...and here is what I learned:
It Doesn't Matter How You Feel A lot of what we do everyday is routine, monotonous, and boring... Add a bit of soreness or an early morning to the equation and motivation can dive. And...What if you're sick? Like puke your guts out, sweat through your shorts because your fever just broke sick? What if you just had a baby and she isn't sleeping through the night? What if you had a month of plans already on your calendar? What if you traveled out of town for the holidays and had a few drinks? What I found was there was always a reason that "I shouldn't" be able to complete my run. Yet every time, I rewired my thoughts and I got it done. All the above situations--and many more "shouldn'ts"--showed up and happened to me throughout the month. I learned that it didn't matter how I felt prior to stepping outside, I felt more and more accomplished with every return to my door. (It didn't hurt to have my my four and one-year old sons to freak out with excitement as I opened the front door breathless and covered in sweat!) I learned that you have time for what you make time for. I learned that you can get things done even under less than ideal circumstances. I learned that it doesn't matter how I feel, it only matters how I choose to respond. I learned that I am in control of my actions. You Don't Have to Set a PR Every Run Playing sports all the way through the college level and then coaching full-time has put a huge competitive streak in me. I've instilled in myself and my athletes that small improvements everyday create huge gains. I've taught that you should work to get 1% better every day. So what happens when you plateau on day 10? Or you have to slow down from "race pace" so you can complete tomorrow's task? How are you getting better when your stat book says you are "trending slower." This was a challenge to reframe a few of my expectations within my mantras but... I learned that consistency is key. I learned that slow progress is better than no progress. I learned that the whole month of endurance was what needed growth, not my individual performance. I learned that mentally improving pays me way better returns than shaving a few seconds off a previous best. Someone is Always Watching I put myself out there in hopes of inspiring someone. I recorded all of my distances via GPS and posted them for the world to see. This kept me accountable to get things done. I shot a few in workout photos and messages and I talked with people about my task. But I didn't have control over what people would do. I'm sure people wanted to follow along. I'm sure a few people wanted me to fail. I know a few others who participated in the challenge alongside me. Whatever the reason, I know people watched. My kids watched. My wife watched. If nothing else, I set the example for them. I learned that the only important example that I need to worry about is how my kids see me. I learned that a small impact on anyone else only counts for bonus points. I learned that my challenges can change the attitudes, ideas and goals of others. I learned that I need to know where people are coming from before I can take people where I am going. Some of you could crush a 5K everyday, and probably do more. For some of you, the only thing you've crushed lately is a Big Mac and a 12 pack of Coca-Cola. Regardless of where you are starting on the spectrum, know that you are either moving closer to your goals or farther away from WHO YOU WERE CREATED TO BE. and whether you believe it or not: You were created for something great. Move in the direction of your dreams and watch who you become.
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True story. I'm a professional goal setter. I'm kind of a big deal.
In all seriousness, I need to take bigger risks and set bigger goals. I know that. I need to stretch. But in 2018, I set out to read 24 books in 2018. Simple task. Not easy. And I failed. I didn't get it done. If you look closer, my goal for 2017 was to finish 12. In 2018, my official count is 23. Here's my encouragement: Even when I fail, I win. My failure turned out to nearly double my progress. “The cure for the fear of failure isn’t success. The cure for the fear of failure is failure in small enough doses that we build up an immunity to it.” --Mark Batterson, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day Below is the official book list from 2018: XX) "The Like Switch" by Jack Schafer, Ph.D. ***** 2017 carry over...started in Dec. 2017, finished Jan 2, 2018 (not counted towards my goal) 1) "You Can't Make Me" by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias 2) "Lessons from the Mouse" by Dennis Snow 3) "Hero: Being the Strong Father your Children Need" by Meg Meeker 4) "Purple Cow" by Seth Godin 5) "Crush It" by Gary Vaynerchuk 6) "Faith Under Fire" by Steve Rabey 7) "Balancing Life" by Russell Clayton, Ph.D. 8) "Capital Gaines" by Chip Gaines 9) "Get It On" by Keni Thomas 10) "Millionaire By Thirty" by Andrews 11) "Live Your Dreams" by Les Brown 12) "EntreLeadership" by Dave Ramsey 13) "Contagious: Why Things Catch On" by Jonah Berger 14) "The Richest Man in Babylon" by George S. Clason 15) "Start" by Jon Acuff 16) "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall 17) The Book of Romans 18) "I Beg to Differ" by Tim Muehlhoff 19) "Drive" by Daniel H. Pink 20) "Fire Road" by Kim Phuc Phan Thi 21) "The Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis 22) The Book of Jeremiah 23) "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day" by Mark Batterson 24) "The Reality-Based Rules of the Workplace by Cy Wakeman ****NOT COMPLETED IN 2018 in 2019, set huge goals. Fail as needed. I'll start by saying that I have more degrees than a thermometer.
Chances are you know of somebody who went through a bunch of panicky tests, or took the tests yourself, or if you're out of that stage of life--you're feeling similar anxieties about cramming the year's end worth of goals and Christmas shopping into your lifestyle. Bottom line: Finals week, whatever your stage of life, doesn't have to be a series of up all nighters, bad decisions, and overstimulated stresses. There is always another way to do things and the GREATS (yeah, YOU!) are always in control of your attitude/actions. Good news: Life is not a pass or fail scenario. It's just not. Chances are along the way you've "studied." And chances are along the way you've "slacked." If you're reading this, then you're still studying!! And that means you've got more things to do! You were created to live and enjoy your tests with ABUNDANCE. This week cannot define your accomplishments, your value, or your grade. Neither can the next. There is a bigger picture. You were made for more. So now you know. They lied to you. Your teachers, your parents, your boss. They lied. Your life is NOT a series of Finals. It is certainly not contingent on things that are make or break. One and done. Pass or fail. Here's the truth: There is always another test. They don't go away... But they also aren't all back to back. Give yourself a break, give yourself some rest. Reflect on where you started, and see for yourself how far you've come. After that, don't lie to yourself about how well you're doing, Because you know that you are becoming one of the GREATS!! I remember one of my college practices and having to run sprints for one of my jack wagon teammates who overslept and skipped class. Naturally competitive, I wanted to win each sprint...so I’m killing myself trying to come in first while the perpetrator is barely making time. 8 or so lengths in, the dude stops touching the line and we get nailed with another set. Now I’m pissed...and dead tired...I don’t have time for this. This isn’t my fault...not my problem. But we keep running. My guy stops caring altogether and misses the line on purpose, basically walking his way back to the baseline. Seriously, I hate this guy... And...Here comes coach. I’ve seen this before. This is it. We. are. screwed. Hands on our knees and eyes on the perpetrator, Coach stops everything. He gets in his face; and what he said sticks with me, especially today. “You quit on your kid!” Now I’m out of breath—and...confused...? He wasn’t—at least to my knowledge—a father at that point, so we are all dumbfounded and thinking our coach had lost another screw in his rage for this guys act of defiance. “It’s 3am and your wife has been puking for 2 days. All you hear is your kid screaming from the crib and you’ve got to work in 2 hours, you don’t have time for this!! He needs changed; he needs a bottle; she can’t help anymore and here you are with your pillow over your ears because you’re tired! I get it! You don’t want to wake up! You don’t want to go to class! You don’t want to touch that line! You don’t want to run any farther! So you quit!! It was hard. It wasn’t your fault. It’s not fun anymore. This isn’t what you signed up for. Whatever. I get it.” Coach paused for an uncomfortable amount of time...we are all processing this newly realized analogy. “You’ll quit! You’ll quit on your kid! You’ll quit on your wife. You’ll give up. ...So just quit on them now; don’t even make it to 3am. Just quit now. It’ll be easier! Face them. Your future kid—Face him!! Look him in the eye and tell him you can’t run anymore... Then leave my gym.” Dang. I don’t remember if he left the gym or if we ran more or if practice continued or what. All I know is I got goosebumps after I connected the dots and in my mind I never stopped running. I never felt tired in the same way EVER again. Fast forward 10 Years or more... I get to tell you this story, celebrating a year of “running.” -One year ago we were spending several nights in the NICU with my youngest son. -One year ago we watched him take off in a helicopter without being able to ride along. -One year ago, we got goosebumps again and stayed up all night... But we are still running! My youngest son turned ONE today. And here is what I DO remember. The lessons never stop. The plan is never finished. You can call “timeout” but you certainly can’t quit. I didn’t sign up for ALL of this. I didn’t plan for ALL of this. I fully blame my wife as this was certainly not ALL my fault. But I wouldn’t have wanted to miss ANY of it. So I will run. And I will win. To my athletes ready to give up; to anybody who’s thinking about resigning; and to my parents who stayed up all night, remember this: ”The days are long, but the years are short.” Don’t quit on your kid! And tell my man: Happy Birthday Finster!! What would you do if you knew you couldn't fail?
Good answer! Now Start. I'm serious. Go for it. You all have something you want to do. Do it. Most of us limit ourselves. We never start because we are afraid--not of failing--but of the THOUGHT of the humiliation that MAY accompany a POSSIBLE failure. Get over it. You're not going to fail. AND...No one is really going to care. You're not that important. And even if you are, people will generally root for you to try again instead of laugh at you or gossip to bring you down any further. I recently told a relative something along the lines of: "So what. What are they gonna do?...take your birthday away?" And even if they do...you won't be around to care anyway!! Ok. Harsh. Maybe. But seriously, why would you prepare for the "end of the world?" and not prepare for the thing that gets you jacked up, excited, and turned on about future?!?! Surround yourself with positive people and positive influences. GROW witout fear. GO in the face of humiliation. LIVE without LIMITS. Just Start Already... How has the start of your 2018 been? Has anything changed? Is the process underway? Still getting by? I have news for you. YOU ARE THE PLAN. Everybody waits for the professional. For the expert. For somebody else to do the work. But it's on you. And you are all you need. Take control. Own it. Walk away a winner. "If not now, when? If not you, who?" You've been created with ideas, ambition, and purpose. Stop standing in your way to watch that unfold. I'm speaking to myself as much as anybody. 2018 has started well, but I am standing in my way. My fears. My ability to overcome risk. My patience. They all hinder me. What's holding you back? Let me know. Walk the walk knowing that nobody else can do it for you. You are ready. Keep on moving. You have a great plan! On the night before Opening Day of Deer Hunting--practically a holiday in some parts of the country--it only seems appropriate to talk about taking the perfect shot, chasing the "BIG ONE", and coming home with a trophy to brag about for the ages.
I tweeted once before: If it almost happened...IT NEVER REALLY HAPPENED. The most annoying hunters, fisherman, and tall-tale tellers can relive their story of the "one that got away." Great stuff around the campfire, but there is not much, if anything, to show for it. On the opposite side of the spectrum, somebody has the shoulder mount on the wall. The meat in the freezer. The money in the bank. Those "somebodies" have INTEGRITY. That's right. INTEGRITY. At the simplest level, people with INTEGRITY do what they say they are going to do. It's one thing to say you're going to save $1000 this month; It's another to check that account at the end of it. It's easy to say you'll be to work on time. It's another to be there on time...every. single. day. It's one thing to want to improve your marriage; it's another to make reservations and find a babysitter... You have to have INTEGRITY. Sometimes....YOU HAVE TO JUST DO IT. And then....you have to do it consistently. What is the size of the "rack" on your wall? Was there a decent amount of time that went into your hunt? Did you see a "thirty pointer"? Or did you pull the trigger? There is nothing wrong with planning. ...With setting goals. ...with aspiring to be and do better. It is only a problem if you don't actually DO IT. Be Safe. Pursue the BIG ONE. then...PULL THE TRIGGER. I had the privilege of speaking on behalf of our family today at my grandfathers funeral. Below is the transcript of my tribute. In preparation for today, I have really struggled to summarize my thoughts and convey everyone’s experiences and memories into something that I felt represented my grandfather. Listening to and observing the family over the past 72 hours has revealed to me the beautiful complexity of such a simple man. That balance has made this talk that much more difficult to put together. My hope is that we are lifted through the laughter and reflective through the sorrow, remembering Dave in a way that moves us forward in the spirit of a legacy that he worked so hard to leave behind.
I’m finding out as a parent, and I began learning this as a basketball coach, the hardest thing for me to teach…is character. Those who spent any time with Dave knew that he was one. They also knew…that he HAD it. I believe your value as a person is created…by WHO you are. Not by the things you do. I absolutely believe that is why my grandfather was equally as valuable in the hayfield, as in a hunting shack, as in a sales pitch, and around the dinner table. WHO he was—was consistent. It was authentic. It was honest. From WHO he was, there are many THINGS that we have to remember. I don’t have time to explain all the one-liners, the unorthodox advice, or memorable moments that many of us had in our time with him. With that said, when you get a chance, I’d encourage you to ask his kids how long it took them to get to childhood destinations. Or what to do if they got a cut or a bruise. Be sure to ask Dalton and my Grandma what they were to do if it was supposed to rain. And check with one of the grandkids on what it was like to get dropped off for school in the morning when your parents were out of town. Likewise, you may or may not want to ask what was in the lunches he packed on a hot summer day when my grandma was out of town. Or similarly, what was in the jerky and summer sausage he loved to make. Somebody else might be able to tell you why he didn’t have any hair on his legs but I know the questions you’ll never have to ask: If he cared. If you could borrow his truck. If he loved his wife. If you could count on him. You never had to question his work ethic, his motivations, or his wit. He showed me his “famous” hook shot. He taught a few of us how to fish. He gave his family a heart of generosity 10 times bigger than his coffee cup. I have seen him in the way the kids comb their hair and wear their pants. I watch him in the work ethic and the drive among his children. I hear his presence in songs about the farm. Up until this point I haven’t missed him—I haven’t needed to. His legacy, because of WHO he was, is all around me—and in all of you. Next time you have a chocolate malt, or a pinch of Skoal, or strap on your suspenders, remember WHO YOU ARE—and how valuable YOU’VE BECOME because of a simple man: Who was his work. Who loved his home. And who is his family. Thank you for BEING the celebration of his life with me today.
I've spent the last month reflecting.
Reflecting over the last 6 months. Reflecting over the last 6 years. I don't know about you, but those short time frames have been FULL. Full of risk. Full of joy. Full of travel. Full of chaos. Full of perseverance. Full of babies, and weddings, and purchases, and health scares. Full of routine. Full of tears. FULL OF EXPERIENCE. Speaking with a long time friend tonight, I was reminded that I have seen a lot of the pieces of this world and ultimately gathered several pieces for myself and my life... But I still don't know how they all go together. Sometimes it looks like and definitely feels as if the edges are broken and jagged. And that's ok. As I've told you before, I believe that "Winners Win." They find a way. Broken, hindered, ahead or behind: They always come out on top. The pieces of my life--and yours--are filling up the scorecard, leading us to the victorious buzzer. Your time is not up and your story is not finished. In the darkness, in the uncertainty, in the success, and in the struggle. You were made to WIN. You were made for the experience. All you have to choose is how to fill up and when to keep going. If you're struggling with that choice, I can give you the "how." I want to leave you with a few things that I've gathered that will help you fill up and inspire you in areas where you feel you have a jagged edge or two. Give this song a watch/listen and find some peace in the unknown of your pursuit: Additionally, check out a book called, The Rare Find: How Great Talent Stands Out by George Anders. It can give you a great perspective on creating "your path" and the seeing value in a varied background. **Side note to all my college coaches, recruiters, HR professionals, & headhunters: THIS IS A MUST READ to help you build your teams**
Lastly, know that YOU ARE THE HERO
I can show you where I've struggled and I can tell you how I've succeeded, but YOU have to wear the cape. Even when it has tattered seams. Even if there's a jagged edge. Lead on. Fight on. Live on. |
DJ JohnstonDaddy. Leader. Visionary. Archives
March 2020
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