No Guts No Glory

Insisting that the company must switch to organic cotton after learning of all the toxic chemicals used in regular cotton, Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, went a year without making a profit on the organic cotton products.  Eventually, the changeover has been profitable and growing steadily at a conservative rate.  But more importantly, it was the right thing to do, a concept that corporations don't get according to Chouinard.  "Corp. are weenies," he says.  "They are scared to death of everything.  My company exists to take those risks and prove that it's a good business."

Making decisions the "Ride" way

"It's important to be decisive when decisions are required but to deliberate appropriately while making those decisions."  Astronaut Sally Ride

A funny story concerning customer service with Reggie Jackson

During a plane trip flying on a commercial airline:

"I was listening to some music when a beautiful lady sitting behind me leans forward and says how much she likes the music.  I invite her to sit in the empty seat next to me.  The stewardess comes up and says the lady is not allowed to sit there and has to return to her seat.  I ask her why, and she starts to sound off and we start an argument.  She doesn't talk nice to me, so I said, "Look, honey, if you want to get shitty, fine, but there's no way in the world you can be shittier than I can be.  She says if I don't shut up, she's going to talk to the captain.  I tell her to talk to the captain.  She goes and talks to the captain.  She comes back and tells me that if she has to tell the captain about me again, he's going to come back and talk to me.

I ask her, " What's he going to talk about, baseball, beautiful ladies, or lousy stewardesses?  What's he going to do, pull up to a cloud and park and tell me to get off?  She storms off.  Maybe she had a bad day and was taking it out on her passengers.  She is human too, and I'm not going to report her for being a b___ch.  If she reports me to Finley (A's owner), fine.  I will not back down and apologize when I am in the right.  I am waiting to see if that shitty stewardess wants to talk about it some more.  I am ready and raring to go." :-))

Even a product catalog has to "work hard" :-)

From Multi Channel Merchant describing what it takes for a catalog to be effective:
"Every photograph must work hard to maintain the catalog's goal"
"Work hard to get people to spend more time in those "not so hot" pages."
Hard working catalog

Tom Cable explaining what Russell needs to do to become the QB again...

In plain terms, Cable explained JaMarcus Russell is a "classy kid" but is not meeting the standard of mental and physical preparation for an NFL quarterback.
"He has to learn how to take care of business on a daily basis consistently and prepare himself and take care of his development as a quarterback," Cable said. "We'd be here forever to discuss all those things. There's a lot of them, but all the great ones have that, and you want to impress upon him to become that."

Motivation at its best

From Reggies autobiography: 
His reply to the Dodgers claiming they are the best team in baseball:  "Bullshit"
His prediction prior to the start of the 1974 World Series against the Dodgers:  "I think we will drub them because we are sick and tired of hearing about how they have become the best."
Describing the Dodgers pitcher Mike Marshall:  "He is so sure of himself he makes more of himself than there is.  I wasn't impressed by his stuff."

Two losses in a row--Never

After the Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team lost a game, Tanya Haave, coach of the USF Lady Dons basketball team describing what it could be like playing against Pat Summit's Lady Vols team next: 
“You don’t want to play them after they lose. She (Pat Summit) knows exactly what to do after a loss and she hates to lose with a passion.”  Final score:  Tennessee 89, USF 34

Doing a lot of "nothing"

"Busy. Busy. Busy.  Lots of activity, but accomplishing nothing.  Do not mistake activity for achievement.  I value enthusiasm and prize initiative.  Both, however, must be directed to a productive end:  Accomplish something!"  John Wooden

Multi-tasking at its best...

"When I'm on the sidelines during a game, I'm thinking about a million different things.  I'm having conversations with the offensive coordinator in the press box and other coaches, I'm talking to the quarterback.  I've got plays to call, options to consider, adjustments to make.  If I'm closing my eyes or twisting my face, it's because I'm thinking, I'm concentrating--or I'm just pissed."  Jon Gruden (former head coach for the Raiders and Buccaneers)

From Reggie Jackson:

On growing up and doing chores:  "If you've got something to do, do it.  Don't make excuses why you can't do it.  And do it right."
While still playing baseball:  "I'm never satisfied.  The day I'm satisfied is the day I retire."
On becoming a better hitter and describing the pitcher who's pitching against him:  "I learn all I can about pitchers.  I know what everyone has and what he does.  I don't write it down in a book.  I keep it in my head."

Work hard or get out!

In explaining why he dismissed three assistant coaches and two trainers while with the USBL's Florida Sharks, "If a guy isn't willing to work his butt off, I just despise him.":-)  Coach Eric Musselman, basketball coach

Talking about high standards....

"Being an American in Europe, you can't just be as good as another player.  You have to be better."  Clint Dempsey (American soccer player playing in Europe for Fulham)

Continuous Improvement

"If you can measure it, you can improve it."  Jim Caldwell (Indianapolis Colts coach)

One sentence that made literacy possible in many 3rd world countries...

During his trekking expedition in Nepal, John Wood visited a local village library that had essentially no books, except a handful that was locked in a case.  Before leaving the library, the headmaster asked, "Perhaps, sir, you will someday come back with books."  The rest as they say is "history."  See for yourself.  Room to Read

Coaching Carousel with 1 common denominator

Brian Kelly goes to Notre Dame from Cincinnati.  Prior to Cincinnati he was at Central Michigan.
Butch Jones who replaced Kelly at Central Michigan goes to Cincinnati.

According to David Heeke, Central Michigan's AD, “I take it as a compliment when people want to talk to your coach,” Heeke said two weeks ago. “It’s been well documented that if you can have success in this league—as Butch (and Kelly) has—you’re a good football coach because you have to do a lot with a little.”

Just started reading a classic: Reggie: A Season with a Superstar by Bill Libby

Very first sentence of the book:  "My name is Reggie Jackson and I am the best in baseball.  This may sound conceited, but I want to be honest about how I feel."   :-))

Reggie countering a claim in a Time magazine article describing his talent:  "The story made it seem easy for me to be what I am.  Well, it never has been easy and it never will be.  I've worked like hell to be able to do more, to learn to use what I have."

Good way to make decisions...

"Make decisions as though you own the company."  Julie Bick

Unlike a job interview....

"If you're accomplished, people will talk about it for you.  You don't have to point it out.  I'm not judging anyone.  That's just the way I am."  Derek Jeter (in a competitive field, Major League Baseball)

SI describing Urban Meyer (Florida's football coach)

The Florida coach is alternately a hard-ass and a softy, cocky and calculating, smug and sentimental.  But there's no inconsistency in his football program, which is, as usual, on track for a national title.

Billy Beane (Oakland's GM) on Derek Jeter (Yankees shortstop)

"You know, maybe because of Jeter, the Yankees know how to win.  It's not an act."

Shopaholic, not!

"I get a few key pieces each season and wear them a lot."  Anna Wintour (editor of Vogue)

On a different note:  While walking down an aisle in Macy's during Fashion Nights out, Wintour wants to know "Can we...enhance?"  "Sisal rugs?  Some baskets of hydrangeas?  Something to soften the light?"  "Yes", Wintour says, "Some...enhancements would be good."

Luluheads???

Most Luluheads believe the clothing is superior in every way to what else is out there :  longer-lasting, more comfortable, and yes, most flattering.  Tight yoga pants are a nice way of letting people know that you're spiritual and healthy, can pay $20 a class for yoga, and are very flexible.  (article from New York magazine)

Thinking Positively

"I don't hear,"You can't do that." To be able to hear that, you have to believe that you're not capable."  Actress Cameron Diaz

Super Sport Critic Jim Rohm on Tiger Woods

"Here's a guy who won the Masters with a broken leg, and yet won't show up to his own tournament because of injuries sustain in his car accident.  Injuries that included a clawed face.  YEAH, RIGHT."  :-)

Seen on a few bumper stickers:

"Don't worry what people think.  They don't do it very often."
"Why is it that incompetent people are always judging other people?"  To get ahead!
"I owe, I owe, I owe.  So off to work I go!"
"If you are paying attention to your driving, you would not be reading this bumper sticker."

Form your own opinion

"When it comes to assessing people, don't always believe what you hear ---form your own opinion."   Carolyn Kepcher (A former judge on the show, The Apprentice, and an executive for one of Donald Trump's company)

True Friendship

"It is the friends you can call up at 4:00 am that matter."  Marlene Dietrich

The Power of a sincere SMILE :-)

"We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do."  Mother Teresa

Execution is everything

Joe Bugel, the famed Washington Redskins offensive line coach, is fond of saying that a good offense could tell the defense what's coming on every play and still be able to execute. That's what the game is about, EXECUTION.

Excerpt from Jack Canfield...

"On the 1st day of school, I walked into the teachers lounge before school started.  One of the older teachers approached me and said, "I see you have Devon James in your class.  He is a real terror.  Good luck!"
You can imagine what happened when I walked into class and saw Devon James.  I was examining his every move.  I was waiting for him to show signs of the terror he was promised to be.  Devon didn't have a chance.  He was already typecast.  I already had an image of him before he ever opened his mouth."
I learned never to let another teacher--or anyone, for that matter--tell me what someone else was going to be like before I met the person.

Offered any help lately?

"You don't get credit for asking if you can help by doing something---you get credit for doing it."  anonymous

Who says style isn't important?

"Fashion fades; style is eternal."  Yves Saint Laurent

Trivia Question:

A survey from a leading magazine indicates that out of everything a woman faces in life, the ninth most commonly cited problem which is the top fashion issue for a woman when shopping for clothes is:

1)  It takes too long to find a blouse that fits properly or,
2)  I have trouble finding a pants that fit or,
3)  I wish I could find a dress with the proper length.

Which answer do you think is correct?

By Ralph Waldo Emerson

Finish every day and be done with it.  You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities crept in--forget them as soon as you can.  Tomorrow is a new day.  You shall begin it well and serenely, and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.