“Arnie’s Tournament” was last weekend and I came across this email I had sent a few years back when he passed away…

Arnold Palmer passed away on Sunday.

If you don’t know, he was a famous golfer and golf person in general.

Being a golf fan I have heard quite a few Arnold Palmer stories and with his passing they are being told again and again.

But in the interest of trying to help all of our attitudes and our chances of success at life, I noticed something that maybe we can all learn from (since we are unlikely to become professional golfers any time soon).

If you consistently make an effort to make the day of those around you, you will make the world a better place.

Arnold Palmer consistently took time to talk with someone or take a quick picture or sign a quick autograph.

He had a smile or a laugh to share with everyone.

And it made a difference. Everyone from the most famous golfers to the janitor have a story about how Arnold positively impacted them.

Maybe you don’t have quite the reach that Arnold had.

Maybe you don’t have as much money as he had.

But you can make an impact, one person at a time, just like he did.

Smile.

Talk to people.

Try to make their day.

Work to make the world a better place each day simply by interacting positively with those around you.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Most people have the will to win, few have the will to prepare to win. – Bobby Knight

I’ve been listening to a few of the interviews on Impact Theory (https://impacttheory.com/).

A consistent theme on the show is the willingness to do the hard work to succeed.

Reading through the lines a little I think most of the interviewees are actually talking about what Bobby Knight is talking about above – preparation and practice.

Consistently the interviewees talk about how they practiced and practiced something until it was second nature. How they mentally pictured and ran through a scenario over and over until they had it down cold.

What do you want to get better at?

What could use a little practice?

Be willing to invest in practice and preparation, it will make a difference.

Make it a great day.

Jake

First day of spring today. It reminded me of one of my favorite Jim Rohn thoughts about the seasons of life.

Listen to Jim Rohn’s wisdom here:

https://youtu.be/omPG2tMWDoQ

Jim implores us to take advantage of the spring.

Don’t be lazy or distracted.

Massively increase your efforts.

Do the work.

Don’t miss the opportunity to invest in your future.

Make it a great day.

Jake

“If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?” – John Wooden

One of the greatest lies we can tell ourselves is that we don’t have time to do what we want.

We can convince ourselves that since we don’t have time, less than 100% effort is ok.

We can explain away not having time to exercise, spend time with our families, etc.

But this quote is a reminder that if we don’t make time for the important stuff now, when will we have time to do it over?

The answer is that we won’t.

And some areas of life don’t get a chance for a do-over.

When it comes to our important relationships (as an example), we only have the time we have. We can’t make more time later.

What do you need to make time for today?

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/PEAIJV6CmtA

This is an Irish tune that gets played a lot at our house.

Each time I hear it I am reminded of just how lucky I am (and believe all of us to be).

For some reason that I can’t completely fathom, God is working this wonderful plan for the world that He wants us to be a part of.

He has a special place in that plan for each and every one of us.

He wants us all to be a part of this wonderful dance. To lean into it and live it to our fullest.

St. Patrick’s Day not only celebrates Ireland and Irish culture, it also celebrates St. Patrick himself and the work he did to share God’s love.

Make it a great day.

Jake

After yesterday’s daily attitude email Meaghan reminded me of another part of the Irish-American story.

St. Patrick’s Day is a reminder that most of us were at one time immigrants.

Our ancestors travelled to a new place to start a new adventure.

The Irish came to America looking for a better future.

And for the most part, they found it.

It isn’t perfect, and there were some bumps along the road, but it worked out pretty good.

We have a lot to be thankful for, whether we are Irish or not.

Make it a great day.

Jake

Oddly enough, St. Patrick’s Day is a reminder of why America is pretty cool.

In America on St. Patrick’s Day, everyone can be Irish.

We can celebrate the culture of another country in a (mostly) positive way without fear.

We can all be Irish for the day and smile and laugh as one.

Despite our politics and differences we can get along.

I’m not naïve enough to think that all of us get into this spirit on St. Patrick’s Day (or any other holiday for that matter).

But I am almost always surprised by how much of a difference it makes.

Embrace your inner Irishman (or lass) this week.

Make it a great day.

Jake

May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I went in search of Irish quotes and proverbs.

This one in particular struck at the heart of what I believe to be one of the most endearing of the Irish idiosyncrasies, hospitality.

The Irish are well known for their hospitality and welcoming nature.

I have come to think this is part of what leads to their general cheeriness. Life is best lived through service and hospitality towards others.

When we put others first our best shines through.

Make it a great day filled with happy hospitality.

Jake

Here are some of the other great Irish sayings I found:

It’s easier to halve the potato when there’s love.

May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks. May your heart be as light as a song. May each day bring you bright, happy hours that stay with you all the year long.

Lose an hour in the morning and you’ll be looking for it all day.

If you buy what you don’t need you might have to sell what you do.

Better good manners than good looks.

You’ll never plough a field by turning it over in your mind.

Pity him who makes an opinion a certainty.

Nothing surely is as potent as a law that may not be disobeyed. It has the force of the water drop that hollows the stone. A small dainty task, if it be really daily, will beat the labours of a spasmodic Hercules. – Anthony Trollope

Small, simple disciplines, repeated every day.

Like the consistent drip of water against stone.

The force is undeniable and unstoppable.

And we have in our power the ability to create these small habits and disciplines in our life.

Grab the opportunity to use this power in your life.

Make it a great day.

Jake

https://youtu.be/EErSKhC0CZs

You make my dreams come true…

This one came on the radio and I was reminded of all the people in my life that have made my dreams come true.

Send a note or call someone in your life that has helped make your dreams come true.

Make it a great day.

Jake