Darrin Donnelly
Mar 2, 2017
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last,” Zig Ziglar, the late great inspirational speaker and business leader, once said. “Well, neither does bathing—that’s why we recommend it daily.”
We all need to be motivated and motivated regularly. Motivation is the fuel for charging forward, especially when we face adversity. If we’re going after anything worthwhile, we know our willpower will be tested again and again along the way.
Regular, consistent motivation is what keeps you moving forward when times get tough.
But how do top achievers motivate themselves and the people they’re leading? What’s the best way to get results? Is it through fear? Is it through money? Is it through inspirational speeches? Or, is there another way, a better way?
John Wooden famously said, “Pride is a much better motivator than fear. It produces far better results that last for a much longer time.”
Especially early in his career, two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Tom Coughlin would sometimes motivate with a tough-love, fear-based approach. But after four decades of coaching, he came to recognize that pride was the best motivational tool available… [continue reading…]
Darrin Donnelly
Feb 23, 2017
Less than 4% of the 128 current FBS head football coaches have never actually played college football. Mike Leach is one of those rare few.
And while those odds alone are enough to discourage most from pursuing such a career path, Leach is even more unique in the fact that he planned on becoming a lawyer and earned a law degree BEFORE deciding to become a football coach.
What’s more, when Mike Leach decided to chase his dream of becoming a football coach, he was already married with a child, he was broke, and he had $45,000 in student loan debt.
Most people would have looked at Leach’s situation and told him it was way too risky to pursue coaching as a career. But, most people don’t view risk the same way Mike Leach and other high achievers do… [continue reading…]
Darrin Donnelly
Feb 16, 2017
We become what we focus on and if there’s a certain mentality that separates the most successful coach, athlete, or business leader from all the rest, it’s the extreme desire to be the best at what they do. They hate to come up short. They hate to get beat by someone else.
Adopting this winner’s mindset gives you a distinct advantage over your competition because, as strange as it may sound, most people don’t have that deep desire to be the very best. They’re content with being average.
Arnold Palmer, one of history’s greatest golfers, most definitely had a winner’s mindset. He felt that his mental approach to the game of golf was one of the things that separated him from his competition… [continue reading…]
Darrin Donnelly
Jan 26, 2017
Extensive studies by psychologists suggest that people who embrace a positive attitude are going to be happier, healthier, and more successful than those who don’t. Our own personal experiences confirm that when we maintain a positive attitude we’re more productive, we feel better about ourselves, and life tends to go a lot smoother for us—both personally and professionally.
However, “positive thinking” is often misunderstood. Some people hear the phrase “positive thinking” and immediately think of “wishful thinking.” They think of self-help gurus forcing smiles or naïve Pollyannas pinning their hopes to unrealistic expectations. People who view positive thinking this way are missing something key.
Nick Saban has already established himself as one of history’s greatest college football coaches. And while no one would accuse him of exuding a happy-go-lucky, smiling-all-the-time persona (he’s better known for his no-nonsense persona), Coach Saban is a big believer in the importance of having a positive attitude. Here’s how he sees it… [continue reading…]
Darrin Donnelly
Jan 19, 2017
Coinciding with the release of my book, Old School Grit, I’ve been talking a lot about GRIT lately. Defined as the willpower to persevere with passion and a sense of purpose, psychologists have discovered that if one could identify a single “secret” to success, GRIT would be it.
The discussion of GRIT is exciting, especially when we talk about pursuing our passion and finding our purpose. But it’s vital to not overlook the most important part of the grit equation: perseverance. Without relentless perseverance, the pursuit of your passion will end quickly.
Finding your purpose is only the first step. Pursuing your passions will give you an advantage over those who aren’t as passionate, but it’s not a free pass down easy street.
If you’re going after something worthwhile, you’re going to face lots of adversity along the way. That’s just the way it is. You’ll be pushed to the brink. There will be times when you question yourself. There will be times when you feel like things aren’t going to turn around for you. There will be times when you feel like giving up.
And when those times occur, you must remember the words of Yogi Berra… [continue reading…]
Darrin Donnelly
Jan 5, 2017
We live in a fast-paced, highly-competitive, constantly-changing world. No matter what industry you’re working in, the rapid pace of change can be exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. If you’re not careful, the ever-changing demands of your daily work life can lead to such high stress levels that you get burned out and lose your enthusiasm and focus for whatever it is you’re trying to accomplish.
We have three choices for how we can deal with changing circumstances and the stress that this can cause.
First, we can dwell on the past and try (unsuccessfully) to avoid the task at hand. Second, we can worry about the future and all the uncertainties that lie ahead. Or third, we can choose to accept things as they are and discipline our thoughts to seek peace and clarity in the present moment.
The first two choices lead to more stress and eventual burnout. Successful people focus on the third choice.
Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari knows what it’s like to work in an extremely competitive and ever-changing field. He offers three practical steps for keeping your focus on the present and avoiding burnout in your career… [continue reading…]
