The title of this post serves two purposes: 1) I want to start this Blog up again and try to maintain, at a minimum, one post per month. Keep me motivated, friends! 2) Stalled Projects at home or work, which is what I will write about today.
How many times do we start something, even if it is just the thought of what you want to do, and then it is pushed aside and left sitting without completion? I am guilty of this in my own personal and professional life with blame being placed on a variety of excuses every time. It wasn't until I spent some time reflecting on what "have I really done" that I realized, "I have not done near as much as I would like or needed to." With that being said, the only excuse for the lack of execution fell back on me!
We can save our time and energy on searching for an excuse by realizing that the responsibility for stalled projects falls squarely on the Leader's shoulders. "Leaders are responsible, always." The sooner we realize this, the quicker we can get to the solution of knowing, and doing, what needs to be done. You can restart these projects by asking yourself, and your team, three questions.
1. What have I (you) done?
2. What can I (you) do next?
3. When can I (you) have the next step done?
Once the project is back up and running, it is up to you to make sure the momentum grows and the project is completed!
"You get to make a choice. You can remake that choice everyday, in fact. It's never too late to choose optimism, to choose action, to choose excellence. The best thing is that it only takes a moment -- just one second -- to decide." Seth Godin
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Thursday, February 24, 2011
"Giving your ALL"
Throughout my life I have been coached to give my all and have coached my boys to give their all, but what does it really mean? In athletics it is a saying that is common from parents, teammates, and coaches alike, and is fundamental for the success of any team. Giving your all means to go all-in and do everything in your power to help your team succeed. I believe it also means to adopt the philosophy of your leader and put in the time and effort to represent that philosophy.
Over the past two years I have watched a group of young men exemplify what it means to “give your all.” They have put in hours of blood, sweat, and tears for me, their teams, their family, and their school. It was a selfless effort as a united group to succeed. They bought into the fact that if they did everything possible to get better individually that their team would be better for it, and they didnt care who got the credit. I always go back to the quote from John Wooden, “One hand washes the other” and when we seek to follow this motto, we will be successful and so will our company/team. It is a contagious attitude to give your all. As for my boys this year, it was almost always demanded by their parents, from the youngest player to the top player, that they give their all everyday. I loved this reinforcement from the parents to their athlete. However, it also opened the door for me to see the true meaning of giving your all and how non-existent it is in our world today.
In our lives how often do we “give our all?” Do we act as a selfless teammate? We preach it to our athletes and to our kids, but do we set the example? At work, how many hours of the day are we all-in? Do we give our all for the success of our company because we know it will make us a better individual? Or are we just showing up, clocking in, and clocking out? At home, men specifically, do we give our family our all? Or are we too busy or too tired from “work”? (See above, did we give our all at work?)
I believe this is a serious contributing factor to why America and our society is in the shape it is in today. I am challenging myself to not be this way and “give my all” in my endeavors with the hopes that it will positively affect my job, friendships, faith, and relationship. It our job as men and leaders to set examples for kids and others. By “going all-in” you can set the ultimate example.
Over the past two years I have watched a group of young men exemplify what it means to “give your all.” They have put in hours of blood, sweat, and tears for me, their teams, their family, and their school. It was a selfless effort as a united group to succeed. They bought into the fact that if they did everything possible to get better individually that their team would be better for it, and they didnt care who got the credit. I always go back to the quote from John Wooden, “One hand washes the other” and when we seek to follow this motto, we will be successful and so will our company/team. It is a contagious attitude to give your all. As for my boys this year, it was almost always demanded by their parents, from the youngest player to the top player, that they give their all everyday. I loved this reinforcement from the parents to their athlete. However, it also opened the door for me to see the true meaning of giving your all and how non-existent it is in our world today.
In our lives how often do we “give our all?” Do we act as a selfless teammate? We preach it to our athletes and to our kids, but do we set the example? At work, how many hours of the day are we all-in? Do we give our all for the success of our company because we know it will make us a better individual? Or are we just showing up, clocking in, and clocking out? At home, men specifically, do we give our family our all? Or are we too busy or too tired from “work”? (See above, did we give our all at work?)
I believe this is a serious contributing factor to why America and our society is in the shape it is in today. I am challenging myself to not be this way and “give my all” in my endeavors with the hopes that it will positively affect my job, friendships, faith, and relationship. It our job as men and leaders to set examples for kids and others. By “going all-in” you can set the ultimate example.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
“Little Things Make Big Things Happen”
I decided to write this blog tonight for my boys. Who are my boys? They are a small number of student athletes who I have been given the privilege of coaching the past two years at MCA.
Tomorrow, a handful of these boys step onto the basketball floor for what could be the last time this season and for four of them, their last time as an 8th grader. We will be competing as a 3 seed in the MTAC Conference Tournament this season, our first season in the conference. We have been handed a tough match up with a team that is beatable, but has previously defeated us this season. All season long I have preached the “small things” and I hope they have taken it to heart.
I have taken on a philosophy as a coach, teacher, and leader that great things can only be accomplished by doing the little things right. I believe that doing things right become habit, and habits stand up under pressure. Often times teams place such an emphasis on reaching a distant goal- winning the championship, that they place inadequate time on what it takes to get there. This starts with the finest details of what clothes to wear to a game, how you tie your basketball shoes, how to hold the ball, how to dribble, shoot, pass, rebound, block-out, play defense, etc... Every practice, every meeting, and every game we have put in the time to perfect the little things.
Lack of focus on the small things leads to sloppiness on the court, which eventually catches up with you. (Our team has experienced this a couple of times this season and each time the boys and I walked away with a renewed focus to get the job done.) However, if you make a concentrated effort on the little things the big things can be attainable. Coach John Wooden was quoted as saying, “I consider each detail like a rivet in the wing of an airplane. Remove one rivet from the wing and it makes no difference. Remove enough of them, however, and the wing falls off.” With my boys I don't want a wing to fall off. So, every detail that is relevant is important and deserves to be done the right way.
I hope that my passion for the little things has rubbed off on these guys. This focus will help our team set the tone, in style and in substance, for how we want to execute tomorrow and throughout this tournament. If we properly execute all the small things tomorrow, we will accomplish a great thing-VICTORY.
Regardless of the outcome tomorrow I will be proud of what this team has accomplished this season. We have totaled ten wins this season to only five losses, but more importantly these boys have grown everyday as young men and basketball players. Our success will continue tomorrow if we do all of the little things!
Good luck guys and I cant wait to coach you in the first “big” game of your career.
Coach Shawn
Tomorrow, a handful of these boys step onto the basketball floor for what could be the last time this season and for four of them, their last time as an 8th grader. We will be competing as a 3 seed in the MTAC Conference Tournament this season, our first season in the conference. We have been handed a tough match up with a team that is beatable, but has previously defeated us this season. All season long I have preached the “small things” and I hope they have taken it to heart.
I have taken on a philosophy as a coach, teacher, and leader that great things can only be accomplished by doing the little things right. I believe that doing things right become habit, and habits stand up under pressure. Often times teams place such an emphasis on reaching a distant goal- winning the championship, that they place inadequate time on what it takes to get there. This starts with the finest details of what clothes to wear to a game, how you tie your basketball shoes, how to hold the ball, how to dribble, shoot, pass, rebound, block-out, play defense, etc... Every practice, every meeting, and every game we have put in the time to perfect the little things.
Lack of focus on the small things leads to sloppiness on the court, which eventually catches up with you. (Our team has experienced this a couple of times this season and each time the boys and I walked away with a renewed focus to get the job done.) However, if you make a concentrated effort on the little things the big things can be attainable. Coach John Wooden was quoted as saying, “I consider each detail like a rivet in the wing of an airplane. Remove one rivet from the wing and it makes no difference. Remove enough of them, however, and the wing falls off.” With my boys I don't want a wing to fall off. So, every detail that is relevant is important and deserves to be done the right way.
I hope that my passion for the little things has rubbed off on these guys. This focus will help our team set the tone, in style and in substance, for how we want to execute tomorrow and throughout this tournament. If we properly execute all the small things tomorrow, we will accomplish a great thing-VICTORY.
Regardless of the outcome tomorrow I will be proud of what this team has accomplished this season. We have totaled ten wins this season to only five losses, but more importantly these boys have grown everyday as young men and basketball players. Our success will continue tomorrow if we do all of the little things!
Good luck guys and I cant wait to coach you in the first “big” game of your career.
Coach Shawn
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Catching Up
As many of you may already know, last week was one of the most stressful weeks I have experienced, but also turned out to be one of the most rewarding. We hosted our first ever football game here at McClain Christian Academy on Thursday, August 19, 2010 and it was an adventure to say the least.
The weather never cooperated from the beginning and every mishap possible occurred. We received approximately eight inches of rain here on the field and the field goal posts did not arrive until Wednesday afternoon during the monsoon. This created a job for Thursday to ensure that our game was played as scheduled. We had dads, family members, and employees show up to help in the efforts beginning at 6:00a.m. During the day we pumped 250 gallons of water per minute off the field, constructed one field goal post, and got the field painted.
And all of the hard work paid off! We were able to kick off on time and play a great football game. Despite the loss, it was a major success in itself just to host the game. It was also a success to see our school community and families rally around the football team and embrace their efforts and hard work. These boys have put in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears (more tears than some of the dads would like) this preseason to prepare and they earned the spotlight.
This was not the best part of the week though. It came on Friday night when we played at Lighthouse Christian School in their Jamboree. We played Lighthouse, followed by Franklin Classical School in two- twenty minute halves. We came out with a spark and a desire that could not be stopped! The boys tied Lighthouse Christian 6-6 and then defeated Franklin Classical School 6-0. You could see the happiness and excitement all over their faces! It was worth every minute of hard work and long hours I have put in at McClain Christian Academy.
This week really reminded me that God may put you through a struggle, but it is NEVER more than you can handle. It also reassured my belief that with God ANYTHING is possible. I was humbled last week and even though every minute was not fun, it will be something that I will remember for the rest of my life.
This season will be a special time in this school's history and these boys' life. Make it a point to attend a game and show your support for their hard work.
I also want to thank everyone who helped get the field ready and made last week possible.
The weather never cooperated from the beginning and every mishap possible occurred. We received approximately eight inches of rain here on the field and the field goal posts did not arrive until Wednesday afternoon during the monsoon. This created a job for Thursday to ensure that our game was played as scheduled. We had dads, family members, and employees show up to help in the efforts beginning at 6:00a.m. During the day we pumped 250 gallons of water per minute off the field, constructed one field goal post, and got the field painted.
And all of the hard work paid off! We were able to kick off on time and play a great football game. Despite the loss, it was a major success in itself just to host the game. It was also a success to see our school community and families rally around the football team and embrace their efforts and hard work. These boys have put in a lot of blood, sweat, and tears (more tears than some of the dads would like) this preseason to prepare and they earned the spotlight.
This was not the best part of the week though. It came on Friday night when we played at Lighthouse Christian School in their Jamboree. We played Lighthouse, followed by Franklin Classical School in two- twenty minute halves. We came out with a spark and a desire that could not be stopped! The boys tied Lighthouse Christian 6-6 and then defeated Franklin Classical School 6-0. You could see the happiness and excitement all over their faces! It was worth every minute of hard work and long hours I have put in at McClain Christian Academy.
This week really reminded me that God may put you through a struggle, but it is NEVER more than you can handle. It also reassured my belief that with God ANYTHING is possible. I was humbled last week and even though every minute was not fun, it will be something that I will remember for the rest of my life.
This season will be a special time in this school's history and these boys' life. Make it a point to attend a game and show your support for their hard work.
I also want to thank everyone who helped get the field ready and made last week possible.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The First Test: MCA Football @ Sacred Heart
This past Saturday, July 31, 2010, I took the MCA Football team to Jackson, TN to take part in a two part practice/scrimmage day with the Sacred Heart Knights. We have been preparing for our inaugural season since May 1, 2010 and the boys' have put in countless hours of hard work and this was our first opportunity to see it unfold and in action.
It was one of the hottest days we have faced all year and the boys' pushed through a two hour positions practice where they worked on agilities, drill, technique, and toughness. I was very impressed with our hard work and performance during this session. The boys' stayed confident and focused on the task at hand, even though they were competing against a team full of upper classmen. (Our team is made up of 1 fifth grader, 2 sixth graders, 2 seventh graders, 6 eighth graders, 2 ninth graders, 2 tenth graders, and 1 senior.) They kept the gap very close during this session.
In the afternoon session everyone strapped on their pads and we went through a coaches scrimmage. During this time each team would run ten plays on offense, then switch to defense for ten plays. With a team as small as ours is, we have never had the opportunity of seeing our offense or defense face a squad that could provide a game-like situation. It was a huge learning experience for me as a coach and my team as a whole. This was when the other teams age, size, and strength really began to show, but this never demoralized the boys'. They kept pushing forward and fighting with all they had!
This was a great experience for me, because I was able to see where players needed to play, and who was going to step up when it got tough! It was amazing to see the boys' step up and take ownership of the team and this paid off about half way through the scrimmage. We began to get some pressure up the middle on their offensive line and break up numerous plays in the backfield. The confidence kept building and we became the team that was setting the tone and playing our game. As a coach this was all I could ask for! They gave me 100% and focused on their jobs regardless of what the other team was doing.
A lot of people have asked the question, "did you win?" Well, this was about more than winning and losing. If you would have kept the score, no we would not have won... But if you would have measured heart and determination, we won! I was very happy with what they accomplished and I can't wait to hit the practice field this afternoon!
Our goal is build strong-young men, in doing so we are Building Warriors here at MCA!
It was one of the hottest days we have faced all year and the boys' pushed through a two hour positions practice where they worked on agilities, drill, technique, and toughness. I was very impressed with our hard work and performance during this session. The boys' stayed confident and focused on the task at hand, even though they were competing against a team full of upper classmen. (Our team is made up of 1 fifth grader, 2 sixth graders, 2 seventh graders, 6 eighth graders, 2 ninth graders, 2 tenth graders, and 1 senior.) They kept the gap very close during this session.
In the afternoon session everyone strapped on their pads and we went through a coaches scrimmage. During this time each team would run ten plays on offense, then switch to defense for ten plays. With a team as small as ours is, we have never had the opportunity of seeing our offense or defense face a squad that could provide a game-like situation. It was a huge learning experience for me as a coach and my team as a whole. This was when the other teams age, size, and strength really began to show, but this never demoralized the boys'. They kept pushing forward and fighting with all they had!
This was a great experience for me, because I was able to see where players needed to play, and who was going to step up when it got tough! It was amazing to see the boys' step up and take ownership of the team and this paid off about half way through the scrimmage. We began to get some pressure up the middle on their offensive line and break up numerous plays in the backfield. The confidence kept building and we became the team that was setting the tone and playing our game. As a coach this was all I could ask for! They gave me 100% and focused on their jobs regardless of what the other team was doing.
A lot of people have asked the question, "did you win?" Well, this was about more than winning and losing. If you would have kept the score, no we would not have won... But if you would have measured heart and determination, we won! I was very happy with what they accomplished and I can't wait to hit the practice field this afternoon!
Our goal is build strong-young men, in doing so we are Building Warriors here at MCA!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
MCA Football Deer Run Retreat
So, it has been forever since I have been able to update this. It has been a combination of being too busy with MCA Football, life, and lack of commitment to it. I am going to try to be more proactive and consistent in this.
This past weekend we, The MCA Football team and coaching staff, took a retreat to Deer Run Retreat Center in Thompson's Station, TN. (http://deerrunretreat.org/) Deer Run is a Christian based retreat center that allows you to enjoy the outdoors in a safe, quiet environment away from all of the day-to-day stress and noise. The objective of the trip was to help the boys grow closer together as a team and closer to God in their daily walk.
We spent three days and two nights out there that proved to be a trip that was invaluable. The week leading up to our retreat the boys spent eight hours a day in football camp where they were challenged physically and mentally. This included two-a-day practices and chalk talk sessions Monday -Thursday. This is normal practice among most, if not all, high school football programs in the nation. However, this had a little more special value to us as a school, community, and team. This is the first ever football team in the history of McClain Christian Academy.
On Friday, July 23, 2010, we loaded up and headed to Deer Run, where upon arrival we unloaded and made a bee-line to the lake. I am still unsure if all the boys even changed into a swim suit! After the long-hot days we had a lake was like finding a pot of gold! The boys (and coaches) played on the lake for two hours without any break in activity. This was either swimming in the water, playing on the aqua park trampoline, launching Rex and the other smaller players into the air off the blob, or riding a zip-line 20-30 feet above the water and dropping in to cool off. (The water was about as warm as bath water, but no one cared)
Later that night we had a team whiffle ball game and wow, it was an experience. Deer Run has a turf whiffle ball field complete with a fence and lighting! After getting settled into the game, it was a home run derby for six innings. (My team losing 35-34) Following the game we headed over for a devotional at the camp fire lead by Pastor Erik Reed and Shawn Allen from The Journey Church here in Lebanon, TN. (@erikreed and @shawnmallen) This was a great bonding time for the boys to spend in God's Word and to see men and young men let their guard down. I am very grateful and thankful to Erik and Shawn for the great job they did!
The next day was full of more lake time and a low ropes course. If you have never completed a low ropes course then it is highly recommended! The low ropes course consists of mental and physical challenges that everyone in your group must complete as a team. This is not an easy task! It included team work, trust, communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and perseverance. I am very proud of the boys and their progress during this three-hour test!
The boys played from daylight to dark and never slowed down. I couldnt be more proud of the group of young men they are becoming. I am prayerful that they will take this trip and use it to their advantage throughout the season. I want to thank all of the kids, their parents, and especially the dads and coaches who stayed with us throughout the trip!
This past weekend we, The MCA Football team and coaching staff, took a retreat to Deer Run Retreat Center in Thompson's Station, TN. (http://deerrunretreat.org/) Deer Run is a Christian based retreat center that allows you to enjoy the outdoors in a safe, quiet environment away from all of the day-to-day stress and noise. The objective of the trip was to help the boys grow closer together as a team and closer to God in their daily walk.
We spent three days and two nights out there that proved to be a trip that was invaluable. The week leading up to our retreat the boys spent eight hours a day in football camp where they were challenged physically and mentally. This included two-a-day practices and chalk talk sessions Monday -Thursday. This is normal practice among most, if not all, high school football programs in the nation. However, this had a little more special value to us as a school, community, and team. This is the first ever football team in the history of McClain Christian Academy.
On Friday, July 23, 2010, we loaded up and headed to Deer Run, where upon arrival we unloaded and made a bee-line to the lake. I am still unsure if all the boys even changed into a swim suit! After the long-hot days we had a lake was like finding a pot of gold! The boys (and coaches) played on the lake for two hours without any break in activity. This was either swimming in the water, playing on the aqua park trampoline, launching Rex and the other smaller players into the air off the blob, or riding a zip-line 20-30 feet above the water and dropping in to cool off. (The water was about as warm as bath water, but no one cared)
Later that night we had a team whiffle ball game and wow, it was an experience. Deer Run has a turf whiffle ball field complete with a fence and lighting! After getting settled into the game, it was a home run derby for six innings. (My team losing 35-34) Following the game we headed over for a devotional at the camp fire lead by Pastor Erik Reed and Shawn Allen from The Journey Church here in Lebanon, TN. (@erikreed and @shawnmallen) This was a great bonding time for the boys to spend in God's Word and to see men and young men let their guard down. I am very grateful and thankful to Erik and Shawn for the great job they did!
The next day was full of more lake time and a low ropes course. If you have never completed a low ropes course then it is highly recommended! The low ropes course consists of mental and physical challenges that everyone in your group must complete as a team. This is not an easy task! It included team work, trust, communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and perseverance. I am very proud of the boys and their progress during this three-hour test!
The boys played from daylight to dark and never slowed down. I couldnt be more proud of the group of young men they are becoming. I am prayerful that they will take this trip and use it to their advantage throughout the season. I want to thank all of the kids, their parents, and especially the dads and coaches who stayed with us throughout the trip!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Lately
Today, along with the past few, has been a day with many different things to reflect upon. I have constructed a basketball program at MCA in a little over a month. This has been a huge challenge, but already a success with the level of progress our kids and program have made. We have practiced a total of 12-15 times and will play our first game on Monday, November 23. MCA was without any previous program, or any of the necessities a team or program needs. With that being said we (myself, the administration, and parents) have managed to get the minimums needed to compete this year. This was not an easy task! Many of the things coaches and players take for granted were not accesible, but had to be purchased. This has been a full time job for me as an Athletic Director, then as a Coach for the boy's team. (If you want to donate anything let me know! Ha Ha)
Gymnastics at Intrigue is full stride right now, and it is a never ending project with these girls. State Meet is approximately three weeks out, and these girls have made unbelievable progress, but the team is lacking the sense of urgency Coach Sue and myself have taken. After State Meet it is over and it is time for next year, and they can't have the opportunity this season provides ever again. Regardless of the relentless pressure and coaching we provide we can not practice for them. I never thought it would have as much of an affect as it does on me when these girls fail to reach their full potential. It is like I have failed to do my job to the full extent! These girls have a rare opportunity to win State as a team, but it is going to take all of them to bust their butts for the next three weeks like never before. So please keep them in your prayers and wish them luck if you meet any of them!
It's been a busy past few weeks, I hope I have the chance to update soon!
Gymnastics at Intrigue is full stride right now, and it is a never ending project with these girls. State Meet is approximately three weeks out, and these girls have made unbelievable progress, but the team is lacking the sense of urgency Coach Sue and myself have taken. After State Meet it is over and it is time for next year, and they can't have the opportunity this season provides ever again. Regardless of the relentless pressure and coaching we provide we can not practice for them. I never thought it would have as much of an affect as it does on me when these girls fail to reach their full potential. It is like I have failed to do my job to the full extent! These girls have a rare opportunity to win State as a team, but it is going to take all of them to bust their butts for the next three weeks like never before. So please keep them in your prayers and wish them luck if you meet any of them!
It's been a busy past few weeks, I hope I have the chance to update soon!
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