Jamy Bechler

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

Contagious Enthusiasm

“In every day, there are 1,440 minutes. That means we have 1,440 daily opportunities to make a positive impact.”  (Les Brown)

In his book WINNING EVERY DAY, the former Notre Dame football coach, Lou Holtz, tells the story of the Trappist monk who was allowed to say only two words every three years.

After the first three years, he met with Brother Superior and said, “Bad bed!”

Three years later, he came back to say, “Bad food!”

After three more years of silence, the monk said, “No TV!”

Another three years passed. This time, when the monk met with Brother Superior, he handed him his robes and sandals and announced, “I quit!”

Brother Superior said, “Well don’t expect me to try to dissuade you. You’ve done nothing but complain since you got here!”

It was pretty obvious that the monk didn’t add value to his fellow monks or to the atmosphere.

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Dead Right

“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know; but when you listen you may learn something new.” (Dalai Lama)
One day in high school, I was walking down the sidewalk with my mother.  We needed to cross the street.  Instead of going to the intersection and crossing at the cross walk, I decided to do it sooner since I figured I could make it before the next car went by.  My mother grabbed my arm and pulled me back.
“What are you doing?  There are cars coming”, said my mother.
“Don’t worry mom”, I replied confidently.  “Pedestrians have the right of way”.
“Yeah and you’ll be DEAD RIGHT”, she retorted.

Matter of Perspective

“At Harvard they labeled me a jock.  In the NFL they considered me intellectual.” 
(Pat McInally, former NFL player)

 

A story is told of a husband and wife sitting at a table at the husband’s high school reunion.  He keeps staring at a drunken lady swigging her drink as she sat alone at a nearby table.

The wife asked, “Do you know her?”
 
“Yes,” the husband signed, “She’s my old girlfriend.  I understand that she took to drinking right after we split up all those years ago, and I hear she hasn’t stopped since.”
 
“I can’t believe it!” the wife said. “Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?”

Perspective.  We all see things differently.  Even husbands and wives.  Come to think of it . . . especially husbands and wives! 

Anyways, moving on . . .

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Simple Yet Profound Career Advice for Anyone

“How do I get a good job one day?” 

“What do I need to do now to start preparing for the ‘real world’?”

“The sports industry is so competitive, what advice would you give?”

“What should I major in if I want to work in sports?”

These are just a few questions that are regularly asked by students or people trying to get into the sports industry.  Harvey Mackay wrote a book entitled “Dig Your Well Before You Are Thirsty”.  It was primarily a networking book but it also brought up a number of good points in regards to getting a job, getting a better a job and getting ahead in your job.

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When Life Gives You Lemons; Make Lemonade

“A pessimist is someone who makes difficulties of his opportunities.  An optimist is one who makes opportunities out of his difficulties” 

(President Harry S. Truman)

It has often been said, “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”  Lemons by themselves are sour.  Lemons with sugar and water become delicious lemonade.

This phrase is a reminder to us about making the best of things that come our way.

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Change the World Without Spending a Dime

“Be the change you want to see in the world.” (Gandhi)
How often are you or someone around you negative about society, other people, or the world in general?  If only you had the power to change things.  If only you had money like Bill Gates, you could make a difference in life.  Well, the truth is that you can make a difference in this world…and it doesn’t have to cost a thing. [Read more…]

It Is What You Make It

“I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become.” (Carl Gustav Jung)

“If you could kick the person in the pants responsible for most of your trouble, you wouldn’t sit for a month.” (Theodore Roosevelt)

Are you going through a mid-life crisis?    “IT IS WHAT IT IS”

Have you been passed over for a promotion?    “IT IS WHAT IT IS”

Is your girlfriend is a nag?    “IT IS WHAT IT IS”

Your parents don’t understand you?    “IT IS WHAT IT IS”

You say your husband doesn’t listen to you?   “IT IS WHAT IT IS”

Are the people around you are idiots?    “IT IS WHAT IT IS”

Hearing “It is what it is” makes me want to punch someone.  And then when they’d complain, I’d just say, “Sorry, but it is what it is”

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4 Reasons Your Boss is an Idiot

“Leaders become great, not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.”  (John C. Maxwell)

We all have a boss. Even the President of the U.S. has “We The People” that he has to answer to. Many of us complain about our boss. Unfortunately, not all bosses are top-shelf. If you happen to be a boss, you also might want to read this so that you can stop doing some of this stuff if you are guilty of it.

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7 Underrated Books All Leaders Should Read

“Not all readers are leaders but all leaders are readers.” (Harry S. Truman)

We must continually learn and one of the best ways is to read books.  I have previously posted some books for coaches and books for leaders.  Many of these books are by very popular authors and are on most bookshelves across the nation.

However, I have put together a list of 7 books that you might not have heard of but can help you maximize your potential influence and increase your leadership skills.

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