finding herself on the same set as Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges (The Dude, himself), and Kevin Bacon, her anxiety was high as she wondered if she truly belonged. Kevin Bacon Reminds Stephanie Szostak We’re All the Same On that first morning, Kevin and Stephanie had a few minutes before shooting to get to know one another. They talked about the movie, about other movies they had participated in (Kevin had a bit more to discuss!), and about their families. Eventually, though, Kevin wiped his eyes, apologized and explained he was simply exhausted because he hadn’t slept at all the previous night. When Stephanie asked why, he replied that he never sleeps before the first day of shooting; just too much anxiety. Stephanie, shocked, yelled back, “What? You get nervous? I figured I was the only one!” Kevin shared that anxiety simply meant he cared. He felt intense anxiety in his first major role (Animal House), has experienced it in every role over the four decades since, and felt that when he doesn’t feel it anymore he’ll know he’s not taking it serious enough and it’s time to quit. Those Nervous Butterflies Mean You Care My friends, I think we all experience anxiety as we prepare for the big meeting, the first date, an important sales call, a new opportunity. But the important lesson to learn from this dialogue between two Hollywood actors (hey, they really are like us!) is that we shouldn’t stop nervously anticipating as we get older and more seasoned. Instead, we should hope for butterflies before the second meeting, the second date, the next sales call and opportunity. And the third. Because those nerves are a reminder that you care. And butterflies should always be present when we do anything of importance. Our job isn’t to wish them away, but to get them to fly in formation. As you enter into your week, welcome the butterflies. Act and anticipate and plan as if the work you do, the relationships you touch and the life you live actually matters. Because it all does. And what better place to begin this practice then the most important roles you play: the ones at home. This is your day. Live Inspired. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! By John O'Leary. This was originally posted on JohnOLearyInspires.com. When John O'Leary was 9 years old, he suffered burns over 100% of his body and was expected to die. He is now an inspirational speaker and bestselling author, teaching more than 50,000 people around the world each year how to live inspired. John's first book, ON FIRE: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life was published March 15, 2016. John is a contributing writer for Huff Post and Parade.com. John is a proud husband and father of four and resides in St. Louis, MO. Order John’s book today anywhere books are sold.
While watching a 4th of July parade earlier this month, I spent a few minutes chatting with a young man entering his senior year in college. I asked if he was excited to graduate and begin using all he’d learned in the past 20 or so years. He shrugged, looked away, and responded, “Not really. I think most people my age just feel pretty gloomy about our chances. Take a look around, the world is falling apart and we are the ones that have to figure it out.” He paused before adding somberly, “I’m pretty sure the American Dream is dead.” As he said this, not knowing exactly how to respond, I looked away from him and around at our surroundings. The street we stood on was lined with gorgeous century-old houses, massive oak trees, and sidewalks that were packed with generations of friends and family waving at the passing parade floats. There were tents set up with charcoal smoke and hotdog smells rising from barbeque pits. Music from a high school marching band approached from the distance and a float with politically-active citizens rolled by cheering slogans and passing out stickers. Immediately behind them chugged a massive World War II half-track transporter. The words painted on the side of the enormous vehicle read: “Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.” In it were a few surviving soldiers who seven decades earlier fought in one of the harshest, deadliest and most important battles during the war. These men saluted, smiled, and proudly waved flags. And as they drove by the words of the young man echoed in my mind: “I’m pretty sure the American Dream is dead.” The Death of the American Dream Perhaps the young man was right. Maybe the American Dream is dead. But before we bury it, maybe it’s important to remember what the dream was in the first place. Quite simply, the American Dream was first imagined during a time of global tension, great injustice, social upheaval, and intense inequities among classes, races and genders. The dream foretold that through self-determination individuals could work, plant, strive and fight to be given the chance to make even better lives for themselves and their families. The promise of the dream was never one of assurance of great wealth, or ease, or rest, or health, or even longevity of years. Instead it offered a vague, but radiant promise that with enough personal grit, accountability, resolution and a bit of luck, an even better life could be cultivated. The verbiage for this dream borrowed heavily from words we celebrated together while watching the parade roll past. The Declaration of Independence, penned by Thomas Jefferson and ratified on July 4, 1776, includes the now immortalized words that we all enjoy certain inalienable rights including the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Before the American Dream’s reported death, the dream offered the right to that pursuit, but not the guarantee of its achievement. It is what fueled the first leaders of this country to willingly risk everything in signing their names to the Declaration. It’s what guided and motivated the early frontier families to leave everything they knew and head west in the search of something even better. It is what empowered the men rolling past us in the transporter (then boys) to enlist in the service of their country and depart the safety of their towns. These homesick kids boarded ships, traveled overseas, and found themselves in a foreign land, in some densely forested region of Belgium, fighting in an enormous battle that injured or killed almost 100,000 of their friends, before securing eventual victory: the Battle of the Bulge. You see, the American Dream to every previous generation was never a guarantee of ease or prosperity or even an absolute certainty of success. It was instead the promise of possibility. And it is my steadfast belief that this promise, this Dream, is far from dead. It is alive and well and just as difficult, arduous, and perfectly possible to attain as ever before. Sometimes you just need to open your eyes a little wider to see it marching by right in front of you. Fuel for a ‘New’ American Dream My friends, with the constant drumbeat of negativity from our friends on both sides of the aisle being echoed and magnified by the media each day, there are plenty of reasons to feel discouraged by life today and ample opportunities to stop believing in a brighter tomorrow. But what might happen if we stopped focusing only on all we don’t have, on all that might go wrong, on all we might have to endure? What might happen if we choose instead to view all we do possess, felt overwhelmed with gratitude for the preceding generations who provided us these opportunities, and boldly embraced the potential we have each day to work, plant, strive and fight for something bigger than ourselves? Yes, the world may indeed be falling apart. But what an awesome time to accept the responsibility of not being pushed down by these problems, but to utilize them as fuel to live into your dreams. This is your day. Live Inspired. Looking for your next healthcare speaker? Get in touch with us at the Capitol City Speakers Bureau today to make your healthcare event a success! |
Archives
December 2023
Categories
All
|