Timothy Roback is a 7th grader at East Jordan Middle School in East Jordan, Michigan and is the activity coordinator for a club at his school called The Shoe Club. The club is designed to inspire students to work hard, set goals, dream big and to give back to other people. I asked him to be a guest blogger on my blog and share his experience of being a part of such an important project. Also, check out the cool video by his great teacher Matt Hamilton who gives you an inside look at The Shoe Club.

“In our life there are two types of people; good role models, and bad role models. The “Shoe Club” is a club to teach kids how to be a good role model and inspire people themselves, just like their role models before them. One motto we have is, invest in yourself and invest in others. This means to always be helpful. But don’t go too far, as in when you have no time for yourself or just trying to please someone else. The Shoe Club has taught me a ton of stuff on being a better person, always doing the right thing and dreaming big! I would like to share some of those things with you. First and foremost, some members of the Shoe Club went on a trip to Chicago in February. During this trip I had quite a bit of fun, but that isn’t the main thing I took out of that trip. The two main things I did take out of that trip are; 1.) I met some amazing people from around the Country that were very good at sharing their ideas with me and all of my peers. 2.) The new leadership and community service ideas I got from it. I would never think I could have that much fun while learning new stuff! It was nothing like I had expected! Another thing we do in the Shoe Club is to go to our local care facility, Grandvue Medical Center. We go there to keep all of the residents company. There are many people there that fight a battle everyday and most people don’t know about it. I really enjoyed going there to visit with the older folks, playing bingo with them and hearing some great stories about their past. Both of these trips have taught me a lot about leadership from two different standpoints; a leading one and a caring form of leadership. This is why I joined the club, to learn. I like learning and this club has made it a fun experience, just like in Chicago.

Right now we are planning a custodian appreciation day. This is a day where we try to make it special for the custodians of our school by making their job easier throughout the day. I really do believe that the Shoe Club impacts the lives of all the students engaged with it. Some day, I hope it will impact the world, and I think it has the ability to do so! “ – Timothy Roback

Here is The Shoe Club video

Shoe Club Inspiration is a post from: Copyright 2010 Ed Gerety's Dream Big Blog

My 5 year old son Ryan learned to ride his bike without training wheels this past weekend. I am not sure if he will remember the moment, but it is one that my wife Suzanne and I will never forget.

The morning of the big event I asked Ryan, “Is today the day you are ready to take the training wheels off of your bike?” His reply was “Yeah, I think so, I am five-and-a-half now.” After that reply he then followed up with a series of questions.

“Dad, what if I fall down?”

I answered, “Ryan, if you fall that’s okay because we all fall down when we try something new, the important thing is to get back up and try it again.”

“Will you and mom be behind me?” he asked.

“Yes, we will be right behind you but at some point we will have to let you go and you have to trust that you will find your balance.”

“How fast will I be able to go?” he said.

“You will want to take it slow at first but as you get more confident and more experience you can go as fast as you want.”

As we watched him pedal down the driveway with his new found freedom I realized that finding your balance in life is not always easy and you can learn a lot from teaching a little boy how to find it on a bicycle for the first time.

Finding your Balance is a post from: Copyright 2010 Ed Gerety's Dream Big Blog

Recently a high school student named Kelly asked me the following question: “I have this big problem, Ed. People are calling me names and saying I have no friends and no one likes me… I’m starting to think that it’s true. My self esteem is going way down. Please help.”

Kelly is not alone – there are thousands of teenagers who feel this way every day. The best thing Kelly did was ask for help. It is important to remember and know that as teens and even as adults you are not alone. There are people to help you and support you if you are willing to look and have the courage to ask for help and advice. The biggest challenge is then putting into action the advice or support that is offered to you.

Here’s the advice I have for Kelly, she has to ask herself some questions and then take the time to really answer them at a deep level.

Who is the source?

You always have to consider the source of where negative information or comments come from. If they are coming from someone whom you do not respect or trust, then you can disregard the comments as nonsense or as another example of a coward or bully trying to tear someone down to make themselves feel better. This will help you keep things in perspective.

Who is one friend that you trust and can count on?

There are plenty of people who claim or give the perception that they have a lot of friends. However, it is the quality of friendships in your life that will help you get through difficult or challenging times. Nurture a friendship with even one person that you trust and can talk to. When you have a great friendship with a person who supports you, encourages you and is there to pick you up when you’re feeling down it will make a world of difference, versus a crowd of superficial relationships.

What are you grateful for in your life right now?

Ask yourself what you are grateful or thankful for in your life right now? Start with one thing and then list five things. When you begin to really reflect on what you are grateful for in your life you cannot help but begin to focus on the positive.

What challenges and obstacles have you had to overcome in your life?

Self-esteem does not come from looking in the mirror and saying to yourself ‘you are incredible’! Self-esteem comes from looking at your life and seeing how much you have grown, what you have experienced, and had to overcome. It’s about looking at the successes you have had in your life so far and also seeing how you’ve persevered through challenges. Take the time to look back to see just how far you have come. Then look ahead and focus on all of the wonderful things that are possible. This is what will carry you through the ups and downs of life.

Is that it? Just focus on these questions and answers and everything will be better?

I wish it was that easy and the answer that simple. The truth is that there are always going to be mean people who are cruel and gossip about others. It does not stop in high school or in college. There are bullies everywhere and at almost every age. That is why it is so important to surround yourself with positive people and positive things whenever possible. What you focus on – you attract. What you think about – you become. Don’t let negative people bring you down, don’t let them hold you back from being kind and from dreaming big. The fact is that you are an amazing human being who has gifts and talents – many that are still to be discovered – that are going to help you create an extraordinary life and make the world a better place.

Can Gratitude Increase Your Self-Esteem? is a post from: Copyright 2010 Ed Gerety's Dream Big Blog

per-se-ver-ance [pur-suh-veer-uh ns]

–noun 1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

Often times after one my presentations students will come up to me and want to ask me a question. What’s interesting is that the majority of the time it’s never a question that they want to ask. Instead, they just want to share their story and have someone truly listen. No judgment, no advice, just someone to hear their story with an open mind and heart. Afterwards they always ask me to share their story with others in the hope that it will help and inspire someone else.

The stories that I have heard over the past twenty years from teenagers and adults have had a profound impact on my life. When I share those stories they remind all of us about so many life lessons. One of the biggest being – perseverance. Here is an example.

I met Christopher R., a senior at a high school that I was speaking at last week in Pennsylvania. He grew up in a dysfunctional family, was abused until the age of twelve, had to move, and missed 50+ days of school in the 6th grade. He was placed in foster care where, even there, they did not provide clothing or other needs like hygiene products. After seeing so many other kids in the foster home go to new homes before he did, he grew very frustrated, but kept his positive attitude.

After five and a half years of foster care, he moved back to his mother’s house, where after 4 months, he had to move out because of difficulties with his mom. For the past year, his senior year, he has been living with a roommate in a house just outside of town, paying his own rent and expenses. Christopher is doing all of this while going to school and taking part in his church ministry. He will be graduating from high school with the most college credits than anyone else in his school.

He has recently signed an eight year contract with the Navy to be a nuclear engineer. I asked him what advice he would give to others and he answered, “To never let your past define your future, have faith, and persevere.”

Perseverance is a post from: Copyright 2010 Ed Gerety's Dream Big Blog

Happy 2010! As we go into the New Year I wanted to share with you one of the messages that I deliver in my keynote speeches and in my leadership trainings to schools and organizations across North America.

It is a great reminder about leading by example.

In every area of our lives, as leaders, we have the power to choose. From how we treat one another – to how we resolve a conflict – to what we allow to put into our bodies. From our goals to our dreams – to what we stand for and what we believe in. Yes, even in the relationships we get involved in.

But the greatest choice you and I have the power to make as leaders and playing big in the game of life…is leading by example.

I used to think that it’s not what you say as a leader it’s what you do. I don’t agree with that anymore. Absolutely it’s what you do as a leader no question but it’s also what you say.

Your word means everything as a leader. Someone once said that talk is cheap. Talk is not cheap. People make talk cheap.

Remember the words of Frank Outlaw. Frank Outlaw said, “Watch your thoughts, your thoughts become your words. Watch your words, your words become your actions. Watch your actions, your actions become your habits. Watch your habits, your habits become your character. Watch your character, your character becomes your destiny.”

Play big…lead by example is a post from: Copyright 2010 Ed Gerety's Dream Big Blog