Becoming Interesting

“Only 3 percent of college graduates have written goals and plans. 13 percent had goals, but not in writing. Fully 84 percent had no specific goals at all.”

Mark McCormick, author

Why we ignore New Year’s Resolutions and goal setting I am not sure.

We live in a world where most can validate their own excuses for not making them on a daily basis. Whether it is taking time to set them, remembering previous failures in accomplish them, or not having a plan for accountability - we live in a world where each day people become less interesting…

Most people focus on one, two and possibly three areas of their lives on a daily basis. Most often it is one’s career or family responsibilities that consumes our 176 hours each week. We live in a world where we have come to believe that ‘being busy’ is a mantra of success and importance.

The question should be, “our we busy with the right things?”

“Becoming interesting” means that at the end of the day, week, month or year we look back and realize that we are on the path in life that we want to be on. We take care of ourselves – our health and our mental outlook on life. We pursue hobbies, ambitions and dreams of our choice. We invest purposeful time with our family and friends. We love life in a different way.

Have you considered becoming interesting this year?

Why 5th and 6th grade students? Why me?

I am often asked why I have been so committed to working with students in the area of leadership and community service at such an early age for the past 20 years.

·      Not all students want to be involved in sports, music and the traditional extra curriculas offered them. Leadership development and coaching can is a viable option.

·      Leadership can be taught and practiced. Coaching opens the doors for students seeking more purpose and ‘other centered’ vision for their lives.

·      Younger elementary student populations benefit from proactive leadership models of the older students within the student body.

·      There are numerous leadership and service learning college scholarships and internships that students can begin preparing for just as they do in sports, music and academics.

·      Many students come from families who embrace leadership as a family value – yet opportunities are sometimes rare for students to be challenged in this area.

·      Schools and communities benefit from students being introduced at an early age of community service and organizing and leading their peers to make a difference with their time, talents and most of all energy!

How can you help change this?

On being an entrepreneur!

The last few months of reflection has been great in being reminded of some of my favorite presentations over the past decades. As I begin seeking venues for 2018 I am reminded of 4 goals of being an entrepreneur.

·       Take risks.

·       Create an excellent product.

·       Reconnect with those who can help.

·       Dream big!

Mike's Outrageous Bucket List

Outrageous things that I never expected to make my bucket list ... so I added them afterwards.

·      In the wee hours of the morning I scaled the Pyramid at Giza.

·      My dugout canoe cap sided in the Amazon river - with the pink dolphins and piranhas.

·      They stole the 400 square foot house we built in Tijuana.

·      I survived a 100-mile bike ride. Twice.

·      I drove a big yellow school bus from coast to coast.

·      Sherri and I sat for an hour in the West Wing of the White House awaiting President Bill Clinton.

·      We dressed our grandchildren when they were young in togas at the Coliseum in Rome.

·      We took an 8’ paper-macho Piggy Bank across America to benefit St. Jude’s Children's Hospital.

·      Organized a protest march in New York City about a water fountain.

·      Gave up my marathon career crossing Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans.

·      For 3 years taught: Ten Balloons: Principles of Leadership, Life and Love with military and civilian leadership teams at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

My purpose in writing Ten Balloons was to challenge “busy people” to live a more fun, adventurous, and unique life. The hope is to help people live their life with ‘no regrets’ - and in each season of life to take some time to see if their daily, weekly and monthly activities match their hopes and dreams in living the life they want.

I am looking for venues.

I am looking for venues.

Consider hosting a “New Year’s Party” in January for your staff, leadership team or organization to get a jump start on your New Year’s Resolutions, goal setting or whatever you call it. Ten Balloons is focused on building healthy individuals who then make healthier teams.

Contact me to brainstorm ideas for your organization.

Leadership Grant available for 5th and 6th grade students

Intentional Leadership Match Grant

The Intentional Leadership Match Grant advances leadership and community service through educating, equipping and empowering 5th and 6th grade elementary school students. To that end, we are accepting applications from schools, churches and nonprofit organizations in the Dayton/Miami Valley area.

10 grants will be awarded to organizations desiring to exemplify the collective voice of their organization to meet needs within their organization and community. Ongoing groups as well as newly forming groups are eligible.

The one-day training event is designed to help students gain a strong foundation of leadership at an early age. The instruction focuses on vision and mission statements, community service, and increasing personal communication and leadership skills. 

To be eligible, organizations must secure at least 50 percent in matching funding, enroll 20-30 students for the training, provide 2 adult leaders and an adequate training space. The day’s objectives will include the planning of a new service oriented project to be implemented within 30 days. Trainings must be complete by March 15, 2018.

Contact Mike at mike@tenballoons.com for additional information and to begin a conversation about scheduling a leadership conference for your organization.