There was a time in my life when I thought I could handle anything and everything. I didn’t need sleep, I didn’t need to eat well, and I could deal with any amount of stress necessary to get the job done and care for my family. I’ve never had occasion to drink, smoke or do drugs so I felt pretty comfortable that my health would never be an issue.

However, life changes happen to everyone. I experienced several major change events within a short period of time and the consequences took their toll. I totally lost my eyesight. A specialist told me that had it been an accident or a disease he could give me an idea of when my sight would return and to what degree. However, due to the fact that it was a result of stress, he could do neither. Thankfully, my sight slowly returned within two weeks but resulted in my having to wear trifocals ever since.

My specialist explained that the loss of sight was a warning that I must examine my lifestyle and make some radical changes. The next warning could easily be a brain aneurysm, stroke or heart attack. He was very convincing, and I immediately made the necessary changes.

One of the major changes I made dealt with how I viewed circumstances. Prior to the sight loss, I was very impatient. I struggled waiting for a traffic light to change, a slow driver in front of me, a commercial to end so a program could resume … even waiting for someone to finish a sentence. Watching a train pass in front of me at four miles an hour was almost unbearable.

While impatience was only one of the challenges I had to deal with, it was indeed significant. However, after a little research, all it took was a re-frame in my thinking process. I can’t believe the difference it’s made in my life!

Now, when I get ten miles from home and realize I’ve forgotten my license or plane tickets, I don’t panic and allow stress to take over. If I’m caught by a long, slow train, I deal with it by enjoying the music from my radio or glancing at the newspaper headlines while I patiently wait. All it took to make that change was to change my thinking. I realize I can’t speed up the train, and I now feel that things happen for a reason. Maybe catching the train saved me from a traffic ticket five miles down the road or, worse yet, a serious car accident I may have been involved in. That may sound silly to some but that’s okay. I have since many times found this new way of thinking to be validated quite often.

Let me share a documented example. During the deadly 9-11 terrorist assault on the twin towers in New York, thousands lost their lives. However, many who would have normally been in one of the towers that morning weren’t there on 9-11. Review the simple reasons that saved their lives from a tragic end and consider the fact that many things happen for a reason.

• One woman was late because her alarm clock didn’t go off on time. That had never happened to her before.
• One company CEO survived because his son started kindergarten that morning.
• Another man was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts so he was delayed in arriving at work.
• Another was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident and his life was spared.
• One missed his bus.
• One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.
• One’s car wouldn’t start.
• One went back to answer the telephone.
• One had a child that dawdled and didn’t get ready as soon as he should have.
• One couldn’t get a taxi.
• One that really struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning. Before he got to the Towers he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That’s why he is alive today!

Do you think by the end of that fateful day any one of those people were upset that those unexpected interruptions took place that day? …or do you think they might think those things happened for a reason?

Now when I’m stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone … all the little things that used to annoy me tremendously, I think to myself, this is exactly where I’m supposed to be at this very moment.

So the next time your morning seems to be going wrong, the children are slow getting dressed, you can’t seem to find the car keys, you hit every traffic light, don’t get mad or frustrated. Pause, relax, re-frame, and enjoy.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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Politicians aren’t the most popular people in the country these days. I know they don’t put a smile on my face and the majority of them, on both sides of the aisle, have lost my respect. CEOs are having a rough time of it lately as well. Outrage seems to be brewing more and more everyday with news of scandalous executive bonuses hitting the headlines at a time when so many organizations are failing, layoffs and job losses are increasing, and citizens from coast to coast are losing their homes. Corporate CEOs aren’t exactly the most popular people in America these days. It must be increasingly lonely at the top. And for good reason.

However, just when you think it can’t get much worse, you come across a situation that restores your faith and makes you realize there are good people out there. If you look long enough and hard enough you can find them. It’s just a shame that it’s that difficult.

Jack Windolf, CEO of Bollinger Insurance in New Jersey, recently received $500,000 in deferred compensation when he sold 51% of the company last year. Faced with the option of hoarding more than a half a million dollars, he chose instead to distribute it among all those responsible for his company’s success. He gave each of his 434 employees a $1,000 bonus check conveying a belief that his workers add value to the company and deserve to share in that value.

While the scope of Windolf’s own economic stimulus program isn’t as big as President Obama’s $787 billion, it’s giving a boost to hundreds of people. What is truly impressive is that these bonuses didn’t come from company coffers or the pockets of taxpayers … they came from the CEOs own pocket.

Windolf called the bonuses “a mini-economic stimulus package,” and his only request was that the employees spend the money to help the weak economy and indulge themselves a little.

“We encourage them to spend it. We hope they can help jump start the economy,” Windolf said. “I like it when they spend on themselves rather than pay bills.”

While it’s true that $1,000 doesn’t go very far in today’s economy, each of those 434 employees now has additional funds to help them cope with their individual financial challenges. You can bet that the respect Windolf has shown his workers is sure to yield huge dividends.

Obviously, there are bosses out there who do care and want the best for their workers. Maybe other CEOs should take note.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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I must admit that I’m growing weary of the news. Radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, books and the Internet seem to be fighting for the right to tell me how miserable my life is at the moment. They also seem to enjoy telling me that it’s going to get much worse before it gets even a little better. I don’t need that.

Then it dawned on me. I’m letting “them” do that to me. I’m not required to listen or read what they say, and I certainly know how to separate reality from negativity. Therefore, if I’m interested in finding some “good news,” it’s up to me to find it.

I was actually astounded at how simple it was to find good news. Seek and ye shall find. I did just that, and here’s what I found within a single hour.

* * * * * * * *

A young lady named Jennifer Flood claimed she had had good experiences with Craigslist. So she and her two sisters posted an ad in the “volunteer” section that began: “Please help. My dad needs a kidney.” After his lone kidney was damaged, her father faced years of waiting for a donor matching his rare blood type.

His three daughters sifted through more than 100 responses and found donor Dawn Verdick of Monterey, California, who had been searching for volunteer opportunities. Dawn traveled to New York to give up her kidney. Doctors said that she and Daniel Flood were as close a match as relatives—while Flood’s three daughters were tested and found to be incompatible donors.

* * * * * * * *

Auctions of foreclosed houses seem quite commonplace today. Foreclosures are an opportunity for some and agony for those losing their homes. In Texas alone, almost 9,200 homes entered the foreclosure process in a single month.

Marilyn Mock, a small-business owner from Rockwall, Texas, had accompanied her son, who was interested in buying a house, to an auction in Dallas. She and her son took a seat among the crowd waiting for the auction to begin. She found herself sitting next to a woman who was obviously very upset and crying.

Marilyn introduced herself and tried to calm the crying woman. She quickly discovered that she was talking to Tracy Pottsboro who had lost her job and then her home when she couldn’t make the mortgage payment. She was here today to watch her home be auctioned off.

Long story short—Marilyn Mock bought the home for $30,000, insisted that Tracy move back into it and make payments to her instead of the bank.

* * * * * * * *

Dave and Lisa Barham own Mr. B’s Pancake House in Muskegon, Michigan. During increasingly touch economic conditions, the couple have communicated honestly with employees at the restaurant’s staff meetings. They’ve shared what it takes to keep a business open. Every employee knows how much a sausage link costs, what the water bill is and how much it costs to lease the building. They’ve even learned the impact of losing a napkin. The Barham’s have reached into their own pockets several times to meet the restaurant’s payroll for their 31 employees.

They’ve also obviously gained the respect and support of not only their employees but their customers as well. On a recent Sunday, 17 employees worked for free to help the Barhams save some money. One of the employees said: “This is a wonderful business. We want to see it succeed.” At the end of the day, they’d saved the boss about $700.

Here’s the irony … The employees didn’t go home empty-handed Sunday. Their customers pitched in with a generosity all their own, leaving $800 in tips for the loyal employees. What goes around comes around!

* * * * * * * *

Eleven-year-old Mikela Mercier is an athletic young lady living on the Big Island of Hawaii. She was recently shopping with her mother at the Salvation Army Family store in Kona when she paused to look at a Richard Simmons VHS exercise videotape.

When she slipped off the cardboard jacket to look more closely at the tape cassette, out popped a wad of cash.

Realizing it must have been a mistake, young Mikela made a beeline for the store manager and turned in the money. Wedged in with “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” was $1,000 in $100 bills!

Mikela immediately ran to her mother and explained what happened. She said she knew that the money rightfully belonged to the Salvation Army so the agency could help people in need. She quickly turned it over to the store manager.

As a token of its appreciation, the Salvation Army has offered the 11-year-old good Samaritan a gift certificate she can use the next time she shops at the thrift store.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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January is National Mentoring Month … an annual campaign created in 2002 to promote youth mentoring across the U.S. This organization is the brain-child of the Harvard School of Public Health, the Corporation for National and Community Service and MENTOR.

Each year since 2002, President George W. Bush has endorsed the campaign by proclaiming January as National Mentoring Month. The declaration has been endorsed by both chambers of the Congress. Sponsors include The MCJ Foundation, MetLife Foundation, and The Curtis L. Carlson Family Foundation. Media partners include: Time Warner, Viacom, ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC; Comcast; and the National Association of Broadcasters.

Designated nonprofit and governmental agencies are responsible for coordinating local campaign activities in communities across the country, including media outreach and volunteer recruitment. Local lead partners include state and local affiliates of MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership, Corporation for National and Community Service, Points of Light Foundation and Volunteer Center National Network, America’s Promise Alliance, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Communities in Schools, and United Way of America.

General Colin L. Powell has been chosen to headline the 7th Annual National Mentoring Month campaign for 2009. The campaign’s goal is to recruit volunteer mentors to help young people achieve their full potential. The campaign’s theme is “Share What You Know. Mentor a Child.”

General Powell is currently appearing in public service announcements (PSAs) on television and radio to promote the recruitment of volunteer mentors. His message focuses on the importance of mentoring, and the benefits to the mentor as well as the child. Ten years ago, prior to his term as U.S. Secretary of State, General Powell founded the America’s Promise Alliance, the nation’s largest multi-sector collaborative dedicated to the well-being of children and youth; his wife, Alma Powell, is the organization’s current Chair.

A highlight of the campaign is “Thank Your Mentor Day” in which Americans thank and honor their mentors. People are encouraged to contact their mentors directly to express appreciation, become a mentor in their own community, make a financial contribution to a local mentoring program, or post a tribute on WhoMentoredYou.org.

If you’re interested in learning more about this very rewarding movement check out the following links …

http://www.mentoring.org/
This site will provide you with a connection to the Mentoring Partnership in your home state; latest mentoring articles in the news; mentoring stories; and much more.

http://www.mentoringcanada.ca/resources/aboutus.html
This site contains all of the same information as the site above for Canadian residents. Get involved today and make a real difference at a time when it is so crucial for everyone involved. You’ll be glad you did!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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It’s nice to know that an organization has a sense of humor … especially when it’s a segment of an industry that’s currently taking a beating for more reasons than we care to list here.

I’m talking about Qantas Airlines, known by many as The Flying Kangaroo, which is the national airline of Australia. The name was originally an acronym for the “Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services.”

Before sharing Qantas Airlines’s sense of humor, let’s give credit where credit is due. Qantas is Australia’s largest airline and is currently based in Sydney. It is the world’s second oldest continuously operating airline (behind KLM) and the oldest in the English-speaking world.

Last year (2007), Qantas was voted the fifth best airline in the world and, more importantly, it has the best safety record of all the world’s major airlines. I have a feeling that title may very well stem from its great sense of humor which has enhanced communication levels.

In our consulting and training experiences, I have found many examples which lend truth to the observation by author John Gardner that “most ailing organizations have developed a functional blindness to their own defects.” One of the most constant defects we find is simple communication. I’m amazed at some of the things we discover that are said and written within organizations. Worse yet, this kind of communication is not only openly accepted but seldom challenged. Not so at Qantas Airlines.

According to an unknown internal source, ground crew engineers grew tired of receiving incomplete and unclear feedback from the pilots. Apparently, after each flight, pilots fill out a “gripe sheet” report, conveying to the ground crew any mechanical problems which may have occurred during the flight.

The ground crew reads the form, corrects the problem, then records details of the action taken to correct the problem. Evidently, the pilots were becoming more and more vague in their descriptions and were not responding to requests to be more explicit on the report. The ground crew decided to do something about it. They gave the pilots a taste of their own medicine.

The following comments are supposedly real extracts from “gripe forms” completed by pilots with the solution responses of the ground crew.

P) = The problem logged by the pilot.
M) = The solution and action taken by the mechanic.

P) Left, inside main tire almost needs replacement.
M) Almost replaced left, inside main tire.

P) Something loose in cockpit.
M) Something tightened in cockpit.

P) Dead bugs on windshield.
M) Live bugs on back order.

P) Mouse in cockpit.
M) Cat installed.

P) Target radar hums.
M) Reprogrammed target radar with lyrics.

P) Noise under instrument panel. Sounds like midget pounding with a hammer.
M) Took hammer away from midget.

P) Suspected crack in windshield.
M) Suspect you’re right.

P) Evidence of leak on right, main landing gear.
M) Evidence removed.

P) Number 3 engine missing.
M) Engine found on right wing after brief search.

Apparently the ground crew made its point. Feedback reports immediately improved, and communication levels continue to be excellent, contributing greatly to its status of having the best safety record of all the world’s major airlines. What’s the communication status in your organization? If needed, are steps being taken to correct any problems?

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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I recently lost an old friend. In fact, he was more than an old friend. He was a mentor, guide, teacher, adviser, coach, leader, advocate, educator and, to many, a legend. I don’t think much about those other roles he played … even though he executed each with a professionalism none other could duplicate. I still feel I lost an old friend. If you happen to be a baby boomer, you probably share my loss.

My friend’s name was Larry. Larry Harmon. He was 83 years old, and he died on the day before the 4th of July in the capital city of clowns, Los Angeles. You probably know him as Bozo the Clown … the World’s Most Famous Clown, a status once confirmed by a Harris poll. The story of his life and death was lost in the chaos of vacations, fireworks, and holiday festivities as the U.S. celebrated Independence Day.

When I heard the news, I was alone in my car driving to the mall. When the news bulletin finally sunk in, I felt as though a chapter had just closed in my life. I must admit I had mixed emotions. One was that of guilt for having forgotten my friend and the many roles he played in my early development. Another emotion was that of appreciation as I remembered the many life lessons he taught me every Saturday morning on his laugh-a-minute television show. Another emotion was sadness as I wished my children and grandchildren could have been exposed to his wisdom and wit … but then realized it just wouldn’t have been the same. Today’s children aren’t captivated by a circus or mesmerized by a magician as we were—and understandably so. It’s tough to compete with cell phones that take pictures, computers that shrink the world, iPods, video games, and cartoons guaranteed to stifle adult comprehension. Our children simply wouldn’t get Bozo. I can deal with that. Things change. My concern lies in speculating where these young minds will find the stimulation, support and life-lessons which they will soon desperately need. I’ll get back to that challenge in a moment.

Bozo emerged in 1946 as Capitol Records, a rather small company at the time, attempted to enter the children’s market. They hired a young man named Alan Livingston, who came up with an idea for a book that would have a record included—children would listen as they read, with an audio signal to turn the page. This was the world’s first “read-along” book and was a huge hit for the small company. It starred a clown narrator, named Bozo.

In order to meet the demand for personal appearances by Bozo, Alan Livingston had hired numerous actors in several cities to perform as Bozo at various events. One of them, named Larry Harmon, became a pivotal point in Bozo’s history.

Together with a group of investors, Larry later purchased the licensing rights to the Bozo character from Capitol Records. Although Larry was not the original Bozo, he was the Oz behind the curtain of success for this loveable clown character with an unforgettable name. His unique marketing ability led to the creation of local Bozo TV shows in nearly every U.S. market as well as Mexico, Thailand, Australia, Greece and Brazil by the late 50s. Over the years, Bozo was portrayed by more than 200 different actors including famed TV weatherman Willard Scott.

Bozo quickly became a show-business staple with his distinctive look consisting of outlandish, orange-tufted hair, the bulbous nose, and the outlandish red, white and blue costume grounded in his 83AAA clown shoes.

I remember going to the local shopping center (we didn’t have malls) and seeing Bozo comics, records, masks, books, lunch boxes, wigs, magic tricks, noses, playground balls, cars, magic slates, T-shirts, and just about anything else you can think of. This unique superstar delighted, entertained and educated children for more than a half-century. His TV show ran for 47 years, making it one of the longest running shows in history! He’ll be sorely missed … which brings me back to the challenge I mentioned earlier.

With today’s short attention span and obvious need for a role model similar to Larry’s alter-ego, who will emerge to play that critical role? If you follow our blog to any degree, you know that we strongly promote the importance of mentoring younger generations. That’s why we created Generational Gems for Future Leaders to assist those of you who accept the challenge. Study after study reveals the dire need for mentoring in our currently chaotic environment. You can find some revealing figures in our recent blog article by clicking on Give a Little – Get a Lot.

So, if you “wanna be a Bozo” and make a difference in the life of a young person, give some serious thought to the honorable role of mentor. Take the initiative, do some research and take the appropriate action. A young person will be forever appreciative, you’ll gain a great deal of self satisfaction, the world will be better off, you’ll broaden the smile on Bozo’s face, and my friend Larry will rest in peace!

P.S. For those of you who remember Bozo and, for old time’s sake, would like to see a clip of our friend in action, go here.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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Every year, about this time, I make it a point to tune in to the Annual “ESPY” Awards. This entertaining ESPN sports awards event has been a television mainstay since 1993. The name was created to represent Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly, and the production itself easily rivals that of the Oscars, Emmys, Grammy’s, or Golden Globe Award shows. The coveted awards are given for individual and team athletic achievement and other sports-related performances that occurred during the previous year. The greatest names in the world of sports are gathered in one incredible auditorium for this very exclusive evening. The ESPY Awards is more of a novelty type of show rather than a traditional one, and it always provides many moments of humor, achievement, and inspiration.

This year I happened to be in Boca Raton at show time and was able to catch the entire show in my hotel room on a gigantic widescreen TV. The many inspirational moments always seem to be fan favorites, and this year’s show offered more examples than ever. However, in my mind, one particular story was almost too good to be believed. It brought tears to the eyes of the entire live audience on TV, and I doubt whether there were too many dry eyes in the home-viewing audience. It so inspired me that I had to research it even further on the Internet. The more I learned, the more I was mesmerized. This narrative couldn’t have been better illustrated for the big screen at your local theater. Here’s the story.

It was a bright sunny April day in the small 300-seat stadium on the Central Washington campus in Ellensburg, Washington. Two girls’ Division II softball teams that had never reached an NCAA tournament found themselves at the top of the league playing a double-header, which may well determine which team moves on to the playoffs. It was the 2nd game, top of the 2nd inning, 2 runners on base, and the score still scoreless after Western Oregon’s 8-1 win in the first game.

Up to the plate comes a very diminutive 5 ft. 2 in. Sara Tucholsky—a senior right fielder, only a part-time starter with a mere 34 at-bats for the entire season and a .153 career average. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the game, that’s not a very impressive average. However, on this particular day, Sara achieved something she had never done before, even in practice. She hit her first home run. She connected solidly with the ball and sent it soaring over the center field fence driving in the two runners on base!

In her exhilaration, Sara missed first base on her home run trot and quickly reversed direction to go back and tag the bag. In making the turn, her right knee gave out apparently, tearing her ACL and leaving Sara lying in tremendous pain in the dirt near first base and a long way from home plate.

Her first base coach realized what had happened and quickly shouted to gathering teammates: “Nobody touch her!” She knew the rules stated that if anyone from her team or one of the coaches touched Sara, her home run would be invalid and would go down in the record books as a single. The coach felt she couldn’t take that away from Sara as she was a senior and this was her first, and probably last, home run. The coach quickly asked the umpire if there were exceptions to the rule, and the umpire responded with a firm “no,” explaining that the only option under the rules was to replace Sara with a pinch runner and have the hit recorded as a two-run single rather than the coveted three-run home run. Seeing no other alternative, the coach prepared to make the substitution, taking both the run and the cherished but short-lived memory from Sara.

At that moment, another voice entered the conversation. It belonged to Mallory Holtman, the senior first basemen from the opposing team. Mallory was a four-year starter who owns just about every major offensive record there is to claim in Central Washington’s record book. She also boasted an amazing .419 batting average which, by the way, would have earned her millions in the major leagues. She was also the all-time home run leader in the conference. Now, with her own opportunity for a first postseason appearance very much hinging on the outcome of the game—her final game at home—she stepped up to help a player she knew only as an opponent for four years.

Mallory said to the umpire: “Excuse me, would it be okay if we carried her around the base path allowing her to touch each bag?” Don’t forget, this is the game that could determine which teams goes to the playoffs, and she’s offering to give the other team another run. The umpires huddled for a short discussion and then decided that there was nothing in the rule books that prevented the opposing team from helping someone score a run.

So Mallory and her shortstop, Liz Wallace, lifted Sara off the ground and supported her weight between them as they began the slow arduous trip around the bases, stopping at each one so Sara’s good left foot could touch each bag. As they rounded second base, they realized that the audience was on their feet in a tearful standing ovation.

As the trio finally reached home plate, Mallory and Liz passed the tearful home run hitter into the arms of her own teammates. Then Mallory and Liz returned to their positions and tried to win the game.

Central Washington did rally for two runs in the bottom of the second—runs that might have tied the game had Sara been replaced on the base path—but Western Oregon held on for a 4-2 win. Some would say that Mallory and Liz left the field as losers at the end of the day. I think not. I think everyone emerged as winners when all was said and done.

Mallory was later asked why she did what she did knowing it might lose the game for her and deprive her team of a playoff berth. She quickly replied, “I didn’t even think about it. Honestly, it’s one of those things that I would hope anyone would do for me. She hit the ball over her fence. She’s a senior; it’s her last year … she was obviously in agony. It was just the right thing to do!”

Sara’s coach was obviously touched as well. She said, “It kept everything in perspective and enforced the fact that we’re never bigger than the game. It was such a wonderful lesson we learned—that it’s not all about winning. And we forget that, because as coaches, we’re always trying to get to the top. We forget that. But I will never, ever forget this moment. It’s changed me, and I’m sure it’s changed my players.”

I’m quite certain Hollywood would struggle to write a better ending to this exceptional experience. Unfortunately, like so many things today, there had to be a dark side to this wonderful story. Many sports writers and thousands of Internet regulars shared the view that Mallory and Liz made a very poor and illogical decision in assisting Sara as they did. To help an opponent, they relinquished an opportunity to not only win the championship league game but to also move on to and maybe even prevail in the NCAA tournament.

Maybe these doubters and nay-sayers would benefit from Mallory’s insight. She said, “Years from now, people won’t talk about who got hits and who won; they’ll talk about what happened on the field. And it’s kind of a nice way to go out, because it shows what our program is about and the kind of people we have here.”

As I look back at this rare occurrence, I gain renewed faith in our future. With young people like this in our midst, our future holds great promise. Thank you ladies for reminding us that winning is much more than the final score—it’s how you feel at the end of the day!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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For as long as I can remember, I’ve wondered why every newspaper, magazine, and news cast contains only negative content. Think about it. No matter what you read, see or hear under the guise of NEWS, 99.9% of it refers to murder, death, crime, war, disease, scandal, etc. I’ve heard the universal answer many times: “Good news doesn’t sell. People simply aren’t interested in good news.” However, I’ve always doubted that observation and held out a little hope that others enjoyed good news as much as I did.

When I was a youngster, about 100 years ago, you could buy a colorful comic book for a mere 10¢. Today they cost anywhere from three to four dollars each. Almost every comic book contained want ads offering anything from ant farms and sea monkeys to job opportunities in the form of Christmas card sales and paper routes.

One of those ads resulted in my first “real job” other than mowing lawns at the ripe old age of 8. I considered myself a newspaper man of sorts by signing up to deliver a weekly newspaper door to door. I had to recruit my own customers from scratch using a sales pitch I developed myself. Little did I know at the time that I was one of approximately 30,000 boys collecting dimes from more than 700,000 American small town homes from coast to coast. I made 5¢ on every copy I sold, won a variety of “swell” prizes and built my route to include well over a hundred customers and several commercial partners who resold my papers in their establishment. I had no idea that what I thought was a little weekly newspaper was actually a national institution. The name of the paper was Grit and it was known as “America’s Greatest Family Newspaper.”

I share this fond learning experience as a result of a pleasant shock I received during a recent visit to my local Barnes and Noble. While browsing the magazine rack, I was astounded to discover a colorful publication with the bold title of Grit adorning its cover. My initial impulse was coincidence as cherished memories flooded my mind. However, upon close and immediate scrutiny, I discovered that this magazine was indeed the descendant of the weekly classic I delivered to so many loyal readers. I immediately purchased a copy, hurried home and thoroughly perused the content before researching Google for a refreshing update of this new found treasure.

I discovered that Grit was a pioneer in the introduction of offset printing and was one of the first newspapers in the U.S. to run color photographs. At its peak in 1969, Grit had a total circulation of 1.5 million weekly copies! In September of 2006, it converted to an all-glossy, perfect-bound magazine format and a bi-monthly schedule. It is now displayed and sold at general newsstand outlets, bookstores and specialty farm feed and supply stores.

Founded in 1882, Grit is one of the longest running publications in the country and is still enjoying popularity 126 years later. What’s really ironic about that is the fact that Grit publishes only “good news,” substantiating my initial observation that there are obviously many of us who do, in fact, enjoy a positive slant on recent events.

My research also reminded me why Grit achieved classic status on a national level. I came across the age-old philosophy that might very well explain the “magic” behind this treasured piece of American tapestry. Simplistic? No doubt. Successful? No question.

• Always keep Grit from being pessimistic.
• Avoid printing those things which distort the minds of readers or make them feel at odds with the world.
• Avoid showing the wrong side of things, or making people feel discontented.
• Do nothing that will encourage fear, worry, or temptation.
• Whenever possible, suggest peace and good will toward men.
• Give readers courage and strength for their daily tasks.
• Put happy thoughts, cheer and contentment into their hearts.

Sounds almost corny by today’s standards, doesn’t it? On the other hand, corn is a money crop today. Maybe other publications should follow suit. I’m certain that philosophy contributes greatly to the longevity of this historic publication.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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Last week, I spoke to you about perspective and how seldom we take the time to really think about it.

We all have our ups and downs. It’s the nature of the beast. Some days we feel as though absolutely nothing else could possibly go wrong. Who else on earth could possibly be having as bad a day? Well, the next time you find yourself entertaining such thoughts, consider the following facts, and you just might be a little more appreciative of the life you’re leading.

• This morning, if you woke up healthy, then you are happier than the 1 million people that will not survive next week.
• If you never suffered a war, the loneliness of the jail cell, the agony of torture, or hunger, you are happier than 500 million people in the world.
• If you can enter into a church (mosque) without fear of jail or death, you are happier then 3 million people in the world.
• If there is food in your fridge, you have shoes and clothes, you have a bed and a roof, you are richer then 75% of the people in the world.
• If you have a bank account, money in your wallet and some coins in the money-box, you belong to the 8% of the people on the world, who are well-to-do.
• If you read this, you are twice blessed because:
  • you aren’t one of the 200 million people that cannot read, and
  • you have a computer!

As somebody once said:
– work as if you don’t need money,
– love as if you’ve never been hurt,
– dance, as if nobody can see you,
– sing, as if no one can hear,
– and live, as if the Earth was a heaven.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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It’s funny how things happen sometimes. A friend recently sent me one of those cute “smile makers” that seem to manage to get you though your day.

The unique thing about this one was the timing. It was waiting for me upon my return from an unbelievably tough three days on the road! I won’t bore you with the details — just knowing it involved airplanes pretty much sums things up. It involved mechanical problems, weather delays, worthless food/hotel/taxi vouchers, three major airlines, and “no room at the inn” — all resulting in 17 of us having to spend the night sleeping in tremendously uncomfortable chairs or on the floor in the Dulles International airport in Washington D.C.

When I finally dropped my luggage just inside my door at home, I collapsed into an unconscious state feeling pain from head to toe. In awakening several hours later, a hot shower and a change of clothes brought me back to reality. I checked my current newspapers, magazines, and e-mail to find the usual growing level of CHAOS. However, I also found the following commentary, which really made a lot of sense. I had to smile as I thought how nice it would be, if only for a week or two, to be able to return to the uncomplicated life of a 6 year old. Take a minute and see if you don’t agree.

“My Resignation as an Adult”

I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of a 6 year-old again.

I want to go to McDonald’s and think that it’s a four-star restaurant and then be able to afford a movie afterwards.

I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make a sidewalk with rocks and bask in the sun.

I want to think M&Ms are better than money because you can eat them.

I want to lie under a big oak tree with a drippy ice cream cone and run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot summer’s day.

I want to return to a time when life was simple. When all you knew were colors, multiplication tables, and nursery rhymes, but that didn’t bother you, because you didn’t know what you didn’t know and you didn’t care. All you knew was to be happy because you were blissfully unaware of all the things that should make you worried or upset. I want to think the world is fair. That everyone is honest and good.

I want to believe that anything is possible. I want to be oblivious to the complexities of life and be overly excited by the little things again.

I want to live simple again. I don’t want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news, how to survive more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor bills, gossip, illness, and loss of loved ones.

I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth, justice, peace, dreams, the imagination, mankind, and making angels in the snow.

So … here’s my checkbook and my car keys, my credit card bills and my 401K statements. I am officially resigning from adulthood.

And if you want to discuss this further, you’ll have to catch me first, cause … TAG, YOU’RE IT!!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

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