Jamy Bechler

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

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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Content of Our Character

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!!!

Please click here to listen to the 1-minute audio version of this article from the Success is a Choice podcast network.

I absolutely love that we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and have a day set aside for him. I am glad that my son asks questions, and we get to talk about what Martin Luther King stood for, fought for, and died for.

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2 Flat Tires

“When asked if my cup is half-full or half-empty my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup.” (Sam Lefkowitz)

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A couple of years ago, my family returned from a long Thanksgiving trip in which we rented a car, we found our actual car right where we had left it in the rental company’s parking lot … but it had 2 Flat Tires!

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9 Barriers Coaches Face When Communicating

Communication is perhaps the most important skill you can possess. It can make or break your relationships, friendships, and partnerships — and it’s the difference between your team reaching their potential or not.

Billionaire businessman Richard Branson says “Communication is a skill that you can learn. It’s like riding a bicycle or typing. If you’re willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life.”

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Getting the Most Out of Your Coaching Mentors

The leadership expert and author John C. Maxwell says, “We all need someone to help us in our pursuit of intentional growth and the right mentor helps you take massive leaps forward.”

Even coaches need coaches. Maxwell talks about “intentional growth”. This is when you make the conscious decision to make yourself better.

One of the best ways to do this is with a mentor.

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4 Ways to Change How Your Athletes Serve Each Other

Great teams have great teammates. No disagreements there, but it isn’t easy to find great teammates. Not everybody that makes your team will come in as a great teammate — and that is where your presence and team culture kicks in.

The clearest signal that you have an athlete that is a great teammate is their desire to serve others. When athletes have the mindset of serving other team members, the entire program benefits. Legendary basketball coach John Wooden put it well when he said, “It’s amazing what you can achieve when you don’t care who gets the credit.”

Serving others is at the very core of sports — and it’s paramount to your team’s success.

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Brother’s Keeper

“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)
Click here to listen to the 2-minute version of this article on the “Success is a Choice” podcast network.

Basketball was everything to me. It was my favorite sport. When I was in 7th grade, I was riding the bus home after school. My brother, who was three years younger than me was acting up quite a bit on the bus that particular day.

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Mr. Frank

The Dos Equis guy might be called “the most interesting man in the world” but to me, Frank Bechler held that title. 

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This weekend is special for me.

December 10, 1943 was my dad’s birthday.

Even though he is no longer here physically, not a day goes by that I don’t think of him. His impact on me has been what you’d hope a dad’s impact would be. 

Many of you have read “The Bus Trip” or “The Captain”. Mr. Frank, the bus driver, is a recurring character who pops up periodically providing wisdom and a story at just the right time.

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No Limbs. No Limits.

“What if today, we were just grateful for everything.” (Charlie Brown)

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Nick Vujicic has lived a remarkable life.

He’s met 25 Presidents, Prime Ministers, and Vice Presidents. He’s traveled to 78 countries and spoken on 3500 stages to crowds as large as 800,000.

He’s an international bestselling author, entrepreneur, investor, producer, and actor.

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