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Redefining Adversity
Nothing settles an argument the way the dictionary can. You look up a word, and that’s that. No one disputes what the dictionary says.
Until now. In this link, Aimee Mullins, a model, actress and paralympic champion — as well as a double amputee — takes issue with the definition of the word “disabled.”
In an inspiring [...]
Does Playing Sports Help Girls?
At a time when so many women are delivering such electrifying performances at the Winter Olympics, we can find this question especially useful:
Does participation in sports make a long-term difference in a woman’s life?
An article in the New York Times takes a look. It cites separate studies by two economists. One examines the effect of [...]
Courage
Today’s post has a guest writer: Ralph Waldo Emerson. Though written more than a century ago, these words apply beautifully to coaches and athletes: “Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to [...]
When Coaches Fail
In hiring Mike Shanahan as their new head coach, the Washington Redskins believe they have the right man.
Trouble, is, two years ago they thought they had the right man, too.
But now they have fired Jim Zorn after only two seasons, and Shanahan becomes the seventh head coach under owner Dan Snyder, who bought the team [...]
A Key to Motivation
Few paragraphs could ever teach more about motivation than the following one, written by Geoff Colvin and appearing in the acknowledgments section of his book, “Talent is overrated.”
This book would not have been written if my “Fortune” colleague Jerry Useem hadn’t walked into my office and and asked if I wanted to write something for [...]
International Scouting
Today’s guest blogger is writing from China on the topic of “International Scouting.” His name is Tom McCarthy, and he has 22 years of experience in Asia. Here is his report:
While today I run a sports marketing company in China that primarily focuses on tennis, I still consider myself a “Basketball Guy” and scout for [...]
A Day at the Office
Michael Jordan never stopped shooting during his playing career — not even when the shots weren’t going in.
And so it was in Jordan’s Hall of Fame acceptance speech Friday night in Springfield, Mass. He never stopped firing away, even though there were people who thought he wasn’t scoring.
Some who heard it saw pettiness and arrogance; [...]
Controlling What You Can
Yesterday Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals hit two more home runs, prompting a reporter to ask Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa if Pujols deserves to be voted this year’s Most Valuable Player.
Answered LaRussa, “Those kinds of questions are distractions, and I don’t answer them.”
Though the reporter probably didn’t appreciate LaRussa’s response, it reflected the [...]
Dedication
Tom Hughes, a coach and motivational speaker, produces a wonderful newsletter. It’s called “Motivational Moments.”
I particularly love this quote from Hughes’ most recent offering: “Dedication is the price you pay to get what you want.”
Here is the rest of the passage on dedication: “It is the amount of time you are willing to work [...]
Living Every Moment
If you’ve never heard of Randy Pausch, you can learn about him — and about life — in this video. But this clip is not meant to be viewed by you alone; it’s meant to be shared with your team, your teammates, your fellow coaches, anyone who needs a reminder about how precious life is.
Pausch [...]
