Darrin Donnelly
Feb 8, 2022
“Be positive. Your mind is more powerful than you think. … What is down in the well comes up in the bucket. Fill yourself with positive things.”
– Tony Dungy, Super Bowl Champion Coach and Player
The above quote from Tony Dungy is one I refer to often because it concisely reinforces two very important truths.
First, it reminds us that the nature of our thoughts (positive or negative) will determine the type of people we become. You can’t dwell on negative, pessimistic thoughts and expect to be a positive, can-do type of person. Fill your mind with negative thoughts and you’re going to have a negative outlook on life. Period. [continue reading…]
Darrin Donnelly
Aug 13, 2021
“Don’t go to the grave with life unused.”
– Bobby Bowden, 2-Time National Champion Coach
Bobby Bowden, one of the winningest coaches in college football history, passed away on August 8th. During his 44 seasons as a head coach, Bowden won two national championships, 12 conference championships, three national Coach of the Year awards, and 377 games.
Bowden will always be remembered for taking over a struggling Florida State football program (the team had won just four total games in the three seasons before Bowden arrived) and turning the Seminoles into a national power.
The Hall of Fame football coach will also be remembered for his authentic Southern charm and his “never-met-a-stranger” brand of kindness, which helped him become one of the nation’s top recruiters.
In honor of this legendary coach, here are my 10 favorite Bobby Bowden quotes and the lessons they teach us about living a successful life… [continue reading…]
Darrin Donnelly
May 25, 2021
First off, I want to thank everyone who has already bought a copy of my new book, The Turnaround: How to Build Life-Changing Confidence.
I’ve received some very encouraging emails from readers and the first reviews are already trickling in on Amazon—I can’t thank you all enough for your kind words and continued support!
Last week, The Turnaround shot up to No. 1 in its Amazon categories and was briefly placed on back order.
I’m excited to announce that The Turnaround is now back in stock and available to ship RIGHT NOW at this link. If you haven’t had the chance to grab your copy yet, please do so here and let me know what you think of it.
To those who have already bought the book and those who are about to, I want to say, THANK YOU! I love what I do and I could not do it without your support!
I also want to take a moment to thank and acknowledge some of the many people who helped influence this book. [continue reading…]
Darrin Donnelly
May 19, 2021
I’m excited to announce that the latest book in the Sports for the Soul series is here! It’s called The Turnaround: How to Build Life-Changing Confidence and it’s packed with confidence-building techniques for individuals and teams.
As the title suggests, this book is all about confidence. How to build it, how to maintain it, and how spread it through teams and organizations in a constructive and positive way.
After the year we’ve all been through, I believe that now is a time when we all need to regain some self-confidence. We need to take back control of our lives and start believing big again!
Confidence is essential to success, happiness, and peace of mind. Whether it be in sports, business, or any other area of life, the most confident people tend to be the most successful. [continue reading…]
Darrin Donnelly
Mar 23, 2021
“Spring training means flowers, people coming outdoors, sunshine, optimism, and baseball. Spring training is a time to think about being young again.” – Ernie Banks, 14-Time MLB All-Star
Spring is here and the 2021 version of the “season of renewal” carries extra significance—it marks the one-year anniversary of when everybody’s life was completely upended by COVID-19. After a year that blindsided everyone with heaps of stress, worry, and fear, there is light at the end of the tunnel.
I love the Ernie Banks quote above because it points out that spring (especially for baseball lovers) is the annual opportunity to hit the mental “reset button” and embrace a new season of hope and optimism. After the year we’ve all had, it’s even more important to turn the page and look forward with hope.
How you approach the future is a choice. No matter what has happened in the past, you can choose to look forward with hope or fear. The choice you make will affect everything you experience in the months and years ahead. [continue reading…]
Darrin Donnelly
Nov 10, 2020
“Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not. Just be yourself and do your job as best you can.”
– Bobby Bowden, 2-Time National Champion Coach
When studying high achievers, it’s interesting to note that there is no single personality type or leadership style that guarantees success. However, there are a few common characteristics that all successful people share.
Look no further than the two most dominant college football coaches in recent history for an example of this fact.
At Alabama, Nick Saban leads the Crimson Tide with a more reserved, business-like approach. At Clemson, Dabo Swinney leads the Tigers with a more spirited, fun-loving approach. Both coaches have built elite championship programs with approaches that, on the surface, look much different. [continue reading…]
