“Confidence is going after Moby Dick in a rowboat and taking tartar sauce with you.” Zig Ziglar Standing at the end of the long hallway – the entrance to the kitchen where my mom is busy cooking – I point one finger in the air, and with great confidence, shout the 10 words that will forever change my life. I have decided that I am going to accomplish a special goal today. It is unlikely (I am only 10 years old). The odds are greatly against me. Even some of the most renown … [Read more...]
Imagination Failure
“Great ideas originate in the muscles” Thomas Edison Can imagination be harmful, possibly leading us away from success rather than toward it? Yes! I know because I have been here before. It would be hard to convince Napoleon Hill of a negative outcome related to imagination, a topic that he dedicated an entire chapter in his best-selling book, The Laws of Success. Even if we have not read this book, which I do recommend, we have been exposed to material that declares that imagination is a … [Read more...]
Grit
“Fall down seven times and get up eight.” Japanese proverb It is among my treasured success principles . . . she taught it to me by how she lived. The teacher, Lucille Hackbarth, was my mother. Angela Duckworth, Ph.D. was a 27-year old teacher when she started on a journey that would result in discovery and further research on what I call my mom’s ‘success principle.’ While teaching seventh grade math in New York City public schools, Dr. Duckworth noticed that some of her smartest … [Read more...]
Maybe
“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Old English Proverb, circa 1534 Even though the convention was over three decades ago, one line from the speaker’s presentation remains unforgettable. Over and over again during the intervening years, at important moments, the words imprinted in my memory have resurfaced. Will today be such a day? Our crew of 13 departs Terry Cove on The Great Gab-Sea, named after my oldest grandchild, Gabrielle. She is onboard with college friends and family … [Read more...]
Mom
“Men are what their mothers made them.” Ralph Waldo Emerson Just recently we celebrated Mother’s Day. Many of us devotedly honored our mothers – whether still with us or passed on. Facebook and other popular social media sites were filled with tributes to mothers and grandmothers – perhaps you were among the grateful well-wishers. We were all engaged in honoring mothers near and dear to us. . Can a mother’s wisdom help promote success for their children and family members? Yes! … [Read more...]
Sleepless in Mobile
“We shape our tools and thereafter our tools shape us.” Marshall McLuhan, Ph.D. I am not sleeping well . . . waking up many times during the night is normal. Last night was climatic as I woke up twice experiencing scary choking spells. After a visit with my family doctor, who is also a specialist in the area of sleep disorders, I am scheduled for a ‘test night’ at a local sleep center. Meeting again with my family physician following the sleep study, the … [Read more...]
Work While it is Day
“The early bird gets the worm.” John Ray, A Collection of English Proverbs, Circa 1670-1678 Today, I am here . . . Tomorrow, I will be . . . By the end of this week, I will . . . Three years from now, I will accomplish the goal of . . . Five years from now, I will arrive at . . . How would you finish any or all of those statements? How will you get from this point in time to where you would like to be in the future? Physically—mentally – psychologically … [Read more...]
Influence
“Leadership is influence.” John C. Maxwell, Th.D. “Hey, Dad, do you want to speak to the senior team in our quarterly gathering next week?” Kelly, our older daughter and CEO of the company (HDS, Inc.) founded by her mother and me, is asking the question. “Sure,” I reply. “What topic do you want me to address?” “Leadership,” her one-word response. As a professional speaker, it does not take much to persuade me to speak in front of an audience. Add one of my favorite topics and it is a … [Read more...]
Comfort and Joy
“Today is the only day. Yesterday is gone.” John R. Wooden (The ‘Wizard of Westwood’) It is Saturday morning – Christmas Eve. The last three days have been very busy for Carol and me. After hosting a party for L’Arche (a local organization we support) on Wednesday, attending our company’s (Hackbarth Delivery Service) party on Thursday, Carol’s family gathered at our home for an annual Christmas celebration on Friday. Over 30 relatives joined us. Later this afternoon, we will join our … [Read more...]
Alabama or Auburn
“A fan will grab you and hug you and will not let go. When that happens, you wish it could be that way all over the world.” Charley Pride Newcomers to the State of Alabama will inevitably be asked the seemingly most important territorial question -- a query that will come sooner rather than later: ‘Which team do you support . . . Alabama or Auburn?’ If your position is neutral, you will likely be militantly recruited by the fan posing the question while waxing eloquently about the team he … [Read more...]
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