S.M.A.R.T.E.R. Goals in 2012

As the New Year rolls in, the number of people setting goals and resolutions is overwhelming.  Statistics show that 92% of the population that sets goals for the new year will ultimately fail.  This occurs because so many people aren't specific in their goal setting.  They make lists and put a lot of thought into it, but they really aren't ready for the task.  I see so many people just say they want to do "more."  I want to exercise "more", read "more", spend "more" time with my family, or do "more."  What does more mean?  I think that is most likely the number one reason why only 8% of goal setters reach their goals (and I honestly think that 8% is a little high).  Here is an acronym that I believe is essential in reaching your goals.  I have applied this to many areas of my life and I find that is beneficial in accomplishing things that I set out to do.  We have to set S.M.A.R.T.E.R. goals:

S: Specific.  Give yourself details about your goals.  Your focus level will rise if it has specific details.
M: Measurable.  Instead of just doing "more", give yourself a number.  Try to read 30 pages per day or exercise 20 minutes a day doing 50 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and a 1 mile run.
A: Attainable.  Break your long term goals down into a lot of smaller goals that you can reach on a short term.
R: Relevant.  Make sure that the goals you are setting will benefit you in everything you do.
T: Trackable.  Stay organized.  Make checklists and keep track of all your successes and failures along the way. 
E: Extra Effort.  Some days you will not feel like taking those steps towards your goal.  Do it anyways.  Always give a little more, it will go a long ways.
R: Revise & Review.  Constantly be checking to make sure you are heading in the right direction and you are taking the right steps in pursuit of your goals.  

I firmly believe that setting SMARTER goals will enable us to accomplish a lot more and keep us focused on the task at hand to reach our goals.  Have a Happy New Year and God bless in 2012!


S.M.A.R.T.E.R acronym taken from the book, The Strange Secret of the Big Time by Frosty Westering, 2005.

Talent is Never Enough

There are so many talented people in the world, but why is it that so many never reach their full talent potential?  The reason, author Fred Smith says, "Is that the giftedness is usually greater than the person."  People who are talented often go about their daily routine thinking that they can succeed on talent alone.  But that is a completely false and dangerous mindset.  It takes much more than talent to succeed in business or life.  Philosopher, Ralph Waldo Emerson stated, "Talent for talent's sake is a bauble and a show.  Talent working with joy in the cause of universal truth lifts the possessor to a new power as a benefactor."  But how do we utilize the talent that God has graciously given us?  What do we need to do in order to pull every ounce of talent out of ourselves?  In John Maxwell's book, Talent Is Never Enough, he writes his 13 key choices that are a necessity in order to reach our maximum potential. 

1. BELIEF lifts your talent.
2. PASSION energizes your talent.
3. INITIATIVE activates your talent.
4. FOCUS directs your talent.
5. PREPARATION positions your talent.
6. PRACTICE sharpens your talent.
7. PERSEVERANCE sustains your talent.
8. COURAGE tests your talent.
9. TEACHABILITY expands your talent.
10. CHARACTER protects your talent.
11. RELATIONSHIPS influence your talent.
12. RESPONSIBILITY strengthens your talent.
13. TEAMWORK multiplies your talent.

So, as coaches, how can we get the most out of our talent?  How can we use these principles to motivate our players?  What choices do we need to start making to reach our potential.  And players, how can you use these tips to make you a better teammate or player on the court?  We all need to take a look and examine our hearts to see if we possess these 13 qualities that will make the most of our talent.  If we are lacking then changes need to be made.  Talent is never enough, so let's pursue our full potential that God has given us and really go beyond our talent.

Taken from John C. Maxwell's book, Talent is Never Enough.

A Year's Journey

"An excellent wife who can find?  She is far more precious than jewels." - Proverbs 31:10

One year ago, I married my best friend.  Our first year's journey has been filled with its share of adventure and craziness, but I wouldn't have it any other way!  The most amazing blessing of all is an amazing wife, and I am so thankful to God for bringing me the best one! 

What do the Northwoods of Wisconsin, the Sunshine State of Florida, and the beautiful city of Rockford all have in common?  Absolutely nothing except for the fact that we were lucky enough to call each of those places home in 12 short months!  I'm not sure what we were thinking, but it all worked out.  Even though my wife LOVED living in Dunbar, WI, we opted to move to Florida for a summer, after the school year was finished.  So many memories involving pianos in our living room/kitchen, sleeping on an air mattress for a week, and cockroaches giving us mid-night visits.  Needless to say, it has been a wonderful year!  I love my wife and I am so thankful for her sticking by me through it all, good times and hard times.  I know this post has nothing to do with coaching or basketball, but I just had to let everyone know how lucky I am.  One year down, so many more to go! 

Rise Up

Rise up.  A powerful statement that can light a fire inside of you instantly.  You're down 1 with 2.2 seconds left on the clock and the ball is in your hands...what will you do?  Rise up.  Bases loaded, bottom of the 9th, 2 outs, and you're up to bat...what will you do?  Rise up.  It's finals week and you've been up all night studying for tough exams, but you are desperate for sleep...what will you do?  Give up and fail your test?  Heck no.  Rise up!  Shine!  If you are a competitor, it's in your blood.  The circumstances will not always be comfortable, but you find a way to make it happen.  No matter what your role is on the team, or what your mindset is at the moment, we all have the opportunity to get into the game and rise up.  So let's start rising up in the game that really counts and fulfill our calling to rise up.  Proclaim the kingdom of God!  Are we rising up to tell the nations about Jesus?  Do we confess to the world that Jesus is alive?  Is it our primary objective to let our light shine, regardless of the criticism and mockery we will receive?  Don't back down.  A city on a hill cannot hide.  Be bold. Be faithful. Rise up. Acts 28

A Post Inspired By Jimmy Fallon, The NBA Lockout, and Jesus Christ

"With no scheduled games, players don't have to travel to 30 different cities, unless they want to visit their kids."  I heard this tonight during Jimmy Fallon's 'Pros and Cons' segment on NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.  It really made me think of the sad reality, that this is probably true for a good amount of NBA players.  With so much temptation on the road there is no doubt in my mind that many NBA players struggle with purity.  I was reminded of the testimony of former NBA player, Wayne Simien, who experienced this temptation first hand.  During his rookie season, as soon as he walked in the locker room, his teammates were taking cash money bets that he would fall to temptation.  Once they found out he was a Christian, they immediately tried to make him fall into sin.  How soon would he cheat on his wife?  How long would it be before he was in a club getting wasted?  How many women would he get with that night?  These are only a few of the temptations that were out there for Wayne.  Praise the Lord that he had a great mentor and friend in another former NBA player, A.C. Green.  On road trips out west, A.C. would stay with Wayne in the hotel room to keep him accountable.  There would be other close people to Wayne that would always stay with him on road trips no matter where they were playing.  My point is that Wayne was wise and knew that he needed people to hold him accountable or else the chances would be greater that he would fall to Satan's lies.  The lies that say sin satisfies.  All glory to Jesus that Wayne's teammates never won any of those bets they placed on him!  People that don't know Jesus do not understand this.  They chase an ambition that doesn't satisfy.  We need to realize that only JESUS CHRIST can satisfy.  As Christian coaches, we need to pray for other coaches and our players as we are on road trips that we can all stay pure and holy before a righteous God.  I wish I could expound on this more, but I just had to get it off my chest.  I hope players at all levels, especially the NBA, realize that they will never be satisfied by earthly pleasures.  I hope and pray that the quote from Jimmy Fallon penetrates the hearts of coaches and athletes, because it's really not funny.  It's a reality and it's sad.  Coaches: Stand up for Jesus.

The Coach's Wife

I just read a wonderful article about Auburn's offensive coordinator, Gus Malzahn, and the impact his wife has on his coaching career.  As a young coach and a newly wed myself (just over 10 months :-), this article was extremely impacting on me.  Just reading their testimonies and how Jesus Christ and the scriptures are the center of their marriage was encouraging.  I am so thankful for my wife and everything she puts up with on a day to day basis.  Be encouraged, coaches, by your wives and don't ever take them for granted.  Love them, acknowledge them, and let them know how important they are to your ministry as a coach.  Without their constant support, your job would be extremely difficult.  I know that reigns true in my life and I am so thrilled to have a godly woman to walk by my side through this crazy journey called coaching!  Here is the link for the article if you are interested in reading it for yourself: Buckle Up

I Am Second

I just wanted to take some time to post some awesome videos from the I Am Second website.  If you have not ever heard of I Am Second, I strongly encourage you to watch these videos.  The link to the website is www.iamsecond.com Pass them along.  Enjoy!

WAYNE SIMIEN - Kansas Jayhawks, Miami Heat

LECRAE - Rapper

TONY DUNGY - Former NFL Coach

JOSH HAMILTON - Texas Rangers