My parents gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: They believed in me.
Their belief was both spoken and present in what they expected from me when I started making decisions and became accountable for the choices I made.
After my two daughters were born, and I had their lives to guide, I felt that what was said over me numerous times as a young man could become even more laser focused in terms of guidance and goals for my girls.
For example, this is what I texted to Annie this past week:
“Annie, I believe you will be a Godly lady, a loving mom, a special friend to people, a compassionate wife and one hell of a physician’s assistant. Now go out there and GATA.
— Dad”
If you’re not a Georgia Southern graduate or fan, “GATA” means “get after those academics.”
Researchers often say that children are the reflection of their parents. I believe that to be true. I also believe that, as young adults, our children’s choices provide a learning curve that helps them understand what it means to know the scale and impact of their choices.
When I’m speaking to a group or class, I usually say, “I don’t have all the correct answers, but I do have correct examples.” Here are two that I witnessed during my football coaching days, showing what happens when people believe in you as a leader or go-to guy.
In one game, we were losing by more than 20 points at halftime. Things were not going well for us. Coach Erk Russell had kept Tracy Ham out of the starting lineup because of a pulled hamstring. At halftime, Coach Russell told Tracy, “Just take the ball and hand it off or pitch it every time. Do not run with the ball, period.”
When Tracy started the second half as quarterback, the other team was going nuts because he was in the game. Our own guys just seemed to pump up their efforts and determination. Long story short, we ended up winning the game.
Another example involved Gerald Harris. When we needed to score a touchdown inside the 10-yard line, we gave the ball to Gerald. He scored every time. Inevitably, the other team would yell that Gerald was going to get the ball. Everybody in the stadium knew that Gerald was going to get the ball. We always scored even when everyone, including the water boy, knew that Gerald was going to get the ball.
Whether you’re making decisions at home, or at work, do the people around you expect you to make the hard choices? Do they see you as the one who is going to make the correct yet difficult decisions, no matter how much blowback you’re receiving? Do they have that level of belief in you, and share your goals and vision?
When you show up as a person who is accountable for your choices, and you live with compassion, kindness and excellence, people will believe in you. And you will believe in yourself.
Live inspired,
Jimmy
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