DO RIGHT RULES

Our Basketball Rules

1.Relentlessly Pursue Excellence
2.Respect Yourself and Others
3.Take Full Responsibility
4.Faithfully Serve Your Neighbor
5.Develop and Demonstrate Loyalty
6.Put the Team Before Yourself
7.Discipline Yourself So No One Else Has To
8.Make Hard Work Your Passion
9.Be a Competitor
10.Learn to Be a Great Communicator
11.Make Winning an Attitude
12.Handle Success Like You Handle Failure

NEVER DOUBT YOURSELF

By Walter Westfall

If I would leave any thought with someone I would say never doubt yourself. No matter what people say, no matter what you may think sometimes, never doubt yourself. If you believe in yourself you will succeed far more than you will fail. He who possesses a quiet kind of faith in his ability to perform a task already has the task half completed.

Believe in yourself despite setbacks, despite the seemingly immovable obstacles, despite the cold and dark, despite the woe and pain, and eventually your faith will come to fruition, and you will find all those troubles behind you.

The simplest thing in the world is to deride ourselves because we made a mistake, to give up and say, "I'm no good", but the more difficult thing is to believe in ourselves and constructively continue our life. The greatest error in life is to downgrade ourselves. The most horrible tragedies in life have occurred from a lack of faith in one's own self, one's own ability, from a belief that one cannot succeed, but that failure is their sole lot in life.

There seems to be a self uncertainty that builds up in the mind every time one makes a mistake or fails to accomplish a task, and with every successive blunder the uncertainty grows stronger until one doubts one's ability to do anything right. Being human we are host to a number of frailties, each one of which disturbs and depresses us, and makes us doubt our worth. We are not a mechanically precise machine, we are a bundle of nerves which often tangle and get jangled, but are capable of amazing performance.

We have more strength than we believe, there is more fight within us than we know, and far more potential than we could ever call forth or even dream of being possible.

What Winning Leaders Do

In Winning, former General Electric CEO Jack Welch says he found that some ways of leading always seem to work in creating a winning company – and that they became his “rules:”

1.Leaders relentlessly upgrade their team, using every encounter as an opportunity to evaluate, coach and build self-confidence. Take every opportunity to inject self-confidence into those who have earned it. Use ample praise, the more specific the better.

2.Leaders make sure people not only see the vision, they live and breathe it. There were times I talked about the company’s direction so much in one day, that I was completely sick of hearing it myself.

3.Leaders get into everyone’s skin, exuding positive energy and optimism. Unhappy tribes have a tough time winning.

4. Leaders establish trust with candor, transparency, and credit. Leaders never score off their own people by stealing an idea and claiming it as their own.

5.Leaders have the courage to make unpopular decisions and gut calls. Don’t run for office. You’re already elected.

6.Leaders probe and push with a curiosity that borders on skepticism, making sure their questions are answered with action. “We’ll look into it,” says Welch, is the all-too-common business head fake.

7.Leaders inspire risk taking and learning by setting an example. There is no edict in the world that will make people take risks or spend their time learning.

8.Leaders celebrate. Celebrating makes people fell like winners.

Drunk Driving Story

From “Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul.” It is a true story as well. This is a sad story, reminding of us the effects of drinking and driving.

Jenny was so happy about the house they had found. For once in her life 'twas on the right side of town. She unpacked her things with such great ease as she watched her new curtains blow in the breeze. How wonderful it was to have her own room. School would be starting; she'd have friends over soon. There'd be sleep-overs and parties; she was so happy. It's just the way she wanted her life to be. On the first day of school, everything went great. She made new friends and even got a date! She thought, "I want to be popular and I'm going to be, because I just got a date with the star of the team!" To be known in this school you had to have clout, and dating this guy would sure help her out. There was only one problem stopping her fate. Her parents had said she was too young to date. "Well, I just won't tell them the entire truth.

They won't know the difference; what's there to lose?" Jenny asked to stay with her friends that night. Her parents frowned but said, "All right." Excited, she got ready for the big event. But as she rushed around like she had no sense, she began to feel guilty about all the lies. But what's a pizza, a party and a moonlight ride? Well, the pizza was good, and the party was great, but the moonlight ride would have to wait.

For Dan was half drunk by this time. But he kissed her and said that he was just fine. Then the room filled with smoked and Dan took a puff. Jenny couldn't believe he was smoking that stuff. Now Dan was ready to ride to the point, but only after he'd smoked another joint. They jumped in the car for the moonlight ride, not thinking that he was too drunk to drive. They finally made it to the point, and Dan started trying to make a pass. A pass is not what Jenny wanted at all (and by a pass, I don't mean playing football). "Perhaps my parents were right...maybe I am too young. Boy, how could I ever, ever be so dumb." With all of her might, she pushed Dan away: "Please take me home, I don't want to stay." Dan cranked up the engine and floored the gas. In a matter of seconds, they were going too fast.

As Dan drove on in a fit of wild anger, Jenny knew that her life was in danger. She begged and pleaded for him to slow down, But he just got faster as they neared the town.

"Just let me get home! I'll confess that I lied. I really went out for a moonlight ride." Then all of a sudden, she saw a big flash. "Oh God, please help us! We're going to crash!" She doesn't remember the force of impact, just that everything all of a sudden went black. She felt someone remove her from the twisted rubble and heard, "Call an ambulance! These kids are in trouble!”

Voices she heard...a few words at best. But she knew there were two cars involved in the wreck. Then wondered to herself if Dan was all right, and if the people in the other car were alive. She awoke in the hospital to faces so sad. "You've been in a wreck and it looks pretty bad." These voices echoed inside her head as they gently told her that Dan was dead.

They said, "Jenny, we've done all we can do. But it looks as if we'll lose you too."

"But the people in the other car!?" Jenny cried.

"We're sorry, Jenny, they also died." Jenny prayed, "God, forgive me for what I've done. I only wanted to have just one night of fun.

"Tell those people's family, I've made their lives dim, and wish I could return their families to them. Tell Mom and Dad I'm sorry I lied, and that it's my fault so many have died. Oh, nurse, won't you please tell them that for me?"

The nurse just stood there -- she never agreed. But she took Jenny's hand with tears in her eyes. And a few moments later, Jenny died. A man asked the nurse, "Why didn't you do your best to bid that girl her one last request?"

She looked at the man with eyes so sad. "Because the people in the other car were her mom and dad."

EXCELLING AT WHAT YOU DO

What are the characteristics of people who excel at what they do? The Bible identifies five traits of those who make it to the top:

1.PEOPLE WHO EXCEL WORK WITH ENTHUSIASM. Emerson once said, "Nothing great has ever been accomplished without enthusiasm. Regardless of whether the job is big or small, give it your best." Great performers give their best effort, no matter what the size of the audience. "Whatever your task is, put your whole heart and soul into it, as work done for the Lord, not merely for men.” Colossians 3:23

2.PEOPLE WHO EXCEL SHARPEN THEIR SKILLS. They never stop developing… growing… learning... improving. "If the ax is dull, and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success." Ecclesiastics 10:10 It takes more than desire to excel, it takes skill! Remember - you're never wasting time when you are sharpening your "ax".

3. PEOPLE WHO EXCEL KEEP THEIR WORD. They are reliable. They can be counted on to do what they say they'll do. So they excel because people of integrity are rare in our society. "Everyone talks about how loyal and faithful they are, but just try to find someone who really is!" Proverbs 20:6 Reliability beats talent in the long run.

4. PEOPLE WHO EXCEL MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. Even under pressure...or change...or unrealistic demands, they don't allow themselves to become negative. Complainers never excel at anything except complaining. "Do all things without grumbling or arguing...and you will shine out like a light in a dark world." Philippians 2:14-15. Remember "If the boss is angry with you, don't quit! A quiet spirit will quiet his bad temper!" Ecclesiastics 10:4

5.PEOPLE WHO EXCEL DO MORE THAN IS EXPECTED. This is a secret that every successful person has discovered. You'll never excel by only doing what is required - the bare minimum. Jesus said, "If anybody forces you to go a mile with him, do more, go two miles with him." Matthew 5:41

Oscar Hammerstein told a story of seeing the top of the head of the Statue of Liberty up close from a helicopter. What impressed him was the incredible detail the artist had sculpted on an area of the statue that the artist never expected anyone to see. The artist had no idea man would someday fly above his statue! When you are tempted to cut corners and you think "No one will ever know." Remember God is looking down and sees everything you do. Give it your best this week!

EVERYTHING COUNTS

But the fact is that until you move out of the comfort zone and get the experience from making the mistakes, it's not possible for you to grow and become the person that you desire. Remember, Everything that you do counts. The biggest mistake that people make is they think that only what they want to count, counts. That when you read a book, when you listen to an audio program, when you go to a course, when you go to bed early and you get up early and you work, it all counts. And it's all going on the plus side of your ledger. But when you watch television, waste time, hang out, fool around and so on, all of that counts as well and it's going on the negative side. A person who has a great life, by the law of accumulation, is a person who's accumulated far more credits on the credit side than debits on the debit side. And here's an important point: If what you are doing is not moving you toward your goals, then it's moving you away from your goals. Nothing is neutral. Everything that you're doing is either moving you toward the things that you want to accomplish in life, the person you want to be, the wealth you want to accumulate, or it's moving you away. Everything counts.

ARETE

Preparing more than others care to or expect, practicing more often than the average person believes is necessary, believing in the quality of every moment, every day and every quest – this is what excellence is all about.

And it comes from striving, maintaining the highest standards, the highest beliefs, looking after the smallest detail and using the basics, and going the extra mile. Excellence means caring – caring enough about making a difference – it means making a special effort to do more than is asked and to expect more of oneself.

101 WAYS TO PRAISE A CHILD

WOW – WAY TO GO – SUPER – YOU’RE SPECIAL OUT-STANDING – EXCELLENT – GREAT – GOOD – NEAT – WELL DONE – REMARKABLE – I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT – I’M PROUD OF YOU – FANTASTIC – SUPER STAR – NICE WORK – LOOKING GOOD – OURE ON TOP OF IT - BEAUTIFUL – NOW YOU’RE FLYING – YOU’RE CATCHING ON – NOW YOU’VE GOT IT – YOU’RE INCREDIBLE - BRAVO - YOU’RE FANTASTIC - HURRAY FOR YOU - YOU’RE ON TARGET - YOU’RE ON YOUR WAY – HOW NICE – HOW SMART – GOOD JOB - THAT’S INCREDIBLE – HOT DOG – DYNAMITE – YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL – YOU’RE UNIQUE – NOTHING CAN STOP YOU NOW – GOOD FOR YOU – I LIKE YOU – YOU’RE A WINNER – REMARKABLE JOB – BEAUTIFUL JOB – SPECTACULAR – YOU’RE SPECTACULAR – YOU’RE-DARLING – YOU’RE PRECIOUS – GREAT DISCOVERY – YOU’VE DISCOVERED THE SECRET – YOU FIGURED IT OUT – FANTASTIC JOB – HIP, HIP HURRAY – BINGO – MAGNIFICIENT – MARVELOUS – TERRIFIC – YOU’RE IMPORTANT – PHENOMENAL – YOU’RE SENSATIONAL- SUPER WORK – CREATIVE JOB – SUPER JOB – FANTASTIC JOB – EXCEPTIONAL PERFORMANCE – YOU’RE A REAL TROOPER – YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE – YOU ARE EXCITING – YOU LEARNED IT RIGHT – WHAT AN IMAGINATION – WHAT A GOOD LISTENER – YOU ARE FUN – YOU’RE GROWING UP – YOU TRIED HARD – YOU CARE – BEAUTIFUL SHARING – OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE – YOU’RE A GOOD FRIEND – I TRUST YOU – YOU’RE IMPORTANT – YOU MEAN A LOT TO ME – YOU MAKE ME HAPPY – YOU BELONG – YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND - YOU MAKE ME LAUGH – YOU BRIGHTEN MY DAY – I RESPECT YOU - YOU’RE A JOY – YOU’RE A TREASURE – YOU’RE WONDERFUL – YOU’RE PERFECT – AWESOME – A+ JOB – YOU’RE A, OK - MY BUDDY – YOU MADE MY DAY – THAT’S THE BEST – A BIG HUG – A BIG KISS – SAY I LOVE YOU!

P.S. Remember, a smile is worth 1000 words!

Universal Translator

By EScott Brostrom, Rock Island, Illinois

On a hot summer Sunday afternoon, my wife and I had been invited to a swimming party at the home of some friends. With our two children in the care of my grandmother, Cherie and I felt as free as the breeze. As I stood on the diving board, I paused to look up into the serene sky.

But then a frantic voice rose above the party din. At the far end of the pool a woman was screaming. “The baby!” I heard her cry. “He’s at the bottom of the pool!”

No one was doing anything to help. People just stood and stared at her. Confused,
I searched the length of the pool and saw what I thought might be a motionless form
beneath the water. I dived in—and a baby was there. I hurriedly swept him off the
bottom and soon laid him on the deck. He’d turned blue…no breath. I began CPR.
Dear God, help me do it right.

At last the little boy coughed. A short breath came, then another. He would live.

An ambulance was called, for safety’s sake. While we waited, I couldn’t help asking
the others, “Why did you ignore the woman when she said the boy was drowning?”

A friend answered, “None of us understood her, Scott.”

“What do you mean? Even at the far end I could hear her yelling about the baby.”

“But she’s Mexican. None of us understood her Spanish.”

“Spanish? I heard her yell in English.”

“We didn’t. All we heard was Spanish.”

“It’s true,” said the woman’s daughter. “Mama can’t speak a word of English.”

“And I don’t understand a word of Spanish,” I said.

Thoughts on Communication

By Vince Lombardi Jr.
From the book, “Winning With Teamwork”

Good leaders have the following qualities:
1. An inspiring vision and the communication skills to transmit the vision to their people.
2. The communication skills to build a consensus; to get people to work together to achieve the vision.
3. The communication skills to engender enthusiasm within their team to achieve the vision.
4. Finally, a willingness to lead.

Three key things about communication:
1. Good ideas don’t sell themselves.
2. Everything you do as a coach is a form of communication. People never take their eyes off of you.
3. It’s not so much what you say, it’s how you say it, that matters.

Communication doesn’t take place until your people:
1. Hear or see what you have to say.
2. Understand it.
3. Believe it.
4. Believe you mean it.
5. Remember it.
6. Internalize it.
7. And begin to use it themselves.

MENTAL TOUGHNESS

Nobody ever said it would be easy, so don’t expect it to be. No one is immune from everyday problems.

Sometimes you have to perform at your best when you are feeling your worst. Block the hurt, the pain, the sickness out of your head for the short time you must perform. Shape up, get it together because EXCUSES DO NOT COUNT! Nobody cares if you are hurt or sick; you either do the job or you don’t – you win or you lose.

There are times when you might rather be elsewhere, but face up to the challenge at hand. No matter what has happened, you must win the mental battle. You must force yourself to remain confident, enthusiastic and positive. You must force yourself to work harder even when you are sick, hurt, sad or troubled. THAT IS MENTAL TOUGHNESS.

MENTAL TOUGHNESS comes to play when the going gets bad. Never let your opponent know your weakness, because they can take advantage of it. The fighter automatically goes for the cut eye, the bloody nose. MENTAL TOUGHNESS is also the ability to keep a goal to look at a year or two ahead and keep going full throttle after that goal, even in the face of adversity.

One of the oldest and most common locker room signs is this, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”

BELIEVE IT.