He was always a great athlete. No one was surprised when he began playing football for Notre Dame. His athleticism was nothing compared to his humility. Every time he was asked about one of his great plays, he credited God, his teammates and coaching staff. Frank Symanzski was humble to his core.
During his senior year in college, he was called to testify in civil court. After he was sworn in, the judge was asking him questions. The conversation when something like this....
Judge: What position do you play?
Symanzski: Center, your honor.
Judge: Are you good?
Symanzski: (Deep Breath) Sir, I am the greatest center in the history of Notre Dame Football.
When his coach asked how he could possible say such a bold statement, Symanzski told him, "Coach, I hated to do it, but I was under oath."
How long has it been since you put yourself under oath? How many problems can you eliminate by putting yourself under oath? Let me explain.
If you were honest with yourself, you would admit the things that you need to change to be more successful. How long has it been since you had a conversation with the person in the mirror to discuss what kind of effort your putting into this game called life?
Are you being the spouse and parent you know you need to be? Are you taking care of your body? When you are working, do you work? When you are home, are you truly there 100%? It has never been easier to learn. You can get quite an education by listening to books on Cd's or mp3s when you are driving to and from work. How long has it been since you took advantage of that opportunity?
So my challenge to you this week, put yourself under oath and then take steps to make the changes you need to make. It could be as easy as picking up the phone, calling someone and telling them that you love them. Stay Tuned.
The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.
About Me
- Steve Willoughby
- Branson, Missouri
- Need a speaker? Whether you are coming to Branson and need a keynote or your business is looking for a way to inspire, motivate and entertain your team, I will provide your event a dedicated, on target speaker. The only way I look good is to make you look good for booking me.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Are your headlights on?
You have probably seen these signs on the highways. A quick little reminder that if it is raining, it might be a good idea to turn on your headlights so the other drivers can see you coming. It got me thinking, wouldn't it be cool if life came with other signs that offered some quick reminders? Some examples:
1. A good day at work will never make up for a bad night at home. I am a dedicated employee. I am proud of my job and I am thankful for my job. At the same time, my job will never make up for a bad evening at home. Keep your priorities in line.
2. You only get one body- take care of it. A man I respect and love recently told me that he was eating to live - instead of living to eat. If we take his advice at an early age, our body will provide us with a lot of good days ahead.
3. Anybody can manage, it takes someone special to lead. This world has enough managers. We need leaders who are willing to lead, challenge, and support people to do more than they ever thought possible. One hint, if you are constantly reminding people you are a manager, chances are you ain't leading.
4. Feel the fear and do it anyway. Fear is a killer. Fear kills careers, success, and frankly a whole lot of fun. Successful people still get scared, they just feel the fear and go for it anyway.
A reader recently told me that he thought my blog was too simple. He challenged me to come up with new ideas, new paths to success, and to write about those new ways. To me, that is one of the problems, we are so busy looking for the new ways, we never take the proven paths. Stay Tuned.
The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availablility. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.
1. A good day at work will never make up for a bad night at home. I am a dedicated employee. I am proud of my job and I am thankful for my job. At the same time, my job will never make up for a bad evening at home. Keep your priorities in line.
2. You only get one body- take care of it. A man I respect and love recently told me that he was eating to live - instead of living to eat. If we take his advice at an early age, our body will provide us with a lot of good days ahead.
3. Anybody can manage, it takes someone special to lead. This world has enough managers. We need leaders who are willing to lead, challenge, and support people to do more than they ever thought possible. One hint, if you are constantly reminding people you are a manager, chances are you ain't leading.
4. Feel the fear and do it anyway. Fear is a killer. Fear kills careers, success, and frankly a whole lot of fun. Successful people still get scared, they just feel the fear and go for it anyway.
A reader recently told me that he thought my blog was too simple. He challenged me to come up with new ideas, new paths to success, and to write about those new ways. To me, that is one of the problems, we are so busy looking for the new ways, we never take the proven paths. Stay Tuned.
The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availablility. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Where is your stopwatch?
A slow jogger would often take 13 - 15 minutes to complete a mile around the track. Now, give him credit for jogging but his pace really needed to improve. After a casual conversation with a friend, the friend decided to accompany him on his runs.
Immediately, the pace was faster because they started pushing each other. Then, the new jogger introduced a stop watch to their runs...a base line was set and on each run the time improved, cutting as much as six minutes from their time.
What can we learn? It is one thing to have a goal. However, if you are not measuring your progress, the motivation and excitement of hitting the goal will soon be lost and you will just be out there running a 15 minute mile. Accountability and measurement are two key components to achieving our goals that are sometimes over looked.
Accountability: Do you have a group of people you can touch base with on a regular basis? This accountability group should be able to push you, challenge you, congratulate you, and drive you to your goals.
Measurement: Constant measurement is the best way to achieve progress. The stopwatch provides motivation and feedback while you're jogging. What device are you using to encourage progress with your goals?
Stay Tuned.
The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.
Immediately, the pace was faster because they started pushing each other. Then, the new jogger introduced a stop watch to their runs...a base line was set and on each run the time improved, cutting as much as six minutes from their time.
What can we learn? It is one thing to have a goal. However, if you are not measuring your progress, the motivation and excitement of hitting the goal will soon be lost and you will just be out there running a 15 minute mile. Accountability and measurement are two key components to achieving our goals that are sometimes over looked.
Accountability: Do you have a group of people you can touch base with on a regular basis? This accountability group should be able to push you, challenge you, congratulate you, and drive you to your goals.
Measurement: Constant measurement is the best way to achieve progress. The stopwatch provides motivation and feedback while you're jogging. What device are you using to encourage progress with your goals?
Stay Tuned.
The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Make the changes.
She is a loving wife, mother, and friend. She works hard, has amazing faith that has been tested to the max, and she is extremely loyal. Whether it comes from her kitchen or baked over a camp fire, the food she prepares is amazing. Lately, she is a loser.....and you can learn from her.
A significant event in her family was what pushed her over the edge to decide to lose weight. She knew that she needed to change her habits to achieve her goal. Here is what she did:
1. Got a coach. She asked one of her girl friends (a one time personal trainer) to be her coach and work-out partner. Accountability!
2. She set a goal. She knew what she wanted to achieve, she set her sights on that goal.
3. Paid attention to what she consumed. She started keeping a food diary. She knew that big changes start with small steps.
4. She started working out a minimum of one hour a day. At first, it was hard. At first, she couldn't complete a lot of repetitions. But as the days turned into weeks then to months....her progress fueled her motivation.
5. She monitored her success every week.
6. She hit her goal.
7. She created a new goal. Life is not about the destination, it is about the journey.
Whether you need to lose weight, be a better spouse, close more sales, or have more patience with your kids, follow her formula and you can make the change that you need to make.
First, make the decision that you are going to change and set your goal. Then reinforce that decision in your sub-conscious mind by changing your habits. Then get help. (Remember, the best way to get what you want is to work with the people who have already obtained it. Then start doing the things those people do.) Monitor your progress and make the changes you need to make.
Just like my friend, you can change your life...when you take the steps you need to take. Stay Tuned.
The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.
A significant event in her family was what pushed her over the edge to decide to lose weight. She knew that she needed to change her habits to achieve her goal. Here is what she did:
1. Got a coach. She asked one of her girl friends (a one time personal trainer) to be her coach and work-out partner. Accountability!
2. She set a goal. She knew what she wanted to achieve, she set her sights on that goal.
3. Paid attention to what she consumed. She started keeping a food diary. She knew that big changes start with small steps.
4. She started working out a minimum of one hour a day. At first, it was hard. At first, she couldn't complete a lot of repetitions. But as the days turned into weeks then to months....her progress fueled her motivation.
5. She monitored her success every week.
6. She hit her goal.
7. She created a new goal. Life is not about the destination, it is about the journey.
Whether you need to lose weight, be a better spouse, close more sales, or have more patience with your kids, follow her formula and you can make the change that you need to make.
First, make the decision that you are going to change and set your goal. Then reinforce that decision in your sub-conscious mind by changing your habits. Then get help. (Remember, the best way to get what you want is to work with the people who have already obtained it. Then start doing the things those people do.) Monitor your progress and make the changes you need to make.
Just like my friend, you can change your life...when you take the steps you need to take. Stay Tuned.
The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.
Monday, October 26, 2009
How do you put on your socks?
Dan O'Day is a radio trainer, consultant, coach, just an all around guru of radio. I enjoy his frankness, biting humor, and dedication to the industry. I have (and will continue to) purchased his cds, books, etc. A very small portion of one of his Cds is the background for this blog.
In one of the best investments I have ever made in my training was a series that contained very personal and moving stories from O'Day's life. In one of those stories he recalled a time in his life that he called the great depression. Dan was deeply depressed. So depressed in fact that he would sit down to put on his socks and he just stayed there -- staring at the floor.
When Dan admitted this to a friend, she simply told him...."don't sit down to put your socks on, put them on standing up." She wasn't trying to be funny, she was trying to be helpful.
Sometimes we need that little adjustment that will change things drastically. I know that some people are facing a lot of problems that can not be simply solved. But a lot of us repeat the common definition of insanity by doing the same things over and over again and expecting a different outcome. A simple fix is all we need. Some examples:
1. How many people are caught in the same traffic ever day over and over again, when leaving the house a half hour or hour earlier would make the drive to work so much more enjoyable?
2. How many people are NOT taking advantage of their companies training programs and plans, because they would rather wing it? How much money are they losing?
3. How many people are allowing themselves to be robbed of years, because they won't discipline themselves to exercise and proper diet?
4. How many marriages would be better if you remembered how you treated each other when you were dating? If you would call your spouse to see how their day is going or just to hear their voice?
All of these situations could be fixed by something as simple as ....putting your socks on standing up. A small little change would again pay huge dividends. Life is fast, time becomes more precious as the years add up....don't let the little things stop you from living to the max. By the way, if you know anyone in the radio industry and they don't know about Dan O'Day, have them go to http://www.danoday.com/ Stay Tuned.
The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.
In one of the best investments I have ever made in my training was a series that contained very personal and moving stories from O'Day's life. In one of those stories he recalled a time in his life that he called the great depression. Dan was deeply depressed. So depressed in fact that he would sit down to put on his socks and he just stayed there -- staring at the floor.
When Dan admitted this to a friend, she simply told him...."don't sit down to put your socks on, put them on standing up." She wasn't trying to be funny, she was trying to be helpful.
Sometimes we need that little adjustment that will change things drastically. I know that some people are facing a lot of problems that can not be simply solved. But a lot of us repeat the common definition of insanity by doing the same things over and over again and expecting a different outcome. A simple fix is all we need. Some examples:
1. How many people are caught in the same traffic ever day over and over again, when leaving the house a half hour or hour earlier would make the drive to work so much more enjoyable?
2. How many people are NOT taking advantage of their companies training programs and plans, because they would rather wing it? How much money are they losing?
3. How many people are allowing themselves to be robbed of years, because they won't discipline themselves to exercise and proper diet?
4. How many marriages would be better if you remembered how you treated each other when you were dating? If you would call your spouse to see how their day is going or just to hear their voice?
All of these situations could be fixed by something as simple as ....putting your socks on standing up. A small little change would again pay huge dividends. Life is fast, time becomes more precious as the years add up....don't let the little things stop you from living to the max. By the way, if you know anyone in the radio industry and they don't know about Dan O'Day, have them go to http://www.danoday.com/ Stay Tuned.
The next time you need a speaker, make it easy on yourself and call me. I will inspire, motivate, and entertain your group. Check out my speaking demo at www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com then call (417) 339-6568 for availability. The only way I look good is making you look good for booking me.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Recalculating!
So, if there is a person on the planet who should have a GPS, it is me. However, I don't travel enough to invest in one. We spent the 4th of July weekend with our kids in Chicago. One of our son's shipmates offered us the use of her GPS for the weekend -- we accepted.
After getting it calculated to get us to O'Hare Airport, we changed our minds and decided to go to a restaurant near the Navy Base -- which lead us away from the GPS directions. What struck me as interesting were the commands of the GPS. She didn't freak out, she didn't tell us what kinds of terrible things were going to happen to us, she just merely said....recalculating....in 300 feet take a right and turn around, once we missed that turn, she calmly said.... recalculating in 500 feet take a right and turn around.
As I was listening to those comments, I thought about how life really does the same thing....it gives us feedback, and if we listen to the feedback we should be able to figure out if we should recalculate and try something different. Some quick examples....
1. If you are constantly out of money, you need to recalculate and either figure out a way to make more money or do a better job of handling the money you do make.
2. If you are constantly in conflict with your spouse, boss, or co-workers, recalculate and figure out which one of your actions you need to change.
3. If you need to lose weight, recalculate and understand that it's not a diet or a magic pill you need, just change your eating habits and start getting more exercise.
4. If your ego is constantly getting you into situations that are bad, recalculate and get your ego and actions under control.
Do GPS systems make mistakes? Sure they do. But the majority of the time, if you program it right, and follow the instructions and make the correct turns, you will arrive at your destination. Life is similar, if you program the incredible computer God gave you, your brain, to what you want to achieve and then make the steps and put in the efforts you will see the results.
When you miss a turn or make a mistake, recalculate, correct your path, and you will eventually arrive. Check out my speaking video at http://www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com/
After getting it calculated to get us to O'Hare Airport, we changed our minds and decided to go to a restaurant near the Navy Base -- which lead us away from the GPS directions. What struck me as interesting were the commands of the GPS. She didn't freak out, she didn't tell us what kinds of terrible things were going to happen to us, she just merely said....recalculating....in 300 feet take a right and turn around, once we missed that turn, she calmly said.... recalculating in 500 feet take a right and turn around.
As I was listening to those comments, I thought about how life really does the same thing....it gives us feedback, and if we listen to the feedback we should be able to figure out if we should recalculate and try something different. Some quick examples....
1. If you are constantly out of money, you need to recalculate and either figure out a way to make more money or do a better job of handling the money you do make.
2. If you are constantly in conflict with your spouse, boss, or co-workers, recalculate and figure out which one of your actions you need to change.
3. If you need to lose weight, recalculate and understand that it's not a diet or a magic pill you need, just change your eating habits and start getting more exercise.
4. If your ego is constantly getting you into situations that are bad, recalculate and get your ego and actions under control.
Do GPS systems make mistakes? Sure they do. But the majority of the time, if you program it right, and follow the instructions and make the correct turns, you will arrive at your destination. Life is similar, if you program the incredible computer God gave you, your brain, to what you want to achieve and then make the steps and put in the efforts you will see the results.
When you miss a turn or make a mistake, recalculate, correct your path, and you will eventually arrive. Check out my speaking video at http://www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com/
Monday, July 6, 2009
Are you really that busy?
Have you ever noticed how much time some people take to tell you how little time they have because they are so busy? (Go ahead and re-read that sentence -- it does make sense)
I used to have a client who would take an hour and a half of my time telling me how busy they were. They would go into great detail about all the things that they had to do and had going on. I was younger then, I never had the courage to tell them if they would stop talking about it and do it, they would have more time.
What about you? Are you so busy that you really never get anything done? Do you keep the blackberry by your side, constantly checking email, constantly staying in contact with the world? But yet, never really taking the time to live life -- to focus on the really important things, like family and friends. Afraid, that if you don't get right back to someone, you will miss out.
Look I believe in good customer service, I know that there are times that you need to be there for your clients outside of "normal" work hours -- however, I am also old enough to remember life before email, blackberries, and we seemed to do okay. I am not anti-technology, that is not the point of the post. However, I do believe that you have to have some down time.
My boss says work hard - play hard and too much of either one is a bad thing. I agree. There is a time to work and there is a time for family, for yourself, for your spouse, etc. There is going to come a time for most of us when we realize the end of our travel on earth is close. If all you did was work and say things like, work is my life....that end is going to be very sad.
Work hard -- but play hard, go on vacation, take the long weekend, take the time to smell the roses and tell the important people in your life what they mean to you. If the client can't handle that, feel sorry for them and let them become another person's problem -- life is too short.
Check out my speaking video at http://www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com/
I used to have a client who would take an hour and a half of my time telling me how busy they were. They would go into great detail about all the things that they had to do and had going on. I was younger then, I never had the courage to tell them if they would stop talking about it and do it, they would have more time.
What about you? Are you so busy that you really never get anything done? Do you keep the blackberry by your side, constantly checking email, constantly staying in contact with the world? But yet, never really taking the time to live life -- to focus on the really important things, like family and friends. Afraid, that if you don't get right back to someone, you will miss out.
Look I believe in good customer service, I know that there are times that you need to be there for your clients outside of "normal" work hours -- however, I am also old enough to remember life before email, blackberries, and we seemed to do okay. I am not anti-technology, that is not the point of the post. However, I do believe that you have to have some down time.
My boss says work hard - play hard and too much of either one is a bad thing. I agree. There is a time to work and there is a time for family, for yourself, for your spouse, etc. There is going to come a time for most of us when we realize the end of our travel on earth is close. If all you did was work and say things like, work is my life....that end is going to be very sad.
Work hard -- but play hard, go on vacation, take the long weekend, take the time to smell the roses and tell the important people in your life what they mean to you. If the client can't handle that, feel sorry for them and let them become another person's problem -- life is too short.
Check out my speaking video at http://www.bransonbusiness.blogspot.com/
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