Spring has Sprung

SPORTS HEADLINE-All across Florida and Arizona, familiar sounds fills the air. The popping of balls in gloves, the crack of the bat and the joyful murmur of fans watching their favorite Major League Baseball team in Spring Training. This is a time where fans of all teams have a renewed excitement, a fresh season full of possibilities and promise on the horizon. Last year's accomplishments are building blocks for this year and last year's disappointments are further motivation for working harder, being smarter and striving for better in the upcoming year.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT-Spring training is a great metaphor for life because each morning that you rise is an opportunity to 'spring' yourself towards further and greater achievements. Every day presents you with an opportunity to build on your works that you've already done or start anew with fresh and exciting projects or ideas. We have the benefit of always being 'in season' and don't have to wait for 3 or 4 months for the chance to build on our success or reverse course on things that may not have worked in the past. Don't wait 'til next season, start your spring training today!

All Eyes on Me

SPORTS HEADLINE-College football standouts are on display this weekend at the Annual NFL Scouting Combine where many NFL prospects perform in workouts in front of NFL coaches, scouts and front office personnel. This is often where players either make or break their eventual draft status. A great showing in your 40 yard sprint time can elevate you from a mid round pick to a first day draftee. A disastrous effort can cost you millions of dollars as a result of a slide for reasons on the field or off.

For example, University of Alabama standout offensive tackle Andre Smith entered the weekend as the premiere prospect at his position and a likely top 3 pick in April's draft. However, on Saturday morning it was announced that he had gone AWOL, did not show up as expected without communicating to anyone why or where he was. It turns out he took an early morning flight back to Atlanta to work out with his personal trainer because he felt he had done all that he needed to do for the teams in attendance. It may have been a simple misunderstanding, as his camp is saying, but to NFL coaches and executives who already had some questions about his effort and passion, that may be the deciding factor between him being drafted #3 or #23.


PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT-Understand what's at stake at all times. Things that may seem to be trivial or inconsequential in your mind may hold significant importance to those who are observing or evaluating you. The ultimate outcome of your actions may not have multi-million dollar consequences but the point is YOU NEVER KNOW. Always put forth your best works and efforts, whether they are in a major presentation or a minor homework assignment. Your future opportunities may very well rest on your activities of today.