Go Sports Life

If there is one thing that I've learned in growing up it's that you don't want to just blend in.  If you blend in what's the point of being around?  Don't be a wall flower.  Stand Out.  Make a Scene.   Make a difference.  Make people have an opinion of you.

Being remembered is tough. It may be easy for some people, but for the other people, it's tough. They don't want to cause a scene. They want to make the smart educated move. The one that pleases the most people. . . But that's not the way to go through life. The wall flowers don't have an impact on history unless there is someone there to lead them. Be that leader. Make a difference.

Be Outstanding.  Say what you want, but mean what you say.  Think about the public figures you admire the most.  Why do you like them?  Is it because they blend into the crowd?  It isn't.  You like them because they have a certain quality that you find appealing.  That quality sets them apart.  They've done something to make themselves stand out.  Herb Brooks said to the 1980 US Olympic Team, "You can't be common, the common man goes nowhere; you have to be uncommon."  That saying holds true in all aspects of life. 

People from Texas know how to be uncommon.  'If you really want to learn the attitude of how to handle risk, losing and failure, go to San Antonio and visit the Alamo.  The Alamo is a great story of brave people who chose to fight, knowing there was no hope of success against overwhelming odds.  They chose to die instead of surrendering.  It's an inspiring story worthy of study; nonetheless, it's still a tragic military defeat.  They got their butts kicked.  A failure if you will.  They lost.  So how do Texans handle failure?  They still shout, "Remember the Alamo!"'  Is that common?  To shout out your failures?  I don't think so.  But then again, my failures haven't become national monuments yet so maybe they have got something to their method.

In the movie "Miracle" there is a scene where Herb Brooks tells Jim Craig that he is going to sit him down and play the other goalie right before the first game of the Olympics.  Craig tries to tell Herb that it's his net and he can't take him out.  Herb says he hasn't given him everything that he's got  and it's time to try someone else.  At that point Craig snaps and goes off on Herb;

Jim- You know what I don't understand? You Herb.  No one on this team understand you.  And your ridiculous sayings and drills and those stupid psychology tests that you had everyone take.

Herb-  Everybody? (Craig never took the test) 

Jim - What? So that's what this is about?  Cuz I didn't take your test?  You want me to take your test?  Fine I'll take your test!  Is that what you want?!

Herb - No.  I want to see that kid in the net who wouldn't take the test.

Jim went on to become the star of that team.  He did it because Herb showed him that it was OK to stand out and reach his full potential.  Herb showed him that he shouldn't go through life just skating by under the radar.  Doing just enough to get by.  That is not how people remember you.  That is not how Gold Medals are won.  Wall flowers don't win Gold Medals.   You have to stand out and be unique.  So stand up and be heard.