Maybe you get tired of me saying this, but I lived a blessed life.  I have an amazing family, and a group of friends and business associates who encourage and inspire me everyday.  Jim Rohn was known for saying, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” There may be some debate in that, but I remember the first time I heard this quote–it absolutely resonated with me and I instantly became more aware of my friends and business associates.  I finally recognized that who I was hanging out with would eventually have an impact on who I would become.  It wasn’t just the time I spent with my closest friends that I began to scrutinize, but even the amount of time and types of people I chose to have brief encounters with for coffee, lunch or business meetings.

Since I’ve put boundaries around my self and my time, I’ve found virtually every area of my life to have simplified, improved and become more harmonious.  One of the great people I’ve chosen to spend more time with this past year is my friend Brian Goodell.  We met at a conference last year, and I was immediately drawn to his humble, approachable, positive, transparent, self-confident nature.  I seem to like these qualities in people, and I liked Brian immediately.

As it turns out, Brian has an amazing back story that I’d encourage you to learn more about (watch this video).  I’ll plant the seed with this–he has an inspiring come-from-behind story, winning two Olympic Gold Medals in 1976 in swimming, has had a successful entrepreneurial career, and is a highly requested speaker and success coach for athletes and business folk (check out his website here, and his slideshow here).  During one of our lunches this past week, we were discussing the speaking engagements we have on our calendars, leadership practices we’ve witnessed (good and bad ones), the importance of positive mental imagery and hard work, how we could assist each other towards meeting our goals, and diets (we were eating sushi).  As I returned to my office from lunch, I realized that I always leave my chats with Brian feeling inspired, uplifted, and blessed.  Shouldn’t every day, and every interaction be like this?

We also chatted briefly about Brian’s ‘76 Olympic teammate, Gold Medal decathlete Bruce Jenner--what a hero he became to the nation.  I had to chuckle though, because I was reminded of the classic John Belushi SNL skit, Little Chocolate Donuts. You’ll grin just watching this, but take particular notice of the lit cigarette at the end.

Who do you want to become, and who are you spending time with?

Some find significance and success by living a life as a professional vagabond–moving from one organization to a larger sphere of influence in a different one.  Others, like our Sportsmen’s Lodge Hotel team member Jairo Alvarez, grow where they’re planted.  Jairo joined the hotel as a part time shuttle van driver, and now, years later, he oversees all operations of the hotel’s front office and guestrooms, accommodating visitors and keeping charm alive at one of California’s most iconic hotels.

Open our eyes and we’ll find purpose, excitement, and adventure  all around us–inside and outside our companies, organizations and families.  Pursue excellence wherever you find yourself, serve those around you, and thrive.

Jario’s now as much a part of the hotel as its legendary low-key charm.  Sportmen’s Lodge was the hangout for Hollywood’s A-list in the mid-century, a place where Bogie taught his kids to fish while Bette Davis sipped martinis.  We’re spotlighting Jario in our upcoming issue of Broughton Quarterly magazine.  (Sign up for free electronic issues of BQ by signing up here.)

HISTORY WAS MADE TODAY…read on.

I’m convinced that the main ingredient in greatness is tenacity. Every entrepreneur and leader I know who has experienced enduring success has also experienced failure…yet they’ve chosen to persevere and drive on towards their dreams. Abraham Lincoln faced defeat and failure throughout his life–born into poverty, experiencing two failed businesses, suffering from a “nervous breakdown,” and loosing eight political elections before becoming one of our nation’s greatest Presidents.

Today the sports world witnessed a similar rise towards greatness in rookie Major League baseball player Daniel Nava (son of an entrepreneur friend, Don Nava, who I met a few years ago at the Time Out Conference in Monterey, CA). Cut from his college team as a freshman, Daniel became equipment manager, made the team in later years but went un-drafted, he was then cut from an independent baseball league before playing in the Minors.

Daniel persevered and was called up to the Big Leagues today to play for the Boston Red Sox! But, wait. There’s more. Now that would be a great story if it ended there, but it gets even better! Today, Daniel became only the 4th player in history to hit a GRAND SLAM in his first major league at bat…crushing the ball in the very first pitch! Now, just let that sink in for a moment.

Be inspired.  Watch this video!

Do yourself, and the world a favor: NEVER QUIT ON YOUR DREAMS! Who knows what could happen?

No Surrender, No Retreats, No Regrets! (BTW, that’s the title of one of my speeches).

Tom Davin (CEO Panda Restaurant Group, and former COO of Taco Bell Corporation) shared with me (for our Tools For Success project) some details on his leadership approach during adverse times.

Click video to view.

What’s your leadership style during adverse times?

One of the most profound lessons I learned way back in high school that was reinforced during my time in Special Forces, and has been effective during my business/entrepreneurial career, has been that effective coaching coupled with cheering on my team members proves to be a powerful way to gain support FROM my team members.  When we coach, cheer on and support each other, a bond of trust is created clearing the path to victory and success.  Too often I witness dysfunctional teams whose individual members are just that: selfish individuals putting their own desires above the goals and needs of the group.  I guarantee that if that attitude were accepted on Special Forces A-Teams, those “individuals” would either be peered-off the team, or it would lead to catastrophic consequences.

All She Needed Was A Little Coaching

Open your mind, get a coach, cheer on your team members, and watch the transformation towards greatness!