PMA

Positive Mental Attitude-PMA.  To succeed in life, one needs to have a positive mental attitude.  Equipped with this vital attribute, all things are possible.  Take Mark Herzlich.  He is something of a local hero.  He played football and graduated from Conestoga High School outside of Philadelphia.  He goes on to play linebacker at Boston College. In 2008, his junior year, he was a first team All-American and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Defensive Player of the Year.  As he heads into his senior year in May, 2009, he is diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.  Through aggessive chemotherapy, he is pronounced cancer free in September, 2009 and sits out the rest of the season.  He comes back last year and plays very well, though not completely back to his 2008 form.

Fast forward to draft day and no one takes him in the NFL draft.  He is drafted in the 10th round by the Omaha Nighthawks of the UFL.  He opts to wait until the NFL lockout ends to see if he can hook up with a team as a free agent.  He continues to work out, get stronger and stay focused on the prize of making a team.  After the lockout, Herzlich is picked up by the New York Giants, has a great pre-season and makes the team.  Many predict he will have a very good NFL career.

What drives a guy like this to get off the mat and play in the NFL?  Many of us would be happy to be cancer free, much less subject ourselves to the grueling conditioning of football.  He's got PMA.  I don't know him but I'm sure he goes through life looking at the glass half full.  He probably knows he's blessed and wants to take advantage of every day.

As leaders, we need to promote a PMA in all we work with on a daily basis.  Try to figure out how to make something work rather than give all the reasons it won't.  As a leader, look for challenges, don't shy away from them.  Take on tasks that no one else wants.  Lead through example and you will model what a PMA can do for you and others.  Having a positive mental attitude is a gift that needs to be nurtured every day. 

Let's learn from Mark Herzlich and celebrate his success as well as our own.  Live each day positively and you will live a full life indeed.