Motivating Performance

A Game of Golf Can Help the Game of Life By Zig Ziglar

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Tue, 10 May 2011 16:11:51 PDT

A Game of Golf Can Help the Game of Life

By Zig Ziglar

To take a little literary license and paraphrase Tim J. M. Rohrer of WSOC FM 103 radio in Charlotte, North Carolina, in golf the objective is to hit each shot well and to get into position to hit the next one effectively. Tim says this is the smart way to approach a demanding game. Concentrating on hitting each shot forces the player to focus on the current shot and to forget about past mistakes. Unfortunately, in golf and in life, we do hit some “bad shots” or things just don’t go “our way.” It is important, however, that we not let a missed shot or a bad break today keep us from doing our best tomorrow.

Failure is an event, it is not a person; yesterday really did end last night. A bad shot or a bad break should not influence the next shot or the next action we take. As a matter of fact, on the golf course when we miss a shot we should say to ourselves, “I can’t believe I did that! That is totally out of character for me. I just won’t do that again.” Then, as we step up to make the next shot, we should be saying, “Remember how you hit that last seven iron on number eight? Here’s your chance to do it again!”

If we’ve missed a sale or fouled up a relationship or made a poor decision in the past, we should not let that be the measuring stick for future behavior. We should, in fact, step up to the next opportunity and remind ourselves of our past successes, painting a new picture of success and accomplishments in our lives. The combination of mental imaging and self-talk can make a difference. Paint the picture of success before the next shot in golf or the next step in life. You will find it to be helpful. Think about it. Do it, and I’ll SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

To see the Zig Ziglar company's full newsletter complete with more stories check out: http://www.ziglar.com/newsletter/

Let the journey begin...

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:51:00 PDT

The journey has begun. The Epic Journey Training Program is officially open. Sign up now to receive the first month free.

I have received many great responses from people who are excited about this program. Be sure to take advantage of the free month. Take a look around the site and if for some reason you are no longer interested just let me know and I will unsubscribe you no questions asked.

Check it out here: http://epic.kajabi.com

There has also been a lot of support from fellow speakers and people following their personal epic journey who would like to be involved in this program. I am extremely excited about this. Later today I will be editing an interview I had with Ryan Porter that will appear in an upcoming month and there are several more interviews in the works.

Don't miss out on a minute of it!!

http://epic.kajabi.com

Thank you for your support and lets get ready to begin the journey of a lifetime

Epic Journey: First month free

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 14:30:00 PDT

The time is counting down. Epic Journey begins tomorrow!!!

I have already been receiving some great feedback from people who are excited for the program.

For the first month, we are diving into the topic of personality. Take a tasty personality test now at:

U View Personality test

With the launch starting soon I wanted to get this video out so that you could get an idea of some of the content that will be on the site. In order to check out the full member site be sure to subscribe between March 15-20th and receive the first month for free.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

Take a Stand!!

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:30:00 PST

The past few weeks thousands of people have been protesting at the capital in Madison, WI. They are upset about actions Governor Scott Walker is taking with the budget repair bill.

Now, I am not here to talk about those issues. I feel that these protests demonstrate a lesson that is vitally important for every student leader...... standing up for your values.

Take a Stand video

Values, integrity, discovering your personality.... these are all important topics for young people to get a handle on. I know when I was in high school I struggled with many of these same issues.

That is why I created the Epic Journey Training Program. Epic Journey is an online training program that is designed to take students through these difficult topics. Each month we will explore a new leadership topic through video trainings, a Q&A phone call, interviews with experts and more.

This Epic Journey will begin March 15th. To find out more information click this link:

http://epic.kajabi.com

Let the journey begin

In Honor...

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 07:51:37 PST

The work you do

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:17:32 PST

With the start of the new year it's a perfect time to think about the work you do and how you can be a what Seth Godin calls a Linchpin. Spend 15 minutes tonight answering these questions tonight to make sure you are providing value in what you do.

How do you create a positive buzz about you and your work?

How do you make others want you as a part of their team?

What do you do that makes your employer cringe at the thought of losing you to a competitor?

How can you make your customers (or colleagues) excited about referring you to others?

Quick Update

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 10:52:02 PST

*This blog post is intended to be read in hyperspeed for full effect.

(Big Breath...hyperspeed)

Hello Leader Reader it's been a long time since I consistently posted but no fear that ends here. A lot has happened since March, here is my life in 32 seconds.

(breathe)
(hyperspeed)

After the school year ended, I headed back down for another summer in Oklahoma working with YourNextSpeaker. It again was an amazing summer that I won't soon forget. I will be back to Oklahoma several more times in the future because of it.

(breathe)
(hyperspeed)

September meant back to school for a very tough semester of classes. I made it through but my GPA took a little bite of a hit. On track to get that glorious slip of paper by next May 2012, of course I need to take 18 credit semesters plus a few summer courses but hey I made it through experimental psych so it's all downhill now.

(breathe)
(hyperspeed)

I have had a phenomenal time working with the Adventure Learning Program this past year and we are now getting ready to train in the new tators (short for facilitators, it only took me 9 month to figure that out). I am learning a lot about experiential education and facilitating in general that will be a huge help with my own career.

oh right (breathe)
(hyperspeed)

I have started to market my own workshops more and more towards the end of this semester and the response has been very positive which I am extremely grateful for. The WI FFA COLT conference is coming along nicely and will take up a big chunk of my time this next semester.

(breathe)
(read at normal speed)

I just wanted to thank everyone for a great year. This last semester I have spent most of my time hidden away with my abnormal psychology textbook but I am really looking forward to focusing less on school work and more on the other areas of my life. Wishing you an outstanding 2011.

'Tis the Season

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 11:18:12 PST

It is that time of year again. When the music is playing in the headphones. Plates and plates of cookies and other goodies start appearing. Not being able to sleep at night in anticipation of....your final exams.

Yes, it is official the end of the semester is near. A time when high school and college students both dread and rejoice. There are tests to be studied for, chapters to be read, stats to be memorized and papers to be written (like the Experimental psych one I am putting off at this very moment) but with each completed task it means we are that much closer to graduation day.

Among this hustle and bustle of the finals season I was reminded of an important point just the other night. For an ALPs meeting Angeline did an activity where we reflected on both good and challenging points from the semester then we were given a few minutes to write about what we were thinking.

This was a simple but powerful activity. ALPs prides itself in practicing Experiential Education using adventurous activities such as high ropes courses to allow people "experience" their education. But so often we forget to truly experience the biggest adventure, life.

Personally, I have been absolutely horrible at this this past semester. Just allowing myself to get bogged down and hurry through task after task not taking the time to really appreciate life and what I am learning.

It is amazing how powerful the simple act of journaling can be. I have been journaling off and on since I was a State Officer, lately off a lot more then on. But just those five minutes of reflecting on the day or an experience you had can allow you to learn so much.

Take 5-10 minutes right now to ponder these questions:

- Think about the best thing that has happened to you this semester

- How did you feel?

- What was the weather like?

- Who did you tell about the experience?

- What can you do to have that experience again?

- Who influenced you and helped you along the way?

- Who do you need to thank?

- Think about the most challenging thing that has happened to you this semester

- How did you feel?

- What was the weather like?

- Who did you tell about the experience?

- What went wrong?

- Can you do anything to change or avoid it?

It's that simple. All you need to do is spend some time thinking. Grab a notebook. Start a blog. Get a video camera (I've been trying some video journaling and having a lot of fun) or simply find a nice relaxing spot and just think.

For me the hardest thing has always been knowing what to write about. If that is your case too then just start out by writing about the most challenging part of your day and what made it that way. Also, be sure to keep checking back as I will be posting more prompts as the days go by.

With a little effort and commitment you can make journaling a habit. You can turn it into a learning tool like no other. A tool that allows you to be in complete control of your learning, allowing you to:

Experience the Adventure

Who's Left??

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:35:32 PST

This activity is a slight twist on one I learned from the great Karl Rohnke. It's good for having some high energy fun and depending on how you set it up and debrief it could be geared toward cooperation.

Who's Left??

- Have everyone number off by 2's and split up into two teams. Call one Team A and one Team B (or feel free to use some creative expression)

- Have everyone spread themselves out randomly in a relatively large playing area (a gym, field, random parking lot, etc.) making sure that they have room between other players

- Once the players are distributed they have to stay there with both feet stationary until the action starts happening.

- Tell all the players on Team A to extend their right hands and players on Team B to extend their left.

- Choose two people (one from each team) one being the "Left Initiator" and the other the "Right Initiator"

- The two initiators then jog to opposite ends of the playing area and stand ready about ten feet from the nearest distributed person

- On "Go!" the right initiators looks for a player with an extended right hand and grasps that person's hand. The two then become connected and go look for another extended right hand and so on until all right handed players are connected hand in hand. If the "right" team gets connected before the "left" team completes their connection, the right wins.

Special notice

* Yelling and shouting is strongly encouraged

* If anyone moves their feet before the initiator grasps their hand 5 seconds will be added to their time.

* Physically interfering with the other team is not allowed

* If anyone in the developing line breaks grip then there will be a ten second time penalty for each break

For multiple rounds

Break the group up into 4 teams (Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael, Michelangelo) then randomly pick two groups to be on Team A and two to be on Team B right before calling go.

Stand Out. Think Different.

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 15:12:20 PST

Do you just follow the crowd? Doing things a certain way simply because that is the way it is done. Do you settle for blending in or do you stand out?
Shift your thinking this week. Look at your world from a new perspective. Question the possibilities. Innovate and create. Think Different.

Pursuit of Happiness - MMM

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:41:40 PDT

Don't let others tell you your dreams are impossible. Pursue your happiness.

Elements of Greatness - MMM

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:00:05 PST

This week take the time to answer some important questions. Exploring who we are and what we believe is an important activity which every leader should do on a regular basis. It brings us insight and helps us refocus our lives on what truly matters.

This video reminds all of us that

"To give anything less then your best is to sacrifice the gift." - Steve Prefontaine

Do not sacrifice this gift. Do not settle for merely good. You have the ability. BE GREAT

Failure

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:00:00 PST

How are you going to push yourself this week?

Are you on the edge of failure?

If not, are you really trying???

Be Realistic - Monday's Motivational Morsel

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:54:19 PST

Wake up loving your life. Each morning we have the simple touch to wake up living a life we love or to suffer through the daying living a life others tell us is realistic.

In this video Ryan Porter challenges us to not live our lives according to others preseption of what is realistic. Take a look it is an outstanding message to start your week off on the right foot.
Who decides what is realistic in your life? Decide to each morning to live your dream life.

Ryan Porter is a motivational speaker from Ontario, Canada. His message to students tells them to "Make Your Own Lunch." Click here check out more videos from Make Your Own Lunch TV

Fine Tuning

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:06:49 PST

There is so much potential sitting in the corner. It has the power to change people. It has the power to energize. An auditorium packed with people, filled with a dull chatter of conversation can be brought to a deafening roar of cheers and screams with the strumming of a single cord or the soft underlying melody can cause us to take a step back and reflect on our life. Yes, it is a very powerful instrument. A guitar can move people. Its music can be an inspiration or sometimes it is just noise.

Having the most extravagant, expensive guitar one that is born to make amazing music will produce nothing but noise if it is not properly tuned. Our lives are the same way. To bring out the music in us. we need to spend time tuning. To be a high performing leader takes the fine tuning.

With a guitar you get what you give. If you invest the time behind the scenes, practicing in your dorm room, learning how to play new songs on YouTube and just experimenting, then when it is time to take the stage you will be able to deliver a performance that moves people.

To be a leader takes that same deliberate practice. It is about waking up each morning and deciding to do something today that will make you better for tomorrow. This is the only way to make true progress in any area of your life. Pick an area of your life, something you want to improve on, something you want to be the best in. And start fine tuning.

Tag You're It

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:08:30 PST

Do you want to make a difference in others? Are you looking for a challenging career? Do you have a passion for agriculture?

Well you are in luck because you have just been Tagged to Teach Ag.

Check out this video from the National Association of Agriculture Education.

http://www.naae.org/TeachAg

Life = Risk

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 20:44:33 PST

Excellent advice to start the week off right.

Turn on the Light

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 06:17:30 PST

The room is darkly quiet, deserted and lifeless. Most hardly even know it existed. The next moment it becomes illuminated, filled with life, activity and energy. A place where people gather to relax, to connect, to make things happen.

This magical change is brought out all thanks to the light. The once void and empty room comes to life with the energy from the light but this energy didn't just appear out of no where. For even when the light is inactive the potential is always there waiting. Someone just needs to flip the switch.

Our lives are so much like that light bulb. Each and every one of us has an incredible amount of potential waiting to be unleashed, we just need to flip the switch.

Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by Alltel

Monday's Motivational Morsel

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 20:37:05 PST

Start your week off right. It's time for action. NO EXCUSES.

Leadership is...

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:41:03 PST

Here is a quick update on how things are going and a brief message from the a Middle School FFA workshop. Thanks Cashton and Sparta for an outstanding time.

Be sure to check out the new website at:

http://www.motivatingperformancellc.com/

The Road

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:59:24 PST

The road map to bring an authentic leader can be a tricky one to follow. Many have tried but most get lost in sorrow. It starts off on a slow moving interstate traffic jam. All slammed together you are no different than any other man. Weave your way through wrong and right, find your exit and be especially vigilant at night. There are many exits that one can take but picking is by no means a piece of cake. Search deep inside your soul and it will direct you toward your goal.

Once you find your passion you are on your way. Exit the interstate and don't stray. For that was the easy part, now comes the true test of your heart. To survive the streets take great navigation for many given up out of desperation. There are twists, turns, potholes and obstacles galore, but don't through up your hands and say "No more." The light at the end of the tunnel will soon come your way, a dark allies are not where you want to stay.

Be true to the values and principles you know are right, for they will steer you through without a big fright. The people you surround your self with are the key because they provide your emotional fuel you see. Your journey to be an authentic leader will be a hard one but don't worry you can prevail, with the right attitude you too can set sail.

Tougher than it sounds

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:17:26 PST

Straw Flip

Materials: Drinking Straws

Each student is given a straw and puts one end of it in his or her mouth. Without using hands, they must get the other end into their mouth by twisting and turning it.

Debriefing ideas
- Persistance
- Being willing to look a little weird

Funny Faces

Materials: Rubber bands

Each student is given a rubber band and is instructed to put the rubber band around their head, across the tip of their nose. By only making different facial expressions, they must move the rubber band all the way down their necks.

Debriefing ideas

- Persistance

- Being willing to look a little weird

Everyday Improvements

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:58:51 PST

Last night at midnight we officially kicked off 2010. With the coming of each new year thousands of people all over the world set resolutions and create goals for the upcoming year. However, many fall short after only a few months. Most of the time this is because many try to make changes is too big of chunks.

Sticking to your resolutions requires a small act each and everyday. It requires that you take an action each day. The action does not need to be huge, in fact if it is too big it is harder to sum up the motivation to act.

Each week take the time to create a game plan for each day, what are you going to do to move yourself closer?

Making Everyday Improvements will create lasting change.

ID Your Frog

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:48:40 PST

In an earlier blog post we talked about the concept of Eating You Frog. Now, it is time to explore the first step in that process.

In order to Eat Your Frog each morning it is critical that we ID our frogs, afterall you sure don't want to eat someone elses frog (who knows where that has been).

This step actually begins the night before because by identifying our big task then it allows us to get right to work the next morning. Don't go check Facebook or email just get down to business.

Take 10-15 minutes each night to write down all of the tasks you need to do the next day and then circle the one that you are most likely to procrastinate or avoid.

So what are you waiting for? ID your Frog.

Welcome

npalkowski@wisc.edu (Nick Palkowski) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 20:15:25 PST

This is my blog. Thanks for stopping by.

If you have any questions or comments feel free to send them to me at Nick@MotivatingPerformanceLLC.com