You Cold Busted!

There's something that you're not doing.  Yes, you.  I caught you.  And in the words of Oran "Juice" Jones (no, his Mama didn't name him "Juice"), "You cold busted!"  If you're wondering what that means, allow me to translate.  That means you've been caught red-handed.  I caught you in the act.  There's no denying the evidence against you.  Tell the truth and shame the Devil.  And finally it means, well, you're busted.  Straight up.  Word to Big Bird!  Now that you know how busted you are, what are you going to do about it?

You've got a choice. 

You could muster up the courage to do the thing or things you committed to doing at the beginning of this year.  Uh oh.  I just said something.  Yep.  I just called you out about your beloved New Year's Resolutions.  You know.  The ones that you were definitely going to keep and adhere to.  This time.  This year. 

The ones that meant more to you than those in the past.  Because you got that special word this year.  It set you on fiiire like the Ohio Players!  For about a week.  But now?  You're a little over three weeks into your year.  And you've already fallen off. 

What are you going to do about it?

You could also lie your way to laziness, lethargy, and loneliness.  That is, you could lie to yourself about why you haven't done what you haven't done.  Then, after settling for a settled-for existence, you could revel and wallow in your lethargy.  Boy howdy!  You'd be soooo much fun to be with!  Right?  Of course not!  That's where the loneliness comes in.  Because who wants to be around you if you've quit?  Not folk who keep moving forward.  So. 

What are you going to do about it?

Ok, full disclosure time.  You're not in this alone.  I've got to get back in the groove of a few things too.  Yep, I've slipped into the land of comfortable.  And I'm packing by bags and leaving it!  Ain't nobody got time for that!  I've got dreams to remember!  And so do you!  Together, we can do this!  I'll encourage you.  Then you've got to encourage some other folk.  Deal?  Thanks!  I appreciate you!  I've got a question though.

Are you really going to do anything about it?

You could  keep going down the dry and barren path of nothingness.  The path of the sluggard.  It's detailed throughout the book of Proverbs.  Most notably in Proverbs 6.6-11.  Verse 11 says, "...poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber."  In short, his path is wack!  But make no mistake.  It's a well-worn path, because so many have taken the easy way out.  Are you next?   

What are you going to do about it?

Aren't you glad that I asked?  Of course you are.  And here's what you're going to do. 

You're going to win. 

Because you're going to recommit.  Because you're going to refocus. 
Because you're going to re-engage.

And you're going to win.

You're going to put the work in.  You're going to believe in you again.  You're going to trust God's plans and promises for you again.

And in case you forgot...

You're going to win!

Because when you resolved to do your things three weeks ago, you were in it to win it.  And you still are.  You just have to make a few adjustments.  You may have to start from scratch.  And that's not a bad thing.  It might even be the best thing for you.  Take a look at your plan and reassess it before you do.  Because you don't want to do more than you need to.

Now ask yourself, what were you doing before you started reading this?  Just in case you have a selective memory, I'll help you.  Prior to reading this, you were probably ready to throw in the towel.  Shoot, it might be sitting on a pile of towels!  You also might have been ready to pack up your tent and go home.  Don't you do it!  Not while Coach Eric J. Watts is here!  Remember what I've told and taught you.  "As long as you're still here, you've got a shot!"  Newsflash!  If you're reading this?  You're. Still. Here.

And...

You Cold Busted! 

What are you going to do about it?

I need you to know something.  You are not alone (this is the part where you start singing Michael's song).  I'd love to help you figure it out!  As a Certified Coach, Teacher, and Speaker with the John Maxwell Team, this is what I do.  It's my life's calling.  This is no mere work for me.  It's my passion and purpose.  I want you to experience transformational coaching and inspiring teaching.  I am fully committed to adding value to your life and helping you reach your full potential.  Contact me and let's talk about how I can speak life into your existence!

It's your life.  In 2015, it's your time.  You've got one life to live.  

What are you going to do about it?

At The Movies Pt. 4

Dear Readers, how are you?  Are you ready?  This week's movie is a favorite of many.  Even if you're not a sports fan.  Uh oh.  Did I just tip my hand?  It's ok.  Let's get after it.  Have you ever had a bad attitude?  Of course you haven't.  Not you.  No.  Never.  Seriously.  We all have.  How about this.  Have you ever been around anyone with a bad attitude?  No.  Fun.  And finally, have you ever been led by anyone with a bad attitude?  Yep.  That one really takes the cake.  It might be the worstest (Hey, I make up words) of all!  What if I told you that the attitude of a leader will infiltrate, infect, affect, and thereby causing bad effects for the followers of the leader?  That would be wack!  Well, in this week's movie, Remember the Titans, that's exactly what happened.

C'mon.  Y'all know the scene.  The Titans are taking a break from or have just finished one of Head Coach Herman Boone's grueling and grinding football practices.  Just in case you've never seen the movie, take a gander at the scene in the clip below.

Wow. How's that for a powerful scene? Did it speak to you? Of course it did. Even if it was for the one thousandth time. "Attitude reflects leadership, Captain." Now ain't that the truth?  Gerry and Julius covered things so well, I don't have much else to add.  I know.  I know.  You're sad and disappointed.  It's ok.  I've still got something for you!  Ready?  Here we go.

1.   Check Your Attitude.  Uh oh.  You didn't expect me to come out blasting huh.  You know me by now.  This is what I do from time to time.  Anyway, it's your attitude that needs to be checked.  You're concerned about the speck of dust in someone else's eye while there's a beam in yours.  I've got a word for you.  Stop it.  Mind your business.  Check yourself.  Get yourself together.  Fix your stank attitude.  Then maybe someone wouldn't mind being led by you.  Tough words?  Not hardly.  In the days, weeks, and months to come, you'll get tougher words from me.  This is tame and light.  One last time.  Check Your Attitude.

2.   It Starts With You.  You're the leader, right?  That's why you're reading this.  You're a leader or you desire to lead.  The right way.  Just like Julius said to Bertier.  Correct though he may be, young Julius should take his own advice.  He may not have been a captain, but he was definitely a leader on that team.  Y'all know how I feel about titles and getting stuck on formal authority.  Yes, there's a place for both as it pertains to structure and the like in organizations.  I get it.  Some organizations put too much focus and emphasis on both.  Often, the real leaders, the ones who folk are really following?  They have no titles.  No formal authority.  They're names aren't listed in the managerial hierarchy.  But they're the ones everyone runs to.  They are you.  How do I know you so well?  Because I was you.  I was you during my time in Corporate America.  With and without a formal title.  I know both sides.  It's how I know that It Starts With You.  

You really wanna be a leader who's respected?  A leader who folk will follow even when you don't have any authority?  A leader who's loved?  Yes, I said it.  Loved.  A leader who gets it?  You really wanna be that kind of a leader?  If you do, it's easy.  I'm going to tell you how.  Ready?  Here we go.  If that's the kind of leader you desire to be, you must die.  Uh oh.  I just said something and 89.2% of you just ran out the door.  

For the rest of you, here's the deal.  You've got to die to the junk, funk, mess, and stuff you've been carrying that never belonged to you and was never a part of you.  You've got to die to bad, old habits and ways.  Bad, old habits and ways of doing things and thinking.  Sound hard?  It is.  Sound like it will be very well worth it?  It will be.  As long as you sell out to it.  Completely.  How on earth do you expect anyone else to buy-in if you don't buy-in?  The real and authentic you is lurking around in there somewhere.  Find her.  Dust her off.  Look to have her redeemed.

When you're ready.  I'm talking really, really, really ready.  That's when your new attitude (Yes, I just went all 1984 Patti LaBelle on you.) will be reflected throughout every level of your team, organization, and--watch this--your life.  That's when you'll be ready to Start A Fire.      

Join me on my webinar, Start A Fire on Nov. 10, 2014, I'll teach you: 

- How to start your fire

- Purpose is fuel

- The importance of quick hits

You’ll also receive:

- SPECIAL ACCESS to the EXCLUSIVE RECORDING! 
- LIFE-ENRICHING, insider leadership tips!
- EXCLUSIVE PRICING for January 2015 training: Fit In ‘15!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW!  

SPACE IS LIMITED AND GOING FAST!

REGISTER NOW!  

BECAUSE IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY OR TOO LATE TO START YOUR FIRE!

  

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT WHY THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON ON EARTH IS THE HUMAN SOUL ON FIRE! 

   

Webinar: Start A Fire!

Registration: http://startafire14.eventbrite.com

Date(s): Nov 10, 17, 24, & Dec. 1

Time: 7.00 PM—8.30 PM EST

                 

At the Movies Pt. 2

Howdy, y'all!  Thanks for joining me.  We're going to get right back into it.  So, let's get it!  Remember, this week we're talking about endurance.  Any guesses on who said this, "What would you have me do, Alfred?"  Alfred says, "Endure, Master Wayne."  Now, come on.  The names make it easy for you.  I'll wait while you think...  You, sir.  You have the answer?  Ok, go ahead.  Good guess, but no, sir.  It's not from Chariots of Fire.  But there may be something coming from that movie in future posts.  So, keep the eyes of your inbox peeled and wide open.  The aforementioned lined comes from The Dark Knight.  Alfred says it to Bruce Wayne after Bruce admits to being perplexed on how to handle the Joker.

"Endure, Master Wayne."  We'd all do well to endure when things look bleak and we'd like to quit.  When hope seems all but lost.  Yes, it's easier to run away.  Yes, it's easier to give up.  But there's no fun in that stuff!  Dear readers, we must learn to smile in the fire.  When things are heating up around us, we must learn to sit still.  It's a bit early for y'all to be talking to me, but go ahead.  "Eric, how on earth am I supposed to sit still in the midst of a fire?!  Have you gone mad, man?!"  No, I'm not..."Well, there's something wrong, because you're talking crazy!"  Actually, I'm...  "And this better be good, because I'm not sure how much more of this fire I can take!"  Wow.  A lot to say?  Ok, now it's my turn.  Here's the thing.  When we're in the fire, it's never without a greater purpose.  A far greater purpose than we can see or know at the time.  In fact, if we knew all that was going on during the times that we're in the fire, many of us would ask for more fire.  Yes, I said it.  We.  Would.  Ask.  For.  More.  

Because we all want to be our best, right?  We want our character to honorable.  Don't we?  Of course we do.  That's why we must endure the fire.  Just as Alfred said to Bruce.  We must "Take it."  The biggest difference between Bruce and us?  We're not relying on ourselves.  Oh.  You are?  Well, that explains a lot.  No wonder you can't figure some things out.  You already know where I'm going.  Your trust should be in the Lord.  You know that, maaaan!  "I know Eric, but..."  No buts!  That's how you get caught up.  It's how you mess up!  Buts will mess you up!  Buts are the reason that you've got to learn to be still.  In fact, peep this.

1. Do not lean on your own understanding.  

2. Stop striving.    

If you will stay in the fire--and I strongly encourage you to do so--you'll come out of it much better off than you were before you went in.  And I know that fires can get pretty nasty.  I also know that there were these three young cats who an evil king ordered to be put in a blazing furnace.  He even ordered it to be heated seven times hotter than normal!  Question?  Sure, go ahead.  "Eric, that sounds awful!  What happened to them?"  Well, let's just say that those three you fellas kept their cool.  "Did they survive?!  C'mon, bud.  Ya gotta tell me!"  You already know that I'll never do your legwork for you.  You can read all about 'em by clicking here.  

Dear readers, when we endure our pains, hurts, and the things that press us, we're better for it.  We're also able to help other folk by way of our painful experiences.  There are many, many reasons that we should endure and do so with a good attitude.  I've given you a few and I'll leave you with this.  When you endure the fire, you become better equipped to Start A Fire.  Because as its been said, "The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire."  And that's exactly why you need to endure.  So you can become a fire starter!  Some of you just got too excited!  That's cool.  Keep your level of excitement right where it is and bring it with you as you join me on my new webinar, and I'll teach you all about how to Start A Fire.  

To learn more about what you need to do to start your fire, join me on my new webinar, Start A Fire! on November 10, 2014 at 7.30 PM EST.  During this special call, I'll teach you:

- How to set up your fire
- Tending your fire- Equipment needed for the fire  

You’ll also receive:

 - SPECIAL ACCESS to the EXCLUSIVE RECORDING! 

- LIFE-ENRICHING, insider leadership tips!

- EXCLUSIVE PRICING for January 2015 training: Fit In ‘15!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER NOW!  

SPACE IS LIMITED AND GOING FAST!

 

REGISTER NOW!  

BECAUSE IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY OR TOO LATE TO START YOUR FIRE!  


CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT WHY THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON ON EARTH IS THE HUMAN SOUL ON FIRE! 

   

Webinar: Start A Fire!

Registration: http://startafire14.eventbrite.com

Date(s): Nov 10, 17, 24, & Dec. 1

Time: 7.00 PM—8.30 PM EST

Join me!  It's guaranteed to be a hott time!  (Sorry, with all of the talk about fire, I couldn't resist!)

Tap Out To Tap In: WOOOOO!

The term tap out has become a popular phrase in recent years thanks to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).  If I may be a bit nostalgic here, the term tap out brings to mind the following: The DDT, The Rock Bottom, The Crippler Crossface, The Rock Bottom, The Camel Clutch, and of course, The Figure-Four Leg Lock.  Yes, I was a wrasslin' fan back in the day.  I told, y'all.  I'm deep.  Seriously, some of those finishing moves I just listed were used to make the person's opponent tap out by tapping the mat with their hand or flailing their arm(s) in submission.  Submission.  Giving in.  Often, they did just that.  They'd give in, because the pain was too much for them to handle.  It hurt too much.  Therefore, they had to tap out.  Also, if a wrassler (yes, I'm going to keep spelling it like this) was in a tag-team match (yes, I'm singing the song right now) and he was getting beat down, he could/would tap out and tag his partner--who was outside of the ring--to relieve/save him.  Then he'd climb or crawl out of the ring to recover and rest as his partner entered the ring.  Now, that'll teach.  Y'all remind me to write a post about that too.  For now, here's the point.

It's ok and dare I say good to "tap out."  There are some things we all need to tap out of.  Watch this: There are some folk whom we need to tap out and get away from.   Uh oh.  I just said something.  I'll move from that for now.  There are times which we simply must tap out.  The weight of whatever it is is too much for us to bear.  When we tap out, we get time to recover, re-energize, and refuel, just like the tag-team wrassler.  One of the key things there is we're tagging someone else to help us.  Someone to help us bear the weight.  The burden.  Sometimes, we need to lay down what I call "Every Heavy Thing", because sometimes, even the slightest things can be too heavy.  It's why we need the help and support of other folk, y'all.  We're not meant to do life alone.  So, whatever that situation is that you're dealing with, I've got a bit of advice for you. 

1. Carry each other's burdens...(Gal. 6.2)
2. Go to Jesus and He will give you rest (Matt. 11.28)

Sometimes, you have to tap out so you can tap in and win.  When you do, you'll get to say, "WOOOO!"  And that just may make it all worthwhile.