Thursday, August 28, 2014
Picasso Keene
On our way to school today I realized Coach put my windshield wipers on backwards. I said to Cameron in the back seat,"oh Cam, dad tries so hard to be handy, but it's just not his thing." In the most serious look Cameron lets out a big grin and says,"but he sure is handsome!"
P.S. This is Cameron's self portrait. Pretty good, if I say so myself!
Launch Team
Spring 2014, I was honored to be selected to be a part of Jon Gordon's launch team for his new book, The Carpenter. He chose a select few to read a pre-released book and formulate a review. The book was life changing. I am a huge Jon Gordon fan. I own most of his books. I show his video clips in my morning management huddle quite often. I think Jon Gordon is a class act. I also think Jon Gordon proves, just your average normal guy, can create extraordinary results.
Here is a short teaser for the book--
Michael wakes up in the hospital with a bandage on his head and fear in his heart. The stress of building a growing business, with his wife Sarah, caused him to collapse while on a morning jog. When Michael finds out the man who saved his life is a Carpenter he visits him and quickly learns that he is more than just a Carpenter; he is also a builder of lives, careers, people, and teams.
As the Carpenter shares his wisdom, Michael attempts to save his business in the face of adversity, rejection, fear, and failure. Along the way he learns that there's no such thing as an overnight success but there are timeless principles to help you stand out, excel, and make an impact on people and the world.
Drawing upon his work with countless leaders, sales people, professional and college sports teams, non-profit organizations and schools, Jon Gordon shares an entertaining and enlightening story that will inspire you to build a better life, career, and team with the greatest success strategies of all.
If you are ready to create your masterpiece, read The Carpenter and begin the building process today.
3rd Grade Or Bust
First week of school is in the books. Justice has been pumped! He picked out all ESPN folder and notebooks. Not to mention his new, super cool, ESPN mug. What eight year old drinks hot tea before school and watches Sports Center? Just Justice...
This is the first year no tears were displayed when he pulled out of the driveway. We've came a long way baby. No, really. Do you remember when Justice cried the first six weeks of Kindergarten. Those terrible moments when Mrs. Clark would peel my sobbing five year old off my leg as mascara rolled down my cheeks. UGH--to this day I still get embarrassed when I see Mrs. Clark. Yep, I'm THAT mom. Anyhoo, ten years from this exact week I will be dropping that third grader pictured off at college. Mr. Time, please slow down. I asked Justice, "what do you think will be the best part of 3rd grade?" He replied, "I don't know----I sure hope the toilet paper is softer this year." His other big concern was wearing a suit and tie on picture day. "Justice--are you eight or eighty-eight." He replied, "Mom, all the best coaches wear a suit for their program picture." He's got a point.
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
TEAM KEENE: FAMILY, VALUES and LEADING PEOPLE
It’s never too late to start heading in the right direction. There is a valuable life lesson somewhere smack in the depth of tournament time. Survive and advance is not for the soft hearted. Winning is important to our family, but what brings us real joy is the experience of being fully engaged in whatever we are doing. It's not human nature to be great. It's human nature to survive, to be average and do what you have to do to get by. That is normal. When you have something good happen, it's the special people that can stay focused and keep paying attention to detail, working to get better and not be satisfied with what they have accomplished.
Keene’s are a coaching family. I am a former scholarship division one athlete and division one head golf coach. My husband is a former division three athlete and current high school coach. Our two boys, well they are honestly a blog of their own. In the summer they live on the golf course and in the winter they are gym rats; what can I say? Our passion runs deep for family, values and leading people.
Today while on a gum search, and a search for inspiration, I dug into my husband’s coaching bag. He’s superstitious. Always gum at tip off. I found an old email I sent him folded up. The paper was wrinkled. The corners were torn. Not to mention the once white paper was dingy. The email was dated February 19, 2011. The significance of the date was the sectional title game. In other words, we were David and the opponent was Goliath. This short note has multiple meanings. I was touched he had kept it. I was moved he has read it more times than one by the dirty prints left behind. I believe this letter showcases our commitment to being our best, not only as individuals, but as a team; Team Keene.
Coach Keene,
When tonight’s game starts--give it your best. The opportunities are there to be anything you want it to be. But wanting to be something isn’t enough; dreaming about it isn’t enough; thinking about it isn’t enough. You have to study for it, work for it, fight for it with all your might and all your heart and all your soul, because nobody is going to hand it to you.
Success does not come to you---you go to it. I am proud of your swagger, I am impressed with your leadership, I am intimidated in your will to win, and I am overcome by your love of the game. Passion makes every detail important. Tonight, take some time to enjoy the “small details” of everything you, as a coach, have overcome this year. Not to mention the success you have molded. It took years to get to this point. Now take it in, and evaluate where your heart tells you to go next on your journey…
Your biggest fan,
Mrs. Coach Keene
Hummmm, evaluate where your heart tell you to go next on your journey. My heart tells me to lead. My heart pushes people to be their best. My heart tells you the truth, even when it’s not the popular answer. My heart is inspired by others goals being met. My heart gets a rush from the journey to the sale. My heart cares about family. My heart is a coach, cheering from behind the bench. Behind the bench was where I was made to be. Does your team roster need a heart like mine?
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