Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
You Got What You Wanted, But You Lost Everything You Had
Ahh, yes. It's that time again. Love is in the air. Flowers are being sent. Candy will soon be consumed. Succulent dinners are being planned. Babysitters are being hired. It's the week of Valentine's Day. I need to talk to the men for a sec. Fellas, you're ready, right? What do you mean you didn't know?! Man, you're in trouble! You've got a few days, so get on it! You can thank me later. Ok, now where were we? Oh, yeah. Love. He loves you. You love him. Right? You don't know? Uh oh. You've given your all and you don't know the answer to that question?
Ever felt that way? I have. I gave up some good things, because I had my eyes fixed on something better. Well, at least that's what I thought. You see, better has a unique allure and appeal. Sometimes, it truly is better. But in order to know if it's real or if it's Memorex, you need to be wise and discerning. You can't just assume that it's better. And ask yourself this. Why do you think it's better? Because you're unhappy with what you have? Here's another question for you to ask you. How in the world did you even get here in the first place?
That one's easy. Slowly and methodically. It's a syndrome. It's called Greener Grass Syndrome (GGS) or GGS for short. You traded in your self-respect, self-worth, and shoot, a part of yourself, because the Greener Grass was calling you. Actually, it wasn't. But how can I say this? I'll make it plain. You began to lust for Greener Grass.
Think of all you gave up to have him, her, or it. Honesty. Gone. Integrity. Gone. Trustworthiness. Gone. Kindness. Gone. Love. Gone. And maybe worst of all, you allowed GGS to trick you into not using one of your greatest assets: wisdom. Wisdom is vastly important. You don't have to believe the bible, but I bet this will make sense to you, "Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you." - Prov. 4.6-7. But you didn't and don't need protection. You didn't and don't need someone to watch over you, because you've got this! Right?! To that I say one thing: Tommyrot!
So, now what? What can you do? It's too late. Isn't it? If you know me well, you know what I always say about that. "It's only too late when you quit. Because as long as you're still here, you've got a shot!" I'd tell you to slap yourself right now so that you'd know that you're still here, but you might get carried away. Which is exactly why you need to forgive yourself.
You've got some apologies to make. Some repenting to do. And some forgiving to do as well. I know forgiveness has been a recurring theme here recently, but it's ok. I'll stay on it as long as I'm told to. Because I know the poison of unforgiveness and what it can do to you. I've lived it. I've lived with it. I harbored it like it was a fugitive! We were tight, ol' unforgivness and I. Until me an ol' girl had to break up. That's right. She, unforgiveness, got sent packing! See ya!
As with anything, it was a process. It will be for you too. But you can do this! You must do this! The quality of your life depends on it.
So as you're opening candy, cards, and unboxing flowers and other gifts during this week of love, I need you to do something. Leave the Greener Grass alone. Pay attention to and focus on your own lawn. If you don't, you'll be just like the little bear in the bed. But it's all good. Because you got everything you wanted. And that's a good thing. Right?
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
The Day The Millennials Put Me In A Time Warp...And I Liked It
Last weekend, I had the pleasure, privilege, and honor of speaking
to and into the lives of mostly 18-22 year olds from Penn State Western Region
campuses. Most of whom were bright-eyed and genuinely excited to be at
Penn State's Leader Launch. It was a long and intense three days for
them. A fiery and inspirational keynote message from Morris Morrison. Followed by breakout
sessions about Financial Literacy, Ethics in the Workplace, Pursuing Your
Purpose, and more. These sessions were followed
by even more events. Even an etiquette lunch. Long days.
Long nights. And well worth
it.
And as I was reflecting on my time there, I thought back to the dark ages (dot matrix printers, word processors, and typewriters) of my own undergraduate experience. I remembered my own excitement and a lil' bit of dread when it came time to participate in such events. It took me back. They took me back. I saw myself in their nervous smiles. I saw myself in their uneasy courageousness. I saw myself in their budding confidence. They took me back. And I liked it.
I loved being able to help them. Whether it was an encouraging talk or a shared experience. I loved talking with them. Most of all, I loved listening to them talk. So much promise and hope! So much energy and passion! They are ready to set the world on fire! And I'm going to let you in on a secret. They're gonna do it! They may not head into the world on the back of a mechanical lion, but we will hear them roar!
And we should. These young folk are engaging. Entertaining. Fun. Genuine. Kind and warm. They want what I wanted back in the dark ages of my time at THE Ohio State University: a lil' bit of help. A lil' bit of advice. Someone to listen to them. To guide them. They want wisdom. They want someone to take in interest in them and what they're doing. Genuine interest. Because they can smell a fraud a mile away. Think on it. Even if you were super confident when you attended similar events when you were in college, when you came face to face with potential employers and/or "real" adults, it could be a bit intimidating.
You remember trying to be perfect for those situations, don't you? You were wearing your best and maybe your only suit. You had your 1-minute me speech down pat. Fresh copies of your résumé. Ok, timeout. Let's go back a bit. If you happen to have a copy of your first résumé, I want you to go back and look at it. And I want you to be honest about it. Man, that thing was terrible! Looking at what we did to our resumes then and what they look like now, it's laughable. No? Not yours? Oh, that was just me? See. Now, didn't I just ask you to be honest? Ok, that's more like it. Now, back to the point.
Just like my young charges from Penn State Fayette, Penn State Beaver, Penn Shenango, Penn State New Kensington, Penn State Greater Allegheny, and Penn State Dubois, I put my best foot forward. So did you. And you needed all the guidance and direction that you didn't know you needed. And if we're keeping it real--and we are--you needed all of the guidance and direction that you didn't want. Aren't you glad you matured?
Now ask yourself. What if someone would have taken the time to speak life into your existence? What if they'd have taken the time to really listen to your heart? Would you still have been an English major or would you have been a Marketing major? Would you have taken more philosophy courses or more art courses? Make no mistake, this isn't just for those who attended college. I'm talking to any and everyone who had or wishes they had someone sowing and pouring into your life.
Maybe you were one of the fortunate ones. Maybe you were mature beyond your years. And maybe you had someone pouring into your life. If so, I hope you listened. I hope their words are still stamped on your heart to this day. In fact, when you're done reading this, I want you to go and call them. Don't text them. Don't email them. Call them. On the phone. Skype them. Get in a Google Hangouts session with them. And thank them. If they're no longer with us, take a minute and thank God for them. Remember them and honor their legacy by taking some time to invest in the lives of that younger version of you.
I saw the younger version of Eric J. Watts in my Penn Staters (Oh, how it pains me to say that!) this past weekend. I heard him too. During the Q&A portion of my session on negotiation. I heard him in the questions from young women and men. I saw him as they stood toe to toe with me and looked me in the eye as we shook hands. I saw him as they were thanking me for taking the time to invest in them. To offer them an encouraging word.
I saw him as they asked for tips and guidance on how to achieve their goals and dreams. I saw him as they intently listened to what I had to say to them. And as I am typing this, I see it in their follow up emails as the alerts are popping up on my screen. Matthew and Maura, thank you. I'll be responding to you soon. Courtney, Ibrahim, and Wati, I've got you covered too.
These young folk are getting more ready by the day. So, to all of them I say, keep getting ready. Continue to "get good." Continue to seek guidance, wisdom, and direction from those of us who went to college when there was no Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn. Continue to seek it from those of us who did not attend or finish college, because we've got something to offer you as well. Some of us are truly willing to help you. And if we can't, we may have the connections and contacts who can. To us dot matrix printer college goers and users from days gone by, I say one thing: Help. Them. Make that two things: Woe unto those of us who do not help them.
Penn Staters (Man, that still hurts!), I can only hope someone saw as much light in me back then as I do in you. Remember what we talked about:
- Just glance in the rear view mirror of your life
- Write out your goals and dreams and post them where you can see them and recite them daily
- Play to your strengths
- Get comfortable with you
In your hands, our future is secure. Thank you for your time and effort this weekend. Thank you for being you. Thank you for wanting to be a better leader. Thank you for leading from where you are right now.
You put me in a time warp this weekend and I loved it.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
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?
Because you're going to re-engage.
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?
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