ADVERSITY- its where you get your hustle!

WATCH THIS VIDEO:
Change a life, Change the future

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJz9ler6NNI


Very rare is it that you meet someone who is successful, who came from the same challenges, same place, same struggles, and overcoming all the obstacles as you did. Everyone is different. Those conditions of misfortune are examples of adversity. The action(s) a person takes to surpass those conditions to get closer to their end result is their hustle. To get to your end result you must have the mentality to out hustle and out work everyone around you. As you have experienced adversity nothing in life is guaranteed or given to you. Some have easier access and means to accomplish their goals but for the majority it takes hard work, dedication, and a plan of action.

When I step out on the street I become enthusiastic to make a change in the direction in which kid’s lives are headed. I see life from a different perspective. I see it filled with an environment of discombobulation, deficiency in structure, and gateways to a predicted life. As a mentor I try to illustrate that a person’s current situation is not their life's outcome. The gains made in life are a result of the way a person handles adversity and the approach of their hustle. I’m speaking the language of my audience here...you must stay positive and foreshadow your outcome. Get out and get accomplished.

For me, I hustle in a positive way ...I place myself in the right spots...volunteering, conferences, network events, socials...things that allow me to establish relationships that will be of value to me at some point down the road. Every day I have calls to make. Every week I try to have something on my schedule. Every month I try to make a difference in someone’s life. Every year I try to take another step in the right direction that will lead me to long term success. Life is not an overnight venture. You’re not going to go from one end of the totem pole to the other in 1 day….it takes time, its takes effort, and you have to have a positive support system. Get right and get your hustle on!!!

WATCH IT AGAIN!

Change a life, Change the future

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJz9ler6NNI

We All Need To Dance!!!

Watch this first------- Kid President- Pep Talk


Motivation requires the belief that a change in behavior will result in a desired outcome. Without the desire to improve or enhance a certain situation then motivation is non existent. If you want to be healthy, professional, or just talented then you must start with the belief of potential and then go above and beyond the natural norm of making that change. Meaning: Everyone thinks if you do crunches then you'll get great abs (general observation) however crunches and sit ups are 50 years ago now its all about planks, GHD's, and Swiss ball jackknifes. So whether you are looking for motivation to live a healthier lifestyle, becoming a devout Christian, or leading in a corporate setting it all takes motivation which REQUIRES a belief in change.

Staying motivated is a struggle...our drive is constantly battling with negative thoughts and anxiety about our future. Everyone faces doubt and depression but what separates the highly successful (in health, religion, school, business, truck driving) is the ability to keep moving forward.

Where does your ability to keep moving forward come from? Is it from your living conditions and the way you were raised? Is it from your peer's pressure to keep up with the Kardashians? Is it because you're a social outcast and refuse to be hidden in your room all your life?! Despite the circumstances of your life everyone moves forward, some just do it with a results driven focus. Meaning: Everyone loves to dance, some just take classes to be better at it than others!

What is your dance move? I like to boogie with some rhythm and break out some "specialty moves" every now and again...kind of like this: Dude has moves

Seriously, I have no shot of dancing like that but I'm not scared to give him a run for his money. Just like in life, who cares what you look like doing it just as long as you're active in your own pursuit because in the end you will be so far ahead of those who sit still that they will never have the opportunity to catch up with you.

Are you dancing in life or are you just sittin' back like a wallflower. To each its own however like Kid President said, "What would be your space-jam, what will you create to make the world awesome? Nothing if you keep siting there." in other words: Start dancing and quit being scared to talk to girls.

IMO: The first factor with motivation is living and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I have searched for studies on the impact of living a healthy lifestyle and the effects on motivation and there isn't a lot of evidence to back my theory (or I just could care less about reading a lot of term papers and thesis proposals) but I strongly feel that if you work at living a healthy lifestyle (diet, exercise, moral awareness) then you get to experience the feeling of self gratitude, dedication, fulfillment, completion. All of these factors cultivate and add to the belief that a change in behavior will result in a desired outcome. This feeling of accomplishing something everyday will carry over to the next thing you want to accomplish and the motivation behind reaching your next goal will be easier because you have already felt the emotions attached to accomplishing living a healthy lifestyle. The reason why I say it is the first factor with motivation is because everyday you make decisions and the first decisions that most people make when they wake up is a decision based on hygiene and healthy eating. So if you are motivated to brush your teeth, clean your body, and eat fruit then you have began to experience these emotions of dedication, fulfillment etc....

 I personally want to be healthier because it separates myself from the majority of the American society. 35% of adults in America were considered obese, that is not considered as fat (a whole different stat). Of the top 30 states in 2012, 26 were from the South and Midwest. Being from Alabama, I notice gross habits all the time and I refuse to let my body reach that level. This applies to every walk of life not just in the health world. I want to separate myself from the average, from the normal. I want to set the tone, the new standard of being awesome. I refuse to settle for mediocrity and I believe that my mentality and my behavior will continue to bring great changes in my life. BIGGER and BETTER CHANGES!!! The belief that a change in behavior will result in a desired outcome is the starting point, Now Go DANCE!!!!!!

dedicated to Cara Stoddard

New Year, New Zings, New Things

"Wake up, wake up, wake up it's the 1st of the month...so get up, get up, get up cash your checks and get up"

It feels great to have a sense of focus for the new year. I am doing the impossible new years resolution "not drinking a beer for 3 months" ...my friends are baffled by my extreme cogitation "frank the tank is not gonna have a beer" I call B.S. but it is gonna serve a purpose for a number of reasons. One I want to get physically "on point", very healthy, get in "marathon" capable shape (not saying I'm going to run in one this year but I will eventually esp when it warms up!)
Two, I feel that alcohol tends to deteriate my focus. When I wake up I feel that my brain is flooded with malt and barley, I lack AMBITION, I lack the capability of being INNOVATIVE, and I lack in my strongest skill set which is being METICULOUS.
To FOCUS you must AIM.  Ambition-Innovative-Meticulous.

Three, If you know me and how social I am...I'm gonna save a million dollars this way, bottom line its the best financial move for me.
Four, its a new year. Question for reflection: When is the last time that you have set a short term milestone, sortof like fasting, except for personal reasons not for a religous purpose? When you set this goal, did you exectute it? If I was a betting man I would put the majority of my money toward 2 answers. 1. You havent thought of a personal fast that will demand dedication, self-efficacy, and personal strife. 2. You have set out to do something (new years resolution) and half way through you fell off and made an excuse..."ah man you know that was stupid anyway because I'm doing something else thats better" or "dang dude my pinkie hurts I couldn't even go" or "shiiiit dogg that was too much I'd rather just be on the couch"  "why do that, I'd miss American Idol."

I am doing this personal fast with myself because I want to prove I can achieve anything I set my mind to, it has been a while. I want to continue to prove myself that I can be dedicated to something. Dedication is my biggest fault, I never went pro in baseball (lack of dedication) I've made 4 career changes (lack of dedication) I have to work 2 jobs to level out my finances because I lack in dedication to making my initial income work for my style of living "Got champagne taste but only beer money" ha~ Tony Dungy

Advice: Set a resolution that will just light up your internal being. Set a milestone not just a goal. Set something that will produce physical results, mental stability, and personal aplomb.  -Out!

Pursuit of Happiness: "The Quoted Notes"

DREAMIST TO SURREALIST

 "In order to make anything a reality, you have to dream about it first." - Adora Svitak


I've put together a list of some inspirational quotes that have directed me in my style of living, in my pursuit of financial freedom, and throughout my ambitious professional development. It has taken me a long time to be on the path where I am now but that is the evolution of life. There are so many people that wake up who do not want to go to work or have "got caught up in life" however if you read these quotes and really dig deep inside your thought process, these quotes can really help define who you are and what you want to accomplish.
 
When playing college ball our baseball shirts said "Never Satisfied" well here is my quote on that: "Satisfaction comes when someone runs out of ambition, when someone runs out of ambition means they are settling for mediocrity." -Roy Edward McGinty

To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. Number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special. - Jim Valvano (ESPY Speech)
 

"Life's up and downs provide windows of opportunity to determine your values and goals - Think of using all obstacles as stepping stones to build the life you want" -Marsha Sinetar

 

"One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth." - Abraham Maslow

 

“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations" - Charles R. Swindoll

 

Progress far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness.....Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. - George Santayna

 

"Do not fear going forward slowly; fear only to stand still." - Chinese Proverb

 

Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort - F. D. Roosevelt

 

"To repeat what others have said, requires education; to challenge it, requires brains." - Mary Pettibone Poole

"Work smarter, not harder" - Scrooge McDuck

 

"I'd risk the fall just to know how it feels to fly" - Kayla Smith

 

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” - Brent Turner

"Life is not the way it is supposed to be. It is the way it is. The way you cope with it is what makes the difference." - Virginia Satir

"In order to achieve your intended results, you must be active in your own pursuit" - Roy Edward McGinty

"Complaining never serves any justice, actions are what set the standard" - Roy Edward McGinty

"If you don't live it up now, all that money you saved will be pointless because airplanes aren't big enough for wheelchairs and walkers." - Roy Edward McGinty

"You can't have a better tomorrow if you're thinking about yesterday. - Charles Kettering

 

"It will never work out with a guy who ONLY eats pepperoni pizza." - Ashley Hawkins Prescott

"Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy." - Guillaume Apollinaire

I am going to end with this, whatever visions you may have just never forget the root of happiness is happy. Do not let work consume you, they call this life because you are supposed to live. SMILE, BE HAPPY, AND BE PASSIONATE, passionate in everything you do and towards everyone you meet because you never know when you'll be faced to meet your final friend!! - Roy Edward McGinty

like my girl Kristen Albert says "Toot it n Boot it"

L for Love- Gordon (Dodgeball) 

Making your first mark.

Finding a way to get noticed in the workplace is one of the hardest accomplishments in a person's professional development. In order to start the process a person must first buy into the system that is in place. If they do not believe in the system then the focus should turn to making themselves a valuable asset in the workplace. The objective is to provide a reason for your associates to believe that your expertise is valid and reputable. In order to achieve the reputable standing of your associates you must buy in 100%. This is important because once a person gains the notoriety then they can implement a change in the structure or program that seems inefficient.

One of my 14 philosophical quotes on fundraising that I created based of Deming's 14 points of Management is:
" If you build it they will come. To reach the goals of the organization: the employer, athletes, and donors must all illustrate the mission and drive of the athletic department in everything they do. The created experience of the boosters should drive the efforts from higher administration to the student workers." 

Pretty much from whoever is at the bottom to whoever is at the top....everyone should find a way at some capacity to impact their customer at such a point that their experience is a memorable one.

Being at the bottom of the structure or "chain of command" you must add value first. What can you do in your current position that will give you notoriety? What can you do that will turn your boss' head? You have to find a way to make your first mark or you'll continue to be a name on the payroll or a body in the cubicle. ITS ABOUT SACRIFICE.

In my case, I started with a list of people who purchased season tickets. Of those people I searched the ones who are 1) not in our donor database 2) local residents- non business 3) new to the community of Cookeville and Tennessee Tech University. I cold called these individuals asked them if they are willing to meet with me over a cup of coffee (my own expense) so that I can introduce myself, get to know those who are contributors to football season tickets, and willing to sit and talk sports for a bit. Once I meet with them I get to know their hobbies, their interest, their background, where they are from, what University....everything I can grab in a 30 minute span.

This is my starting point to building a great relationship with people who have a strong interest in TTU athletics. Last Friday 10.19.12 I received my first donation check to TTU Athletics because of the cups of coffee I bought to build a relationship and really show the passion behind the development of our athletic department. This was never a requirement of my position. This is called MAKING MY FIRST MARK! now go find a way to make yours!!!!

"Do not reveal what you have thought upon doing, but by wise council keep it secret being determined to carry it into execution." -Chanakya (google that guy)

 

Being Active In Your Own Pursuit

"Being active in your own pursuit" is a slogan I have used since my college/high school baseball coaching days and still tend to lean on this through my professional development.

There are the 5 essential questions that I ask my players, my mentees, and even myself:
1. Do you understand your position/potential?
2. Do you understand the meaningfulness of your pursuit?
3. Do you have the capacity to perform at that level?
4. Are you focused?
5. How have you prepared your plan?


1...To properly understand your position/ potential you must give yourself a blunt reality check. Are you a 2.1 GPA student trying to get into Harvard or are you a 3.0 student wanting to sign a scholarship to a JUCO because you haven't quite developed the velocity that a D1 school is looking for. This is a huge factor in your plan of execution and without a PLAN you are definitely not being active in your own pursuit. Professionally speaking: What type of jobs are you applying for based off your experience? If you have 2 years of experience then your personal position is not qualified for a job that requires 5-7. Not saying you can not get lucky and land that gig however I am saying you need to position yourself parallel with the qualifications of that particular job (5-7year experience) going into year number 2 so that when you're ready to make a move, you will have the proper alignment as you progress professionally.

2...This is the easy part, everyone knows why they do what they do. Some people do the things they do as a cop out or as a "please feel sorry for me" but in reality of this world we all started at the same place which is around 9lbs 4oz on November 3rd 1983. The choices a person makes dictates their future. To get on the right track, you must figure out the things that mean the most to you and how will you be able to financially, professional, and spiritually protect them. What really matters most to you?

3... This is a tough one because everyone believes in themselves and everyone thinks they have it figured out in this uncoachable world until someone gets slapped in the face and now needs a coach. Take Chile for an example. I moved down there to teach English and planned to save money and bounce from country to country teaching ENGLISH ...wtf was I thinking because I speak SOUTHERN DIALECT ...I have to do spell check for the word: preposition or consonant. I don't know no English!! The experience was amazing and I would never take anything away from it however my plan went from 3 years to 2 1/2 months and I was back in Nashville. That is the whole point of understanding your capacity so that you are not wasting precious professional time. If you start something and realize it is not you then quit and start something else. Do not sit around and hope and wish and pray and stress thinking the profession or the love for whatever will change because those are permanent and aren't going anywhere, therefore you have to be the one to make the adjustment.

4... ARE YOU FOCUSED? ARE YOU? REALLY, THINK ABOUT IT....ARE YOU FOCUSED ON BEING ACTIVE IN YOUR OWN PURSUIT?

5...In all honesty there is one way to properly prepare your plan. You have to figure out your end result, meaning what professional position would you like to hold one day. Once you figure that out whether it is an Oncology Pediatric Nurse, an Athletic Director, or a Secondary History Teacher..you need to schedule a meeting with someone who already sits in that seat and ask them how they got there. This is the only true testament of understanding the proper path and what it takes to get to that level because obviously the person you're talking to has made it professionally. In my case I have had 1on1 meetings with over 10 Directors of Development, 3 D1 Athletic Directors, and 1 University President. I did this to understand what it takes to become a Director of Development (step 5 of 6 ) because I need to reach that position in order to gain sport supervision to become an Athletic Director (step 6 of 6) and the reason why I had a meeting with the President is because he is the one who hires the Athletic Director and I need to properly align myself parallel with the qualifications of that position as I am at step 2 at Tennessee Tech.

Moral of the story: GET RIGHT and GET ACTIVE!

FINDING YOUR RHYTHM in Life

There are things in life that everyone loves to take part in. There are certain characteristics in objects, jobs, people etc that attract an inner desire in the human to want to join or be a part of that certain thing, The universe is composed entirely of vibrating potential energy. When we consume or observe this energy we quickly form the waves into situations circumstances etc and because of the magnitude of our emotions, preferences, etc this energy has a very powerful impact on our reality that manifests as the result of our attractiveness. To control this energy in relation to reality you need to create a rhythm in life.

Rhythm does not mean routine. You can do different things and move different ways and still keep a beat however if you do the same movement in the same way continuously then you have established a routine.

Routines are not necessarily a bad thing but in my opinion they hinder expansion and cripple creativity. Think of transhumanism when trying to find your life's rhythm. It’s a movement that through the evolution of life humans can continue to enhance their intellectual, physical, and psychological capacities by utilizing the resources and energies of this world and develop into something far more than routine to almost an un-human nature. In small talk it is taking continuous learning to the furthest point of cognitive capacity to where it is impossible to learn anymore. If you live to reach this level then you will become an expert in your craft and an expert is mediocre when considering the transhumanism thought process. So, while being active in your own pursuit (which is hopefully to become an expert in your craft because you can not reach the top if you know nothing about what is up there) you must find rhythm in your life so that your scale or path is efficient and smooth. Without rhythm you with create a rollercoaster on a flat tire. Imagine how fun of a ride that would be.

The moral: Find your rhythm, incorporate energy, and don't slow down in life..if you get settled thats fine just mix it up: stay live, stay new, stay steady, and stay persistant.

Take this video and notice life's rhythm at its finest:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVPLIuBy9CY