S.U.M.M.I.T. Leadership

Tough times don't last, but tough people do.     When it comes to tough times it is easy to get overwhelmed with what's going on in the moment.   How bad things are, how frustrated we are, how painful it is.   The reality is, everything passes.   Difficult times never stay difficult.   No matter what the situation is, the way we deal with it make the difference as to how we come out of it.   So, if you are going through a tough time, instead of focusing on how tough it is, focus on how tough you can be.   You'll get through it stronger.   AN OATH OF PERSEVERANCE: I will never give up so long as I know I am right. I will believe that all things work out for me if I hang on until the end. I will be courageous and undismayed in the face of odds. I will not permit anyone to intimidate me or deter me from my goals. I will fight to overcome all physical limitations and setbacks. I will try again and ag...

"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little"  -Edmund Burke We put off cleaning the garage because the job seems too big to finish. We refrain from doing anything to help the poor in our community because the need is too great. We don't start a diet because we'll never be able to take off all of our excess weight. But if we cleaned just one portion of the garage each weekend, or made one small donation to a local charity each month, or drank one less can of soda each day, before long we would have accomplished a great deal - certainly much more than had we done nothing. Instead of being overwhelmed by the size of a task in front of me, I can take one small action at a time. These actions add up. Taking some action is better than taking none at all.

Practically every one of us has used this acronym at one time or another, “T.G.I.F.” for Thank God It’s Friday! For a lot of people this means a couple of days off in a row, or just elation for the weekend and fun scheduled events with family or friends. Maybe it means, time to be able to get to that project you've been putting off all week. We tend to experience a whole different feeling based upon what day of the week it is. Well, that is unless you work on the weekends. Then you might have to have your own version, ”T.G.I.M.F.” or Thank God It's My Friday. Really, this "joy" we are feeling can be generated at ANY time. If you truly wanted to, and put your mind to it, you could create this "feeling" of Friday, any day of the week. It just depends on how you begin each day and having the mindset that "Today IS going to be a great day"! There are several ways to make today a great day. But one of the simplest and most effective is to start...

"My mother drew a distinction between achievement and success. She said that achievement is the knowledge that you have studied and worked hard and done the best that is in you. Success is being praised by others. That is nice, but not as important or satisfying. Always aim for achievement and forget about success." - Helen Hayes We all enjoy it when our work is recognized by others. Our manager tells us we've done a good job; our friends are impressed by something we've just showed them; a teacher praises an essay we've written. This kind of recognition helps motivate us, as any good teacher, parent, manager or friend knows. But when we do our best - whether recognized or not - the feeling is better than any compliment or collection of gold stars. William Arthur Ward, writer, wrote this "Winner's Blueprint for Achievement": BELIEVE while others are doubting.  PLAN while others are playing.  STUDY while others are sleeping.  DECIDE whil...

"Action is a great restorer and builder of confidence.  Inaction is not only the result, but the cause, of fear.  Perhaps the action you take will be successful;  Perhaps different action or adjustments will have to follow.  But any action is better than no action at all." - Norman Vincent Peale  Taking action is the part most people don't do. Then we wonder why things don't change for the better. Decide what you want. Decide what you need to change or sacrifice to get it. Set your plan. Put your plan in motion! Don't stop believing. Don't fear. Don't wait. Don't give up. Don't give in. Don't settle for less! Start NOW! Make it great!

One day, a poor boy Howard Kelly, who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water. She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?" "You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness." He said... "Then I thank you from my heart." As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit. Years later that young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. D...

For those who have died, we show great appreciation and remembrance. Men and women giving their best to defend what they love. They defend our country, they fight for our freedom. Unknown and faceless to everyone except those who knew them personally. Some call them soldiers, others call them heroes. Because of them, we continue to live in freedom. For this we give our thanks!

"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained." - Marie Curie I've spent a lot of time in reflection during this pandemic, which could be deemed a blessing or a curse. Daily challenges test our perseverance and self-confidence even in normal times. But with all of this continued uncertainty on a day-to-day basis our anxiety is heightened and more sensitive. With this can come additional fear and doubt if we let it. We begin to resort to negative thinking and look to place blame or make up excuses. Which always leads to negative action or no action at all. We can come up with a dozen excuses for why we haven't accomplished more in our life. Not enough time. Not enough money. Not enough talent. Bad luck. If you don't control your thoughts, your thoughts will control you. Either you pick yo...

"Life is partly what we make it, and partly what is made by the friends whom we choose. Good friends may be hard to find, but once found they are impossible to forget and hard to lose."   We don't typically set out to make a friend in the same manner that we might seek to get a job or try to court the attention of someone we are attracted to. Friendships just seem to happen. Whether it forms at work, at school, at church, it is through these types of interaction that we discover that we share something in common with each other and that forms into a friendship. Or perhaps we face some difficulties, hardships, or misfortune together which forms a bond through mutual support of each other. Whatever the case, we may have stumbled across our friendships in a casual manner, it is often undeniable that once they are engrained in our lives we should be careful not to take them for granted. Our friends make us better, stronger and happier, and we should always be there to do the ...

Give yourself a break. Give yourself understanding, forgiveness and belief. Give yourself credit, appreciation and self-love. Give yourself time, space and freedom. Give yourself approval, permission and power. Give yourself attention, priority and focus. Give yourself you. We all work hard and push ourselves which can feel so smart and productive until you’re exhausted, overextended, overwhelmed, or ready to snap. I’ve done this. There are days when I try to be everything to everyone and do more than I can reasonably accomplish, but I know there’s only so much my body, mind, and spirit can take. Sometimes we just need to give ourselves a physical, mental, and emotional break, especially when we’re experiencing a lot of change. GIVE YOURSELF A PHYSICAL BREAK: Allow yourself an extra 15 min of sleep, it can do a lot. Replace strenuous exercise with something less intense, like yoga, or even take a day off to allow your body to relax and unwind. Take a long, hot bath to rest yo...

"Do more than belong, participate. Do more than care, help. Do more than believe, practice. Do more than be fair, be kind. Do more than forgive, forget. Do more than dream, work." - William Arthur Ward   Dare to make a difference. Do you have what it takes to make a positive difference? Why do some people choose to make a difference and others choose not to? For most, it is typically based on one of three factors: Fear, Uncertainty or Doubt. Fear of failure, fear of how other people will react, or what they may think. Uncertainty that you are doing the right thing or that it will work. Doubt that it will make a difference, or that you can do it.   Don't give into this. Mostly, we create these issues in our own minds. We create negative thoughts that fester and affect the actions we do or don’t take. We can conquer these if we truly make up our minds to. Believe you can and that it is right.   Mother Teresa said it best: “People are unreasonable, il...

Think positive thoughts for they become positive words.   Speak positive words for they become your positive actions.   Take positive actions for they become positive results.   Repeat positive results for they become positive habits.   Sustain positive habits for they become positive values.   Cherish positive values for they become your positive destiny.   Start today! Be Positive!     Happy and unhappy people explain the world differently.   When an unhappy person must interpret the world, eight out of ten times he or she will see the negative in an event.   When a happy person must interpret the world, eight in ten times he or she will see the positive.     Happy people do not experience one success after another and unhappy people, one failure after another.   Instead, surveys show that happy and unhappy people tend to have had very similar life experiences.   The difference is t...

  "Carry out a random act of kindness with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you."   The real kind of kindness comes from deep within you and gives hope to those who think they are all alone in this world. A single, simple act of kindness can make a tremendous impact on a person's life and no act of kindness, no matter how small is ever wasted. Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and the most underrated means of human change. Kindness is a gift everyone can afford to give, and wherever there is a human in need, there is an opportunity for kindness and to make a difference. When you are kind to others, it not only changes you, it changes the world. Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world, for indeed, that's all who ever have. In a world where you can be anything, be kind.   Reach out and make a positive difference in someone's life today...not because yo...

They say that these are the two greatest moments in a person's life:  The first is when you are born. The second is when you discover why you were born.  Defining what you were designed to do.    What inspires you?  How do you contribute?  What is your life purpose?  Why are you here?  Why do you do what you do?  Defining what this is for you will help you to live a more fulfilled life.  It will give it more meaning and a focus and serve as a daily motivating factor.  We have to know why we are here.   We need to live our life with a purpose.     Just as important, you must live your life ON purpose, intentionally.  Living on purpose is the path to peace. You must direct your thoughts, choices and actions on getting the results you desire, and living the life you deserve.     I believe that if given a choice, every one of us longs to live a life of significance.   We woul...

"Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude.   Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness.   Thankfulness may consist merely of words.   Gratitude is shown in acts. Once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack. A happy person feels grateful for things an unhappy person takes for granted."   This quote is one of those great little nuggets of wisdom that makes us think to ourselves “That is great advice! That’s how I want to live!” Then, life happens. Life doesn’t wait for anyone. It is constantly moving and moving so fast that sometimes it’s hard to keep up. Days turn into weeks, weeks turn into months, months come and go, and we begin to think “What happened?” We need to do the best we can with what is right in front of us, and cope with the day-to-day responsibilities that frequently seem impossible, by focusing in on everything we can be thankful for.   To be grateful can be hard...

"Anxiety's like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you very far." - Jodi Picoult Today I will escape anxiety. I will choose to discard it. Because it is within me in my own perceptions, not outside. Today I refuse to stress myself out about things I cannot control or change. Today I will use my greatest weapon, my ability to choose my thoughts, and controlling what I can control. These are anxious times. We all deal with anxiety at one time or another, because it’s part of our brain’s response to a perceived danger, even if that danger isn’t real. It’s our body’s natural response to stress. The problem is not that it is there, it’s what it can become if we let it. Anxiety is that thin stream of fear trickling through our mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained. Anxiety is not dangerous, it's just uncomfortable. When you are feeling anxious, remember that you are still you, and you are not ...

May you have... Enough happiness to keep you sweet, Enough trials to keep you strong, Enough sorrow to keep you human, Enough hope to keep you happy, Enough failure to keep you humble, Enough success to keep you eager, Enough friends to give you comfort, Enough wealth to meet your needs, Enough enthusiasm to look forward, Enough faith to banish depression, Enough determination to make EACH day better than yesterday!   Live the life you deserve! Live it with passion and enthusiasm! Make today great!

"Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." - John Quincy Adams   It's tough to stay focused and motivated. Last week I felt like I hit a wall. After several weeks of working hard to stay focused and motivated during all this pandemic craziness, last week I felt a bit derailed. As the week went on, I felt myself drifting back to mediocrity. Nothing specific happened to derail my motivation, I just started to feel drained. It happens to all of us. Once we lose that focus, we tend to let fear, uncertainty and doubt creep back in. Then it’s like a domino effect.   I had to stop myself and really take some time to Reflect, Reset, Realize, Refocus and then Resume. Reflect upon what I was feeling and why. What was I doing (or not doing) that was causing this lull? Like I said it wasn't just one thing, but one thing always leads to another, and so on. One thing that did happen, though, was that I stopped...

"Smiling is definitely one of the best beauty remedies. If you have a good sense of humor and a good approach to life, that's beautiful." -Rashida Jones   I learned years ago that one of the most powerful things you can do to have influence with others is to smile at them. Never underestimate the value of a smile. Of all the things you wear, your smile adds the most value, for it helps you make a good impression, makes you more attractive and is an inexpensive way to change your looks. That’s why you should not only smile from “ear to ear” but from “year to year.”   Smiling improves mental and physical health. Studies prove smiling releases endorphins, making you feel happier, less stressed and more relaxed. Smiling and laughing increases oxygen improving your immune system and releases more white blood cells which protect the body against infectious diseases.   Smiling enhances your disposition and encourages trust. People are naturally attracted to those who s...

LAST POST 5/11/20   "Don't count the days, make the days count." - Muhammad Ali   It’s easy for us to live our days with little intention. We survive each day but make little effort to make each day count. COVID-19 has changed our viewpoint and many have begun to embrace each day as a gift and seek to discover the potential that each one holds. Some may get more days than others, but we have all been given one life, we should make the most of it.   Here’s some tips: Wake up early. Early mornings can be quiet, peaceful, productive and energizing time to yourself, for yourself.  Eat right and exercise. Studies show, people who eat right and exercise regularly are more alert, happier, calmer, more energetic and better equipped to handle whatever the day throws at them. 20 min a day can help you experience these benefits.  Accomplish one big task. Everything requires our time. Likely, your to-do list is longer t...

"Freedom begins the moment you realize someone else has been writing your story and it's time you took the pen from his hand and started writing it yourself." - Bill Moyers   Those ten 2-letter words. So simple, yet so important, and so powerful. "IF IT IS TO BE, IT IS UP TO ME".   I used to use this phrase often when I spoke with teams or individuals at work. But really just realized how much it can be applied to. We all want to improve things in different areas of our lives and it always boils down to the same thing. We create our own destiny and are responsible to make things happen for ourselves. It can be applied to Attitude, Action, Making a Difference, Change, Ownership...the list goes on.   Ask yourself these questions: If you're having a bad day, who is in control of changing its course? Who controls our attitude?  Dealing with Change requires focused thoughts, choices and effort. Who makes the most impact in these a...

"There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor." -  Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol   Always laugh when you can. It is cheap and strong medicine.  A good laugh heals a lot of hurts.  He who laughs…lasts.   I can always use a good laugh. Did you know laughter can improve your health?  As children we used to laugh a lot, but as an adult life tends to be more serious and laughter more infrequent. By seeking out more opportunities for humor and laughter you can improve your emotional health, strengthen relationships, find greater happiness and even add years to your life.   Why is laughter good for your health? A good laugh has great short-term and long-term effects. When you start to laugh, it doesn't just lighten your load mentally, it actually induces physical changes in your body. Studies show It can relieve physical tension and stress because it stimulates circulation and aid muscle relaxation. It c...

"You are an amazing person with unique talents. Have faith in your abilities." - Lailah Gifty Akita   You weren't an accident. You weren’t mass produced. You aren't an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifically gifted, and lovingly positioned on the earth by God. You can be bigger than anything that can happen to you.   All these things, sorrow, misfortune, and suffering, are outside your door. Deep inside in the center of your being you have the answer. You know who you are and you know what you want. It is never too late to be what you might have been.   What is it that you've been putting off doing?   Maybe you've wanted to write a book, start a side business, create art, write a song, draft a screenplay or develop a personal blog, but have been holding yourself back with reservations that you aren't smart enough, not talented enough or not creative enough. Anytime you hold yourself back, play small or listen to fear— you...

"The unfortunate thing about this world is that the good habits are much easier to give up than the bad ones." - W. Somerset Maugham   Some people seem to accomplish so much. While you might work on your goals for a while, lose motivation and quit. Leaving you frustrated and discouraged. You need better habits.   We vow to get up and exercise every day, but then the weather turns bad or we have conflicts in our schedule, or we're a bit under the weather, and then suddenly we don't feel up to it anymore. We vow to write thank you notes for every gift we receive, but then we get busy and caught up in our regular day-to-day activities. Soon time goes by and by then what's the point? We vow to eat healthier foods, but we get in a rush and fast-food becomes more convenient.  It always seems that we are quick to stop doing the things that are good for us and give in to the bad habits.   We need to make good habits stronger than our bad ones. Make a list and track how ...