John S. Gordon - Business and Personal Coach

"You have the greatness and the power.  I just help you turn on the switch."

Welcome to Issue 207.  If you did not receive a previous issue, you may use the archive link below to view it now.  The mission of "Marvelous Mondays" is to offer an inspirational thought, a practical exercise, some humor, or a simple tip to jump-start your week and to enhance your life, business, outlook or relationships. 

Please feel free to forward "Marvelous Mondays" to others who will enjoy it.

I'm in Miami with family to "cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame" in the championship game tonight against Alabama. The atmosphere is exhilarating as friends gather at hotels, the beaches, the pep rallies, and church services. Yesterday, thousands of Notre Dame and Alabama volunteers transformed an entire city block into an urban vegetable garden for low income and the homeless. This was followed by a shared meal with the neighbors and appearances by the Notre Dame President and cheerleaders. Very very inspiring!

HOW ON EARTH DID NOTRE DAME GET HERE?

How did a team known for mediocrity in recent years suddenly be 12-0 and number 1 in the country? Notre Dame is a school of only approximately 7,000 undergraduates, is known for its rigorous academic requirements for athletes, and is located in blizzard and icy northern Indiana. Then how does it attract athletes who could have easily chosen sunnier and more glamorous parts of our country? E.g. How did it attract a devout Mormon, Manti Te'o from the beautiful and warm climateof Hawaii?  He is the captain and leader of the team and was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy award for the most outstanding player. 

HERE'S HOW NOTRE DAME GOT TO MIAMI:  

1. EXCELLENCE.  Notre Dame's tradition of excellent academic and athletic training for its athletes.
2. INCLUSIVENESS. The inclusiveness of all faiths, backgrounds and cultures.
3. EXPECTATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY. The expectation that the football players will be held accountable to graduate in a timely manner.
4. TEAMWORK AND INVISIBILITY.  Notre Dame emphasizes the "team" concept and uses the model of "invisibility" which means a person's individuality and ego is invisible.  Notre Dame Jerseys demonstrate this because there are numbers but no names. 
5. TRADITION.  Notre Dame has a legendary football tradition of goal line stands, comebacks and beating the faVored opponents.  Oh, and of course, there's Knute Rockne, The Gipper, The Four Horsemen, Joe Montana, and Rudy!
6. LUCK OF THE IRISH.  And yes, they have had some luck this season.

For those who haven't yet figured it out, I am a Notre Dame graduate and a huge fan.

This week I invite you to look at your organization and reflect on these questions:

1. EXCELLENCE. Do you provide excellence through training and education? Do you promote personal and professional growth?
2. INCLUSIVENESS.Does your organization encourage and welcome diversity of gender, culture, background, and opinions?
3. EXPECTATIONS & ACCOUNTABILITY. What processes are in place to assure that there are challenging but realizable expectations and a method for accountability?
4. TEAMWORK AND INVISIBILITY. Is your organization centered around a team rather than individuals? 
5. TRADITION. Does your company have a Vision and Mission Statement? Is it relevant today?
6. LUCK OF THE IRISH. Does your company have Kellys, O'Reilleys, and a few Murphys? Something to think about.    

 I coach individuals and companies in all these areas. I am available to assist you. Invest in yourself. You're worth it!

Rudy Practice with ND Victory March

  

The Notre Dame Victory March

Rally sons of Notre Dame,
Sing her glory, and sound her fame
Raise her Gold and Blue,
And cheer with voices true,
Rah! Rah! For Notre Dame.

We will fight in every game
Strong of heart and true to her name.
We will ne'er forget her
And we'll cheer her ever,
Loyal to Notre Dame.

Chorus:
Cheer, cheer for Old Notre Dame
Wake up the echoes cheering her name,
Send the volley cheer on high,
Shake down the thunder from the sky,
What though the odds be great or small
Old Notre Dame will win over all,
While her loyal sons are marching
Onward to Victory.

                   **John is currently accepting a few new coaching clients.**

Click here to view an Archive.