Why You Can’t Find Your Keys.

One of the greatest experiences of my life was working as a program aide during college summers at the renown Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts. This remarkable experience steeled me for a career in teaching and even prepared me for fatherhood. I learned much about patience, serving others, and how to never, ever lose my keys.

My job at Perkins was basically to assist with the needs of five blind, autistic students, and help out with their extracurricular activities and outings. I helped them get to class, assisted them with their meals and care, and I made certain they had fun. We spent a lot of time together in and out of the cottage that was my home during those New England summers.

Until I arrived at Perkins I had never been around a blind person.  I was studying to be an educator, and I had hoped to hone my teaching skills with the boys in my cottage, however it was they who really taught me. The lessons in patience and the service of others were reinforced during every minute of the day.  Learning how to never lose your keys came from my observations of the students’ daily behavior and practices.

Organization for my students was a crucial part of their day, not only because of the challenges they faced with their sight and autism, but also because they, like everyone I’ve ever met, wish to avoid being late, getting frustrated, or having their day derailed because of a misplaced key or other necessity.

Here are a few of the lessons I learned that helped me to always find my keys and other items of importance:

• Become a minimalist. My students identified what was essential and got rid of what wasn’t. This reduced the clutter and rewarded them with time, less frustration, and a greater appreciation on what they had. Each of us can take some step today on minimizing our homes and work areas.
• Things of importance need a place of importance. My students put their key in the exact same spot every day, immediately upon entering their room. Now I do the same. One hundred out of a hundred times my keys go into the exact same spot in my desk drawer. The exact same spot in my bag, same pocket in my jacket,  and then back in the desk. Repeat after me, “Every thing has its place, every place has its thing.”
• Two is one, and one is none. My students had a backup copy of their key stashed away in case of an emergency. They never needed it, but just in case they dropped one on a trip and couldn’t find it, they had a built-in solution. Nice.
• Take responsibility. If something came up missing my students knew it was their responsibility. They never wasted time blaming someone else. Find it or move forward.
• Practice. The only way you will master organization is through practice. So, find out what is essential, assign it a place, make a copy if you can, take responsibility for what is yours, and practice until perfect.

I’m not going to pretend I never misplace an item, but on that extremely rare occasion that I might, I will remember the tips I learned from my friends from Perkins outlined above.

Kelly Croy is a chalk artist and professional speaker. His presentations have entertained and amazed audiences across the nation including corporations, schools, churches, conferences, and wherever people come together to be entertained and improve their lives. Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.

Please visit Kelly’s website to book him  for your next event. www.kellycroy.com info@kellycroy.com 1-800-831-4825

Trying vs. Training: How to Win at Anything!

Trying vs. Training: Or How to Win at Anything!

I often don’t know what to say when someone tells me they’ve quit. It’s one of those rare moments when I’m speechless.

I grew up in a house where you either succeeded, or you weren’t finished yet.  There was no happy middle ground.  Homework was either completed or I was working on it.  The option of not completing it never entered my mind.

Sports further emphasized this point.  I could not imagine going to my coach and telling him, “Well, I tried, but I just couldn’t get the job done. I’m gonna stop now. No more for me, thank you. I’ve had my share. Sorry it didn’t work out.”

Nope. No way! I’d never say that! I’d rather walk into a bear’s den beating a pot with a metal spoon with a raw piece of meat tied around my neck than do that.  It’s just not happening.

So now in life I feel similarly.  I am either achieving what I set out to do, or I am not finished. It’s that simple. I think it can be best summed up in the idea of trying vs. training.

Trying sounds okay when you first say.  “Sure, I’ll give it a try.”  It’s innocent.  You’ll do your best.  The problem with trying though is that it leaves that other option out in the open. The other option being you can walk away if it doesn’t work out.

Training on the other hand takes that other option right off the table. Training is an entirely different matter.  For starters, there is a plan.  You know what you are going to do to make it happen.  No wild swings.  No shooting from the hip.  When you train you measure your progress, make sure you’re on track, and you use every resource you can to achieve success.  When you train you discipline yourself and follow a set of rules or guidelines.

See the difference? Training and trying are not the same.  Trying is a half-hearted effort.  Training is focused on a result.  Those who try sometimes get lucky and make it.  Those who train make it every time.  It might take awhile, but they will get there.

Imagine you are given the amazing opportunity to win a million dollars during an NBA halftime show by shooting three foul shots.  Make three in a row and you win a million dollars. The contest will be televised live in three weeks. Would you try to make the shots or would you train to make the shots?  I’d train! You’d find me out on the playground basketball court late at night, even if it was raining, practicing those shots. I’d read books about the psychology of the performing under pressure. I’d watch video. I’d consult coaches. And let me tell you this… I’d win.

Our journey in life is no different.  Do you have a plan? An accountability partner? Are you focused? Do you miss practices? Are you disciplining yourself?

You do know you’re playing for more than a million dollars, right?

So, how do you win a million dollars shooting a basketball free throw?

Simple. You train.

~Kelly

Kelly is an inspirational speaker, author, and artist. Please visit his website to book Kelly for your next event. www.kellycroy.com info@kellycroy.com 1-800-831-4825

Kelly Croy is a chalk artist and professional speaker. His presentations have entertained and amazed audiences across the nation including corporations, schools, churches, conferences, and wherever people come together to be entertained and improve their lives. Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.

The Eight Actions to Take When Faced With a Challenge

Eight actions to take when you are faced with a challenge:

1) Remain confident. Your confidence will serve you well and get you through hard times. You can’t panic or worry. That’s not what leaders do. If you are starting to feel that way it’s time for you to review your assets and visualize a successful outcome. If at all possible find something good about what happened and make solving it admirable and if at all possible, fun.

2) Don’t worry about embarrassment nor take it personally. Time will wear those concerns away, and success will do the same even more quickly. Your energy should be spend on solutions. Worry robs us of our creativity and vitality.

3) Focus on and accept the problem. Don’t look for someone to pin this on nor pretend it’s not actually happening. Leaders aren’t looking for problems, but when one pops up they should be the first to identify and address them. Remember, you’re not really a leader unless you are facing a problem. The rest of the time you are just a person with a title. Greek and Roman myths teach us much and one point is clear: the bigger the problem the greater the hero.

4) Rally the Team. Yes, you are the leader, but you don’t face challenges alone. (Would you accept all of the credit of a success?) Now is the time for you to call your advisors forward and get help from your team and network. You are surrounded by people that can help and want to help. You need to delegate responsibilities and keep everyone focused. You don’t have to be a complete original. Get your team figuring out who has successfully dealt with this problem and see if it may will work for you. Bring them on board as a consultant. Leaders maximize the utilization of all of the resources they have in confronting a challenge.

5) Formulate and communicate the plan. In times of crisis it is best to figure out who needs to know what is going on and inform them. That list must include those that will be impacted negatively despite how uncomfortable it may feel. Be flexible. In times of challenges and crisis you must keep the lines of communication open and be willing to try multiple tactics or new approaches.

6) Take action! Hoping the problem goes away is meaningless. Get involved and get after it. Make certain that you, the leader, are involved in the work, especially some of the unpopular jobs. Doing so will

7) Evaluate your outcomes. What is working? Should you try something else? Are your resources and team being utilized effectively? What do we need to start doing, keep doing, and stop doing?

8.) Repeat steps 1-7.

Kelly Croy is a chalk artist and professional speaker. His presentations have entertained and amazed audiences across the nation including corporations, schools, churches, conferences, and anywhere people come together to be entertained and inspired. Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.

Please visit www.kellycroy.com to book Kelly for your next event, or contact him via email at info@kellycroy.com or by telephone at 1-800-831-4825.

Are Leaders Made or Born? I Have the Answer.

The mural in my high school weight room read “Champions are Made not Born.”  Is the same true of leaders?

Last weekend a friend of mine asserted the notion to me that leaders are born with that something special that makes them so. He really is a leader, so I gave the matter some thought.

The answer came easily. He was right! Leaders are born.

Yep. It’s that simple. Leaders really are born with that special something that enables them to influence others and accomplish something for the greater good. There is no question about it.

But here’s the catch…

Without question, each and every one of us are born to lead.  Yep, every one of us is born with that special something to lead others.  One hundred out of every hundred have it.  The problem is that 99 out of every hundred don’t know how to awaken it, summon it, or call it to action.  That special something lies dormant and undiscovered.

There are times when situations arouse that leader within.  The eighteen year old marine in Afghanistan that 9 months earlier wouldn’t raise his hand in math class becomes a leader under the pressure and circumstances of war.  The high school football player that didn’t talk once during the season, steps forward at his award’s banquet to inspire underclassman to avoid temptations of alcohol and drugs.

More often than not, men and women will not be confronted with the circumstances that activate their internal leader, but when and if they do, training and experience become of the utmost significance.  Couldn’t a leader become even a better leader through experience, training, role models, influence, and practice? Absolutely.

The books we read, the people we meet and the challenges we take on matter.  Leadership is not reserved for just those holding political office or dominating the boardrooms of corporations. Leaders are those brave enough to raise a family, teach a class, volunteer for community service, coach a sports team, start a carpool, petition for a better community, write a letter to the editor, and more.  The call to lead resonates in everyone brave enough to answer it, and strive to make our world better.

I have taught and coached for over twenty years and I have heard a common request by parents, teachers, and coaches alike; we need more leaders.  They recognize the realization that leadership not only makes a difference in our homes, schools, and communities, it is the difference. Unfortunately each believes the other is doing what is necessary to help forge our future leaders.

Leadership is a resource that cannot be taken for granted, and it certainly won’t be solved by a population boom.

Each of us needs to take real measures to insure that those we can influence, are being influenced. Do not rely on others to make certain leadership is at the forefront of our schools, athletics, politics, and families. Become involved. Support leadership programs that challenge our youth. Make books and other quality resources on leadership readily available to those within your industry and home. And most importantly serve as a positive role model for leadership toward others and discuss what qualities you believe make a strong leader and how they can be obtained.

For my part, I will continue to write and speak about leadership to anyone that will read or listen.  I am convinced of its worth and its ability to make a difference. This summer I will host my second annual youth leadership conference. I need your help. I need speakers, funding, a venue, attendees, and for the word to spread.  My dream is always to fill a room and to inspire those who enter. We may never know what impact we will have, but we will certainly know what impact we will have if we do nothing.

Please visit www.ohioleadership.com and take a look around, and contact me about how you would like to help.

Kelly is an inspirational speaker, author, and artist. Please visit our website to book Kelly for your next event. www.kellycroy.com info@kellycroy.com 1-800-831-4825

Kelly Croy is a chalk artist and professional speaker. His presentations have entertained and amazed audiences across the nation including corporations, schools, churches, conferences, and numerous other venues where people come together to be entertained and improve their lives. Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.

 

 

Why You Should Have Lunch With TED Each Tuesday.

Lunches are an important part of the day. It’s like halftime for your mind and body; it’s a chance to reboot, relax, catch-up, enjoy the company of friends and more.

Many people use it as a time to take care of some personal business; they make a couple of phone calls or perhaps a trip to the post office. Others choose to relax, have some fun, maybe order out, and share a few laughs with their colleagues. Then there are those who schedule ‘power lunches’ as an opportunity to hold an important meeting,  meet influential business contacts, or plow through some priority work.

How do you spend your lunch? With whom do you spend it? Allow me to offer an alternative.

I challenge you to have lunch with TED each Tuesday of this year. No, not Ted, the guy down the hall, but TED, an incredible online collection of some of the greatest ideas and presentations on the planet. And it will only take a few minutes. TED is a nonprofit that is devoted to spreading good ideas. That’s it. All they want to do is spread good ideas.  TED.com makes the outstanding TED talks and their partners available for free and encourages you to share them whether it’s attaching one to your status update or using one to open a meeting. TED talks are awesome! There are currently over 700 TED talks available and they are adding more all the time. The best part, each one is purposely economized to be short, powerful, and to the point.  Perfect for your lunch. You don’t need to stare with full attention at the screen nor hang on to every syllable; you can still do some of your other tasks and enjoy a Ted talk. It’s easy.

What will you lose? Nothing.

What will you gain? Much.

You’ll probably find yourself becoming more productive. You’ll learn much about how to give a great presentation.  You will think. You will learn.

Imagine having lunch each week with some great thinker.  That’s what you will be doing!

Willing to check it out?  Here’s how I’m going about it.  Every Tuesday I’ll pack my lunch and fire up TED.com on my computer.  I’ll eat my lunch with some great thinker from a different part of the world. Join me. We will be entertained. We will be challenged. Each Tuesday I’ll update my Facebook and Twitter Sstatus to share the the link of my Tuesday Lunch with TED. Maybe you can do the same.

Ideas change lives, and they change the world.

~Kelly

Kelly is an inspirational speaker, author, and artist. Please visit our website to book Kelly for your next event. www.kellycroy.com info@kellycroy.com 1-800-831-4825

Kelly Croy is a chalk artist and professional speaker. His presentations have entertained and amazed audiences across the nation including corporations, schools, churches, conferences, and numerous other venues where people come together to be entertained and improve their lives. Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.

The Dream

I just wanted to offer a ‘BIG’ thanks to everyone for helping me chase my dream. I appreciate your support and encouragement. I had some big breaks in 2010 thanks to YOU spreading the word. Little things like forwarding emails, leaving comments on blogs and status updates, signing-up for newsletters, and just being great friends, opened the door to some incredible opportunities for me.

I love speaking and sharing my art. I traveled to more states and performed to more audiences than ever before. Thousands heard my message and were inspired by some chalk smeared on canvas. What a year!

Some big possibilities are in the works for 2011 too, including the possibility of working with a major speaker’s bureau. With prayer, hard work, and your continued encouragement I may just see that leap I so passionately seek.

Regardless of what happens, I will chase my dream.

You are awesome!

Now, I really am chasing my dream. I have to ask, are you chasing yours?

I not only want 2011 to an incredible year for you, I want each and every day to be one of joy and satisfaction.  Two of the best ways I have found to make that happen are:

1) Take some action each day toward your dream. Write a few words of that novel. Run a mile of that future marathon. Order the paints that will one day become the masterpiece. Something.

2) Help someone else toward their dream. Perhaps it’s hard to believe, perhaps not, but encouraging others toward success brings incredible joy and satisfaction to our lives. I love to see my children, students, and friends succeed in life, and if I have played some small part in it, then it’s like I gain hours or days onto my own life.  Truly exhilarating.  Go ahead, send an email, text, or card of encouragement. Or go bigger and order them the paint, babysit their child for an hour, or anything you can to help someone toward their dream.

Before each performance I ask God to grant me the opportunity to inspire a life.  Thank you for inspiring me.

~Kelly

Kelly is an inspirational speaker, author, and artist. Please visit our website to book Kelly for your next event. www.kellycroy.cominfo@kellycroy.com 1-800-831-4825

Kelly Croy is a chalk artist and professional speaker. His presentations have entertained and amazed audiences across the nation including corporations, schools, churches, conferences, and numerous other venues where people come together to be entertained and improve their lives. Please consider booking Kelly for your next event.