DEFINITE DOZEN

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

My wife took a second to post to my Facebook wall yesterday. Something from coach Pat Summitt. 

For those of you who may not know who she is, she is the former Tennessee Volunteer’s women’s basketball coach who passed away this week after a trying battle with Alzheimer’s disease.  Pat was intensely successful and her success has inspired many players, coaches and others.

And what my wife sent was Pat’s Definite Dozen. 

So in honor of Pat and because they are quite good, I thought I would share them as inspiration and instruction for us today.

The Definite Dozen

Respect Yourself and Others

There is no such thing as self-respect without respect for others.

Individual success is a myth. No one succeeds all by themselves.

People who do not respect those around them will not make good team members and probably lack self-esteem themselves.

When you ask yourself, “Do I deserve to succeed?”, make sure the answer is yes.

Take Full Responsibility

There are no shortcuts to success.

You can’t assume larger responsibility without taking responsibility for the small things, too.

Being responsible sometimes means making tough, unpopular decisions.

Admit to and make yourself accountable for mistakes. How can you improve if you’re never wrong?

Develop and Demonstrate Loyalty

Loyalty is not unilateral. You have to give it to receive it.

The family business model is a successful one because it fosters loyalty and trust.

Surround yourself with people who are better than you are. Seek out quality people, acknowledge their talents, and let them do their jobs. You win with people.

Learn to Be a Great Communicator

Communication eliminates mistakes.

Listening is crucial to good communication.

We communicate all the time, even when we don’t realize it. Be aware of body language.

Make good eye contact.

Silence is a form of communication, too. Sometimes less is more.

Discipline Yourself So No One Else Has To

Self-discipline helps you believe in yourself.

Group discipline produces a unified effort toward a common goal.

When disciplining others, be fair, be firm, be consistent.

Discipline helps you finish a job, and finishing is what separates excellent work from average work.

Make Hard Work Your Passion

Do the things that aren’t fun first, and do them well.

Plan your work, and work your plan.

See yourself as self-employed.

Don’t Just Work Hard, Work Smart

Success is about having the right person, in the right place, at the right time.

Know your strengths, weaknesses, and needs.

When you understand yourself and those around you, you are better able to minimize weaknesses and maximize strengths. Personality profiles help.

Put the Team Before Yourself

Teamwork doesn’t come naturally. It must be taught.

Teamwork allows common people to obtain uncommon results.

Not everyone is born to lead. Role players are critical to group success. In group success there is individual success.

Make Winning an Attitude

Combine practice with belief.

Attitude is a choice. Maintain a positive outlook.

No one ever got anywhere by being negative.

Confidence is what happens when you’ve done the hard work that entitles you to succeed.

Be a Competitor

Competition isn’t social. It separates achievers from the average.

You can’t always be the most talented person in the room, but you can be the most competitive.

Influence your opponent: By being competitive you can affect how your adversary performs.

There is nothing wrong with having competitive instincts. They are survival instincts.

Change Is a Must

It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts the most.

Change equals self-improvement. Push yourself to places you haven’t been before.

Take risks. You can’t steal second base with your foot on first.

Handle Success Like You Handle Failure

You can’t always control what happens, but you can control how you handle it.

Sometimes you learn more from losing than winning. Losing forces you to reexamine.

It’s harder to stay on top than it is to make the climb. Continue to seek new goals.

It is true Pat won a lot of basketball games; 1098 to be exact.  But she won countless hearts as well.  And I am sure while she wasn’t always liked, I am confident that with most she was beloved and without question she has provided some good advice for us today. 

Advice we can heed.

Proverbs 12:15 (ESV)

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

R.I.P. Pat Summitt.