Sport is defined as an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or other for entertainment. Last weekend, students at Penn State University (PSU) added another wrinkle to the definition. In addition to entertainment (where there was plenty) they danced for the benefit of others. Over 700 dancers participated in the university's annual dance marathon, known as THON, to raise money for the Four Diamonds Fund. This organization funds research and helps families with expenses incurred during pediatric cancer treatment. Over 300 student organizations, 3,300 coordinators and 15,000 student volunteers came together to raise an incredible $7.5 million.
I liken THON weekend to Jerry Lewis' Labor Day weekend for Muscular Dystrophy. Though I wasn't there, my son detailed the event-the energy, entertainment and absolute desire to succeed. The dancers were required to dance for 46 hours, not only to raise the money, but to do something bigger than themselves. My son called us as he was leaving the event excited, tired but proud of his participation. He didn't dance, but he supported those who did. He was touched and impressed with a young man named Tucker Haas. He was diagnosed with cancer at 2 and has been in remission for three years. Follow this link to watch Tucker wow the crowd.
As we've talked about in this blog many times, linking actions to your purpose or something bigger than yourself will always create a better effort, sustain energy and focus, and bring greater satisfaction. What is your organization doing to create a sense of purpose? Without purpose, we tend to go through the motions. Almost everyone is looking for a link to a greater vision or mission.
I'm very pleased that the kids involved at Penn State understand there is more to life than school and socials. THON will be a life lesson to all, that their dancing had purpose.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
February 22, 1980
Where were you 30 years ago today? I was a junior at Miami University and had recently been elected Commander (President) of my fraternity, Sigma Nu. We had a small controversy brewing. It was our first social with a sorority since the new officers took over and as the US Hockey team kept winning, it was clear they were going to play the Soviet Union during the social. It all worked out and the win helped all of us celebrate (like we needed a reason).
Many of you weren't born 30 years ago. It seems like yesterday. If you didn't live through that time, it's hard to describe. The US was getting beat up everywhere. We couldn't rescue our hostages in Iran, inflation was in the teens, the economy looked like 2008, and we had lost the respect of the world. There were no cell phones, e-mail, I-Pods or Twitter. Hard to believe, there was no ESPN either. For those of you who don't remember, the Soviet Union and the entire communist block played with professional teams in the Olympics. The Americans (and others) were amateurs, consisting of mostly college players. To make matters worse, a few days before the Olympics began in Lake Placid, NY, the Soviet Union pasted the US 10-3 in an exhibition.
What happened in Lake Placid was a miracle. It was a shot of adrenaline to an otherwise downbeat nation. Every few years we have this swelling of national pride. This was one of those times. Two days later, the team would win the gold medal against Sweden. On February 22nd, it didn't matter. They had come face to face with the enemy and won!
This weekend, there have been several documentaries celebrating the 30th anniversary. As I look at the names on their jerseys, very few were superstars. This was truly a team effort spearheaded by one of the great coaches in our lifetime, Herb Brooks. For six months, he molded them into a team, pushing them beyond their physical limits. By all accounts, they were the best conditioned team in the Olympics. He was a master of motivation. The combination of the men on the team and Herb Brooks and his coaches was a unique recipe for success.
Mark Eruzione, the captain of the team, made a comment that said that the team needed Herb Brooks, but Herb needed the individuals of the team. He also said they genuinely liked each other and never want to let each other down. It's a good concept to remember. How good could your organization be if they felt the same way as the 1980 US Hockey team? It's worth giving it a try.
It was a wonderful trip down memory lane and yes, I believe in miracles!
Many of you weren't born 30 years ago. It seems like yesterday. If you didn't live through that time, it's hard to describe. The US was getting beat up everywhere. We couldn't rescue our hostages in Iran, inflation was in the teens, the economy looked like 2008, and we had lost the respect of the world. There were no cell phones, e-mail, I-Pods or Twitter. Hard to believe, there was no ESPN either. For those of you who don't remember, the Soviet Union and the entire communist block played with professional teams in the Olympics. The Americans (and others) were amateurs, consisting of mostly college players. To make matters worse, a few days before the Olympics began in Lake Placid, NY, the Soviet Union pasted the US 10-3 in an exhibition.
What happened in Lake Placid was a miracle. It was a shot of adrenaline to an otherwise downbeat nation. Every few years we have this swelling of national pride. This was one of those times. Two days later, the team would win the gold medal against Sweden. On February 22nd, it didn't matter. They had come face to face with the enemy and won!
This weekend, there have been several documentaries celebrating the 30th anniversary. As I look at the names on their jerseys, very few were superstars. This was truly a team effort spearheaded by one of the great coaches in our lifetime, Herb Brooks. For six months, he molded them into a team, pushing them beyond their physical limits. By all accounts, they were the best conditioned team in the Olympics. He was a master of motivation. The combination of the men on the team and Herb Brooks and his coaches was a unique recipe for success.
Mark Eruzione, the captain of the team, made a comment that said that the team needed Herb Brooks, but Herb needed the individuals of the team. He also said they genuinely liked each other and never want to let each other down. It's a good concept to remember. How good could your organization be if they felt the same way as the 1980 US Hockey team? It's worth giving it a try.
It was a wonderful trip down memory lane and yes, I believe in miracles!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Solitary Man
I can't say that I'm riveted to the television watching the Olympics. It has been a nice diversion to a horrible winter (weather wise). I did not see the men's figure skating (one can only take so much) but I did see the celebration as American skater, Evan Lysacek, won a gold medal. I started to think about all the time he has spent on the ice training and visualizing this moment. He will be 25 in June and won his first competition at 10. He had dedicated his life in pursuit of Olympic gold. He showed his grit in Torino finishing fourth after a horrible short program due to illness. He took IV's and rose from 10th to 4th. His hard work and dedication paid off. Barring injury, he should be set for life touring with the various ice shows and perhaps commentating in the future.
Lysacek is not the only Olympian that trains in virtual solitude and fixes their life on Olympic gold. He's one of many, not to mention the thousands (millions?) who train all their life and fall short. What's the difference in with those who medal and those don't achieve their goal? There is certainly physical ability, but that only goes so far. It is a positive attitude. We all know people in our lives, hopefully ourselves, that set goals and create a positive behavioral change through a positive attitude. A positive attitude gets us out of bed in the morning; it forces us to look for the good in people and situations; it keeps us focused; and it allows us to ask, why not me?
There are millions of people who have positive attitudes and create a better life for themselves. There are just as many (seemingly more) whose attitudes are sour and become victims of their circumstance. Where do you fall? You may never be an Olympian, but you can act like one. Take a look at your attitude and make it positive.
Lysacek is not the only Olympian that trains in virtual solitude and fixes their life on Olympic gold. He's one of many, not to mention the thousands (millions?) who train all their life and fall short. What's the difference in with those who medal and those don't achieve their goal? There is certainly physical ability, but that only goes so far. It is a positive attitude. We all know people in our lives, hopefully ourselves, that set goals and create a positive behavioral change through a positive attitude. A positive attitude gets us out of bed in the morning; it forces us to look for the good in people and situations; it keeps us focused; and it allows us to ask, why not me?
There are millions of people who have positive attitudes and create a better life for themselves. There are just as many (seemingly more) whose attitudes are sour and become victims of their circumstance. Where do you fall? You may never be an Olympian, but you can act like one. Take a look at your attitude and make it positive.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Playing with Purpose
I am surprised and appreciative of all the comments I received on my last blog. I asked the question on Linked in who would give up millions to pursue their dream and happiness as Grant Desme seems to have done. I am impressed with the testimonials of those who have left lucrative financial careers to start their own businesses, work for non-profits, or start your own non-profit.
It turns out this is the perfect lead in to this week's blog. We all know about Hurricane Katrina and the devastation in New Orleans and much of the gulf coast that still exists today. It came through New Orleans in August, 2005 and made the convention center and Super Dome shelters of the last resort. Over 1,800 died, most from Louisiana, and the economic loss was nearly $90 billion. Through the umpteen hours of Super Bowl coverage, we know that the Saints renaissance began in 2006 with the arrival of head coach Sean Payton, quarterback Drew Brees and running back Reggie Bush. In one of the most memorable Monday night football games I have ever seen, the Saints come back to the Super Dome September 25, 2006 and win big against the Falcons.
The question is - why do the Saints matter and how does it relate to giving up millions to follow your dream? It's my belief that many of the Saints played the Super Bowl for the city of New Orleans rather than themselves. Perhaps I'm naive, but there is no doubt in my mind that Drew Brees will remain in New Orleans the remainder of his career. He has been extremely active in the New Orleans community along with his wife Brittany. They have become part of the fabric of their community. He, along with many of his teammates, felt they could finally lift their city out of the shadow of Katrina with a Super Bowl win. I believe they have.
How does this relate to your organization? Perhaps it doesn't. If that's the case, go back to your organization's mission and determine whether it's meaningful. It tells me that there is no mission link and your teams are there for the paycheck and personal gain. This may work in the short run, but your best and brightest will leave for a better paycheck and the promise of further personal gain. Everyone needs a purpose to exist. Those who don't become victims. As we enjoy President's Day, think about your purpose, your organization's mission, and how you can link these for organization. Think of the commitment you'll achieve at all levels.
It turns out this is the perfect lead in to this week's blog. We all know about Hurricane Katrina and the devastation in New Orleans and much of the gulf coast that still exists today. It came through New Orleans in August, 2005 and made the convention center and Super Dome shelters of the last resort. Over 1,800 died, most from Louisiana, and the economic loss was nearly $90 billion. Through the umpteen hours of Super Bowl coverage, we know that the Saints renaissance began in 2006 with the arrival of head coach Sean Payton, quarterback Drew Brees and running back Reggie Bush. In one of the most memorable Monday night football games I have ever seen, the Saints come back to the Super Dome September 25, 2006 and win big against the Falcons.
The question is - why do the Saints matter and how does it relate to giving up millions to follow your dream? It's my belief that many of the Saints played the Super Bowl for the city of New Orleans rather than themselves. Perhaps I'm naive, but there is no doubt in my mind that Drew Brees will remain in New Orleans the remainder of his career. He has been extremely active in the New Orleans community along with his wife Brittany. They have become part of the fabric of their community. He, along with many of his teammates, felt they could finally lift their city out of the shadow of Katrina with a Super Bowl win. I believe they have.
How does this relate to your organization? Perhaps it doesn't. If that's the case, go back to your organization's mission and determine whether it's meaningful. It tells me that there is no mission link and your teams are there for the paycheck and personal gain. This may work in the short run, but your best and brightest will leave for a better paycheck and the promise of further personal gain. Everyone needs a purpose to exist. Those who don't become victims. As we enjoy President's Day, think about your purpose, your organization's mission, and how you can link these for organization. Think of the commitment you'll achieve at all levels.
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