Tag Archives: take action

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What The Pothole Kid From Muskegon Heights Can Teach Us About Leadership

You're never too young to lead

You may have heard of a young man named Monte Scott. If you haven’t heard of Monte, you may have heard of him referred to by a different name: The Pothole Kid.

Man standing over water-filled pothole

Photo by Marc Oliver Jodoin

His nickname is a strange one. The Pothole Kid? Why would anyone want to be called that name? After hearing Monte’s story, I think you’ll understand. You may even want to carry the moniker as well.

Monte Scott’s Story

Monte is a 12-year old boy who lives in Muskegon Heights, Michigan. He’s your typical young man who goes to school, does his homework, plays with friends, and enjoys his video games.

March 27th was the day that changed everything. Monte’s school, Oakview Elementary School (also my elementary school, woot-woot!), had a half day. At first, everything was normal. He came home from school and began to play video games. Then a thought crossed his mind “I could be doing more. I’ve seen a problem in my city and I want to fix it.”  Read more...

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Start Where You’re At

Starting out can be the most difficult part of your journey. I know it was for me.

There was a lot of procrastination that I needed to conquer. A lot of mental objections needed to be met before I could start.

But I finally learned to start where I was at. And you can start where you’re at as well.

While I’d always enjoyed learning about leadership and being in a leadership position, it was tough to take action and call myself a leader. I rarely felt I had the know-how to call myself that.

Then things started to change. My journey began where I was at.

The journey really started in a strange place to me. In a Family Christian Bookstore.

I don’t know why it seems so strange but it does. I guess that’s how some things pan out.  Read more...

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Do Dumb Things

What’s the worst that could happen? I double-dog dare you. You’re not chicken, are you?

The words that come before we do something stupid.

Ever been there? I think we all have. I know I’ve uttered those words or accepted the challenge given.

Harry and Llyod headed to Aspen (Dumb and Dumber)

Image via Creative Commons

And sometimes they ended with me doing something dumb.

One time I was challenged to swim out to a no-swim buoy in Lake Michigan. Big mistake.

It was dumb and I almost didn’t make it back to shore.

Then there was the time I turned down an assistant manager position. Only to wind up fired from my job.

When these things were happening, it seemed like I was doing dumb things. Not making wise choices.

The swimming incident most likely wasn’t the wisest choice I could have made. It almost cost me my life.  Read more...

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How Procrastination Destroys Young Leaders

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people fail to show up on time. It drives me nuts!

Time is valuable and when people are late, it takes away something I can never get back again.

However, I find myself doing the same thing to myself. Except instead of being late, I procrastinate.

What Is Procrastination?

The definition of procrastination is: Putting off or delaying or deferring an action to a later time.

While I love to take action and get things done, there’s many times where I’ll put off doing a task because I don’t like it or just don’t feel like doing it.

You may find yourself doing the same.

Let me tell you something. Procrastination is killing us!

Forms Of Procrastination

We may not always notice when we’re procrastinating. It’s sneaky that way.  Read more...