My friend, mentor and co-author Rob Gilbert is being honored by his school today.

Gilbert, a professor of sport psychology at Montclair State University, is receiving the Outstanding Education Practices Award.

Gilbert’s life and teaching come down to four words: It is about others.

He would rather hear your story than tell his. He’ll talk about your potential instead of his own achievements. His daily Success Hotline has influenced millions, either directly or indirectly.

Gilbert embodies the famous advice of motivational speaker Zig Ziglar, who said, “You will get all you want in life, if you help enough other people get what they want.”

That’s the secret too many people learn too late or not at all. Helping others helps you.

Caution: This helping is not a trade. It’s not about a deal under which you do me a favor and I do you a favor.

It’s about listening to others, being truly interested in their hopes and goals, and doing what you can to help.

If you’re a coach, believe in your athletes and love them.

If you’re a teacher, make it about inspiration, not evaluation.

If you’re in sales, make sure your clients get something that really helps them.

This is how you can become wildly successful.

Remember, do not help others just so you can be wildly successful. Do it because other people are just like you, with hopes and dreams of their own.

As Ziglar said, “If you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere.”

Dr. Gilbert’s Success Hotline is (973) 743-4690.

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Thank you for visiting Total Game Plan. While you’re here, you can find many other articles to help you reach your potential.

Do you want to do your best when it means the most? Of course you do, and “Think Better, Win More!: How Sport Psychology Can Make you a Champion” will help.

“How to Survive Your Sports Season” is an invaluable resource to help you with the highs and lows of practice and competition.

To improve at anything, check out “The Improvement Factor: How Champions Turn Practice into Success.”

Need some motivation? Everyone needs it now and then. Open any page of “Thank God You’re Lazy! The Instant Cure for What’s Holding You Back” for a story or a quote to lift your spirits.

Are you a sports coach? Here’s “Ten Things Great Coaches Know” by Mike Tully and Gary Pritchard.

More great info on Facebook page Total Game Plan!