Jamy Bechler

Providing Insights on Leadership and Success. Coach Bechler is a John Maxwell Leadership Team Member.

Making Your Bed

“If you want to change the world, then start by making your bed.” (Admiral William H. McRaven)

I woke up this morning running late and the last thing I wanted to do was take 30-seconds to make my bed.

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Maybe you’ve been right there with me struggling between listening to that pesky little bed-making devil on one shoulder and that cleanliness-is-next-to-godliness angel on the other shoulder.

After all, that bed is just going to get messed up again that night, anyway, who will ever see it?

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Honoring Fallen Teammates

“Did you ever know that you’re my hero and everything I’d like to be? I can fly higher than an eagle for you are the wind beneath my wings.” (Bette Midler, Wind Beneath My Wings)

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Dustin Hale was only a year older than me, but I thought the sophomore basketball player was a pretty cool guy. We didn’t really hang out away from the basketball court, but he meant a lot to me.​

That summer he passed away as the result of a freakish accident.

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I Didn’t Quit Running

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As a middle schooler, my mother wouldn’t let me play tackle football. I figured I’d be able to talk her out of it prior to entering high school.

I guess I overestimated my lawyering skills.

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Labor Day

“Whatever you are; be a good one.” (Abraham Lincoln)

For many of us in the United States, Labor Day is the unofficial end of the summer and is filled with cookouts, pool parties, and college football.

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But Labor Day began as a way to recognize our nation’s workers and their accomplishments.

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Freedom to Choose

Last week we celebrated the 4th of July here in the United States. That date marks our nation’s birthday – our Independence Day. Besides the usual array of hot dogs, parades, and fireworks, many of us took time and were reminded of the concepts of freedom and sacrifice. 

However, I have a different kind of freedom on my mind today. 

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11 Fun Facts from July 4th

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (Thomas Jefferson)

Here in the United States, we celebrate our nation’s independence from England on the 4th of July.

In honor of this American holiday, here are 11 interesting facts about the holiday.

Why 11 you might ask?

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Well, why not?!?

So, let’s crank up 11 fun facts for you to impress your friends, relatives, and anyone else at your backyard BBQ.

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Halfway Point

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In a 2022 NASCAR race in Phoenix, Joey Logano’s pit crew executed a flawless pit stop late in the race, putting him in the lead.

This crucial moment was the turning point for Logano, as he went on to win the race and clinch his second NASCAR Cup Series Championship.

Today is July 1st meaning it’s essentially the halfway point of the year.

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Choose to be better

“You either get bitter or you get better. It’s that simple. You either take what has been dealt to you and allow it to make you a better person, or you allow it to tear you down. The choice does not belong to fate, it belongs to you.” (Josh Shipp)

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At 27 years of age, I was the youngest women’s basketball head coach at the NCAA level. Four years later, I was allowed to take my talents elsewhere.

I got resigned.

How kind of them to let me voluntarily resign.

No matter how you spin it, I was fired.

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Roger Penske and My Dad

As a youngster, my dad would serve as a firefighter for the races run at Michigan International Speedway.

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M.I.S. was less than 10 miles from my house. My brother and I plus one lucky friend would look forward to the four or five races each summer we’d attend.

This was before the era of luxury boxes and suites, so we’d sit behind pit row with the racer and pit crew families. I got to meet a lot of cool people and collect my share of autographs.

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Storming the Court

“Some people want it to happen, other people wish it would happen, but successful people MAKE it happen.” (Michael Jordan)

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I remember the first and only time I stormed the basketball court as a fan.

It was my 8th-grade year and I just watched the high school team win the District championship.

Lots of teams hoist a trophy during March Madness but not every team wins it on the opponent’s home court. Fewer still win in a dramatic fashion with a comeback for the ages.

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