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InspirationsWe all need a little inspiration. The following is a compilation of inspirations that Mike uses in his presentations as well as motivating his own energy level. Breathe in deep and enjoy! "Progress is risky. You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first at the same time!"
Baseball is a great sport and one that illustrates how we can view our life. We all face risks, whether in our business or our personal lives. The baseball teams that win the championships are the ones that consistently take risks. “A good leader exemplifies a good attitude.”
In business, as in life, to be a leader doesn’t mean to be overpowering, or overbearing, or micro-managing in how you work with others – whether with business associates or family. Being a leader is about making choices, going with your gut and letting those you have in charge “run with the ball.” Let them fail, let them make mistakes, and that’s how they learn.
“You cannot manage something you don’t acknowledge.”
Owning up to your mistakes (whether business or personal) is a form of growth and your track to become a better person. Acknowledge your faults – I have, specifically as it relates to my alcoholism and the control it had on my life until December 31, 1989. I also acknowledged the abuse I had inflicted upon my wife, Marty, during the first few years of our marriage – she stuck it out “for better or for worse!” I got help, we committed further to each other, and even though she was hurt emotionally and physically, she forgave me, the main reason I refer to her as my “Angel here on earth.” To that end, we recently celebrated 21 years of marriage. I’ve had the opportunity, with 17 near death experiences, to manage a great deal in my life. Take hold and take charge of your life – you will be a better person for it!
“Leadership is a combination of strategy and character. If you must be without one, be without the strategy.”
Never lose sight of who you are; your character is what matters most in all you do in life. Which would you want on your headstone, that you were a man of strategy or a man of great character? Character is what people remember about a person!
“Leadership is based on a spiritual quality; the power, to inspire the power, to inspire others to follow.”
“Perfection is not attainable. But, if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.”
Vince Lombardi was a humble man, a fair man, a man of the greatest and highest moral character. Not many people know this about Coach Lombardi. He started out each day by going to daily mass – he was a Catholic and he believed that his calling was to lead, to inspire others to greatness. He realized that in order to do so he needed a greater power, the power of Jesus to help him in his quest! He knew he couldn’t do it alone.
“The time is always right to do what is right.”
Could anyone have said it any better than Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.? In all that you do, within business and life, do what is right – not some of the time, but all of the time! Integrity is something that all people should display, for without integrity, we are nothing.
“Success isn’t permanent, and failure isn’t fatal.”
This quote exemplifies what we all experience in life, successes and failures! Look at me, 17 near death experiences. I could have given up, I could have quit, I could have said “why me,” but I didn’t. After each and every event, I picked up the pieces and moved forward. We all have choices in our lives. We can choose which path to take. The ‘right’ path is not always the easiest, but it brings out the best in us as humans – our character, our moral standards, our integrity. Or we can choose the ‘wrong’ path – a path of miss-steps or disobedience to ourselves, our families, our associates in business. Since I quit drinking 17+ years ago, I have always tried to walk down the right path. I haven’t always succeeded, but I get up each day at least trying, knowing that the wrong path is the way to failure for me!
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