An Entourage of Encourage

"Surround yourself with encouragers. Sometimes you need another positive perspective to recognize the limits you place on yourself." -- Lou Holtz

Recently I had breakfast with a friend who thrived at State Farm, then dabbled briefly in pharmaceutical sales and won a major award as a new rep. In addition to running distance races, leading her daughter's Brownie troop and volunteering at a hospital, she plays a major role in Leadership McLean County and is a devoted mother, wife and child. She's had many hardships but to talk with her, wouldn't be able to tell from her personality that she'd been victimized by anything. These are the types of people that I've said are "the type of infection that deserve no cure."

A Fountain of Youth

"If you want to prolong your life, spend less time popping vitamin capsules and reading health magazines and more time living. Dreamers positively seethe with youthful excitement no matter what their age. I've see eighty-year-olds with teenage eyes sparkling with hope and expectation. Dreams make the best chauffeurs." -- Lou Holtz

Who Am I?

"I am not what I want to be, I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I am going to be, but thank God I am not who I used to be." -- Lou Holtz

Here's Who Can Solve Your Problem

"If you have a problem, it's your problem. Solve it. Don't blame other people. Don't burden people with your complaints. Ninety percent of the people you meet don't care about your troubles. The other 10 percent are glad you have them." -- Lou Holtz

Celebrate Without Whine

"When a difficult task comes your way, accept the challenge joyfully. Every sacrifice you make builds character." -- Lou Holtz

Look Here for Success

"Concentrate on the customer. You can't make many catches if you take your eyes off the ball." -- Lou Holtz

How to Sell

"You don't sell anything. All you are trying to do is help people get what they want. If you help enough people get what they want, you will eventually get what you want." -- Lou Holtz, describing a salesman's philosophy

It's Why Dumbo Was Such a Great Leader

"All you have to do is remember that the Lord gave you two ears and one mouth because he wants you to listen twice as much as you speak." -- Lou Holtz

Anatomy Lesson

"Leaders must know what motivates their people. Some will not do their best until you kick them in the butt; others need continual pats on the back." -- Lou Holtz

So aim carefully!

How to Gain 54,000 Fans

"I made up my mind early on that we were going to create a winning atmosphere. Fan morale was low when I took over the tea. Attendance had declined for years; Minnesota often played its games before a half-filled house. However, only on e year after I joined the Gophers, we sold 54,000 more season tickets -- 11,000 more than had been sold at any time during the school's 103-year history... What made the difference between my experiences with... the Gophers? Attitude... I came to Minnesota determined to win." -- Lou Holtz, "Winning Every Day"

Here's a guy worth studying! We can all be "determined to win." What's unknown is whether we'll win the hearts of more or less than 54,000 new people. It's a matter of finding the right game -- whether choosing a job, a friend, or a pastime.