- January 14th, 2015
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- Leadership
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- Stay in the Game! Lessons From HEARTBREAKING ECU Loss!
I think if we were truly honest and reflective, when things haven’t gone the way we would like–it wasn’t just one decision that caused the issue. There were probably a series of minor missteps along the way that caused the major mishap to be severely magnetized. I say that to say this…
- Look for the small clues along the way and adjust accordingly
- Listen to your instinct, gut, conscience, Holy Spirit, etc.
Spend some time personally training and coaching. We can become disappointed when things are not done how we like. But have we really shown them the way we like or have we just assumed they will do it the way we like?
It’s ok to hold people accountable. You, your event, your brand and your business will suffer if you don’t. Teach them. Train them. Model for them. Then hold them accountable. Being a leader is a lot like parenting. It’s not easy. You won’t always be popular. But the end result (a productive, transformed person) is worth it.
Never get comfortable. ECU’s biggest mistake was looking at the fact we were ahead with 1:47 left on the clock. UCF was hungry–and ECU was complacent. And so it is for us sometimes. We are waiting for the opportunities to come to us, rather than showing our value by adding to the content of the conversation within our community. Somehow because we have gained some knowledge, experience and success, we think that’s it. You have to be a lifelong learner. You have to be willing to do the hard work, heavy lifting and challenging of yourself that comes along with doing any thing GREAT!
People thought Oprah was CRAZY for starting OWN. She could have easily stayed on air another 10-20 years. But she was comfortable and knew it. At an age where most feel she should be coasting toward her golden years–she moved out of her comfort zone. And because of that, not only is she making a new name for herself–she has created jobs, revived fledgling careers and given us access to some of the best self development advice and thought leaders of our time. Boy am I glad she didn’t listen to the “comfort keepers.”
The same is true for Mary J. Blige, who just released her album this week. She said in an USA Today article she was getting stale as an artist and that she needed to push herself. So she packed up and recorded her album in London. A lot of us are around the same people, the same environments and the same energy day in and day out. Blog outside of your house. Get out of your office and go to a Chamber of Commerce meeting. Attend events other than natural hair and beauty events. You never know the opportunities, ideas and creativity just NOT being comfortable will present to you.
Keep exhausting options. And when you’ve exhausted all your options, try one more. When you think all is lost or, conversely, you have it all together–don’t stop. Keep looking for a better way, while you’re still moving the ball down the field. Even when you’re down to your last seconds or dollars–keep trying. I immediately thought of this illustration.


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