Another Thought for the Day - Power of Story Week - I Got Stories

What is the story of your life in six words?

I've been experimenting trying to capture my life in six words and have published a few attempts on Smith Magazines Six Word Memoir site.

• I got stories, I really do.
• Family lost, family found, Irish reunion.
• Sometimes life has a Hollywood ending.
• Bronx to Hollywood. East Side Story.
• Ghetto to Greatness. A Dream Achieved.
• Irish parents. Bronx born. American made.
  By Duffy in Six-Word Memoirs

Check them out as I continue to update and discover my life story in six words and tell me your story in six words...

http://www.smithmag.net/community/people.php/Duffy

Thought for the Day - Power of Story Week - Peter Guber

"Think of yourself not in the information distribution business but in the emotional transportation business. Emotional context helps bind into our memory. You may lose the details but will remember the feeling".


-- Peter Guber

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video - Hope You Dance

Educational Resources and Role Models

National School Choice Week
http://www.schoolchoiceweek.com/

Teach for America
http://www.teachforamerica.org/

http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/k-12/2008/03/05/what-is-teach-for-america-really-like.html

Students First
http://www.studentsfirst.org/

Ron Clark Academy

http://www.ronclarkacademy.com/

Kipp Charter Schools

http://www.kipp.org/?gclid=CIexv_CK85cCFREeDQodLQhJDQ

Harlem Childrens Zone

http://www.hcz.org/

http://www.hobartshakespeareans.org/

http://www.cristorey.net/

Success Foundation

http://www.successmagazine.com/Making-a-Difference/PARAMS/article/482/channel/24

The Leader in Me - Stephen R. Covey

http://www.TheLeaderInMe.org/

http://www.manchesterguild.org/About_mcg.htm

http://www.ichoosetostay.com/

Here are some interesting websites about examples of educational excellence. 

The first one I read about in the book "A Whole New Mind" by Daniel Pink

Charter High School for Architecture and Design - Philadelphia

http://www.chadphila.org/

The second I read about in the book "Make the Impossible Possible" by Bill Strickland

http://www.bill-strickland.org/

The third I read about in the book " I Choose to Stay" by Salome Thomas-EL

http://www.ichoosetostay.com/

And the final teacher Sam Calavitta I read about in the LA Times

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/orange/la-me-calculus8-2009mar08,0,3992127.story

All of these represent excellent institutions and teachers that make a difference and demonstrate what is possible. We can learn a lot from them....

Saturday's Motivational Video - Education Week - Waiting For Superman

Thought for the Day - Education Week - Michele Rhee

"We've become so obsessed with making kids feel good about themselves that we lost sight of building the skills they need to actually be good at things."

-- Michelle Rhee

Thought for the Day - Education Week - Bill Strickland

“The sand in the hourglass flows only one way. Don’t waste precious time chasing someone else’s definition of success. Live your life with purpose now. Look for the things that inspire you, trouble you, make you feel most alive, and trust in those things to shape your future. They will give you all your heart could ever wish for.” 
― Bill Strickland

Thought for the Day - Education Week - Dr. Ben Chavis

He (Dr Ben Chavis) took over the American Indian Public Charter School (AIPCS) in Oakand an inner-city charter school composed almost exclusively of low-income minority students. By the time he stepped down in 2007, he had turned it into the fifth-highest-rated middle school in the state — out of 1,300. (Of the four that rank higher, none has an underprivileged student body.)

Thought for the Day - Education Week - Dr Steve Perry

"Try everything you can think of then, think of some more. Parenting any age is a beast. Just hold on and keep expectations high."
-- Dr. Steve Perry


Dr. Steve Perry's website
http://www.dr-steveperry.com/

Thought for the Day - Education Week - Harlem Children Zone - Geoffrey Canada

"Over the past five years, I've met several presidents, several secretaries of education ... and there is no plan. If you want to save your children, you're going to have to do it yourself. It's just us."

-- Geoffrey Canada

Rest in Peace - Whitney Houston

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video - Tupelo Honey

Saturday's Motivational Video - Entrepreneur Week - Role of the Entrepreneur

Thought for the Day - Entrepreneur Week - Mark Burnett

“I heard my name associated with the Peter Pan syndrome more than once. But really, what's so wrong with Peter Pan? Peter Pan flies. He is a metaphor for dreams and faith.”-- -- Mark Burnett

Thought for the Day - Entrepreneur Week - Tyler Perry

“Are You Living or Just Existing?" 

-- Tyler Perry 

Thought for the Day - Entrepreneur Week - Apple - Steve Jobs

Personal Excellence Magazine - 11 Lessons we can learn from Steve Jobs

http://personalexcellence.co/blog/steve-jobs/

Thought for the Day - Entrepreneur Week - Virgin Air - Richard Branson

Thought for the Day - Entrepreneur Week - Ryan Air Michael O"Leary

This week I will post short videos from entrepreneurs instead of quotes.  Some interesting ideas on business, entrepreneurship, leadership and life...

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video - The Way it Goes

Saturday's Motivational Video - Les Brown Week - Why People Fail

Thought for the Day - Les Brown Week - Never Too Old to Set a New Goal

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream."


-- Les Brown


I live my life like this. Every year as I get older I have set more and new goals for my self. I have more goals and dreams than I have years ahead of me but I keep setting new goals and dreaming new dreams. I plan on doing this no matter how old I am...


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Les Brown Week - No Limits

"Life has no limitations, except the ones you make."


-- Les Brown

What are the limits you have set in the areas of your life? What limits have you set in your physical, financial, business life? Attempt to break thru any limits you have set.

-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Les Brown Week - No Buts

"The only limits to the possibilities in your life tomorrow are the buts you use today."


-- Les Brown


I heard someone once say that the only thing you get for saying But is a Big Butt. I suggest you live your life without Buts and without excuses.

-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Les Brown Week - Fall on Your Back

"If you fall, fall on your back. If you can look up, you can get up."


-- Les Brown




So true. Many of us face setbacks in life but if you keep looking up and forward and with determination you can get up, move forward and turn it around. 


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Les Brown Week -Accept Responsibility for your Life

"Accept responsibility for your life. Know that it is you who will get you where you want to go, no one else."

-- Les Brown


This is crucial in life that you take 100% responsibility for your life.


-- John Duffy

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video - Halo

Saturday's Motivational Video - Robin Sharma Week - Best Year Ever

Thought for the Day - Robin Sharma Week - Measure Your Actions

“What gets measured gets improved.” 

― Robin S. Sharma


This is very important. It might be the clearest with your fitness goals. I keep track of my workouts, my goals, my projects and everything I do. I still have a way to go in this area but you need to measure your goals, accomplishments and activities so you can keep raising your standards and becoming better in all areas of your life....


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Robin Sharma Week - Write About Your Life

“If your life is worth thinking about,it is worth writing about.”

― Robin S. Sharma

I have kept a journal for over twenty years. I suggest you start and use a journal to capture the moments in your life, set goals, analyze and write the story of your life, the past, present and future.

-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Robin Sharma Week -Your I Can Not IQ

“Your "I CAN" is more important than your IQ.”

― Robin S. Sharma

There are a lot of very smart unsuccessful people in life. Sometimes if not most of the time your attitude is more important than all the other factors.

-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Robin Sharma Week - Become the Architect of Your Future

“We are all here for some special reason. Stop being a prisoner of your past. Become the architect of your future.”

― Robin S. Sharma

Our challenge is to find our purpose and mission in life and to share our gifts and talents with the world. Create and build your future...

-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Robin Sharma Week - Leaders Provide Solutions

“Victims recite problems, leaders provide solutions.”

― Robin S. Sharma

I always say, okay you told me the problem now what is the solution? Chose to think and act like a leader in life not as a victim.

-- John Duffy

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video - Pogues

Saturday's Motivational Video - Jim Rohn Week -

Thought for the Day - Jim Rohn Week - Set Your Sails

"It is the set of the sails, not the direction of the wind that determines which way we will go."

-- Jim Rohn

Thought for the Day - Jim Rohn Week - Wish You Were Better

"Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better."

-- Jim Rohn

i love this one. Wish you were better, stronger, bigger. The stronger the wind the stronger the tree. Wish for strength.

-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Jim Rohn Week - Ask Empowering Questions

“You must constantly ask yourself these questions: Who am I around? What are they doing to me? What have they got me reading? What have they got me saying? Where do they have me going? What do they have me thinking? And most important, what do they have me becoming? Then ask yourself the big question: Is that okay? Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.”

-- Jim Rohn

A series of more empowering questions. I suggest you choose to always ask yourself questions that the answer to will empower not disempower you.

-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Jim Rohn Week - What Could I Do?

“To solve any problem, here are three questions to ask yourself: First, what could I do? Second, what could I read? And third, who could I ask?”

-- Jim Rohn

Some empowering questions that lead you in the direction of the solution and away from the problem. Always you empowering questions to help yourself solve problems you face.

-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Jim Rohn Week - Let Others Lead Small Lives

“Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you.”

-- Jim Rohn This is one of my favorite quotes. I strive to live my life by these suggestions.  It's a call to empowerment, a call to raise your standards and to be a bigger person. -- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Martin Luther King Day

Honoring the life of Martin Luther King


"Now, I say to you today my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: - 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."


-- Martin Luther King

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video - Ray Charles

Saturday Motivation Video - American Dreamers Week

Center for the Study Of the American Dream

http://www.xavier.edu/americandream/programs/young-american-dreamers.cfm

Thought for the Day - American Dream Week - American Dreamers

My American Dreamers website and American Dreamers Facebook page.

American Dreamers Website: http://planetkor.com/AD/

American Dreamers on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=107427119288220

-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - American Dream Week - Mel Martinez

"Forty-two years ago, I came to America from communist Cuba so I might have a better way of life, a freer way of life - a more democratic way of life. I wanted to live the American Dream where if you worked hard and put your mind to the task, anything was possible." 


-- Mel Martinez

Thought for the Day - American Dream Week - Bono

"When I was a kid in Dublin, I watched in awe as America put a man on the moon. We thought, you know, this is "mad." Nothing is impossible in America. In America, they can do anything over there."


-- Bono


When I was a kid in the South Bronx I was in awe of the moon walk as well. But for too many and for too long we have forgot that nothing is impossible in America. We have the chance to make the impossible possible and and as Walt Disney said it's fun to make the impossible possible. He did it with Disney Land and so have many others with their dreams. 


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - American Dream Week - Archibald MacLeish

"There are those, I know, who will say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind, is nothing but a dream. They are right. It is the American dream."


- Archibald MacLeish

Thought for the Day - American Dream Week - The Road Ahead

This week my blog is about the American Dream. What is the American Dream? Is it real? The American Dream hasn't been talked about so much and debated so much since the late 1970's.

Is the American Dream over? Will our future be worse than our past and present?

My American Dream came full-circle on New Year's Day 2012 when I made my first trip to Ellis Island. Four years ago the idea of visiting Ellis Island and and reconnecting with my roots and Irish relatives were the last thing on my mind. Yet a surprise or really a miracle was about to shake up my life. I had grownup with no connection to Ireland and no knowledge of my family there. Due to a conflict between my mother and her sister in America i also grew up with no contact with any relatives. My family consisted of only my mother and my brother. Then in a New York minute everything changed.

My niece called me and said my cousin in England had emailed her and was trying to find her family who came to America. After some back and forth communication I discovered my mother's youngest sister was alive in Ireland and was 93 years old. A new door opened up, something I would have never imagined in my wildest dreams. A few months later on St Patrick's Day i attended a reunion of my family in Foxford, Ireland. It was truly a magical trip. I walked through the houses my mother and father grew up in and discovered about their six week journey to America and Ellis Island in 1929 to find the American Dream. The year they came to America in 1929 was a very hard time all over the world but they persisted and gave me my American Dream.

Sailing in the harbor towards the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island I could only imagine how they felt. I was personally in awe and overwhelmed by it. My boat ride gave ea more personal, intimate and powerful appreciation of my families journey and the American Dream.

My life has come full circle. I have visited Ireland three times and have reconnected with my family in Ireland, England, America, Australia, Canada and Germany. I believe that no matter how difficult a period we are going through it was much harder when my parents came here and that we will come through this ride even stronger.

The American Dream is still alive and as the Statue of Liberty remains a beacon of freedom, the American Dream still persists and offers hope to all those willing to create their American Dream. I have a project I am working on called "American Dreamers". It stories of people who against all odds have achieved the American Dream.

So I am a believer in a brighter future and the continuation of the American Dream. Having visited Ireland I am truly grateful for the difficult journey my parents made and for the American Dream I have come to truly appreciate.

I hope you are an American Dreamer too....


-- John Duffy

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video - Something More

Saturday's Motivational Video- John Duffy's Life's Journey

This was my 1st "Icebreaker" speech at my local Toastmaster group. I share a very condensed small sliver of my life story.

"Life is a Daring Adventure"

-- Helen Keller

Thought for the Day - John Duffy Week - Step Up, Step Up

2012 and what are you going to do to Step Up your life and your game? 


   Time Magazine declared 2011 the Year of the Protester or the 99%. Well that concept doesn't work for me. I don't want to be part of the 99% or the quote, unquote "masses".  My goal is to step up my game in every area of life and strive to keep improving so I am part of the top 10% or the top 5% or even yes the top 1% in all areas of life.


So I suggest you look at all the key areas of your life, prioritize them and strive to step up your beliefs and actions in each area so you make constant and never ending improvements in all areas of your life.


I look forward to 2012 being my Best Year Ever and making breakthru's in all areas of my life as I strive to be world class and the best I can be. 


Hope you join me...


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - John Duffy Week - Maybe Yes, Maybe No

"Maybe Yes, Maybe No". That's a saying that I came up with whenever someone would come to me with a problem and a negative attitude about the situation. They would say something like "this situation is really bad" and I would respond Maybe yes, maybe no. A director I was working with even put up the sign with those words on my wall because he said that was always my answer. 
An example of this was when our lead actor dropped out two weeks before shooting and the director got depressed and expressed that this was horrible news. Of course I said maybe yes, maybe no. We cast another actor in time to begin filming and the 1st week of the shooting the actor who dropped out was arrested going through the airport with guns. So it turned out good that he dropped out. 
Only from a distance and time can you tell if something is good or bad news. I always look for what might be good in what on the surface seems like bad news.
So if you ask me if something is bad news expect me to say "Maybe Yes, Maybe No."


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - John Duffy Week - WWJDD? & DADD

Note to Self: Life Lesson DADD &  WWJDD?
Recently I coached a friend through a situation that was turning into a big conflict with someone into finding a positive resolution. He did and used it again the next day in another situation successfully as well.

He coined the acronym "DADD" or "Do As Duffy Does" to remind himself to apply some of my philosophy of finding solutions and resolutions, focusing on your outcomes or keeping your eye on the prize, attempting to turn everyone into your friend and avoiding emotionalism and reactivity and staying proactive, taking full 100% responsibility, going the extra mile and being willing to do whatever it takes to achieve your desired outcome.

Another associate of mine had already came up with "WWJDD?"What Would John Duffy Do? to use as a similar solution orientated approach. Anyway both of these sayings are endearing and humbling and as my friend said he now has me in his head when he approaches these difficult inter-personal situations. That's a compliment I hope.

Now here is the note to self; I realized as he was telling me this and thanking me for coaching him that I was in the same situation in my life and I was forgetting to ask my self "WWJDD? and acting as DADD. Instead I was being emotional and reactive. So this situation put a mirror in front of me and reminded me that no matter how hard it is or how much I want to be right and stay stuck I need to be bigger, braver and the solution not part of the problem. I need to ask myself "WWJDD?" and do it.

Thought for the Day - John Duffy Week - 15 Rules to Master Your Life

To kick off the New Year 2012 . Here are a slightly revised version of my rules to make your life the best it can be.

John Duffy's Fifteen Rules to Master Your Life

1. Solutions, Solutions, Solutions. Okay, I heard the problem

now what’s the solution? There’s always a way, an answer and a solution.

Your job is to find it.

2. Daily Improvement (DI) - Decide – Resolve – Act. Everyday do

just 1 more thing to improve.

What if you improved 1 thing every day?

3. Take Action and then takes some more. Get in the game. Play your heart out 

and leave it on the court or field of live.

4. Never Ever Quit. - Promise yourself you will never give up.

5. Be A Leader. Step Up. Life needs more leaders not followers.

6. It’s all about Choices. You always have choices, make the right ones.

7. Gratitude, Gratitude, Gratitude and then some more Gratitude.

We all have so much to be thankful for.

8. You can either get Results or make Excuses. You can’t do both. Your choice.

9. Put everything in Perspective. Things can always get better and

they can always get worse. So no whining, just make it better.

10. Laugh at life, laugh at yourself. Life ain’t all that serious until it is.

11. Celebrate Success. Don’t follow the culture and the media and knock the successful. Choose to be successful

12. You are responsible for your life, so take responsibility. 100% Responsibility.

13. Go for your Dreams. No, I mean REALLY go for them.

14. Understand Life is not Fair. So What? Just more challenges

to overcome. The stronger the wind the stronger the trees.

Be Strong. No Whining, No Excuses.

15. Master the 3 F’s (Family, Fitness &  Finances) and the 1 C (Career)

and you”ll get an A at Life. Life will reward your effort.

So, Just Do It!!!!!!

-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - John Duffy Week - Reasons to Cheer

     It's 2012 and the New Year brings mixed blessings. There are those who say we are in a Depression, there are others who say the American Dream is dead, and there are new threats of war and terrorism on the horizon so one could find many reasons to be pessimistic and depressed but I suggest that there are many reason to cheer. 
    I read an old letter from the editor of Fast Company magazine that was published in Mar 2009 entitled "One Hundred Fifty-Nine Reasons to Cheer". They talked about looking in the direction of the creativity, new breakthroughs and new start up companies that will eventually lead to a turn around in the business environment. 
     I would suggest you find reasons to cheer in your life, in your family, in your community and in your country.  Choose to be part of the solution to life's challenges. Choose to be a leader not a follower. Choose to be a winner not a whiner. Yes we are going through a tough time in the world and in America but adversity offers advantages as well if we look for opportunities. Step up, make this year your best year ever. 
Join me as I choose to cheer the New Year and express gratitude for all my blessing and yes even all my challenges and obstacles. 


-- John Duffy

Happy New Year 2012

A Happy New Year to all my family in Ireland, England, Australia, Canada, Germany and the United States.


And a Happy New Year to all my friends, colleagues and to everyone who reads my blog.

We are living in challenging times so we have to be stronger, raise our standards, step up, stay positive and create the life we desire.

Best wishes for a happy, successful, productive and prosperous New Year and your Best Year Ever...

-- John Duffy

Merry Christmas - Feliz Navidad

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a Wish for Your Best Year Ever........


See you in the New Year.....


-- John Duffy

Saturday's Motivational Video - Stephen Covey Week - 7 Principles

Thought for the Day - Stephen Covey Week - Listen No Really Listen

Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply. They're either speaking or preparing to speak. They're filtering everything through their own paradigms, reading their autobiography into other people's lives.


-- Stephen Covey


_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Ah _ _ _ _ _ _ _. Nuff said.


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Stephen Covey Week - Begin with End in Mind

To begin with the end in mind means to start with a clear understanding of your destination. It means to know where you're going so that you better understand where you are now and so that the steps you take are always in the right direction.


-- Stephen Covey


This is profound, simple and yet how often do we do it? I know I need to apply this to all areas of my life. We plan a vacation by choosing a destination. So we need to plan the destinations we want our life to reach and then create a plan or plans to get there....


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Stephen Covey Week - Scarcity Mentality

People with a scarcity mentality think there is only so much in the world to go around. It's as if they see life as a pie. When another person gets a big piece, then they get less. Such people are always trying to get even, to pull others down to their level so they can get an equal or even bigger piece of the pie.


-- Stephen Covey


I can relate to this. I grew up extremely poor and for way too long had a scarcity mentality and believed this. Bottom line it's not true. India has become wealthier not by taking from those who have and dividing the pie but by expanding and creating more opportunities and wealth. We really need to compete with ourselves to grow and expand and not complain and whine.
I don't want to pull anyone down I want to raise more people up...


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Stephen Covey Week -Take Responsibility

When life does not go our way or we inadvertently make a mistake, it is so easy to make excuses, place blame on others, or argue that circumstances were against us. But we only progress in life to the extent that we take responsibility for our actions and attitudes, and put forth the initiative necessary to create our own circumstances.


-- Stephen Covey


As long as we put the emphasis outside ourselves we disempower ourselves. We need to keep the focus on what we are responsible for and what we can do. You either make excuses or get results but not both.


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Stephen Covey Week - Positive Thought or Action

While I believe in the power of positive thought, I do not believe that you or I can simply psyche ourselves into success or peace of mind.


-- Stephen Covey


I couldn't agree more. Positive thought has to be followed by action. There are no "Secrets" or guarantees to the result. Thinking positive or optimistically just allows you to spin or reframe reality into a belief that empowers instead of disempowers you.  You still have to make course corrections and keep taking action until you get the results you desire.


-- John Duffy

Saturday's Motivational Video - Les Brown Week -

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video - I Can Make It Happen

Saturday's Motivational Video - Tony Robbins Week -

Thought for the Day - Tony Robbins Week - Never Ending Commitment to Act

“I believe life is constantly testing us for our level of commitment, and life's greatest rewards are reserved for those who demonstrate a neverending commitment to act until they achieve."


-- Tony Robbins


In all levels of life our level of commitment is tested by life's challenges. We are tested as parents, in marriage, in relationships, at work and our health. We need to be strong and meet the challenges and stay committed to our goals and dreams...


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Tony Robbins Week - Past Doesn't Equal Future

“The past does not equal the future.” 

― Anthony Robbins


So true. I say that this is my fifth lifetime. I personally know that my past didn't equal my present and won't equal my future. We have a choice to create the future you want no matter what your past was but it doesn't just happen. You need to decide, take action and make it happen.


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Tony Robbins Week - Become the Person You Want to Become

“It is not what we get. But who we become, what we contribute ... 
that gives meaning to our lives.” 

― Anthony Robbins


Who do you want to become? What can you contribute? Live a life of growth and contribution. Dedicate yourself to become the best you can be...


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Tony Robbins Week - Rise Above Your Limitations

“We've all heard about people who've exploded beyond the limitations of their conditions to become examples of the unlimited power of the human spirit. 
You and I can make our lives one of these legendary inspirations, as well, simply by having courage and the awareness that we can control whatever happens in our lives. Although we cannot always control the events in our lives, we can always control our response to them, and the actions we take as a result. 
If there's anything you're not happy about--in your relationships, in your health, in your career--make a decision right now about how you're going to change it immediately.” 


― Anthony Robbins


What are the areas of your life do you need to change in 2012? Make a decision to change those areas and create a plan with timelines to achieve your goals. Rise above your limitations and be a model of possibility for yourself and others.


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Tony Robbins Week - Problems Are a Gift

“Every problem is a gift - without problems we would not grow.” 


― Anthony Robbins


Problems test us and I have had plenty of problems in my life that have tested me but I have grown from the problems in my life. Who I have become today is a result of all the problems or challenges I have overcome in my life.


-- John Duffy

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video - Believe

Saturday's Motivational Video - Lou Holtz Week - Inspirational Speech

Thought for the Day - Lou Holtz Week - Stop Talking and Start Listening

“I never learn anything talking. I only learn things when I ask questions.” 

― Lou Holtz


Someone once said God gave you two ears and one mouth so you can listen twice as much as you talk. Part of listening is actively asking question so you can learn. Good communication is demonstrated when you are asking questions and listening and learning not just talking. So stop talking so much and listen and especially not just from those who agree with you and echo you opinions but from those who have different ideas....


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Lou Holtz Week - Winner or Loser Your Choice

“You were not born a winner, and you were not born a loser. You are what you make yourself be. ” 

― Lou Holtz


This is as true in sports as in life. You choose whether you want to be a winner or loser. First you need to show up and then give it your all and no matter what happens in the game of life you can choose to be a winner.


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Lou Holtz Week - Deliver More Than You Promise

“Don't ever promise more than you can deliver, but always deliver more than you promise.” 

― Lou Holtz


Working in the entertainment industry I have met many people who promise more than they deliver so those who under promise and over perform stand out. I made it my mantra to under promise and over perform and I recommend you do the same in life. 


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Lou Holtz Week - You Need More Goals

"If you're bored with life - you don't get up every morning with a burning desire to do things - you don't have enough goals."


-- Lou Holtz


True you don't have enough goals or your goals are too small and don't inspire you. If you are bored well it's because you are boring. Get excited about life and about all the possibilities, get out there and contribute to others, get in the game. I haven't experienced boredom in decades and don't expect to ever experience it again...


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - Lou Holtz Week - Winner or Loser?

"How you respond to the challenge in the second half will determine what you become after the game, whether you are a winner or a loser."

-- Lou Holtz


Now this is as true for the second half of a game as it is for the second half of your life. Life is about who you become and how you play the game of life. Some times, you win, some times you lose and sometimes you tie but if you take advantage of all those outcomes to learn and become better you will always be a winner in the game of life...


-- John Duffy

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video - Heart of a Champion

Saturday's Motivational Video - John Wooden Week - Pyramid of Success

Thought for the Day - John Wooden Week - It's What You Learn

“It's what you learn after you know it all that counts.” 

― John Wooden


This quote resonates for me. When I was younger I knew everything. Sure I did. Now I realize that  I don't come within miles of knowing it all so I'm constantly learning and reassessing what I know and believe.  Being open-minded and constantly learning is the place I prefer to be. Now if you know it all well good luck with that....


-- John Duffy

Thought for the Day - John Wooden Week - Make a Life

“Don't let making a living prevent you from making a life.” 

― John Wooden


I'm sure you heard the story about the dying man who talked about all the things he wished he did but he never wished he spent more time working. Now for those of us lucky to be following our passion it never feels like we are working so this is easy but the message of the story isn't to work less but to focus on the things most important in your life. Create a life you can be proud of, create a life you can enjoy, create a life of no or little regrets. You only get one life so make it the best life you can imagine....


-- John Duffy