Are You Growing?

“Do or do not...there is no try” the Jedi Master, Yoda, said to the young Luke Skywalker. I was a youngster when The Empire Strikes Back was in theaters. I loved that line then and I love it today. It can be used in a variety of settings.  However, as I have been thinking about leadership the last few weeks, it has become apparent that some of us get stagnant and don’t really commit to growth as leaders. We say we’ll try, but we don’t really.

Win the Day

As I write this, it is January 1st.  It's the first day of the new year.  This is a day of new beginnings.  It is a day that gets people thinking about change.   I went to the gym this afternoon for my normal exercise session.  There were a number of new people there that I haven't seen before.  I think this will become the new normal...at least for a month or so.  New Year's resolutions abound.  Promises are made.  Commitments are revealed.  The start of a new year is a great time to re-evaluate where you are personally and professionally.  There is no magic to a new year but the perception exists that wonderful things can be accomplished and that we have a clean slate.  It is always good to make long term plans and seek to improve our lives.  However, I think New Year's resolutions can sometimes be a little daunting.  New beginnings are great but what if our goals are rather large? 

Gunner Kiel "Commits"...again

Gunner Kiel committed to play quarterback at LSU today.  For those of you that don't know who Gunner Kiel is, then here is a snapshot (plus it is really all I know of him since I have never met him, seen him play or befriended him on facebook).  He is a senior quarterback at Columbus East High School in Indiana (40 miles from Indiana University).  He was named the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Indiana.  He threw for about a million and a half yards with only a handful of interceptions--and he can run, as well.  His team made it to the state semi-finals.  Oh yeah, and he committed to Indiana University and new coach Kevin Wilson (former Offensive Coordinator at Oklahoma) this past summer.  Two months ago, he evidently decided to help re-write a section of Webster's dictionary. The word commitment must no longer mean to promise or pledge something because Gunner "decommitted" from Indiana University and reopened his recruitment..  Gunner is not the first, nor will he be the last athlete to be confused as to what a commitment actually is.