Choices are our game plan’s bricks and mortar. Everything that happens to us is the result of the choices we make. You choose to act or procrastinate, believe or doubt, help or hinder, succeed or fail.
– Lou Holtz, “Winning Every Day; The Game Plan for Success”
Difficult times call for wise words.
If you are not familiar with Lou Holtz, he had an incredible 27-year career as a head football coach, most notably with Notre Dame. His 1998 book, “Winning Every Day; The Game Plan for Success,” was outstanding.
In search of some sage advice, I recently pulled it from my bookshelf again the other day. It is chock-full of wisdom that can help us stay on top of our game…personally, professionally, and as contributing members of humanity.
Here are a few gems from the book that really resonated with me this time around:
“We can’t lower our standards during hard times. We must raise them.”
“Understand what you are trying to do. Stay completely focused on your original and primary purpose. Do not get sidetracked.”
“Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do. Your attitude determines how well you do it.”
“Don’t let what you don’t have keep you from using what you do have.”
“No one is interested in excuses, only results.”
“Too many people aren’t willing to make sacrifices to help themselves, let alone others.”
“Surround yourself with people who encourage rather than discourage.”
“You can’t accomplish anything big without doing the little things. Fundamentals are basically doing the little things correctly.”
“Enthusiasm is contagious. If you have enthusiasm for what you do, people will want to share in it.”
“Only you can change yourself. Don’t expect your parents, spouse, colleagues, or friends to transform you. It’s not their job.”
“Continue to do whatever you’ve done before and the results will remain the same. Revamp your approach to life and you will produce a different outcome.”
“I believe most problems are blessings in disguise. You can transform any tragedy into a positive experience simply by altering your perspective. We often cannot tell an obstruction from an opportunity until we view it from hindsight. So be patient.”
“The person who doesn’t fail is the person who doesn’t attempt anything.”
“Understand that failure is inevitable; see it as part of your learning process.”
“If you continually ask yourself, “What’s Important Now?” you won’t waste time on the trivial.”
“Make sure you do something every day to realize one of your dreams.”
“Preparation dispels pressure because it builds confidence.”
“Discipline is not what you do to yourself, it’s what you do for yourself.”
“Opportunity is never a polite thing. It won’t stand around waiting for you while you sit trying to decide whether or not to embrace it. You must have the courage to grab it with both hands when it’s in front of you.”
“An empathetic voice speaking in a hush can persuade and influence far more effectively than even the loudest invective launched in rage.”
“Root for everyone to succeed.”
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Previously Published on pinkgazelle.com
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