“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do that the things you did do. So leave the safe harbor and Dream, Discover and Explore – while you can.”
– Mark Twain
“Your future is in your hands so why not – “Go For It.”
– Tim Connor
A Successful Mission
During the course of World War II, many people gained fame in one way or another. One man was Butch O’Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to an aircraft carrier in the Pacific.
One time, his entire squadron was assigned to fly a particular mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. Because of this, he would not have enough fuel to complete his flight and get back to his ship. So, his leader told him to leave formation and return.
As he was returning to the mother ship, he could see a squadron of Japanese Zeroes heading toward the fleet to attack. With all the fighter planes gone, the fleet was almost defenseless.
His was the only opportunity to distract and divert them. Single handedly he dove into the Japanese planes and attacked them.
The American fighter planes were rigged with cameras, so that as they flew and fought, pictures were taken so they were able to learn more about the terrain, enemy planes, etc.
Butch dove at them and shot until all his ammunition was gone; then, he would dive and try to clip off a wing or tail or anything that would make them unfit to fly. He did anything he could to keep them from reaching the American ships.
Finally, the Japanese Squadron took off in another direction. Butch O’Hare and his fighter, both badly shot-up, limped back to the carrier.
He told his story, but not until the film from the camera on his plane was developed, did they realize the extent he really went to, to protect his fleet.
He was recognized as a hero and given one of the highest honors. And as you know, the O’Hare Airport was also named after him.
Easy Eddie
Prior to this time in Chicago, there was a man named Easy Eddie. He was working for a man you’ve all heard about – Al Capone. Al Capone wasn’t famous for anything heroic, but he was notorious for the murders he’d committed and the illegal things he’d done.
Easy Eddie was Al Capone’s lawyer and he was very good. In fact, because of his skill, he was able to keep Al Capone out of jail.
To show his appreciation, Al Capone paid him very well. He not only earned big money, but he also would get extra things like a residence that filled an entire Chicago city block. The house was fenced, and he had live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day.
Easy Eddie had a son. He loved his son and gave him all the best things while he was growing up; clothes, cars and a good education. Because he loved his son, he tried to teach him right; but, one thing he couldn’t give his son was a good name, and a good example.
Easy Eddie decided this was much more important than all the riches he had given his son. So, he went to the authorities to rectify the wrong. To tell the truth, it meant he must testify against Al Capone, and he knew that Al Capone would do his best to have him killed.
Easy Eddie wanted most of all to try to be an example and to do the best he could to give a good name back to his son: so, he testified. Within the year, he was shot down on a street in Chicago.
These may sound like two unrelated stories; but Butch O’Hare was Easy Eddie’s son.
Unknown Author
Sometimes, making the right decision is not easy; in fact, we reach one of the defining levels of maturity when we realize how our decisions affect those around us. That knowledge usually causes us to choose carefully and sometimes differently. Remember, your future and success depend upon your decisions.
Submitted by Tim Connor
Source: http://aroundthecampfire.org/timconnor-dt/
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
– Robert Frost
Submitted by Tom Kovach
Norman City Councilman
Candidate for OK House District 44
www.TomKovach.com
“Do or do not. There is no try.”
– Yoda, “Star Wars” character
submitted by
beth monicatti-blank
all seasons communications
www.allseasonscommunications.com
The Introduction from
Change is Good…You Go First
by Mac Anderson and Tom Feltenstein
As a leader, however, deciding to make changes is the easy part. Getting your people on board is much more difficult. Why is that? Quite simply, change is an emotional process. We are all creatures of habit who usually resist it, and welcome routine. Uncharted waters are scary!
In the long run, however, sameness is the fast tract to mediocrity. And, mediocre companies won’t survive. Tuli Kupferburg said it best…“When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge.” And, that is your challenge…to convince your team that the new world you are trying to create is better than the one you’re in. Is it easy? Of course not. It takes planning, commitment, patience and courage.
The truth, of course, is that change can be a wonderful gift. In fact, it is the key that unlocks the doors to growth and excitement in any organization. And, most importantly, without it…your competition will pass you by. A big part of success, as a leader, will be your ability to inspire your team to get out of their comfort zones; to assure them that even though they are on a new path, it’s the right path, for the right reasons.
That’s what this book is all about…ideas, to inspire, to motivate, and to encourage your team to move forward and to embrace change.
We’d like to share one of the chapters. Enjoy!
Learn From Old Warwick
Fostering a spirit of teamwork is critical in times of change. The key element is trust. Trust for the leader and trust for each other.
There is a wonderful story from the play, Some Folks Feel the Rain; Others Just Get Wet; and I think it’s worth sharing again to shed some light on how people think about teamwork…
A man was lost while driving through the country. As he tried to reach for the map, he accidentally drove off the road into a ditch. Though he wasn’t injured, his car was stuck deep in the mud. So the man walked to a nearby farm to ask for help.
“Warwick can get you out of that ditch,” said the farmer, pointing to an old mule standing in a field. The man looked at the decrepit old mule and looked at the farmer who just stood there repeating.
“Yep, old Warwick can do the job.” The man figured he had nothing to lose. The two men and the mule made their way back to the ditch. The farmer hitched the mule to the car. With a snap of the reins, he shouted,
“Pull, Fred! Pull, Jack! Pull, Ted! Pull, Warwick!”
And the mule pulled that car right out of the ditch.
The man was amazed. He thanked the farmer, patted the mule, and asked, “Why did you call out all of those names before you called Warwick?”
The farmer grinned and said, “Old Warwick is just about blind. As long as he believes he’s part of a team, he doesn’t mind pulling.” ##
Inspirational Quotes
“There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction.”
– Winston Churchill
“Attitude Makes All the Difference!”
– Zig Ziglar
Reprinted from SimpleTruths.com
Submitted by RJO
From Greg McClanahan
GM of Innovative Homes and
President of Around the Campfire
Durango, CO
“Confidence is contagious and so is lack of confidence, and a customer will recognize both.”
~Vince Lombardi
“Habits are those actions that get us through our day without a whole lot of conscious thought on our part. It’s our habits, those actions that flow from our thoughts, beliefs and words that distinguish winners from everyone else.”
~Vince Lombardi Jr.
What it Takes to be Number One
Watch this video from “Motivation in a Minute.”
Submitted by “RJO”
“Wolves do not aimlessly run around their intended victims, yipping and yapping. They have a strategic plan and execute it through constant communication. When the moment of truth arrives, each understands his role and understands exactly what the pack expects of him.”
~Twyman Towery
Wisdom of Wolves
“People with a negative attitude brighten the whole room when they leave.”
~Anonymous
Submitted by RJO
