Category: Motivation

Calvin Coolidge

On By scottpetersenIn Calvin Coolidge, MotivationLeave a comment

Calvin Coolidge – known as “Silent Cal” – was known for his brevity — and his wisdom.    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calvin_Coolidge  Coolidge helped restore respect and confidence to the White House after the dreadful scandals of his predecessor, Warren Harding.

For years, I have had a saying of Calvin Coolidge stapled, pinned or taped (once glued) to the wall of my office.  Each day when I arrive, I sit down, turn on the computer and my eyes drift to this saying I have (now pinned) — to the left of my computer screen.   The saying of Calvin Coolidge – that serves as a constant reminder (and kick in the caboose) – goes as follows:

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.  Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.  Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.  Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.  Persistence and determination are omnipotent.  The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.” 

How high can you jump?

On By scottpetersenIn Fosbury flop, MotivationLeave a comment

I have the aerodynamics of a sofa.  “How high can you jump?” never resonated with me since the answer was never one I wished to share (“I can barely get off the ground“). 

In the 1900 Olympics, no high jumper could hope to succeed unless he did the scissors kick to launch himself over the high bar.  It was thought no one would ever jump higher – that is until 1920 when the track and field world was stunned by a high jumper who dove over the bar.  This added nearly two feet to the world’s record.  It was thought that no one would ever jump higher – that is until 1968 when a young man from Oregon revolutionized high jumping at the Mexico City Olympics by going over the bar backwards!  Today, as a high jumper if you cannot master the “Fosbury flop,”  you may as well take your gym bag and go home.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_jump 

So how high can you jump?  What do you do to challenge yourself?  Improve yourself?  Motivate yourself – and others?  What goals do you set?  And reach?  I like to think that the sky is the limit.  W.N. Murray who was on the Scottish Himalayan Expedition said “Whatever you can do or dream you can. . . begin it.  Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”