Do What Is Right For You: A LeBron James Lesson

LeBron James continuous to take a tremendous amount of heat for leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers to play for Miami. After he left the Cavaliers, they too have taken tremendous beatings as well, from opposing teams.  And James has nearly single-handedly turned the Heat into a serious title contender.  Before he joined the team, the players badly needed help to get back to the championship level.

Still James has been called by sportscasters and writers "the most hated athlete in American sports."  Why?  When he left the Cavaliers many felt he betrayed the team for spoils, and that he is a "sell-out."
“Fans are passionate,” James said. “They believe that you should live your life and your career through them, and when you don’t do that, they automatically turn. I know that personally.”

I am not going to pass judgement on whether LeBron should have stayed with the Cavaliers.  However, I do want to say this.  You cannot make life decisions based on what others want you to do.  Could you honestly say you would stay on a job and pass up a more lucrative career because others felt you should? 

Life is too short to live for others, even fans.  And, if you are a basketball player, you know that life on the court is one of the shortest careers you could possibly have.

So whether you believe that James should have stayed, or gone on to Miami like he did, remember in your own life, live for what you feel is best for you, not others.

Stick With the Plan

Florida State Upsets Duke, 66-61

When you face a tough challenge, it's tempting to keep changing the plans you made to tackle the situation, especially if it appears you are not going forward.  It makes sense to try other methods when you are failing.  However, many of us don't believe in our original plan, and this causes us to spin off in other directions.  It takes courage to have patience and believe that your plan will work through the challenge. Most give in to panic and fear.

Those who can keep the faith, and stick to the plan in the face of adversity are often winners. Florida State proved this when they ended Duke's 25-game winning streak.  Florida State 66, Duke 61.

"Our guys stuck with our game plan" Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton said.  "They maintained their poise.  We hit the big free throws down the stretch.  I hope they understand now exactly the way they have to play in order to be successful."

Florida State Upsets Duke:

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Watch fans storm the court:

Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll on Visualizing to Win

I had a chance to meet Coach Pete Carroll in his office at USC right after my son graduated there and Carroll was still coaching the Trojans.  I was so impressed how he was warm and open to strangers.  He focuses on you, and makes you feel good about yourself.  This is also attributed to his style of coaching.  They say he builds players up, rather than tear them down when they make mistakes.

It's no wonder that he has eased into coaching the Seahawks, because he makes players want to be the best you can possibly be.

Carroll could have rested on his laurels as being the highest paid university coach in the nation, but he chose to advance himself.  

ESPN reporter Shelly Smith says this about Carroll Coaching the Trojans in Los Angeles, "Carroll and his staff and the players were rock stars, A-listers even among the usual A-listers. The environment was contagious and hyper-charged."

But, even though Carroll who was at the top of his game at USC , he left for a bigger challenge to return to the NFL. Some say it's because he saw the controversy of Reggie Bush coming down the pike, but I choose to believe that he is following his philosophy to keep challenging himself and to be the best that you can be.

Against naysayers who say Carroll can't have the success in NFL like college, and that he is to "nice" for the NFL, he is proving them wrong, leading the Seahawks to victories.

One of his coaching techniques, is Carroll believes in visualization, one of the keys to win not only on the field, but in life. This is a key component in our lives no matter who we are.

Charles Haanel, author of the Master Key System (1912) which inspired the book, "The Secret" said this:

"If you desire to visualize a different environment, the process is simply to hold the ideal in mind, until your vision has been made real; give no thought to persons, places or things; these have no place in the absolute; the environment you desire will contain everything necessary; the right persons, and the right things will come at the right time and in the right place."

You can click on my pages tab on the top left to read an entire Visualization chapter in my book "Sporting the Right Attitude."

Here is Pete on winning and visualizing big:

NFL Hall of Famer Committed On and Off the Field

The legendary All American Running Back, Jim Brown made his television debut at the At&t Cotton Bowl Classic in 1957.  He was named the game's outstanding offensive player.

Today, watching him perform the coin toss for the LSU and Texas A&M game at the Cotton Bowl 54 years later, I remembered going to his home in Los Angeles once attending one of his meetings for gang members through his program Amer-I-Can.  I wanted to get involved to support the wonderful work he was doing getting young men out of gangs, and showing them a better way of life.  The Amer-I-Can Program helps participants develop their attitude from one of self-doubt to self determination to become productive citizens in society.  

Brown could have easily rested on his laurels, and just donated to organizations, but I was so impressed seeing how he opened up his home to gang members.  How many people would do that?  I was touched seeing the ultimate respect these gang members had for Brown.  He has such a strong commitment to helping these young men, and gives his whole self.  This is why his program is successful. Brown is committed just like he was in the field of sports. 

It's one thing for celebrities to support organizations through financial donations and the use of their name, but my hat is off to Brown and any other celebrity who actually rolls up their sleeves, spends time in the organization to help others. 

Visit his website:

http://www.amer-i-can.org/

Watch NFL hall of Fame Running Back, Jim Brown talk about the differences in today's NFL game.

No Matter What You Have Lost, You Can Still Win

A Cleveland homeless man has been offered a job by the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers and is being pursued by NFL Films for possible work.

Ted Williams was discovered panhandling on the streets by a reporter who video taped him, posted it on You Tube, and now the video has gone viral, and he is now known as the homeless man with the "golden voice." However, it looks like Ted won't be homeless anymore.  He now will get a home, and he has a bright future ahead of him. 

No matter what your situation may be, and how hopeless life may seem, never give up.  Never stop believing that a miracle can happen to you too.

Your thoughts create your world.  Whatever you hold in mind can materialize.  So be careful of holding onto thoughts that no longer serve you.  Hold in mind only what you want. 

Keep Sporting the Right Attitude

ATTITUDE IS IMPORTANT

I was moved by a quote I read earlier in the week about Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano.


Running back Ricky Williams said, "Tony spends a lot of time saying, 'If you do these things, you'll win.'  I feel that he does a little too much.  My personal opinion is, if you have the right attitude that you guys are going to win, then all the other stuff takes care of itself."


Wow Ricky!  How right you are.  This is the major reason that assures a person that nothing is impossible no matter the circumstances.  A positive attitude allows one to perceive the possibilities rather than difficulties.

Have No Regrets

After 20 years in the NFL, 297 consecutive games, iron man Brett Favre said, "I hold no  regrets, and I can't think of too many players off hand that can walk away and say that, individually and from a team stand point, it was way more than I ever dreamed of."

If we can coach ourselves to do the best in our lives and ignore negative comments like Favre, we too will have no regrets.  We can't let anyone stand in the way of our dreams and tell us we are too old, too young, or not talented enough to go after and live our dreams.

Don't Allow Your Workout Goals to Become Drudgery

The new year is upon us, and many have set new goals by joining a gym but dread the monotony of using the equipment and weight training routines. Remember, your workout does not have to be painful drudgery or boring. Integrate other activities such as biking, surfing, playing basketball, gardening, or just walking to mix-up and integrate with your gym workout. Try to incorporate at least 20 minutes of some daily activity on a regular basis. This way if you can't, or don't want to go to the gym, at least you have fulfilled a daily workout goal.