Letter from the Editor

Letter from the Editor

It was only a matter of time before it would happen to me.  It was my sophomore year in high school.  1986, Dixon High School, Holly Ridge North Carolina I was having my breakout season for a young wrestling program that was only in place for two years.  My conference record and tournament wins were getting me recognition.  I hadn't been involved with sports very long but I loved the competition of one on one, mano et mano of collegiate wrestling and greco roman styles of wrestling.  I wasn't very strong but I had heart and determination.  I often wrestled up a weight class because an equally talented teammate who was a repeat State qualifier and soon to be State Champion was dominating the 167 weight class.   The best parts of wrestling season is that it came on the heels of football season and if our team didn't qualify for finals we would be in shape and have a couple extra weeks to condition for the upcoming wrestling season.  We were eliminate from finals but I had posted my best football record season so I was pumped to head into wrestling season on a high note.  So there I was a sophomore, humble to the accolades of sudden success and an eager learner striving to do more,  I received a Letter from the Editor notice and consent form signed off by the school but needed my parents' blessings before I could be interviewed for a piece in the city and regional papers.  I was on cloud nine and excited to take the note home.  My parents provided the best they could allowing me to get involved with music programs and social events with the school.  As a student athlete I maintained very high ethics.  My father was in the military for the Marines and an Advanced Trainer in schools battalion for the AMTrax water craft assault vehicles.  He wasn't strict but had a very stern stance on drawing attention and taking credits for your talents.  The irony of him holding this position while he too was so highly decorated and recognized for his acts of valor and life saving efforts on the Mt. Fuji Fires incident.  When he told me I couldn't do the interview I was crushed and I didn't know how to handle it.  He gave me the best lesson that I still use in every aspect of my life.  It wasn't a fall down and get back up type of lesson or monologue but it is clear advice.  When you are talented, have an advantage or are considered to be gifted you don't have to have awards to prove you're good, the natural rise to your point of ascension is tribute enough.  You can't be TOP DOG if you were only doing it for an award your voyage to the top should be the reward.

I still have that Letter from the Editor but those words will resonate with me for ever.  The voyage and view is awesome but I can still see the peak.  I'm ready to dig in.  I share this same message with my teams and people I help when we build their business.  What are you goals?  What is your message?

Let's do work.