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This message is especially dedicated to the great Bo Schembechler and John U. Bacon.

Bo Schembechler was the winningest coach in the history of the nation’s winningest college football team. As coach of the University of Michigan Wolverines, he had a record of 234-65-8, the fifth best tally of all college football coaches in history. John U. Bacon has written for TIME, the New York Times, ESPN The Magazine, and Sports Illustrated, among others, earning national honors for his work. He also teaches at the University of Michigan, gives speeches across the country, and hosts a weekly radio program. Bo Schembechler and John U. Bacon just came out with a book called, Bo’s Lasting Lessons: The Legendary Coach Teaches the Timeless Fundamentals of Leadership.

I met with John U. Bacon a few days ago and asked him what tips he could give my readers. As I was speaking with him, I could tell he was a good guy. I could tell he was intelligent and passionate about what he does. Below is an excerpt from the book…

“Let’s start with first things first: passion. Because without that, nothing else I’m going to tell you in this book is going to be worth a damn. It just won’t do you any good.

Because the fact is, you’re never going to be able to lead others effectively unless you put your whole heart into what you’re doing. If it’s just a job to you, it’s going to be just a job to them. And trust me: You’re not going to fool them.

So you need to find something you really love to do, because otherwise you’re going to hate it. And if you hate your work, you’ll never put in the kind of effort the guys at the top are putting into it. You’ll lose!

Once you figure out what you love to do, don’t worry about the money or the prestige or anything else. Those things won’t make you happy if you hate your job.

For me, it was easy to figure out what I loved-football! The game got me at an early age, so when people talk about all the sacrifices I’m supposed to have made pursuing this crazy life-in time, in money, in status-I have to laugh. They weren’t sacrifices to me. I got to coach! And that’s all I ever wanted to do.”

So whether you are a student, businessman/woman, artist, singer, doctor, lawyer, be passionate about what you do. Or find out what you’re passionate about. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t have much gratitude that I am doing what I love, from teaching tennis, giving seminars, writing in my blog daily and helping people from all walks of life achieve greatness. Thanks for reading.

Thanks Bo and John.

This message is especially dedicated to all the athletes and volunteers at the Special Olympics World Games in Shanghai, China.

Being a volunteer tennis coach for the Special Olympics, it truly excites me that the Special Olympics World Games is going on right now in Shanghai. My only regret is that I’m not there. The theme this year is, “I know I can.” That epitomizes my thoughts from my own experience. I have been working with the Mercer team for many years, helping them prepare for the Summer Games every June. They inspire me on a daily basis and help me believe in myself. They inspire me with dedication, energy, unconditional love, teamwork, fearlessness and joy. They make ME a better person. Do yourself a favor and do some research on the ’07 World Games; volunteer your time; come out to the Summer Games at TCNJ the first weekend in June. Below is an article I found online.

The 80,000-seat Shanghai Stadium was filled to capacity. China’s Yao Ming, who plays basketball for the Houston Rockets, and the U.S. Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, both wildly popular on the international scene, received a boisterous welcome as they walked with athletes during the Parade and spoke to athletes. Yao Ming missed the start of the basketball season to attend the Ceremony. “It’s worth it. Nothing is more important than doing things for Special Olympics,” he said. Schwarzenegger told athletes, “I used to play in movies as the action hero, but that was nothing compared with the real action taking place in this stadium.”

If these amazing athletes can compete with a disability, imagine what YOU’RE capable of?

“Success is not about what you intend to GET, it’s about what you intend to GIVE.” – Ed Tseng

Good luck Special Olympics Athletes!

Homework: Support the Special Olympics any way you can…

This message is especially dedicated to the great Sarah Heyman.

How will you succeed? The answer may be found in a few simple words written by Abe Lincoln: “When I do good I feel good. When I do bad I feel bad. And that’s my religion.” All of us have a voice inside that will speak to us if we let it. Sometimes it’s easy to hear, sometimes we have to turn down the volume of the distracting noise around us so we can listen. That voice tells us if we are on the right track. It lets us know if we give as much as we take, if we welcome the opinions of others, and at least accept diversity even if we are not able to embrace it.

-Christopher Reeve, actor

So realize that there is a voice inside your head, and that voice can hold you back or push you to the next level. Much of what we think about negative, so if we can acknowledge that and immediately think about something positive, we are well on our way to success.

To help you succeed in tennis, watch the video below with Dr. Rob Gilbert, one of the top sports psychology experts and motivational speakers in the world. Thanks for reading.

I’m not here to give you something to eat…I’m here to make you HUNGRY!

This message is dedicated to The Azzaro Family.

EXCELLENCE IN THE ART OF PIZZA

For those of you that don’t know, a tomato pie is basically a pizza, but instead of sauce, they use actual tomatoes. The crust is crispy and they only use a little cheese. It is MY pizza of choice. Papa’s Tomato Pies started in 1912 and is now the 2nd oldest Tomato Pie Restaurant in the United States. Last night I spoke to Donnie Azzaro, owner and expert pizza maker, while enjoying one of their delicious pies. I had a half plain, half meatball pie. It was perfect. With every bite, there was crispy-ness of the crust. I could then taste the sweet acidity of the tomatoes watering in my mouth. After that, the olive oil and then the cheese. With every bite, I had to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. Mmmm…It hit me at so many different levels.

I asked Donnie what has made Papa’s such a success over the past 95 years. He said there really is no secret. “Good food, good price and word of mouth. It really just takes hard work, but also keeping it simple.” Every morning Donnie makes the dough and the sauce. And guess what? Some days he doesn’t FEEL like making the dough and the sauce, but he does it ANYWAY…sound familiar? This expert pizza maker takes action regardless of his feelings.

Papa’s uses the freshest ingredients, but has had to change a bit over the years because they have outlasted some of the supply companies. Talk about longevity. The ingredients and recipe really make Papa’s stand out and allow them to close in on 100 years. I love everything about Papa’s, from the old furniture to all the photos of customers on the walls to the low overhead lighting and the employees that have been around forever. Oh wait, I forgot…the PIZZA! Their tomato pies are amazing! I love the tradition and history of Papa’s. When I asked Donnie for his email so I could send him this link, he said, “I don’t have email.” Talk about old world. I love it.

Donnie says that he could teach ANYONE to become a great pizza maker. You just need to know the strategy.

“Every day is a new day…don’t sweat the small stuff.” – Donnie Azzaro

Homework: Don’t just eat…get HUNGRY…hungry to become great and hungry to learn more!