I read something interesting the other day about Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. James Bryan Smith writes that a few years ago, when the Colts won the Super Bowl, Manning practiced indirection. What is 'indirection', and how do you practice it?
In Manning's case, indirection was taking snaps from his center during practice with water-soaked footballs. He wanted to be ready in case it rained during the Super Bowl. It rained. Manning was ready. He never fumbled, but his counterpart did. The Colts won.
Manning did what he could, Smith writes, to enable him to do what he could not have done without preparation.
People also change by indirection. We change, not by our willpower, but by changing the way we think and by our actions. Like the quarterback, we do what we can in order to enable us to do what we cannot do directly.
Today's Winning Thought: We have to examine how we think and how we act so we won't fumble the ball on those rainy days.
How were the first few days of this new year? Are you following your plan for success?
I read an article recently about Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder, the mind and architect behind the greatest turnaround in college football history. He used to have 14 principles and goals for success. Today, there are 16. At least one of the coach's former players still carries the list in his wallet, 20 years after he graduated. They turned a football team around, and developed character in many young men. They can help all of us become more successful. Here is the list.
Commitment. Unselfishness. Unity. Improvement. Toughness. Self-improvement. Great effort. Enthusiasm. Eliminate mistakes. Never give up. Don't accept losing. No self-limitations. Expect to win. Consistency. Leadership. Responsibility.
Today's Winning Thought: Live by these rules and you will be a success.
Yesterday I mentioned watching out for the gravel in our lives, and five choices that will help us be extraordinarily productive. Here is the list.
Act on the important, don't react to the urgent.
Go for the extraordinary, don't settle for the ordinary.
Schedule the big rocks, don't sort gravel.
Rule your technology, don't let it rule you.
Fuel you fire, don't burnout.
Today's Winning Thought: Ordinary will happen. Extraordinary is a choice. -- Leena Rinne, Franklin Covey Company.
I heard an interesting thought this week while attending a meeting. The presenter was speaking about improved productivity, and about paying careful attention to the important things in your life.
The speaker provided a visual. The important things in our life are big rocks. The other stuff that is not as important or not important at all is gravel. If you poured the sand and gravel into a big bowl and then added the big rocks, the might not be enough room for the big rocks. Put the big rocks in first. The sand and gravel should come later.
She asked, "What is the gravel in your life? How is it affecting your productivity?"
There are five choices each one of us can make that will lead to extraordinary productivity. I will share them with you tomorrow.
Today's Winning Thought: "Busyness does not equal productivity." -- John Maxwell
It is a new day, a new week and a new year. A great time for a new start.
How will you begin your new year? Some will hit the ground running. Others will spend time getting ready for the new year. Ar you entering the new year with a clear mind or is there clutter that will be an obstacle?
In his book, Today We Are Rich, Tim Sanders writes that your mind is either clear or cluttered with negative thoughts. Get rid of the clutter as quickly as you can. Success can be tough enough with a clear mind. Don't be your own worst enemy.
Today's Winning Thought: If what I read today is true - that success is 90 percent mental - then go into this new year with a clear mind.
