To Believe

Remember "Polar Express?"

Remember when the Tom Hanks character punched the ticket with the word "believe" on it. That's all the main character had to do to make the Polar Express and Santa real. Believe.

The Disney character, Jiminy Cricket was always telling boys and girls everywhere to believe in the magic of Disney.

Whether it be the love of Gepetto for his son Pinnochio, the magic of a kiss from a prince or a friendship between a fox and a hound, it was always about believing.

"When you wish upon a star..."

All you had to do was to believe and all your dreams would come true.




Let me tell you about another kind of belief.

This is when someone believes in someone else with all of their heart.

They believe in them as a friend. They believe in them as a spouse. They believe in them as a parent. They believe in them as a co-worker. In every facet of life.

The power and confidence that comes from that belief can erase any measure of insecurity. It's given freely and unequivocally as a gift. It's the most beautiful benefit of love.

Moves mountains.

“There is no greater power and support you can give someone than to look them in the eye, and with sincerity/conviction say, 'I believe in you.”

The "P" Word

That's a picture of my beautiful family on our wedding day.

I draw strength from them. They motivate me to be the best version of me. I love them dearly.

They are the spark.

They are my passion.

Passion is the fuel that drives everything but it is so hard to define. It helps you sleep like a baby, but wakes you up at 3am and turns on your brain. It speeds you up and slows you down at the same time. It creates tears and cheers all at once. It brings joy through the push towards excellence but frustration through the push towards perfection. Without it, there's nothing.

My other passions?

Coaching.

I love helping players and co-workers realize their potential. I love the lessons (on both sides).

Those a-ha moments of clarity that create stepping stones to better things. Teaching seems more one to all whereas coaching seems more one to one.

I have coached my whole life (my Dad did as well) and you will never be able to take the coach out of me (even if they do take my whistle away eventually).

Working out.

I worked out in high school and college because I had to. I started working out in my late 20's because I wanted to.

The temporary escape from all of the nonsense in the world.

To remember and forget while you sweat.

The alone in the world and connected all at once feeling.

Feels good.



I have one more...

Take a guess.

Forget the Q...but don't ever forget to mind the "P"

Can I Cut In?

Whether or not you were an NBA fan, let alone a Bulls fan, the documentary "The Last Dance" was an interesting study in the human psyche, relationships, motivation, coaching, and team dynamics.

Whether it was the insecurities of Pippen and Krause, the Zen-like approach of Phil Jackson, the mercurial attention-seeking needs of Rodman, or the bombastic alpha leadership style of Jordan, it was a microscopic view on life.

Takeaways...

The core competency of a successful coach (boss, parent, etc.) is to treat each individual as an individual. One size does not fit all. You have to know who you can push harder and who you need to help pull through. Who needs tough love and who just needs love. You are guiding. You are orchestrating. You are focusing on the common good. Big picture thinking. It's not about you. It's about them. Don't do things to them. Do things for them.

The art of coaching as a player is just that; an art. To be able to build trust, respect, and chemistry as a peer is so powerful. It's leadership. Some people lead because they have a title (I argue that those really don't lead but manage) others lead because of who they are.

Zen is real and very powerful.

Insecurities can ruin a really good thing.

And finally, we all would love to be able to write our own song that goes with our last dance. For most of us though, it just doesn't happen.

Jerry Krause was villanized for breaking up that team but he actually did that Bulls dynasty a favor. They knew it was going to be their last run together. How differently would you approach things if you knew it was going to be your last dance? You would give 100%. You wouldn't take anything for granted. You would live life to the fullest. Pretty good way to go out. Don't you think?

1,2,3,4. 1,2,3,4. 1,2...

You Are OK

Roger Sterling said some brilliant things over the years.

Keen insight.

Snappy one-liners.

Brilliant comebacks.

But one of the best was at the end of the run when he told Don "You are OK" and then kissed him the cheek.

Why was that so good?

Because it's something we all need to hear. Sometimes, we get caught up in our own thought bubbles. We feel like we are alone out there. The walls are closing in. The roller coaster is stuck on a permanent downward trek and you aren't seeing the climb back up. There is no freaking light at the end of the tunnel.

But then, we have a random conversation with a friend or loved one and you realize you aren't alone. You realize everyone else is going through the mud as well. You realize "you are ok."

We all would love to be great all the time. But that's a fantasy. It doesn't work that way. We have great moments. Great experiences. Great memories. But, greatness isn't a permanent position. Being OK is.

OK has been described as the most frequently spoken or written word on the planet. There's a reason for that.

Next time you are feeling lost. Just remember, we all are waiting for you at the OK corral.

Saddle up, partner.

Two Elvis Moods and The Cocktail of Your Choice

Love me some Elvis!

Both Costello and Presley.

The Itunes shuffle struck gold this week with back to back Elvis. "Alison" and "Little Less Conversation."

Alison, I know this world is killing you.
Oh, Alison, my aim is true.

Baby, close your eyes and listen to the music
Drifting through a summer breeze
It's a groovy night and I can show you how to use it
Come along with me and put your mind at ease

Both struck a chord with me. Both artists made me feel something different.

I started pulling up more songs from both.

Costello was thought inspiring. Made me think. Memory filled. Presley was thoughtful. Made me forget. Present tense.

Costello is a storyteller. Presley is the story. Costello is about the lyrics. Presley is about the music.

Costello is a dark dive bar on a Friday night. Presley is a bright dance hall on a Saturday night.
Costello is beer and whiskey shots. Presley is wine and martinis.


Same first name. Same art. Different spirits, for sure.

Long live Elvis!

Dream Realized

She walked into the room.

Stunning grace.

And I was struck by her natural beauty.

I watched the way she carried herself.

I got carried away.

Mesmerized.

So confident. So elegant. So smart. So sensual.

She protected her tribe fiercely.

Wonder Woman.

I wonder…

She crossed her leg and turned to the side.

Away from me.

Hoping to get her attention.

I wanted her. I needed her. I was already falling.

I didn’t know she existed.

From that day forward, she did.

Dream realized.

To Be Essential or Not To Be Essential?

On December 18th, I was deemed non-essential for my previous company.

On March 18th, I was deemed essential for my current company.

Didn't realize one had the ability to become essential in three short months. That's a helluva online course!

The term "essential" has obviously taken on new meaning during the Coronavirus pandemic. Essential employees. Essential businesses. Essential services. It begs the question; who judges who or what is essential and who or what isn't? I would argue that just like the food chain, everyone plays an essential role but essentiality is truly in the eye of the beholder. How did I go from non-essential to essential in three short months? I didn't change. But, the people around me did.

But, here's the thing; essentiality is not to be judged by others. Essentiality is within each and every one of us. Each of us has an internal pilot light that just needs a spark to light.




Once it is lit, essentiality is born.

Don't let someone else randomly choose whether or not you are deemed essential. Discover it yourself.

Find the spark that lights the light.

These are trying times for sure. Lots of questions. Lots of doubts. But don't doubt your own essentiality.

To be essential or not to be essential? There is no question.