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

I have been asking people a simple question for several years now and I think it’s an important, yet simple question. How do you start your day?

The questions and thoughts we start off every day with set the tone for a fulfilling day but also in creating an extraordinary life.

Many people have shared with me that they really don’t even ask themselves or think about an empowering question in the morning. Rather, they just do the same actions every day without really thinking about it. We’re unconscious to our actual thoughts. For example, many people think about things like: I wish I could sleep for 10 more minutes, I have to take the dog out, I need a cup of coffee, or I wish it was the weekend. There are several others that told me the first thing they do in the morning is check their e-mail.

How do you start the day? What questions do you ask yourself? What affirmations do you make as you go into a new day? One of my favorite quotes is by Thoreau who said, “To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.” I have found that when I consciously ask myself what I want the day to look like, I get more things done, have more fun, and I am present to how lucky I am to have this day.

Here are the four things that I ask myself and affirm every morning. I will often write them down before I begin my action items for the day.

1. What do I want the day to look like? (question)
2. W.I.N.? (What’s Important Now?) (question)
3. What am I grateful for? (question)
4. I’m responsible for how the day goes! (affirmation)

Rather than hit the snooze button one more time, what can you do to affect the quality of the day?

Don’t hit the snooze button…your life is waiting. is a post from: Copyright 2010 Ed Gerety's Dream Big Blog

Photo Credit - Elaine Nord

Elaine always wanted to be a professional sports photographer. Her first step in making this goal a reality was by creating a “Dream Board “ which included pictures of her photography and images that inspired her and reminded her of where she wanted to go. Elaine then began to really get clear and specific in her language about what she was going to do. She went from wanting to be a professional sports photographer to making the declaration, “I will be a professional sports photographer and have my work published in a newspaper within the next year.” She achieved that goal within 6 months and then continued to pursue her passion by taking photos at the NCAA Lacrosse Semi-Finals.

Elaine is someone who understands that by getting clarity on what she really wants is one of the keys to living her dreams. She made the decision to not just “hope” and “wish” which would get her lost into the “someday” world. A world where someday never comes and dreams get lost. Instead she has taken a dream, made it specific and taken powerful, consistent action.

Another part of her success is that she keeps moving forward. She entered her photos into a Juried Photography Show where she was selected to show and even sold one of her prints. She decided to further her education by attending the Photography at the Summit, Sports Photography Workshop in Colorado Springs, CO. It was there that she met incredibly talented people and had the opportunity to take photos of future Olympians at the Olympic Training Center. She had her portfolio reviewed by several professional photographers including those from Sports Illustrated and the Associated Press.

It’s people like Elaine that inspire me and are an example of what it takes to live an extraordinary life. Be passionate, get clear, take action, and keep moving forward.

I invite you to take a look at some of her work on her gallery.
Elaine Nord’s Photo Gallery

Snapshot of Success is a post from: Copyright 2010 Ed Gerety's Dream Big Blog

http://snipurl.com/7s4fy

Our son Ryan is turning four years old next week. It’s amazing how
quickly the four years have gone by and how our baby is now our little
boy.

This got me thinking about just how powerful the number 4 is. It
takes four years to graduate from high school and look how much
changes from when you start out as a freshman to when you become a
senior and graduate. I went to college for four years and the
friendships, experiences, and lessons learned in those 4 years
impacted my life forever.

When I look at the personal and professional goals that I set for
myself the majority of them are set in the increments of 4. What are
my goals for the next 4 weeks? What are my goals for the next 4
months? And what are my goals for the next 4 years?

How much has your life changed in 4 years? How much has it changed
over the past four seasons?

Because four is a fantastic number and to celebrate our son turning
this special number I’m making my book, “Combinations: Opening the
Door to Student Leadership” available for $4. per copy *plus shipping.

So I invite you to celebrate with us! You can order as many books as
you like. You can order 1, 4 or even 400!

It’s a great gift to give someone for the holidays or a great way to
reward your students and inspire them to keep reaching for their goals
as we go into 2009.

I will gladly sign each copy as well.

Thanks for reading. This offer will end Friday December 19th. After
that it will be gone 4-ever.

Here is where you can order your copy:

http://snipurl.com/7s4fy

Celebrate 4 With Us is a post from: Copyright 2010 Ed Gerety's Dream Big Blog