Do You Have Heart ?

By Jill Koenig
Author, Coach, Motivational Speaker

One common characteristic I have found in every great leader is that in addition to their own acheivement, they are able to inspire others. This trait is often referred to as "Heart." It is hard to describe in words, but easy to recognize when you see it in the real world. When you witness Heart, it usually leaves you with a lump in your throat, a tear in your eye and the desire to be a better person. Here is one example from a story I saw on the news today.

GREECE, N.Y. (Feb. 24) - Jason McElwain had done everything he was asked to do for the Greece Athena High School basketball team - keep the stats, run the clock, hand out water bottles.

That all changed last week for the team manager in the final home game of the season. The 17-year-old senior, who is autistic and usually sits on the bench in a white shirt and black tie, put on a uniform and entered the game with his team way ahead.

McElwain proceeded to hit six 3-point shots, finished with 20 points and was carried off the court on his teammates' shoulders.

"I ended my career on the right note," he told The Associated Press by phone Thursday. "I was really hotter than a pistol!"

In recent days, McElwain's phone has hardly stopped ringing. When his family went out for a meal, he was mobbed by well-wishers. A neighborhood boy came by to get a basketball autographed.

McElwain, 5-foot-6, was considered too small to make the junior varsity, so he signed on as team manager. He took up the same role with the varsity, doing anything to stay near the sport he loves. Coach Jim Johnson was impressed with his dedication, and thought about suiting up McElwain for the home finale.

His performance was jaw-dropping: 20 points in four minutes, making 6-of-10 3-point shots. The crowd went wild.

"It was as touching as any moment I have ever had in sports," Johnson told the Daily Messenger of Canandaigua.

McElwain didn't begin speaking until he was 5. He lacked social skills but things got easier as he got older. He found many friends and made his way through school in this Rochester suburb, although many of his classes were limited to a half-dozen students. And he found basketball.

On the varsity, he never misses practice and is a jack-of-all-trades.

"And he is happy to do it," Johnson said. "He is such a great help and is well-liked by everyone on the team."

Even though McElwain was in uniform for the Feb. 15 game, there was no guarantee he would play - Athena was battling for a division title.

The fans, however, came prepared. One section of students held up signs bearing his nickname "J-MAC" and cutouts of his face placed on Popsicle sticks.

The Trojans opened a large lead against the team from the nearby Spencerport. With four minutes left, McElwain took the court to deafening cheers.

The ball came to him almost right away. His 3-point shot sailed completely off course, and the coach wondered if he made the wrong move. McElwain then missed a layup. Yet his father, David, was unruffled.

"The thing about Jason is he isn't afraid of anything," he told the newspaper. "He doesn't care what people think about him. He is his own person."

On the next trip down the floor, McElwain got the ball again. This time he stroked a 3, all net.

He was just warming up.

"As soon as the first shot went in that's when I started to get going," he said.

On the next attempt, he got another 3-pointer. Then another, and another. In fact, he would have made one more 3, but his foot was on the line, so he had to settle for 2 points.

Greece Athena won 79-43, and pandemonium reigned. McElwain signed autographs, posed for pictures and was hoisted by his teammates.

The Trojans begin sectional play Saturday and McElwain will be on the bench again, wearing his usual shirt and tie.

It doesn't bother him. More important, he said, is "trying to win a sectional title for the team."

McElwain will soon be done with high school basketball, then enroll in business management this fall at Monroe Community College.

"I'll go on to college and I'll try to hoop there," he said. "I just love it, it's one of the greatest sports in the world." -AP

McElwain didn't participate in the Olympics, he doesn't earn millions of dollars in professional sports but he is one of the greatest examples of a hero you'll ever see. What are some areas of your life that you can apply fearless determination and HEART?

Happy Valentine's Day!

By Jill Koenig
Author, Coach, Motivational Speaker

Valentine's Day is a great time to take a moment and express your love and gratitude for the special person in your life.

If you do nothing else today, at least do this one thing for your mate:

Take a few minutes to write a letter that convey's all of the reasons you fell in love with him/her. Remind yourself of all that is good, beautiful and loveable about your mate. Give your mate the letter and focus all of your energy on what you can GIVE to them and how you can express more love, now and in the future.

The Best Thing That Ever Happened...?

By Jill Koenig
Author, Coach, Motivational Speaker

I make a point to study successful people... in every profession. Even though career choices take us in different directions, I have found recurring themes with those who excel and make it to the top in their chosen field of endeavor. On occaision I Watch a tv program called Inside the Actor's Studio on the Bravo Channel. I recently saw an episode with comedian Dave Chappelle.

He said something that struck me when he was talking about a time early in his career while he was doing live stand up. Making people laugh came easy for Dave and when he was in high school he honed his craft working in Comedy Clubs at night. He experienced great success night after night. He did very well until he had his first bad night... and he was literally boo'ed off the stage! In the audience were his Mother and Grandmother. He felt humiliated and embarrassed. Can you imagine being in high school and your dream is to be a comic and you experience a dreadful night that is a complete failure? A comic's WORST FEAR is to be boo'ed off the stage. For most people, this would be the night their comic dream comes to an end. Dave Chappelle said this was the BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO HIM!

He said to fail and be boo'ed off the stage in front of everyone including his own family left him stronger... that after that experience he had become absolutely FEARLESS! He picked himself up and went back on the stage BOLDER and STRONGER that ever! At age 19 he was offered his first development deal, continued to perform stand up, became an actor and has appeared in many Hollywood films. In fact he is now one of the highest paid comedians, with his own TV show, commanding a $ 50 million deal on Comedy Central. Sometimes when the thing you dread the most happens, something incredible is waiting around the corner... but you can never quit, you can never give up.

Leaders have their failures. Leaders have struggles. Leaders have tough times. Leaders learn from their mistakes, adjust their approach, learn how to pick themselves up and get back after their goals.

Think about an area of your life where you have backed down or turned back after an embarrassing failure. What goals and dreams did you once abandon that you would like to rekindle, or rather REIGNITE and pursue? Let yourself feel it again, it's not too late, become FEARLESS and rise above it.