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Each month, Don Yaeger, a four-time New York Times best-selling author and award-winning motivational speaker, shares one of his 16 Characteristics of Greatness through the eyes of a great winner from the world of sports. At the end of the e-newsletter, find tips on how to apply this winning characteristic to your life. |
Contagious Enthusiasm...
The Great ones are positive thinkers, they are enthusiastic, and that enthusiasm rubs off.
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One of the best parts about sending
these newsletters is hearing back from you about examples of Greatness you've
seen in your own community. Sometimes these stories are  run in the city
newspaper or broadcast on the local news, but no one outside the area ever gets
to learn about some of these GREAT individuals in our midst.
Louise Jones, of the Alabama
Pharmacy Association, recently sent me the link to a story about an
extraordinary young man named Gabe Marsh, and I am so glad that she did. As I read Gabe's story, I was struck by what an inspiring example of Greatness
this six-year-old sets for us all. Reading his story made me call his parents
to learn more!
Gabe is one of twelve children in
the Marsh family, ten of whom are adopted. Ann, their mother, has
determinedly taught every single child how to swim and encouraged each child to
join the competitive swim team in their town of Guntersville, AL. Gabe is unique, however, in that while he enjoys swimming and is every bit as
cheerful a teammate as all his brothers and sisters, Gabe was born with only
one arm and no legs - yet he swims every meet and spends whatever time he
doesn't have in the pool cheering on his teammates.
 Ed and Ann weren't sure at first if
Gabe would ever be able to join their other children in the pool, but the
determined little boy was quick to prove their doubts wrong. He made his
way through the water to Ann the first time they were at a pool together and
from that day on, she concentrated on giving him lessons just as she had the
rest of the Marsh children. Before long, Gabe was suited up and on the starting
blocks, ready to push himself off into the water with the sound of the starting
gun. He loves the competition and he loves the training, working hard at
every meet to better his time.
But Gabe's enthusiasm isn't
confined to the swimming pool; he keeps up with his siblings running around the
family house, playing video games and even climbing up into the barn loft by
himself. His love for life is apparent to everyone around him as he
relishes being every bit as much a part of his family's activities as any of
the other Marshes.
Gabe is the kind of spirit that
makes everyone around him feel a little more encouraged. His
determination and positive thinking doesn't just push himself forward toward
Greater goals, but it also lifts up his family, teammates, and friends. And that is exactly what Greatness does.
Tips from
the Great Ones
A great one. That's exactly what Gabe is. He'll likely
never finish first in arace, but because of the way he thinks, he is a winner - a Great winner.
 Are negative thoughts or a
pessimistic attitude weighing you down? Instead of focusing on what seems
too impossible a goal to reach, channel your energy into figuring out how to
reach that goal with the talents and resources that you do have. As Ed
Marsh said about his son: "He just doesn't realize he can't do like the
rest of the kids. He doesn't realize his handicap." The great UCLA Coach
John Wooden once put it perfectly: "Don't let what you cannot do prevent you
from accomplishing what you can do."
 Don't stop yourself before you
even start. Get creative and put yourself in a positive and determined
mindset - and then share that enthusiasm with those around you the same way
that Gabe's determination to swim inspired his parents to help him improve
those skills and even compete with them.
Even when we are out of ideas,
out of strength, and out of sorts - especially then - the one thing we can
still offer is hope: hope that things can get better, that the odds are
not insurmountable, and that the goal can be reached. Positive thinking
is the Greatest gift you can give your teammates. Are you the one willing
to lift up and encourage your teammates? Are you willing to make Great
thinking contagious?
Do you know a story of true Greatness from your
community? I'd love to hear it! Please write to don@donyaeger.com to share it.
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Do you know of an upcoming event where Don may be a good fit? Find out more here!
Have you seen an example of Greatness you'd like to share with Don? Email him at don@donyaeger.com |
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16 Consistent Characteristics of Greatness |
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HOW THEY THINK
1. It's Personal - They hate to lose more than they love to win.
2. Rubbing Elbows - They understand the value of association.
3. Believe - They have faith in a higher power.
4. Contagious Enthusiasm - They are positive thinkers... They are enthusiastic... and that enthusiasm rubs off.
HOW THEY PREPARE
5. Hope For the Best, But... - They prepare for all possibilities before they step on the field.
6. What Off-Season? - They are always working towards the next game... The goal is what's ahead, and there's always something ahead.
7. Visualize Victory - They see victory before the game begins
8. Inner Fire - They use adversity as fuel.
HOW THEY WORK
9. Ice In Their Veins - They are risk-takers and don't fear making a mistake.
10. When All Else Fails - They know how - and when - to adjust their game plan.
11. Ultimate Teammate - They will assume whatever role is necessary for the team to win.
12. Not Just About the Benjamins - They don't play just for the money.
HOW THEY LIVE
13. Do Unto Others - They know character is defined by how they treat those who cannot help them.
14. When No One is Watching - They are comfortable in the mirror... they live their life with integrity.
15. When Everyone Is Watching - They embrace the idea of being a role model.
16. Records Are Made to Be Broken - They know their legacy isn't what they did on the field. They are well-rounded. |
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