Time To Make A Difference

Jerry Claiborne was the head coach at the University of Kentucky in the 80's.  He was one of the best men that I have ever been associated with because he was a giver, an encourager and a winner.

During my high school days I would visit the University for Jerry's annual football camp.  I was amazed by his ongoing effort to touch the lives of each and every young man at these camps.  Each day he would schedule lunch with a few of the campers to give his message of encouragement, confidence and descipline.

Jerry touted the teaching of Maxwell Maltz and the Psycho-Cybernetics message.  He would read from, and encourage each young man to read, Dale Carnegie's famous book How to Win Friends & Influence People as well as anything from Zig Ziglar.  

I was able to fulfill my dream of going to the University of Kentucky and playing football for Jerry Claiborne after a short stint at a smaller state school.  I transfered to UK after my first season (one semester) and walked-on to the team.  Jerry's guidance and words of wisdom never left me when I was playing at that smaller school.  It took me very little time to understand the power and strength of a true winner and I wanted to be around one.  

Jerry often told us that he did not care what kind of football player we were going to be.  He only cared about the men we were going to be when we left him and entered society.  He told us, every day, that you will be successful if you do two things...Jerry said, "Do Right, Do Your Best and YOU will be a Winner!"

Jerry Claiborne took a little time to make a big difference in the lives of each of his players.  He took time to instill confidence in us.  He know that if he were going to bring out the best in us that he needed to sow the seeds of encouragement.

This message shared by Jerry has followed me through my life and it is a good message for all of Direct Sales and Network Marketing leaders.  If we want our lives and business to get better then we need to improve the lives of others.

The message to our teams and to ourselves should be;  How can I improve the lives of others?  Who can I build up today?  Who can I encourage that needs a lift.   

Somebody needs to know that you believe in them and that you think they have what it takes to be successful.  You have something to offer that no one else can give.  Find someone that needs it and give them the encouragement they need so desperately.

You will most likely find an example of this in your own life.  When you look back think about a person that had confidence in you that helped you get where you are today.  This could be a teacher, a coach or a boss that believed in you and elevated you to greater success, even if you didn't feel worthy at the time.  Perhaps they saw something in you that you didn't see in yourself and they helped you believe and that moved you to the next level.

Now it is your turn.  Elevate someone by believing in them and encouraging them.  There is no better investment than building up folks.  The relationships you have in life will be much more rewarding than your individual accomplishments.  Improve the lives of others and you will be rewarded. Send out positive energy to GIVE to others, not to get from them, then notice the positive impact in your life. 

Best to you,

Jeff "Schilly" Schilffarth